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ABC is a right-angled triangle - Edexcel - GCSE Maths - Question 9 - 2018 - Paper 3

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ABC is a right-angled triangle. (a) Work out the size of angle ABC. Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place. The length of the side AB is reduced by 1 cm. The ... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:ABC is a right-angled triangle - Edexcel - GCSE Maths - Question 9 - 2018 - Paper 3

Step 1

Work out the size of angle ABC.

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Answer

To find angle ABC, we will use the cosine rule.

The cosine of angle ABC is given by:

extcos(ABC)=BCAC ext{cos(ABC)} = \frac{BC}{AC}

Here, BC is 7 cm and AC (the hypotenuse) is 11 cm:

extcos(ABC)=711 ext{cos(ABC)} = \frac{7}{11}

Calculating this value:

extcos(ABC)0.6364 ext{cos(ABC)} \approx 0.6364

Using the inverse cosine function:

ABC=cos1(0.6364)50.3°ABC = \cos^{-1}(0.6364) \approx 50.3°

Therefore, the size of angle ABC is approximately 50.3°, rounded to 1 decimal place is 50.3°.

Step 2

Will the value of cos ABC increase or decrease?

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Answer

The length of side AB being reduced by 1 cm will result in a larger angle ABC.

Since angle ABC increases, the cosine value decreases. This is because:

  • The cosine function is decreasing in the first quadrant.

Therefore, the value of cos ABC will decrease.

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