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2017 · Q49

If angle A of triangle ABC is 30° and the circum-radius of the triangle is 10 cm, then what is the length of side BC ?

Elementary MathematicsTrigonometry
  1. A5 cm
  2. B10 cm
  3. C5√(3) cm
  4. D10√(3) cm

Explanation

The extended sine rule states that in any triangle, a/sin A = 2R, where R is the circum-radius. Here A = 30° and R = 10 cm, so BC = 2R sin A = 2 × 10 × sin 30°. Since sin 30° = 1/2, this gives BC = 20 × 1/2 = 10 cm. The result is exact — no approximation of π or radicals is involved. Hence option (B) 10 cm.