Question 26·Medium·Right Triangles and Trigonometry
In the figure shown, is a right triangle, and the measure of angle is .
Which choice is the value of ?
In right-triangle trig problems, always start by marking (mentally) the angle of interest and identifying the opposite side, adjacent side, and hypotenuse from the diagram. If the ratio you need requires a side that is not labeled, use the Pythagorean theorem to find it, then apply the correct trig definition (here, ).
Hints
Use the right angle to find the hypotenuse
The hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle at .
Find the missing side length
Use the Pythagorean theorem with the two labeled legs to find the length of .
Match sine to the correct ratio
For angle , is the length of the side opposite angle divided by the hypotenuse.
Desmos Guide
Compute the hypotenuse length
In Desmos, enter sqrt(8^2+15^2) to compute .
Form the sine ratio
Use the opposite side from the diagram () and divide by the hypotenuse value you computed. Enter 15/17 to get the exact ratio.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the opposite side and the hypotenuse
Angle is . The side opposite angle is , and the hypotenuse is (the side across from the right angle at ).
Find the hypotenuse using the Pythagorean theorem
The legs are and , so
Compute
So the correct choice is .