# Imposibly trigonometry question

I've been staring at this question for about 4 hours and i am conviced there is some missing data in the question because its just impossible.

this is the question

"a uniform strip of wood 5.0 cm wide frames a trapezoidal window, as shown in fig 4.84. Find the left dimension "x" of the outside of the frame.

***fig 4.84 is shown on the attachment*****

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## Answers and Replies

berkeman
Mentor
Thread moved to homework help math. Do not post homework or coursework problems in the general forums.

And on your problem, you have enough information. The height x is 65cm + 5cm + some extra. Draw a more detailed scale drawing of the upper left corner where that extra bit is, and you should be able to figure it out. Post your work if you still aren't able to solve it.

Look, on the inclined edge on the top, the margin is of 5 cm. The outer top left vertex can be arbitrarily displaced vertically (not horizontally, because its position has to be 5 cm to the left of the inner vertex). Now, can you find a function of the vertical position of the outer vertex against the length of the margin along the inclined edge? You would have to find which value makes it so that it is 5 cm.

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