Solve Triangle
1. State the problem.
In triangle ABC we are given $b=4.2\,\text{cm}$, $c=7.5\,\text{cm}$ and $A=48^\circ36'$.
We need to find the remaining side $a$ and angles $B$ and $C$.
2. Formula and important rules.
Use the Law of Cosines to find the side opposite $A$: $$a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2 b c \cos A$$.
After finding a side, use the Law of Sines to find angles: $$\frac{\sin B}{b} = \frac{\sin A}{a}$$.
Remember to convert angle minutes to decimal degrees: $48^\circ36' = 48.6^\circ$.
3. Compute $a$ with the Law of Cosines.
Convert the angle: $A = 48^\circ36' = 48.6^\circ$.
Compute $\cos A = \cos 48.6^\circ \approx 0.661312856$.
Plug values into the formula: $$a^2 = 4.2^2 + 7.5^2 - 2\cdot4.2\cdot7.5\cdot\cos 48.6^\circ$$.
Evaluate step by step: $4.2^2 = 17.64$.
$7.5^2 = 56.25$.
$2\cdot4.2\cdot7.5 = 63$.
$63\cdot 0.661312856 \approx 41.662709928$.
So $a^2 \approx 73.89 - 41.662709928 = 32.227290072$.
Therefore $a \approx \sqrt{32.227290072} \approx 5.676809\,\text{cm}$.
4. Find angle $B$ using the Law of Sines.
Compute $\sin A = \sin 48.6^\circ \approx 0.750110957$.
Then $$\sin B = \dfrac{b\sin A}{a} = \dfrac{4.2\cdot 0.750110957}{5.676809} \approx 0.555001$$.
So $B \approx \arcsin(0.555001) \approx 33.723^\circ$.
In degrees, minutes, seconds $B \approx 33^\circ43'22.8''$.
5. Find angle $C$ from the angle sum.
Compute $C = 180^\circ - A - B = 180^\circ - 48.6^\circ - 33.723^\circ \approx 97.677^\circ$.
In DMS $C \approx 97^\circ40'37.2''$.
6. Final answers and check.
$a \approx 5.676809\,\text{cm}$.
$B \approx 33.723^\circ$ (about $33^\circ43'22.8''$).
$C \approx 97.677^\circ$ (about $97^\circ40'37.2''$).
Check: $A+B+C \approx 48.6^\circ + 33.723^\circ + 97.677^\circ = 180^\circ$, so the triangle closes.