a beam rests against a wall, forming a 55 degree angle with the floor. Use the function y=9sec theta to find the length of the beam to the nearest tenth of a foot.

Question

a beam rests against a wall, forming a 55 degree angle with the floor.  Use the function y=9sec theta to find the length of the beam to the nearest tenth of a foot.

phi · Answer

sec(x)  is the same as 1/cos(x)

they tell you the angle x is 55 degrees
I would do
y= 9 sec(x) = 9/cos(x)  for x=55º
y= 9/cos(55 deg)

you could type this into google's input window:
 9/cos(55 deg)=

Be sure to put in the deg  or google will think the 55 is in radians

anonymous · Answer

thanks-that worked

anonymous · Answer

never used google like that before-good tip