Example 2
Completion requirements
| Example 2 |
Solve \(\triangle ABC\) given \(\angle A = 125^\circ\), \(a = 10\thinspace \rm{mm}\), and \(b = 15\thinspace \rm{mm}\).
Step 1: Draw a diagram
Alarm bells should be going off – the diagram does not look right.
Step 2: Check to see if the triangle is possible.
Because this is an obtuse triangle, you only need to compare the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
\(\begin{align}
10 &< 15\\
a &< b\\
\end{align}\)
Because \(a\) is less than \(b\), the triangle is not possible, therefore there is nothing to be solved.
Alarm bells should be going off – the diagram does not look right.
Step 2: Check to see if the triangle is possible.
Because this is an obtuse triangle, you only need to compare the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
\(\begin{align}
10 &< 15\\
a &< b\\
\end{align}\)
Because \(a\) is less than \(b\), the triangle is not possible, therefore there is nothing to be solved.