Question

A triangle has sides measuring 7 centimeters and 13 centimeters that form an angle measuring 44°. Which of these is CLOSEST to the length of the third side of the triangle?

Answer 1

9.3 centimeters

Explanation:

If the length of the third side of the triangle is c, then according to the Law of Cosines, c2 = 72 + 132 – 2(7)(13)(cos 44°). The value of c2 can be simplified to approximately 49 + 169 – 130.9198, or 87.0802, using a calculator. By taking the square root of 87.0802, the length of the third side of the triangle comes out to be approximately 9.3 centimeters.