Math Problem Statement

solve for the variables

Solve for the variables.

Solution

We are given a triangle with two marked angles (45° and 30°), one side labeled 13213\sqrt{2}, and two unknowns bb, cc, dd, and aa where aa is the altitude of the triangle.

We can approach solving this using trigonometry and the properties of right triangles. Here's how we'll proceed step by step:

Step 1: Calculate side cc

The angle adjacent to side cc is 45°, and the hypotenuse of this right triangle is 13213\sqrt{2}. We use the cosine function:

cos(45)=c132\cos(45^\circ) = \frac{c}{13\sqrt{2}}

Since cos(45)=12\cos(45^\circ) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}, we can solve for cc:

12=c132\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{c}{13\sqrt{2}} c=(132)×12=13c = (13\sqrt{2}) \times \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = 13

So, c=13c = 13.

Step 2: Calculate side dd

Next, we use the sine function to find dd, since the opposite angle to dd is 45°:

sin(45)=d132\sin(45^\circ) = \frac{d}{13\sqrt{2}}

Since sin(45)=12\sin(45^\circ) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}, we solve for dd:

12=d132\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{d}{13\sqrt{2}} d=(132)×12=13d = (13\sqrt{2}) \times \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = 13

Thus, d=13d = 13.

Step 3: Use the 30° angle to calculate side bb

For the other right triangle, with hypotenuse bb and the 30° angle, we use the cosine function:

cos(30)=db\cos(30^\circ) = \frac{d}{b}

We already know that d=13d = 13 and cos(30)=32\cos(30^\circ) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, so:

32=13b\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = \frac{13}{b} b=13×23=263b = \frac{13 \times 2}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{26}{\sqrt{3}}

To rationalize the denominator:

b=26×33=2633b = \frac{26 \times \sqrt{3}}{3} = \frac{26\sqrt{3}}{3}

Step 4: Calculate the altitude aa

To find the altitude aa, we use the area formula for both triangles. The area of the whole triangle can be expressed as:

Area=12×c×a=12×d×a\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times c \times a = \frac{1}{2} \times d \times a

Setting the two areas equal:

13a=13a13a = 13a

Since both sides are equal, we can solve for aa.


In summary, we found:

  • c=13c = 13
  • d=13d = 13
  • b=2633b = \frac{26\sqrt{3}}{3}
  • aa can be computed directly once further constraints are added.

Would you like to explore further details or ask about other concepts here?

Here are 5 related questions to expand on this:

  1. How would we compute the exact area of the triangle?
  2. Can we generalize the solution to any angle triangle?
  3. What happens if one angle is changed, say from 45° to 60°?
  4. How do trigonometric identities help in verifying solutions?
  5. What role does the altitude play in scaling the triangle?

Tip: When solving right triangles, always check if simpler trigonometric ratios can reduce the complexity.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Right Triangles
Angles
Pythagorean Theorem

Formulas

cos(θ) = adjacent / hypotenuse
sin(θ) = opposite / hypotenuse
Area of a triangle = 1/2 × base × height

Theorems

Trigonometric Ratios
Pythagorean Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12