Answer Key with Questions
The Law of Cosines • Practice Item Bank
1) Find the value of x to the nearest tenth.
x≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 29.9
2) Find the value of x to the nearest tenth.
x≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 11.9
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The Law of Cosines • Practice Item Bank
3) Find the value of x to the nearest degree.
x≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 74
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4) Find the value of x to the nearest tenth.
x≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 5.1
Explanation
We are given the measures of two sides and their included angle. Use the Law of
Cosines to write an equation.
a2 =b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A Law of Cosines
x 2 =(3)2 + (7)2 − 2(3)(7) cos 41° Substitution
x 2 =58 − 42 cos 41° Simplify.
x=√⎯58⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
− 42 cos 41°⎯ Take the positive square root of each side.
x≈5.1 Use a calculator.
The value of x ≈ 5.1.
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5) Find the value of x to the nearest degree.
x≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 20
6) Find the value of x to the nearest degree.
x≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 29
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Answer Key with Questions
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7) RADAR Two radar stations 2.4 miles apart are tracking an airplane. The straight-line distance
between Station A and the plane is 7.4 miles. The straight-line distance between Station B and
the plane is 6.9 miles. What is the angle of elevation from Station A to the plane? Round to the
nearest degree.
Correct Answer
Field 1: 69
Explanation
We are given three side lengths. Use the Law of Cosines to write an equation.
a2 =b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A Law of Cosines
(6.9)2 =(7.4)2 + (2.4)2 − 2(7.4)(2.4) cos x° Substitution
47.61=60.52 − 35.52 cos x° Simplify.
−12.91=−35.52 cos x° Subtract 60.52 from each side.
−12.91 =cos x° Divide each side by − 35.52.
−35.52
x=cos−1 ( −12.91
−35.52 ) Use the inverse cosine function.
x≈69 Use a calculator.
The angle of elevation from Station A to the plane is about 69°.
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Answer Key with Questions
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8) DRAFTING Marion is using a drafting program to produce a drawing for a client. She wants to
⎯AB
⎯⎯⎯⎯
make a triangle first. She begins by drawing a segment 4.2 inches long from point A to point B.
From point B, she draws a second segment that forms a 42° angle with , is 6.4 inches long,
and ends at point C. To the nearest tenth of an inch, how long is the segment from C to A?
in.
Correct Answer
Field 1: 4.3
9) REASONING Solve the triangle. Round the side length to the nearest tenth and the angle mea‐
sures to the nearest degree.
m∠A ≈ °, m∠C ≈ °, b≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 41
Field 2: 54
Field 3: 6.1
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Answer Key with Questions
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10) REASONING Solve the triangle. Round the angle measures to the nearest degree.
m∠A = °, m∠C = °, m∠B =
°
Correct Answer
Field 1: 33
Field 2: 18
Field 3: 129
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Answer Key with Questions
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11) REASONING Solve the triangle. Round the side length to the nearest tenth and the angle mea‐
sures to the nearest degree.
c≈ , m∠A ≈ °, m∠B ≈
°
Correct Answer
Field 1: 12.8
Field 2: 67
Field 3: 33
Explanation
We are given the measures of two sides and their included angle which is not a right
angle. First, use the Law of Cosines to write an equation.
c2 =a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C Law of Cosines
c2 =(12)2 + (7)2 − 2(12)(7) cos 80° Substitution
c2 =193 − 168 cos 80° Simplify.
c=√⎯193
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
− 168 cos 80°⎯ Take the positive square root of each side.
c≈12.8 Use a calculator.
Next use Law of Sines to find m∠A.
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sin C = sin A
c a Law of Sines
sin 80° = sin A
12.8 12 m∠C = 80°, c = 12.8, and a = 12
12 sin 80°=12.8 sin A Cross Products Property
12 sin 80° =sin A Divide each side by 12.8.
12.8
m∠A=sin−1 ( 12 12.8
sin 80° ) Use the inverse sine function.
m∠A≈67° Use a calculator.
By the Triangle Angle-Sum Theorem, m∠B ≈ 180 – (80 + 67) or 33°.
Therefore, c ≈12.8, m∠A ≈ 67°, and m∠B ≈ 33°.
