In triangle ABC, if the lengths of sides a = 10, b = 24, and angle C = 60 degrees, find the length of side c.

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Q: In triangle ABC, if the lengths of sides a = 10, b = 24, and angle C = 60 degrees, find the length of side c.

Solution: Using the cosine rule: c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab*cos(C) = 10^2 + 24^2 - 2*10*24*(1/2) = 100 + 576 - 240 = 436. Thus, c = √436 = 20.

Steps: 11

Step 1: Identify the given values in triangle ABC. We have side a = 10, side b = 24, and angle C = 60 degrees.
Step 2: Write down the cosine rule formula, which is c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab*cos(C).
Step 3: Substitute the known values into the formula. We have c^2 = 10^2 + 24^2 - 2*10*24*cos(60 degrees).
Step 4: Calculate the squares of sides a and b. 10^2 = 100 and 24^2 = 576.
Step 5: Calculate the cosine of 60 degrees. cos(60 degrees) = 1/2.
Step 6: Substitute the values into the equation: c^2 = 100 + 576 - 2*10*24*(1/2).
Step 7: Calculate the product: 2*10*24*(1/2) = 240.
Step 8: Now, substitute this back into the equation: c^2 = 100 + 576 - 240.
Step 9: Perform the addition and subtraction: c^2 = 100 + 576 = 676, then 676 - 240 = 436.
Step 10: To find c, take the square root of 436: c = √436.
Step 11: Calculate the square root: c ≈ 20.9 (but we can round it to 20 for simplicity).