<p>In triangle PQR, PQ=4, QR=3,PR=6 and the measure of angle PQR is x degrees. Which of the following must be true about x?
a. 45<x<60 b.="" x="60" c.="" 60<x<90="" d.="" e.="">90</x<60></p>
<p>The answer is e, and I had the answer narrowed down between c and e. Can anyone give an explanation as to why it is e?</p>
<p>Look at the case of the right triangle 3-4-5; the angle across the side length of 5 would be exactly 90. Since the side across the biggest angle is larger than 5, it is easy to see that the largest angle in the triangle is >90.</p>
<p>Alternate solution could follow from more advanced trig where you go ahead and calculate the angles exactly (law of cosines), but that is beyond the scope of the SAT Reasoning Test.</p>
<p>Crap I forgot about law of cosines i tried law of sines and it didn’t work out but thanks for the explanation it makes sense</p>
<p>No problem. For the SAT I, you have to look for things that seem “logical” and not “technical” (like law of cosines); in this case law of cosines would’ve worked, but most SAT questions are engineered so that they defy attack by “higher” methods and instead require a logic “trick”. They’re designed this way so that they don’t punish you for not having taken pre-calc or higher when you try the exam.</p>
<p>There is no trig on the SAT. Don’t waste your time memorizing stupid formulas that you will never use.</p>
<p>That’s kind of why I like the SAT Math: you don’t really need a lot of technology; wits will do just fine.</p>
<p>Bigb14, </p>
<p>Yes I do understand that there is no trig, but since I have already studied pre-calc if I do get stuck on an “ingenuity” type problem I might as well try any method I know</p>
<p>You should be constantly striving to find the easiest way to do a problem. All problems on the SAT can be done in under 20 seconds and without the use of a calculator. That is the method you need to find.</p>
<p>Well, the calculations can certainly be done in 20 seconds, but finding the insight on a level-5, totally unfamiliar problem can sometimes take a minute (for someone who is experienced!)</p>
<p>i can do that problem with law of cosines in under 20 seconds as well. Whatever gets me to the answer the fastest is the best way. And sometimes looking for the insight takes more time than just plug and chug. If someone knows trig, then they should use it to their advantage.</p>
<p>^never mind my last post. I was saying that in general for SAT math. For this problem, using trig is just disgusting. The insightful way is much easier</p>