Math Problem Statement

Find the volume of a right triangular prism in which the height is 100 cm and which base is a right triangle with a hypotenuse 57cm in length and an angle of 43 degrees.

Solution

To find the volume of a right triangular prism, we use the formula:

V=Base Area×HeightV = \text{Base Area} \times \text{Height}

Step 1: Find the area of the triangular base

The triangular base is a right triangle with:

  • Hypotenuse c=57cmc = 57 \, \text{cm}
  • An angle θ=43\theta = 43^\circ

To find the area of the triangle, we need the lengths of the two legs (aa and bb). Using trigonometry, we can express the legs in terms of cc and θ\theta:

a=ccos(θ)a = c \cdot \cos(\theta) b=csin(θ)b = c \cdot \sin(\theta)

Calculations:

  1. Calculate aa (the side adjacent to θ\theta): a=57cos(43)a = 57 \cdot \cos(43^\circ)

  2. Calculate bb (the side opposite θ\theta): b=57sin(43)b = 57 \cdot \sin(43^\circ)

  3. Calculate the area of the triangle: Area of triangle=12ab\text{Area of triangle} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot a \cdot b

Step 2: Find the volume of the prism

Once we have the area of the base triangle, we multiply by the prism's height (100 cm):

V=Base Area×100V = \text{Base Area} \times 100

Let’s compute each part to find the answer.1. Lengths of the legs:

  • a41.69cma \approx 41.69 \, \text{cm}
  • b38.87cmb \approx 38.87 \, \text{cm}
  1. Area of the triangular base: Area810.27cm2\text{Area} \approx 810.27 \, \text{cm}^2

  2. Volume of the prism: V81027.14cm3V \approx 81027.14 \, \text{cm}^3

Thus, the volume of the prism is approximately 81,027.14 cm³.

Would you like further details or have any questions?


Related Questions:

  1. How do you find the volume of a prism with a non-right triangle as a base?
  2. What changes if the prism height was doubled but the base remained the same?
  3. How would you calculate the volume if the angle given was different?
  4. What if the hypotenuse was the unknown side—how would that change calculations?
  5. How do you find the surface area of this prism?

Tip:

When working with trigonometric functions, ensure your calculator or software is set to the correct mode (degrees or radians) to avoid errors.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Trigonometry
Volume Calculation
Right Triangle Properties

Formulas

Volume of a prism: V = Base Area × Height
Right triangle leg calculation: a = c * cos(θ), b = c * sin(θ)
Area of a right triangle: Area = (1/2) * a * b

Theorems

Right Triangle Trigonometry
Basic Volume Calculation for Prisms

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11