12) REASONING Solve the triangle. Round the angle measures to the nearest degree.
m∠A = °, m∠B = °, m∠C =
°
Correct Answer
Field 1: 30
Field 2: 42
Field 3: 108
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13) REASONING Solve the triangle. Round the side lengths to the nearest tenth and the angle
measure to the nearest degree.
m∠N = °, n≈ , m≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 42
Field 2: 35.8
Field 3: 24.3
14) REASONING Solve the triangle. Round the angle measures to the nearest degree.
m∠X = °, m∠Z = °, m∠Y =
°
Correct Answer
Field 1: 63
Field 2: 63
Field 3: 54
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Answer Key with Questions
The Law of Cosines • Practice Item Bank
15A) Fill in the blanks using the available answer choices.
REGULARITY Determine whether the triangle should be solved by beginning with the Law
of Sines or the Law of Cosines.
m∠A = 11˚, m∠C = 27˚, c = 50
(Blank 1)
Blank 1 options
Law of Sines
Law of Cosines
Correct Answer
Law of Sines
15B) Solve the triangle. Round the side lengths to the nearest tenth and the angle measure to the
nearest degree.
m∠B = °, a≈ , b≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 142
Field 2: 21.0 or 21
Field 3: 67.8
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16A) Fill in the blanks using the available answer choices.
REGULARITY Determine whether the triangle should be solved by beginning with the Law
of Sines or the Law of Cosines.
m∠B = 47˚, a = 20, c = 24
(Blank 1)
Blank 1 options
Law of Sines
Law of Cosines
Correct Answer
Law of Cosines
16B) Solve the triangle. Round the side length to the nearest tenth and the angle measures to the
nearest degree.
m∠A ≈ °, m∠C ≈ °, b≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 55
Field 2: 78
Field 3: 17.9
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17A) Fill in the blanks using the available answer choices.
REGULARITY Determine whether the triangle should be solved by beginning with the Law
of Sines or the Law of Cosines.
m∠A = 37˚, a = 20, b = 18
(Blank 1)
Blank 1 options
Law of Sines
Law of Cosines
Correct Answer
Law of Sines
17B) Solve the triangle. Round the side length to the nearest tenth and the angle measures to the
nearest degree.
m∠ B ≈ °, m∠C ≈ °, c≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 33
Field 2: 110
Field 3: 31.2
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Answer Key with Questions
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18A) Fill in the blanks using the available answer choices.
REGULARITY Determine whether the triangle should be solved by beginning with the Law
of Sines or the Law of Cosines.
m∠C = 35˚, a = 18, b = 24
(Blank 1)
Blank 1 options
Law of Sines
Law of Cosines
Correct Answer
Law of Cosines
18B) Solve the triangle. Round the side length to the nearest tenth and the angle measures to the
nearest degree.
m∠A ≈ °, m∠B ≈ °, c≈
Correct Answer
Field 1: 48
Field 2: 97
Field 3: 13.9
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19) POOLS The Perth County pool has a lifeguard station in both the deep-water and shallow-wa‐
ter sections of the pool. The distance between each station and the bottom of the slide is
known, but the manager would like to calculate more information about the pool setup.
a. When the lifeguards switch positions, the lifeguard at the deep-water station swims to the
shallow-water station. To the nearest tenth of a yard, how far does the lifeguard swim?
about yd
b. If the lifeguard at the deep-water station is directly facing the bottom of the slide, what angle
does she need to turn in order to face the lifeguard at the shallow-water station? Round to the
nearest tenth of a degree.
about °
Correct Answer
Field 1: 11.3
Field 2: 40.9
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20) PROOF Complete the two-column proof to prove the Law of Cosines. The statements are pro‐
vided on the left. Drag the reasons to the corresponding statements.
Given: The altitude of△ ABC is h.
Prove: 2 a = b + c − 2bc cosA
2 2
1. h is an altitude of
△ ABC.
2. Altitude h sepa-
rates △ ABC into
two right triangles.
3.
a2 = (c − x)2 + h2
4.
a2 = c2 − 2cx + x2
+ h2
5. x 2 + h2 = b2
6.
a2 = c2 − 2cx + b 2
7. cosA = b
x
8. b cosA = x
9.
a2 = c2
− 2c(b cosA) + b2
10.
a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc
cosA
Given
Multiplication Property
Substitution (2nd use)
Substitution (3rd use)
Commutative Property
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Answer Key with Questions
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Pythagorean Theorem (1st use)
Definition of cosine
Pythagorean Theorem (2nd use)
Substitution (1st use)
Definition of altitude
Correct Answer
△ ABC.
