Question

The center pole of a tent is 8 feet long, and a side of the tent is 12 feet long as shown in the diagram below.


If a right angle is formed where the center pole meets the ground, what is the measure of angle A to the nearest degree?
A. 34
B. 42
C. 48
D. 56

Answer 1

B.

Answer 2

From angle A's perspective, the opposite side is the one labeled "8".

So sin(A) = opposite / adjacent
= 8 / 12
= 2/3

To find A, then, you need to use the inverse sine... it's on your calculator somewhere.
sin(A) = 2/3
inverse sine ( sin(A) ) = inv sin( 2/3 ) = A

Find 2/3 first, then hit Inverse Sine... you should get 41.81 degrees

Answer 3

alright , then what do i do ?

Answer 4

you are supposed to find the angle to the nearest degree.

If you have the opposite side and the hypotenuse, then you can find the sine of A. Then you solve for measure of angle A by taking the inverse sine.

You may notice that 41.81 degrees looks very close to answer B.

Answer 5

lol

Answer 6

ohhh ! okay i see how you got that now !