Question

Given the right triangle in the diagram below, whatis the value of x, to the nearest foot?х40°14 ft

Answer 1

We woudl determine the value of x by applying the Cosine trigonometric ratio which is expressed as

Cos# = adjacent side/hypotenuse

From the triangle,

adjacent side = 14

hypotenuse = x

# = 40

Thus,

Cos 40 = 14/x

xCos 40 = 14

x = 14/Cos40 = 14/Cos = 14/0.766

x = 18.28 ft

To the nearest foot,

x = 18 ft