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The buoy is situated at B, 43 m from the pier P and 26 m from point Q, as shown in the diagram above - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question c - 2021

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The buoy is situated at B, 43 m from the pier P and 26 m from point Q, as shown in the diagram above. Find ∠(QBP), the angle at the buoy shown on the diagram. Give y... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The buoy is situated at B, 43 m from the pier P and 26 m from point Q, as shown in the diagram above - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question c - 2021

Step 1

Use the Cosine Rule

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Answer

To find the angle ∠(QBP), we will use the Cosine Rule, which states:

c2=a2+b22abcos(A)c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab \cos(A)

Here, let:

  • c = 60 m (distance from Q to P)
  • a = 26 m (distance from Q to B)
  • b = 43 m (distance from P to B)

We can substitute these values into the formula.

Step 2

Substitute values into Cosine Rule

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Substituting the values gives:

602=262+4322(26)(43)cos(A)60^2 = 26^2 + 43^2 - 2(26)(43)\cos(A)

Calculating the squares:

3600=676+18492(26)(43)cos(A)3600 = 676 + 1849 - 2(26)(43)\cos(A)

Now simplifying:

3600=25252234cos(A)3600 = 2525 - 2234\cos(A)

This leads to:

2234cos(A)=252536002234\cos(A) = 2525 - 3600 2234cos(A)=10752234\cos(A) = -1075

Step 3

Solve for cos(A)

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Next, we can solve for cos(A):

cos(A)=10752234\cos(A) = \frac{-1075}{2234}

Calculating this gives:

cos(A)0.481\cos(A) \approx -0.481

Step 4

Calculate angle A

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Now, using the inverse cosine function to find angle A:

A=cos1(0.481)A = \cos^{-1}(-0.481)

Calculating this value gives:

A118.74°A \approx 118.74°

Step 5

Final Answer

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Answer

The final answer is:

(QBP)118.74°\angle(QBP) \approx 118.74°

This is correct to two decimal places.

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