Math Problem Statement

In the figure below, the distance from A to D is y, the distance from D to C is x, and the distance from C to B is h. Find x, then y. Assume A = 45°, ∠BDC = 54°, AB = 16 and DB = 14. (Round each answer to one decimal place.)

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to apply trigonometric relationships. Let's break down the steps, using the given information:

Step 1: Analyze the triangle

We are given the following:

  • A=45\angle A = 45^\circ
  • BDC=54\angle BDC = 54^\circ
  • AB=16AB = 16
  • DB=14DB = 14
  • Distance from AA to D=yD = y
  • Distance from DD to C=xC = x
  • Distance from CC to B=hB = h

We are tasked with finding xx (the distance from DD to CC) and yy (the distance from AA to DD).

Step 2: Use the Law of Sines

To find xx, we need to use the Law of Sines in triangle BDCBDC. In any triangle, the Law of Sines states:

asinA=bsinB=csinC\frac{a}{\sin A} = \frac{b}{\sin B} = \frac{c}{\sin C}

In BDC\triangle BDC, we have BDC=54\angle BDC = 54^\circ, and we can calculate DBC\angle DBC using the fact that the sum of angles in a triangle is 180180^\circ:

DBC=1804554=81\angle DBC = 180^\circ - 45^\circ - 54^\circ = 81^\circ

Step 3: Solve for xx

Now apply the Law of Sines in triangle BDCBDC to solve for xx:

xsinDBC=DBsinBDC\frac{x}{\sin \angle DBC} = \frac{DB}{\sin \angle BDC}

Substitute the known values:

xsin81=14sin54\frac{x}{\sin 81^\circ} = \frac{14}{\sin 54^\circ}

Solve for xx:

x=14×sin81sin54x = \frac{14 \times \sin 81^\circ}{\sin 54^\circ}

Step 4: Solve for yy

Once xx is found, we can calculate yy using trigonometric relationships in triangle ABDABD, since ABD\triangle ABD involves A=45\angle A = 45^\circ, and we can use either the Law of Cosines or another trigonometric relation to find yy.

Let me compute the exact values for xx and yy.The calculated distances are:

  • xx (distance from DD to CC): 17.1 units
  • yy (distance from AA to DD): 11.6 units

Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions you might explore:

  1. How is the Law of Sines applied in other types of triangles?
  2. What conditions are necessary for using the Law of Cosines?
  3. How can the Law of Sines and Cosines be used in solving real-world problems?
  4. How does changing angle values affect the side lengths in a triangle?
  5. Can these methods be extended to solve non-right triangles?

Tip: The Law of Sines is especially useful when you know two angles and one side (AAS or ASA) in a triangle.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Law of Sines
Triangle Geometry

Formulas

Law of Sines: (a/sin A) = (b/sin B) = (c/sin C)
Sum of angles in a triangle: A + B + C = 180°

Theorems

Law of Sines
Sum of Angles in a Triangle

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12