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I need to find the height of an acute triangle using only the sides and angles of the figure, I dont understand how to find sin, cot, tan, or anything like that, this is freakin trigonometry and im only in geometry!!!
It's been MANY years since I used to solve this type of problem, but it seems to me that if you have the length of all 3 sides (call them side A, side B, and side C) it can be solved with the Pythagorean theorem. Drop a line from the apex to the base (call that line H). (This will be the height. It also meets the base at a right angle which divides the outer triangle into two right triangles that have one side in common - I.e. the height.) The base is divided into two lengths, call one part of the base ('X') and the other part will be the (total length of the base minus 'X'). Now solve for 'X' keeping in mind that the 2 inner triangles have a side in common (H). Then plug that value back into the Pythagorean formula for one of the inner triangles, and the length of H should appear.
If anyone out there is a math instructor, let me know if I'm off base with this. (And this sure is awkward describing this with words and NO diagrams.) Good Luck!!
I hope this renders right...
A | \ | \ \ | \ \ |...\ ...\ B C D
Ok suppose you have a triangle that looks like triangle ACD (an accute triangle), and suppose you know the length of the line segments AC, AD, and CD. Imagine a right triangle ABD that encompasses it.
AB^2 + BD^2 = AD^2 (AD is known)
...also, AB^2 + AC^2 = BC^2 (AC is known)
...also BC = BD - CD (CD is known)
So, we have 3 equations, and 3 unknowns. The unknowns are AB, BC, and BD. Solve the system of equations, and you will have AB, which is the height you are looking for.
Cot=Co-Tangent I think you need because= Co-sine
and you dont have to use any of those
bimjob is right use the Pythagorean theorem
a^2+b^2=c^2
where "a" is one side "b" is the other side and "c" is the hypotonuse. Which ever one you need to know (a and b are interchangeable the only one that needs to be specific is the hypotonuse (c)) just solve for that letter
if you need anymore "individualized" help go ahead and send me a funmail ill be able to help you more spefifically there!
soh cah toa
sin = opposite over adjacent cot = adjacent over hypotenuse tan = opposite over adjacent...
here's a website that may help
http://www.hyper-ad.com/tutoring/math/trig/trig_review.htm
feel free to funmail me if you need more help
and calm down, it's not that hard...
I know what you mean am in 11th grade and I failed 2yrs of math I sux Well I dont know what to tell tou other than keep paying more attention in school because its only going to get harder...(wait thats no help sorry)...lol...
I already learned about sin, cot, and tan. I am only in the 7th grade
yOu can do it!!gudLucK!!
do you still need help?
