(a) The sides of an isosceles triangle triangle are in the ratio \(7 : 5

MATHEMATICS
WAEC 2004

(a) The sides of an isosceles triangle triangle are in the ratio \(7 : 5 : 7\). Calculate, correct to the nearest degree, the angle included between the equal sides.

(b) The sum of the interior angles of a regular polygon is 1440°. Calculate : (i) the number of sides ; (ii) the size of one exterior angle of the polygon.

Explanation

(a)an isosceles triangle

\(5^{2} = 7^{2} + 7^{2} - 2(7)(7) \cos \theta\)

\(25 = 98 - 98 \cos \theta\)

\(\cos \theta = \frac{98 - 25}{98}\)

\(\cos \theta = 0.7449\)

\(\theta = \cos^{-1} (0.7449)\)

\(\approxeq 42°\).

(b) (i) \((2n - 4) \times 90° = 1440°\)

\(2n - 4 = \frac{1440}{90} = 16\)

\(2n = 16 + 4 = 20\)

\(n = 10\)

(ii) Size of exterior angle = \(\frac{360}{\text{Number of sides}}\)

= \(\frac{360}{10}\)

= \(36°\)



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