Find the measure of angle F in a triangle given the lengths of its sides.
Check the final answer first, then review the worked steps.
Check the final answer first, then review the worked steps.
3. Assign variables to the triangle: In triangle $FDE$, let $f$ be the length of the side opposite angle $F$, $d$ be the length of the side opposite angle $D$, and $e$ be the length of the side opposite angle $E$. From the diagram, we have:
- Side $DE$ has length $6$, so $f = 6$.
- Side $FD$ has length $11$, so $e = 11$.
- Side $FE$ has length $16$, so $d = 16$.
We want to find the measure of angle $F$, denoted as $m\angle F$.
4. Rearrange the Law of Cosines to solve for the angle: We need to find angle $F$. The Law of Cosines can be written in terms of angle $F$ as: $f^2 = d^2 + e^2 - 2de \cos(F)$.
To solve for $\cos(F)$, we rearrange the formula:
$2de \cos(F) = d^2 + e^2 - f^2$
$\cos(F) = \frac{d^2 + e^2 - f^2}{2de}$
5. Substitute the given side lengths into the formula:
- $d = 16$
- $e = 11$
- $f = 6$
$$\cos(F) = \frac{16^2 + 11^2 - 6^2}{2 \cdot 16 \cdot 11}$$