A right triangle’s hypotenuse is 20 cm long. What is the length of the side opposite a 60° angle? Give your answer to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.

40
18.5
20
17.3

Question

A right triangle’s hypotenuse is 20 cm long. What is the length of the side opposite a 60° angle? Give your answer to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.  

40
18.5
20
17.3

hero · Answer

Hint: Draw a picture of the situation first

anonymous · Answer

i still don't understand, i have a really bad problem with math, so could you show me how to do it

callisto · Answer

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x is the side you need to find
You can use sine law to find it
sinA         sin B
----  =  ------
  a                b
Put A =90, a=20, B = 60 into the equation and solve for b, can you do it from here?
PS, if you're confused, b is actually x i marked in the fig.

anonymous · Answer

I think it's 40, am i right?

callisto · Answer

Perhaps not?
sin 90        sin 60
------ = -------
   20              b

 1       sqrt(3) / 2
-- = ----------
20             b
Can you do it again?

callisto · Answer

Note, in a right angle triangle, hypotenuse is the longest side... So it is impossible to find a side longer than that in the same triangle

anonymous · Answer

17.3?