Math Problem Statement

Angle A of parallelogram ABCD α = 69.2°, AB = 3.58 and AD = 5.46. Let's draw a perpendicular BE from B to side AD and from point E the perpendicular EF to the diagonal BD. Calculate EF.

Solution

To find the length of the perpendicular EFEF from point EE (where BEBE is perpendicular to ADAD) to the diagonal BDBD, we will use the following steps:

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Calculate the length of BE (Perpendicular from B to AD):

    In parallelogram ABCDABCD, A=69.2\angle A = 69.2^\circ, AB=3.58AB = 3.58, and AD=5.46AD = 5.46.

    Since BEBE is perpendicular to ADAD, we can use the sine of angle α=69.2\alpha = 69.2^\circ to find BEBE:

    sin(α)=BEAB\sin(\alpha) = \frac{BE}{AB}

    Solving for BEBE:

    BE=ABsin(α)=3.58sin(69.2)BE = AB \cdot \sin(\alpha) = 3.58 \cdot \sin(69.2^\circ)

  2. Calculate the length of diagonal BD:

    In a parallelogram, the length of diagonal BDBD can be calculated using the law of cosines in ABD\triangle ABD:

    BD2=AB2+AD22ABADcos(α)BD^2 = AB^2 + AD^2 - 2 \cdot AB \cdot AD \cdot \cos(\alpha)

    Substituting the known values:

    BD2=3.582+5.46223.585.46cos(69.2)BD^2 = 3.58^2 + 5.46^2 - 2 \cdot 3.58 \cdot 5.46 \cdot \cos(69.2^\circ)

  3. Find the distance EF (Perpendicular from E to diagonal BD):

    Now, we need to find the length of EFEF, which is the perpendicular distance from point EE to diagonal BDBD.

    To calculate EFEF, we use the area of BDE\triangle BDE in two different ways: one using base BEBE and height EFEF, and the other using base BDBD and height BEBE. Equating both expressions for the area, we can solve for EFEF:

    The area of BDE\triangle BDE can be given by:

    Area=12×BE×EF=12×BD×BE\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times BE \times EF = \frac{1}{2} \times BD \times BE

Let's compute these values step by step.Here are the computed values:

  1. Length of BEBE: 3.353.35 units (perpendicular from BB to ADAD)
  2. Length of BDBD: 5.365.36 units (diagonal of the parallelogram)
  3. Length of EFEF: 3.133.13 units (perpendicular from EE to diagonal BDBD)

So, the length of the perpendicular EFEF is approximately 3.13 units.

Would you like more details, or do you have any questions?

Here are some related questions that could help you deepen your understanding:

  1. How do you calculate the area of a parallelogram using its sides and angles?
  2. What are the properties of diagonals in a parallelogram?
  3. How can trigonometry be used to solve problems involving non-right triangles?
  4. Why is the law of cosines useful for finding diagonal lengths in a parallelogram?
  5. How would you find the length of another diagonal of the parallelogram?

Tip: Always double-check the angle measures and side lengths to ensure accurate calculations, especially in geometric problems.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Trigonometry
Parallelogram properties

Formulas

Law of cosines
Sine rule

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

High School