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
- A5 cm
- B10 cm
- C5√(3) cm
- 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.