I'm forgetting my geometry. Can I solve this triangle?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a triangle in the context of a physics problem. The original poster presents a scenario where they have a triangle with a base of 56 meters, a height of 500 meters, and a difference of 4 meters between the lengths of the two unknown sides. They seek to determine if they can find the lengths of these sides based on the provided information.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the possibility of using the Pythagorean Theorem to find the unknown sides. There is discussion about splitting the triangle into two right triangles by dropping a perpendicular from the vertex to the base. Questions arise regarding how the base is divided and the implications of the difference in side lengths.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on how to approach the problem, suggesting the use of equations based on the split of the triangle. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correct method or outcome, as the original poster later mentions arriving at an incorrect answer.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about the division of the base and the implications for solving the triangle, indicating potential gaps in their understanding of the geometry involved.

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Homework Statement


So I'm doing a physics problem, and I think I'd get the right answer if I solved this triangle. I don't know any angles. The base is 56 meters long, its height is 500 meters, and the difference between the other two sides is 4 meters. Can I figure out the sides based on this information?
If not, can I at least find out the difference in position of the vertex between the two unknown sides if they were equal vs in this situation? I hope that makes sense.
 
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dzidziaud said:

Homework Statement


So I'm doing a physics problem, and I think I'd get the right answer if I solved this triangle. I don't know any angles. The base is 56 meters long, its height is 500 meters, and the difference between the other two sides is 4 meters. Can I figure out the sides based on this information?
If not, can I at least find out the difference in position of the vertex between the two unknown sides if they were equal vs in this situation? I hope that makes sense.
Yes. You have enough information to figure out the sides. Think Pythagorean Theorem.

Chet
 
Chestermiller said:
Yes. You have enough information to figure out the sides. Think Pythagorean Theorem.

Chet

I am assuming you mean by dropping a perpendicular that is the height of the triangle, so it is split into two right triangles? I can't figure out what to do from there though because I don't know how the 52 m side is split.
 
dzidziaud said:
I am assuming you mean by dropping a perpendicular that is the height of the triangle, so it is split into two right triangles? I can't figure out what to do from there though because I don't know how the 52 m side is split.
Split it into y and 56-y, and then get two equations in two unknowns. Of course, the other two sides are x and x+4.

Chet
 
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Thanks, I finally figured it out! Unfortunately, I got the wrong answer, so I'm approaching the actual physics problem wrong. At least I got some good geometry practice out of it :)
 

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