how do you solve a non-right triangle when you are only given 2 sides? I have triangle XYZ, with side xy=7 and side xz=8. the question is, For what measure of angle X (which is the interior angle between xy and xz) is the area of the triangle greatest?

Question

phi · Answer

do you know trig?

anonymous · Answer

yea

anonymous · Answer

from everything that I can find, you  have to have 3 things, 2 side and and an angle, three sides, 2 angles and a side, etc. I don't know how with just 2 sides. Law of sines and law of cosines require 3 measurements...

phi · Answer

start by drawing a picture
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phi · Answer

refresh your browser if that does not show properly

phi · Answer

The idea is the area is 1/ 2 base * height
which turns into the formula
A= 28 sin X
what angle X maximizes  sin X ?

anonymous · Answer

the question is "for what measure of angle X is the area of the triangle greatest?

phi · Answer

yes

phi · Answer

What is the formula for the area of a triangle?

anonymous · Answer

1/2absinC