Answer :
Final answer:
The approximate measure of angle c in the right triangle with hypotenuse 25 cm and a leg of 15 cm is found using the cosine function. Cosine of angle c equals 15 cm divided by 25 cm, which is 0.6. Taking the inverse cosine of 0.6 gives us an angle of approximately 53.1 degrees. Therefore correct option is C
Explanation:
The question asks us to find the approximate measure of angle c in a right triangle where the hypotenuse, line segment c, is 25 cm and one of the legs, line segment a or b, is 15 cm.
To find angle c, we can use the trigonometric functions, particularly the cosine function, since cosine of an angle in a right triangle is the adjacent side over the hypotenuse.
First, we identify the sides. Let's assume the side given, 15 cm, is adjacent to angle c. We then use the formula:
cos(c) = adjacent/hypotenuse
cos(c) = 15 cm / 25 cm
cos(c) = 0.6
Using a calculator or trigonometric tables, we take the inverse cosine (also known as arccos) of 0.6 to find angle c:
c ≈ arccos(0.6)
c ≈ 53.1 degrees
Therefore, the approximate measure of angle c is 53.1 degrees, which corresponds to choice C.
