Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
7. Non-Right Triangles
Law of Sines
Problem 6.33
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionWithout using the law of sines, explain why no triangle ABC can exist that satisfies A = 103° 20', a = 14.6 ft, b = 20.4 ft.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Triangle Inequality Theorem
The Triangle Inequality Theorem states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side. This principle is essential for determining the feasibility of a triangle's existence based on its side lengths and angles. In this case, we can use the given side lengths to check if they can form a triangle with the specified angle.
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Angle-Side Relationships in Triangles
In any triangle, the side opposite the largest angle is the longest side. Conversely, the smallest angle is opposite the shortest side. This relationship helps in assessing whether a triangle can exist with given angles and sides. For triangle ABC, the angle A is quite large, which implies that side a should be longer than side b, but the given lengths contradict this.
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Sine Rule and Angle Constraints
While the question specifies not to use the law of sines, understanding its implications is crucial. The sine of an angle in a triangle is proportional to the length of the side opposite that angle. Given the large angle A and the lengths of sides a and b, we can infer that the sine of angle A would not allow side a to be shorter than side b, leading to a contradiction in the triangle's existence.
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