Question 40·200 Super-Hard SAT Math Questions·Geometry and Trigonometry
For two acute angles and , . The measures, in degrees, of and are and , respectively. Which choice is the value of ?
When a trig equation mixes and with angle expressions, first convert everything to the same trig function using cofunction identities (like ). Then treat it as a sine-equals-sine equation: within the relevant angle range you must consider both and , and finally use the given angle restrictions (here, both angles acute) to eliminate any extraneous solution.
Hints
Rewrite the cosine
Use the identity to rewrite the equation using only sine.
Remember sine can match in two ways
From , consider both and .
Check the word “acute”
After you solve for , make sure each angle measure is strictly between and .
Desmos Guide
Enter the two sides of the equation
In Desmos, graph
and
.
Restrict to the acute-angle x-values
Since and , the solution must satisfy approximately . Adjust the x-window to something like .
Find the valid intersection
Click the intersection point of the two graphs in that x-interval. The x-coordinate of that intersection is the solution that keeps both angles acute.
Step-by-step Explanation
Use a cofunction identity
Because (in degrees), the equation
becomes
.
Account for both sine possibilities
If and is between and , then either
or
.
Here, is acute, so is between and . Thus either
or
- .
Substitute the given expressions and solve
Substitute and .
Case 1:
Case 2:
Use the fact that both angles are acute
If , then is negative, so would not be acute. So discard Case 2.
The valid solution is , which corresponds to acute angles for both and .
Answer: