Osman A. answered • 12/18/21
Professor of Engineering Mathematics – Trigonometry and Geometry
Solve the triangle. Express the results to two decimal places. a = 24, α = 34°, β = 71°. Please do put solutions so I can understand on how you do it.
Detailed Solution:
I want to help. However, this question is not clear without a picture (I presume you have a picture). Since Side a = 24 is listed, are there sides b and c; and where are they relative to α = 34°, β = 71°. How do the angles and sides relate? which side is opposite to which angle? You see, we do not have the picture, thus the question is not clear to us.
Osman A.
Thank you - I just learned: <A = α, <B = β, <C = γ <== this is new to me. How about the other angle symbols, such as: <? = θ, <? = λ, <? = Φ, <? = ω, <? = φ, <? = σ, etc. Is this confusion fair to the students?12/18/21
Mark M.
It does not confuse if it is taught and learned correctly.12/19/21
Osman A.
Thank you. In fact, this is a perfect example of "Not" taught correctly and "Not" learned correctly. Vertex of triangle are not just A, B, C – they are X, Y, Z; they are L, M, N; ... etc. (other thousands of combinations to freely choose from). If I choose different letters for my vertex, how do my choice correspond to these three Greek Alphabet (α, β, γ)? How do the thousand combinations of letters correspond to Greek Alphabet (α, β, γ, θ, λ, Φ, ω, φ, σ, etc.)? (i.e. a is opposite of α, m is opposite of ??, h is opposite of ??, … etc.)? Why create this unnecessary confusion? Why can't we stop at: Angle "<A" corresponds to Side "a", Angle "<Z" corresponds to Side "z", Angle "<G" corresponds to Side "g", etc.? So, that students can focus on solving problems; instead give up with confusion and frustration. This is absolutely an Epic confusion; and I really feel sorry for the students – this is just my opinion.12/19/21
Mark M.
It is a matter of context, e.g. bow (bending from the waist), bow (what shoots an arrow), and bow (the tying of a ribbon). Never had any problems with A, B, C, or X, Y, Z.12/20/21
Mark M.
Any teacher with a college level course in Trigonometry is familiar with the Greek letter designation and can use/explain with students.12/20/21
Joshua S.
12/18/21