Question

using trig to find a side
score: 1/5 penalty: 1 off
question
solve for x. round to the nearest tenth, if necessary.
answer attempt 1 out of 2
x =

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the trigonometric ratio

In a right - triangle, for angle \(W = 32^{\circ}\), the adjacent side to angle \(W\) is \(x\) and the hypotenuse \(WU=4.9\). We use the cosine ratio. The cosine of an angle in a right - triangle is defined as \(\cos\theta=\frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\). So, \(\cos(32^{\circ})=\frac{x}{4.9}\).

Step2: Solve for \(x\)

Multiply both sides of the equation \(\cos(32^{\circ})=\frac{x}{4.9}\) by \(4.9\). We get \(x = 4.9\times\cos(32^{\circ})\).
We know that \(\cos(32^{\circ})\approx0.848\). Then \(x = 4.9\times0.848\).
\(x=4.1552\)

Answer:

\(x\approx4.2\)