asked 118k views
11 votes
Which triangle is similar to ΔABC if sin(A) = 1/4, cos(A) = √15/4, and tan(A) = 1/√15?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Which triangle is similar to ΔABC if sin(A) = 1/4, cos(A) = √15/4, and tan(A) = 1/√15? A-example-1

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

D is the similar triangle

Explanation:

A quick solution to this problem is using the hypotenuse.

You know that sin(A) is 1/4 and sin is opposite / hypotenuse, so the hypotenuse should be a multiple of 4 in order for the fraction to reduce to 1/4. (it might not be, but I usually do this to see if there's a quick solution)

Using this trick, you find that the only triangle with a hypotenuse that is a multiple of 4 is the last triangle. Now simply double check the other trig. functions to check whether it truly is the same.

To check each trig function, you must first determine the corresponding angle to angle A. Again, for simplicities sake, let's use 1/4 as a determiner for the angle. The only combination of sides divided by hypotenuse that simplifies to 1/4 is 6/24. Therefore 6 must be opposite to the angle, since it's sin(a) = 1/4 and sin is opposite / hypotenuse. So the angle is X.

Now check for both cos and tan

Cos(x) = 6(15)^0.5 / 24 = (15)^0.5 / 4 CHECKS OUT

Tan(x) = 6 / 6(15)^0.5 = 1 / (15)^0.5 CHECKS OUT

Since everything checks out, then answer D is truly correct.

answered
User Mahdi
by
8.5k points

Related questions

2 answers
2 votes
26.2k views
asked Sep 15, 2024 32.7k views
Toby Van Kempen asked Sep 15, 2024
by Toby Van Kempen
7.8k points
1 answer
5 votes
32.7k views
2 answers
5 votes
53.9k views
Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.