Estimating Angles of a Box Diagonal

So, in summary, to estimate the angles that a diagonal of a box makes with the edges, we can use the equation cos\theta =\frac{u\cdot v}{\left \| u \right \|\left \| v \right \|}, where u represents the dimensions of the box and v represents the diagonal vector. By substituting in the values for u and v, we can calculate the angle to be approximately 71 degrees.
  • #1
kwal0203
69
0

Homework Statement



Estimate to the nearest degree, the angles that a diagonal of a box with dimensions 10cm x 15cm x 25cm makes with the edges of the box.

Homework Equations



[itex]cos\theta =\frac{u\cdot v}{\left \| u \right \|\left \| v \right \|}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



For the angle between the diagonal vector and the edge with the 10cm side:

[itex]u=(10,0,0)[/itex]
[itex]v=(10,15,25)[/itex]

[itex]cos\theta =\frac{(10,0,0)\cdot (10,15,25)}{\sqrt100\sqrt{100+225+625}}[/itex]
[itex]cos\theta =\frac{100}{10\sqrt{950}}[/itex]

[itex]cos\theta =\frac{10}{\sqrt{950}}[/itex]

Theta = ~71 degrees?

thanks, any help appreciated!
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Your denominator should be the product of the lengths of the two vectors. Vector u has length 10, right? Where's that? Vector v has length sqrt(950), why did you edit that to 100sqrt(850)?
 
  • #3
Vargo said:
Your denominator should be the product of the lengths of the two vectors. Vector u has length 10, right? Where's that? Vector v has length sqrt(950), why did you edit that to 100sqrt(850)?

Oh yeah, I had it right the first time. But if I do that then I can't carry out the next step.. how would you proceed in this question?
 
  • #4
I edited it now, does it look right?
 
  • #5
Yeah, that looks right.
 

1. What is the purpose of estimating angles of a box diagonal?

The purpose of estimating angles of a box diagonal is to determine the precise measurement of the angle formed by the two sides of a box diagonal. This can be useful in various fields such as architecture, engineering, and construction, where precise measurements are crucial for accurate and safe building designs.

2. How is the angle of a box diagonal estimated?

The angle of a box diagonal is estimated by using a protractor or a measuring tool specifically designed for measuring angles. The tool is placed at the intersection of the two sides of the diagonal, and the angle is read from the scale on the tool.

3. Can estimates of angles of a box diagonal be inaccurate?

Yes, estimates of angles of a box diagonal can be inaccurate. This can be due to human error in reading the measurement from the tool or using a low-quality or faulty tool. It is important to double-check measurements and use high-quality tools for more accurate results.

4. What are some common techniques used to estimate angles of a box diagonal?

Some common techniques used to estimate angles of a box diagonal include using a protractor, using a measuring tool with a digital display, and using software or apps that provide accurate measurements based on input data.

5. Are there any alternative methods for estimating angles of a box diagonal?

Yes, there are alternative methods for estimating angles of a box diagonal, such as using trigonometric functions or creating a right triangle and measuring the angle using the Pythagorean theorem. However, these methods may require more advanced mathematical knowledge and may not be as accurate as using specialized tools or software.

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