1. h is an altitude of Given
2. Altitude h separates △ ABC into two right Definition of
triangles. altitude
3. a2 = (c − x)2 + h2 Pythagorean Theorem (1st use)
4. a2 = c2 − 2cx + x2 + h2 Substitution (1st use)
5. x 2 + h2 = b2 Pythagorean Theorem (2nd use)
6. a2 = c2 − 2cx + b2 Substitution (2nd use)
7. cosA = x
b Definition of cosine
8. b cosA = x Multiplication Property
9. a2 = c2 − 2c(b cosA) + b2 Substitution (3rd use)
10. a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cosA Commutative Property
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Answer Key with Questions
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21) PERSEVERE Find the value of x in the figure. Round to the nearest tenth.
Correct Answer
Field 1: 5.6
Explanation
The measures of all three sides of the isosceles triangle are given. Use the Law of
Cosines to find the vertex angle.
c2 =a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C Law of Cosines
5. 92 =(6)2 + (6)2 − 2(6)(6) cos C Substitution
34.81=72 − 72 cos C Simplify.
−37.19=−72 cos C Subtract 72 from each side.
−37.19 =cos C Divide each side by − 72.
−72
cos−1 ( −72 )=C
−37.19 Use the inverse cosine function.
59=C Simplify.
Since the triangle is isosceles, the base angles are congruent. Find the missing base
angles.
Since the vertex angle is 59°, there are 180° – 59° = 121° left for the two base angles.
Divide by 2 to get 60.5° for each base angle.
Use Law of Sines in the smaller triangle to find x.
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sin A = sin B
a b Law of Sines
sin 68° = sin 60.5°
6 x Substitution
x sin 68° =6 sin 60.5° Cross Products Property
x = 6 sinsin 68°60.5° Divide each side by sin 68°.
x ≈ 5.6 Use a calculator.
Therefore, the value of x is about 5.6.
22) ANALYZE Explain why the Pythagorean Theorem is a specific case of the Law of Cosines.
Correct Answer
Answers may vary.
Explanation
The Law of Cosines relates the measures of two sides a and b of any triangle to the
measure of the third side c given the measure of the angle C between those two sides
using the equation a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C = c2. When m∠C = 90, we have a2 + b2 –
2ab cos 90° = c2. Because cos 90° is 0, this equation simplifies a2 + b2 – 2ab (0)
= c2 or a2 + b2 = c2.
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Answer Key with Questions
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23) WRITE What methods can you use to solve a triangle? Drag each use case to the appropriate
bin(s).
Pythagorean Trigonometric Law of Sines Law of Cosines
Theorem Ratios
Answer Bank
Depending on what measures you are given, use this method to solve any triangle.
Use this method to find missing side lengths when solving a right triangle.
Use this method to find missing side lengths or angle measures when solving a right
triangle.
Correct Answer
Pythagorean Theorem
Use this method to find missing side lengths when solving a right triangle.
Trigonometric Ratios
Use this method to find missing side lengths or angle measures when solving a right
triangle.
Law of Sines
Depending on what measures you are given, use this method to solve any triangle.
Law of Cosines
Depending on what measures you are given, use this method to solve any triangle.
Explanation
Sample answer: When solving a right triangle, you can use the Pythagorean Theorem
to find missing side lengths and trigonometric
ratios to find missing side lengths or angle measures. To solve any triangle, you can use
the Law of Sines or the Law of Cosines, depending on what measures you are given.
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24) WRITE What methods can you use to solve a triangle?
Correct Answer
Answers may vary.
Explanation
Sample answer: When solving a right triangle, you can use the Pythagorean Theorem
to find missing side lengths and trigonometric ratios to find missing side lengths or an-
gle measures. To solve any triangle, you can use the Law of Sines or the Law of
Cosines, depending on what measures you are given.
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25) CREATE On a separate sheet of paper, draw and label a triangle that can be solved:
a. using only the Law of Sines.
b. using only the Law of Cosines.
What are the given measures in each triangle?
Correct Answer
Answers may vary.
Explanation
a. The triangle below can only be solved using the Law of Sines because it is not a right
triangle and we are given two angles and a nonincluded side.
b. The triangle below can only be solved using the Law of Cosines because it is not a
right triangle and we are given all three sides.
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