SOLUTION: In a right triangle sinA= 3/5 and C=17. Find a and b. Be sure to draw a right triangle and letter it properly. I asked this question and got this answer, but i still have a cou

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Question 393065: In a right triangle sinA= 3/5 and C=17. Find a and b.
Be sure to draw a right triangle and letter it properly.
I asked this question and got this answer, but i still have a couple questions .
sinA= 3/5 and C=17
Finding a and b
sinA = opp/hyp = a/c = 3/5 = 3*3.4/5*3.4 = 10.2/17
a = 10.2
Applying Pythagoream Theorem a^2 + b^2 = c^2
b=13.6
One of my questions is how did you come up (3.4) and is that the only way the problem can be solved?
If you can explain the question and answer i would be thankful.
Answer by ewatrrr(24785)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi

There are other ways this can be solved directly:

Noting this is a right triangle where hyp = 17 and the ratio of sides is 3:4:5

sinA = 3/5 = opp/hyp = a/17     

         .6 *17 = 10.2 = a     |this could have been done in first step prior

cosA = 4/5 = adj/hyp = b/17  

         .8*17 = 13.6 = b      |3:4:5 allows this direct approach in this ex



As to the method used: a reminder the 3/5 is a ratio

sinA = opp/hyp = a/c = 3/5 = 3*3.4/5*3.4 = 10.2/17

As to the '3.4' = 17/5  (transforming the 5 to 17 by a multipling factor) 

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