Find the height of any triangle?

In summary, the conversation discusses how to find the height of a triangle with given side lengths and provides various methods to solve the problem, including using the formula h=\frac{2}{c}\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}, drawing a picture and using the law of sines or cosines, and using the distance of the apex from the other two corners to find equations in x and y. It emphasizes the importance of drawing a picture to better understand the problem.
  • #1
moonman239
282
0

Homework Statement



I have the side lengths of a triangle. The base is 190 ft long, side A is 182 ft long and side B is 363 ft long. That's all I know.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I know these side lengths are related somehow.
 
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  • #2
I'm not 100% sure this is the formula, but try this:
[itex]h=\frac{2}{c}\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}[/itex]
where
[itex]s=\frac{a+b+c}{2}[/itex]
 
  • #3
Draw the picture, use the law of sines or cosines to find the angle measures, drawn an altitude, calculate.
 
  • #4
Or you could use the fact that you know the distance of the apex from the other two corners to find two equations in x and y.
 
  • #5
Use the law of cosines to find the angle opposite side B first.
 
  • #6
DRAW THE DAMN PICTURE. All of the other suggestions here are good but if you don't start off by drawing a reasonable picture of what you're working with, you're shooting in the dark.
 
  • #7
phinds said:
DRAW THE DAMN PICTURE. All of the other suggestions here are good but if you don't start off by drawing a reasonable picture of what you're working with, you're shooting in the dark.
Very true !
 

1. How do you find the height of a triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem?

The Pythagorean Theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. To find the height of a triangle, you can use this formula: h = √(a^2 - b^2), where h is the height, a and b are the lengths of the other two sides, and √ represents the square root.

2. What is the formula for finding the height of an equilateral triangle?

For an equilateral triangle, where all three sides are equal, the height can be found using the formula h = (√3/2) x s, where h is the height and s is the length of any side. This formula is derived from splitting the equilateral triangle into two right triangles, where the height is the longer side of the triangle.

3. Can you find the height of any triangle if you know the area and base?

Yes, the formula for finding the height of any triangle when the area and base are known is h = (2 x A)/b, where h is the height, A is the area, and b is the base. This formula is derived from the area of a triangle formula, where A = (1/2) x b x h. By rearranging the formula, we can solve for h.

4. How do you use trigonometry to find the height of a triangle?

Trigonometry can be used to find the height of a triangle if you know one angle and one side length. You can use the trigonometric function tangent (tan) to find the height. The formula is h = b x tan(θ), where h is the height, b is the length of the adjacent side, and θ is the angle between the adjacent side and the hypotenuse. This method is particularly useful for finding the height of a triangle on a coordinate plane.

5. Is there a shortcut to finding the height of a right triangle?

Yes, there is a shortcut called the "altitude-on-hypotenuse" theorem. This theorem states that the length of the altitude (height) to the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the geometric mean of the segments of the hypotenuse. In other words, if the hypotenuse has lengths a and b, and the altitude has length h, then h = √(ab). This method can save time and effort when finding the height of a right triangle.

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