How can I find the length of a bisected shape with trigonometry?

In summary, the given expression is approximated to be 0.197. The conversation discusses different approaches to solve the problem, including using Pythagoras' Theorem, Sine Law, and the angle addition formula for sine. It is also suggested to use the interior angle of the top triangle, 2\sin^{-1}(.45), and the length of the red segment, \sqrt{3}, to simplify the expression.
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  • #2
[itex]\sqrt{2.3925} - 1.35 \approx 0.197[/itex]
 
  • #3
Yes, that appears to be the correct answer. I am interested how you got it. The expression I got was
sin((60-2*(90-arccos(.45)))/2) * 3^.5 * 2
 
  • #4
2(sin(120)/sin(30))sin((60 - Y)/2)
= 2(sin(120)/sin(30))(sin(30)cos(Y/2) - cos(30)sin(Y/2))
= 2(30.5)(0.5(1 - 0.45²)0.5 - 0.5(30.5)(0.45))
= (3(1 - 0.45²))0.5 - 1.35
= (2.3925)0.5 - 1.35

Y is the small angle in the triangle the contains the blue line (the bottom angle). I didn't want to use any inverse trigonometric functions, so I used Pythogras' Theorem, Sine Law, and the angle addition formula for sine.
 
  • #5
Hmm, if you bisect the figure, then you have an isoscoles trianlge at the top so the interior angle of the top triangle is
[tex]2\sin^{-1}(.45)[/tex]
Moreover, it's not hard to see that the length from the center intersection to the edge of the red segment has length
[tex]\sqrt{3}[/tex]

That means that you can go with:
[tex]2\left(\sqrt{3} \sin\left(30-\sin^{-1}(.45)\right)\right)[/tex]

Which can easily be simplified using angle addition forumlas.
 

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