Question

If sin X = 0.3240 and b = 40, what is the value of c

Answer 1

123.46 or 42.28

Explanation:

Assuming that b is the leg side of a triangle and that c is the hypotenuse, we can solve for c using SOHCAHTOA.

We can find the angle from the equation sin X = 0.3240.

X =
`sin^(-1)` 0.3240

X = ...

Through SOHCAHTOA, we know that we should use either sin X =
`(opp)/(hyp)` or that cos X =
`(adj)/(hyp)`.

I'm going to assume that we use sin X =
`(opp)/(hyp)` since we are given a length b and not a length a. So:

sin 18.9050 =
`(40)/(c)`

c =
`(40)/(sin 18.9050)` = 123.46

If we use cos X =
`(adj)/(hyp)`, then:

cos 18.9050 =
`(40)/(c)`

c =
`(40)/(cos 18.9050)` = 42.28

Not sure which one is correct since we are not given a picture of the sides.