SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES

This is a topic in traditional trigonometry. It does not come up in calculus.

To SOLVE A TRIANGLE means to know all three sides and all three angles. When we know the ratios of the sides, we use the method of similar figures. That is the method to use when solving an isosceles right triangle or a 30-60-90 triangle. When we do not know the ratio numbers, then we must use the Table of ratios. The following example illustrates the method.
The general method

Example 1. Given an acute angle and one side. Solve the right triangle ABC if angle A is 36, and side c is 10 cm. Solution. Since angle A is 36, then angle B is 90 36 = 54. To find an unknown side, say a, proceed as follows: 1. Make the unknown side the numerator of a fraction, and make the known side the denominator.

Unknown a = Known 10 2. Name that function of the angle. Unknown a = = sin 36 Known 10 3. Use the trigonometric Table to evaluate that function. Unknown a = = sin 36 = .588 Known 10 4. Solve for the unknown side. a = 10 .588 cm = 5.88 cm

Problem 1. Solve the triangle for side b.

To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area. To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload"). To consult the Table, click here.
Unknown b = = cos 36 = .809 Known 10 b = 10 .809 = 8.09 cm

Problem 2. To measure the width of a river. Two trees stand opposite one another, at points A and B, on opposite banks of a river.

Distance AC along one bank is perpendicular to BA, and is measured to be 100 feet. Angle ACB is measured to be 79. How far apart are the trees; that is, what is the width w of the river? (Table)
Unknown w = = tan 79 = 5.145, Known 100

from the Table. Therefore, w = 100 5.145 = 514.5 ft (To measure the height of a flagpole, and for the meaning of the angle of elevation, see the Example in Topic 3.) Example 2. Find the distance of a boat from a lighthouse if the lighthouse is 100 meters tall, and the angle of depression is 6.

Solution. The angle of depression is the angle below straight ahead -horizontal -- that an oberver must look in order to see something below the observer. Thus in order to see the boat, the lighthouse keeper must look down 6. Now, the triangle formed by the lighthouse and the distance d of the boat from the lighthouse, is right-angled. And since the angle of depression is 6, then the alternate angle is also 6. (Euclid, I. 29.) If d is the distance of a boat from the lighthouse, then
d = cot 6 = 9.514, from the Table. 100

Therefore, d = 951.4 meters. Example 3. Given two sides of a right triangle. Solve the right triangle ABC given that side c = 25 cm and side b = 24 cm. Solution. To find the remaining side a, use thePythagorean theorem: a + 24 = 25 a = 625 576 = 49 a= Next, to find angle A, we have
24 96

= 7.

cos A = 25 = 100, on multiplying each term by 4. .96 (See Skill in Arithmetic: Fractions into decimals.) We must now inspect the Table to find the angle whose cosine is closest to .96, or, since this is a three place Table, .960.
=

We find cos 16 = .961 Therefore, Angle A Finally, Angle B = 90 16 = 74. We have solved the triangle. Problem 3. Solve the right triangle ABC given that c = 10 cm andb = 8 cm. To find the remaining side a, use the Pythagorean theorem:
a + 8 = 10 a = 100 64 = 36 a = = 6 cm. To find angle A, we have
cos A = 8 = .8. 10

16.

Now inspect the Table to find the angle whose cosine is closest to .8, or, since this is a three place Table, .800.
Find cos 37 = .799. Therefore, Angle A 37. Angle B = 90 37 = 53.

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