SOLUTION: In a right triangle the cosine of an acute angle is 1/2 and the hypotenuse measures 7 inches. What is the length of the shortest side of the triangle?

Question 446092: In a right triangle the cosine of an acute angle is 1/2 and the hypotenuse measures 7 inches. What is the length of the shortest side of the triangle?
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In a right triangle the cosine of an acute angle is 1/2 and the hypotenuse measures 7 inches. What is the length of the shortest side of the triangle?
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If the cos is 1/2 the side adjacent to that 60 degree angle is (1/2)7 = 3.5 in.
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That side is opposite a 30 degree angle.
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Since 30 degrees is the smallest angle the side opposite is
the smallest side = 3.5 in
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cheers,
Stan H.

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