Precalculus : Trigonometric Applications

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Solve A Right Triangle

Find the area of the given isosceles triangle:

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Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The first step is to divide this isosceles triangle into 2 right triangles, making it easier to solve:

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The equation for area is 

We already know the base, so we need to solve for height to get the area. 

Then we plug in all values for the equation:

Example Question #12 : Solve A Right Triangle

Find the area of the given isosceles triangle:

Varsity log graph

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The first step toward finding the area is to divide this isosceles triangle into two right triangles:

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Trigonometric ratios can be used to find both the height and the base, which are needed to calculate area:

With both of those values calculated, we can now calculate the area of the triangle:

Example Question #13 : Solve A Right Triangle

Pcq1

Solve the right triangle given that a=5, b=12, and A=22.620°

Possible Answers:

B=90°

C=67.380°

c=13

B=67.380°

C=90°

c=13

B=90°

C=67.380°

c=169

B=67.380°

C=90°

c=17

None of these answers are correct.

Correct answer:

B=67.380°

C=90°

c=13

Explanation:

Pcq1

C is given as 90°.

A is given as 22.620°

a is given as 5

b is given as 12

 

Therefore...

 

All angles of a triangle add up to equal 180°.

Example Question #1 : Use Trigonometric Functions To Calculate The Area Of A Triangle

In triangle , , , and .  Find the area of the triangle.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When given the lengths of two sides and the measure of the angle included by the two sides, the area formula is:

Plugging in the given values we are able to calculate the area.

Example Question #2 : Area Of A Triangle

Find the area of this triangle:

Tri area f

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the area, use the formula associated with side, angle, side triangles which states,

 

where  and  are side lengths and  is the included angle.

In our case,

.

Plug the values into the area formula and solve.

Example Question #3 : Area Of A Triangle

Find the area of this triangle:

Tri area d

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the area formula to find area that is associated with the side angle side theorem for triangles.

 

where  and  are side lengths and  is the included angle.

Plugging these values into the formula above, we arrive at our final answer.

Example Question #4 : Area Of A Triangle

Find the area of this triangle:

Tri area b

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, use the formula for area that is associated with the side angle side theorem for triangles,

where  and  are side lengths and  is the included angle.

Here we are using and not since that is the angle between  and .

Therefore,

.

Plugging the above values into the area formula we arrive at our final answer.

Example Question #5 : Area Of A Triangle

Find the area of this triangle:

Tri area a

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Find the area using the formula associated the side angle side theorem of a triangle,

where  and  are side lengths and  is the included angle.

In this particular case,

therefore the area is found to be,

.

Example Question #6 : Area Of A Triangle

Find the exact area of a triangle with side lengths of , , and .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the Heron's Formula:

Solve for .

Solve for the area.

Example Question #7 : Area Of A Triangle

What is the area of a triangle with side lengths  , , and  ?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can solve this question using Heron's Formula. Heron's Formula states that:

The semiperimeter is

where  are the sides of a triangle.

Then the area is

So if we plug in

So the area is

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