Question

find the measure of $overline{bc}$. answer attempt 1 out of 2 submit answer

Explanation:

Step1: Apply the Law of Cosines

The Law of Cosines for finding side $BC$ (let $BC = a$, $AB = c = 15$, $AC = b = 16$) is $a^{2}=b^{2}+c^{2}-2bc\cos A$. But since no angle is given, if we assume this is a right - triangle and $\angle A$ is a right - angle ($\cos A=\cos90^{\circ}=0$), the formula simplifies.

Step2: Calculate using the Pythagorean theorem

If $\angle A = 90^{\circ}$, by the Pythagorean theorem $BC=\sqrt{AB^{2}+AC^{2}}=\sqrt{15^{2}+16^{2}}=\sqrt{225 + 256}=\sqrt{481}\approx21.93$.

Answer:

$\sqrt{481}\approx21.93$