Math  /  Trigonometry

QuestionIdentifying Trig Ratios (Diagram), Level 1 Score: 4/54 / 5 Penalty: 1 off
Question Show
Express cosM\cos M as a fraction in simplest terms.
L But Answer Attempt 1 out of 2 7/23887042/9158711ce9be57d3a43284ce62380145

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We need to find the cosine of angle MM in a right triangle, and write it as a simplified fraction. Watch out! Don't mix up the sides!
Make sure you're using the correct sides for the cosine calculation.

STEP 2

1. Find the hypotenuse.
2. Calculate cosM\cos M.
3. Simplify the fraction.

STEP 3

Alright, so we've got a right triangle, and we know two sides: LM=6LM = 6 and LK=8LK = 8.
We need the hypotenuse, MKMK, before we can find cosM\cos M.
Let's use the **Pythagorean theorem**: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where aa and bb are the legs, and cc is the hypotenuse.

STEP 4

Plugging in our values, we get 62+82=MK26^2 + 8^2 = MK^2.
This simplifies to 36+64=MK236 + 64 = MK^2, so 100=MK2100 = MK^2.
Taking the square root of both sides gives us MK=10MK = 10.
Remember, the hypotenuse is always **positive**!

STEP 5

Now, let's remember what cosine means: **adjacent over hypotenuse**.
Looking at angle MM, the adjacent side is LM=6LM = 6, and we just found the hypotenuse, MK=10MK = 10.

STEP 6

So, cosM=adjacenthypotenuse=LMMK=610\cos M = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{LM}{MK} = \frac{6}{10}.

STEP 7

We can simplify 610\frac{6}{10} by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their **greatest common divisor**, which is 22.

STEP 8

Dividing 66 by 22 gives us 33, and dividing 1010 by 22 gives us 55.
So, our simplified fraction is 35\frac{3}{5}.
Awesome!

STEP 9

cosM=35\cos M = \frac{3}{5}.

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