Select the angle that correctly completes the law of cosines for this triangle.

[tex]\[ 7^2 + 25^2 - 2(7)(25) \cos \theta = 24^2 \][/tex]

A. \(74^{\circ}\)

B. \(16^{\circ}\)

C. \(180^{\circ}\)

D. [tex]\(90^{\circ}\)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine which angle correctly completes the law of cosines for the given triangle, we start with the given equation:

[tex]\[ 7^2 + 25^2 - 2(7)(25) \cos C = 24^2 \][/tex]

First, simplify the equation step-by-step to solve for \(\cos C\).

1. Compute the squares of each side:
[tex]\[ 7^2 = 49 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 25^2 = 625 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 24^2 = 576 \][/tex]

2. Substitute these values into the equation:
[tex]\[ 49 + 625 - 2(7)(25) \cos C = 576 \][/tex]

3. Simplify the left side:
[tex]\[ 674 - 2(7)(25) \cos C = 576 \][/tex]

4. Calculate the product:
[tex]\[ 2 \cdot 7 \cdot 25 = 350 \][/tex]

5. Substitute back into the equation:
[tex]\[ 674 - 350 \cos C = 576 \][/tex]

6. Isolate the term involving \(\cos C\):
[tex]\[ 674 - 576 = 350 \cos C \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 98 = 350 \cos C \][/tex]

7. Solve for \(\cos C\):
[tex]\[ \cos C = \frac{98}{350} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \cos C = \frac{98}{350} = 0.28 \][/tex]

Next, we need to find the angle \(C\) whose cosine value is \(0.28\). This can be done by taking the arccosine (inverse cosine):

[tex]\[ C = \cos^{-1}(0.28) \][/tex]

Computing this value gives us:
[tex]\[ C \approx 73.74^\circ \][/tex]

Now, compare this value to the given options:
A. \(74^\circ\)
B. \(16^\circ\)
C. \(180^\circ\)
D. \(90^\circ\)

The closest angle to \(73.74^\circ\) is \(74^\circ\).

Therefore, the correct angle that completes the law of cosines for this triangle is:

A. [tex]\(74^\circ\)[/tex]

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