Solve the triangle. All parts of the triangle should be included in a report.

Question

I solved each angle but I do not know where to start when solving for the legs of

the triangle. I know to use the pythageon theory. I am just not sure where to start.

Answer 1

You should have learned about sine, cosine, and tangent. Sometimes teachers teach SOHCAHTOA where sine is equal to opposite divided by hypotenuse (S = O/H or SOH), cosine is equal to adjacent divided by hypotenuse (C = A/H or CAH), and tangent is equal to opposite divided by adjacent (TOA). In this case you are given the length of the hypotenuse so we can use sine to calculate the opposite side. Notice that the angle given is angle A, and the opposite side from that angle is side BC (let’s call this side “y”). Using sine, we say sin(34) = y/159 since the sine of the angle is the opposite (y) divided by the hypotenuse (159).

No, multiply both sides of the equation by 159 to get y = (159)(sin34)) which you plug into your calculator. Make sure your calculator is set in “degrees”. You should get y = 88.91 feet

You can now solve for the other side length by either using cosine in the same way or by using the Pythagorean Theorem.