Length of a side, possible triangle side

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Tsroll
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Length Triangle
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem from a mathematics for machine technology book concerning the lengths of sides in a triangle, specifically focusing on an isosceles triangle. Participants explore methods to calculate the lengths of the sides using geometric principles and the Pythagorean theorem.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about whether to use the Pythagorean theorem for the problem, indicating uncertainty about the triangle's configuration.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of recognizing the triangle as isosceles for accurate calculations.
  • A proposed approach suggests calculating side A by adding 7 inches to half of the base of the triangle, while side B is derived by subtracting the height from 17.823 inches.
  • A further contribution provides a specific formula for side A and indicates that side B can be calculated by subtracting the height from 17.823 inches, inviting others to find the height.
  • A final post presents a calculation for side B using the Pythagorean theorem, although it does not clarify the assumptions or steps leading to this result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the isosceles nature of the triangle and the use of the Pythagorean theorem, but there is no consensus on the specific calculations or the height of the triangle, leaving some aspects of the problem unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the triangle's dimensions and the dependence on the correct identification of the height, which remains unspecified in the discussion.

Mathematics news on Phys.org
Tsroll said:
I have one question from my mathematics for machine technology book that has me stumped as well as my Father in-law, sister in-law and my accountant friend.

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to create a right triangle and use A² + B² = C²

Problem 18. B

http://s182.photobucket.com/user/da...1-499C-AF27-9DE175F5EF68_zps7ltszocb.jpg.html

First of all, you have to notice that the triangle is isosceles. This is important as the calculations wouldn't work out otherwise.

To find A, you need to add 7 inches to HALF of the base of the triangle.

To find B, you need to find the height of the triangle (if you draw in the height you will create two right-angle triangles, and you can use Pythagoras). Once you have the height of the triangle, subtract it from 17.823 inches.
 
As the triangle is isosceles I believe $A=7+0.5\times 30.263$

and $B=17.823 - h$ where $h$ is the height of the triangle. Have a go at finding it.
 
17.823 - √[(18.09)² - (30.263/2)²] = 7.909
 

Similar threads

MHB Length of Shortest Side In a Triangle
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
MHB Find Side Lengths of Pythagorean Triangle ABC with Square DEFG Inscribed
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
MHB Why Can't a Right Triangle Have Sides that Add Up to the Area of Squares?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
MHB What is the area of an isosceles triangle with side lengths 6, 6, and 4?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
MHB Find the Sides of Triangle DEF: A Challenge!
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
MHB Length of a third side of triangle
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
MHB Possibilities for the side and angle of the triangle
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
MHB Triangle Inequality Proof for Side Lengths of Triangle ABC
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
MHB Given 3 sides of a triangle, compute interior angles and area
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
MHB What is a simpler method to find the perimeter of triangle AMN?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K