Can You Find Triangle Sides with Only Angle Information?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ziddy83
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Triangles
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

It is impossible to determine the sides of a right triangle using only angle information due to the principle of similarity; triangles with the same angles can have different side lengths. The discussion also highlights a related problem involving two cones and a cylinder, where the user needs to find the radius to calculate volume and the rate of water leakage. The conversation emphasizes the importance of providing complete problem statements for effective assistance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic trigonometry and triangle properties
  • Familiarity with the concept of similar triangles
  • Knowledge of calculus, particularly related to volume and rates of change
  • Ability to interpret mathematical problem statements
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of similar triangles in depth
  • Learn about the relationship between angles and side lengths in trigonometry
  • Explore calculus concepts related to volume and rates of change
  • Investigate methods for solving problems involving cones and cylinders
USEFUL FOR

Students in mathematics, particularly those studying trigonometry and calculus, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to triangle properties and volume calculations.

ziddy83
Messages
87
Reaction score
0
I was wondering if you can find the sides of a right triangle if you only know the angles of the triangle...i couldn't think of a trig ID or any law..if there is, id like to know it, thanks.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
No, you cannot. To see this, take ANY right triangle and multiply the lengths of each side by the same scale factor such as 2. The resulting triangle has exactly the same angles as the original triangle (i.e. it is similar to the original triangle) but it is a distinctly different triangle.
 
ok that's what i thought, but i have a problem for my calculus class. its got three containers, two are cones, and the other is a cylinder. I only know the anlge of the two cones, and nothing else. And i need the radius to find the volume, so I am not sure how to do that. I have to find the rate at which water is leaking out of one of the cones...
 
ziddy,
can u post the entire question properly?
It may be so that the radius of the base of the cone may not be necessary at all. Since i see u need to find the rate of water flow, i guess they might have given u the cross sectional area of the opening...

In any case, its better if u post the entire problem here...

-- AI
 
well my bad...sorry you didnt like it. i was asking a question related to traingles at first, so i didnt want to post it in the other forum. And he asked to see the question and i gave HIM the link. so...sorry sir, he wanted to help me... so i gave him the link. Who says that you can't ask more than one person for help?
 
ziddy83 said:
well my bad...sorry you didnt like it. i was asking a question related to traingles at first, so i didnt want to post it in the other forum. And he asked to see the question and i gave HIM the link. so...sorry sir, he wanted to help me... so i gave him the link. Who says that you can't ask more than one person for help?

I would like to add,actually to clarify what i meant by "fair play".Apparently u've gotten this part wrongly.It's fair-play not a specific person (you can ask the same question to as many people u want,in some cases you might get different answers),but to the forum itself.Loading the server with posts on the same debate by the same person.That's not fair play.Surely,had it been somebody else to pose the same question,maybe he would have gotten the link and clarify his question indirectly via somebodyelse's posts.

Daniel.
 
ok well...when i originally asked my first question, i hadnt received a reply for about 2 days or so. In the meantime i sort of figured out how to do my porblem, so i was asking another question related to triangles, so i thought i shouldn't ask that question in the CALCULUS forums. so i went to the general math forums. and i thought it would be good to explain why i was wanting the information on the triangles. so i hope this calrifies your confusion.
 

Similar threads

High School In a triangle, is the angle between the points of contact of the inscribed circle with the sides 120 degrees?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad Geometry problem of interest with a 3-4-5 triangle
  • · Replies 59 ·
2
Replies
59
Views
87K
High School Understanding the Pythagorean Theorem
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
Undergrad ABC triangle with integer sides
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Undergrad What is the name of this geometry theorem?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Find Angles in Right Angle Triangles
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
MHB Difference of angles in a triangle
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Find triangles with areas that are integers
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
High School Why does the trigonometry of obtuse angles use ref angles?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
MHB Acute angle of right triangles
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K