A right triangle has one angle that measures [tex]\(23^{\circ}\)[/tex]. The adjacent leg measures [tex]\(27.6 \, cm\)[/tex] and the hypotenuse measures [tex]\(30 \, cm\)[/tex].

What is the approximate area of the triangle? Round to the nearest tenth.

Area of a triangle [tex]\(\text{=}\frac{1}{2} \text{b} \, \text{h}\)[/tex]

A. [tex]\(68.7 \, cm^2\)[/tex]
B. [tex]\(161.8 \, cm^2\)[/tex]
C. [tex]\(381.3 \, cm^2\)[/tex]
D. [tex]\(450.0 \, cm^2\)[/tex]



Answer :

To find the area of the right triangle, we first need to determine the length of the opposite leg. Given:
- One of the angles is [tex]\(23^\circ\)[/tex],
- The adjacent leg measures [tex]\(27.6 \, \text{cm}\)[/tex],
- The hypotenuse measures [tex]\(30 \, \text{cm}\)[/tex].

Let's break down the solution step-by-step:

1. Determine the length of the opposite leg using the sine function:
- We know that [tex]\(\sin \theta = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\)[/tex].
- Here, [tex]\(\theta = 23^\circ\)[/tex] and the hypotenuse is [tex]\(30 \, \text{cm}\)[/tex].
- The opposite leg can be found using the formula:
[tex]\[ \text{opposite leg} = \text{hypotenuse} \times \sin(23^\circ) \][/tex]

2. Calculate the opposite leg:
- Using the sine value for [tex]\(23^\circ\)[/tex], the opposite leg is approximately [tex]\(11.7219 \, \text{cm}\)[/tex].

3. Calculate the area of the triangle:
- The formula for the area of a triangle is:
[tex]\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} \][/tex]
- In our case, the adjacent leg [tex]\(27.6 \, \text{cm}\)[/tex] serves as the base and the calculated opposite leg [tex]\(11.7219 \, \text{cm}\)[/tex] serves as the height.
- Plugging these values in, we get:
[tex]\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 27.6 \, \text{cm} \times 11.7219 \, \text{cm} \approx 161.7627 \, \text{cm}^2 \][/tex]

4. Round to the nearest tenth:
- The area [tex]\(161.7627 \, \text{cm}^2\)[/tex] rounded to the nearest tenth is [tex]\(161.8 \, \text{cm}^2\)[/tex].

Therefore, the approximate area of the triangle, rounded to the nearest tenth, is [tex]\(161.8 \, \text{cm}^2\)[/tex].

The correct answer is:
[tex]\[ 161.8 \, \text{cm}^2 \][/tex]