Solving a Triangle: b=17.8m & theta = 65°, Find a & c

[Goopy17]

Homework Statement

Solve the following right triangle.
b=17.8m and theta = 65 degrees. (Right angle is at bottom left, C is hypotenuse, A is bottom leg, B is left leg, theta is opposite of B).
Solve for a & c

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

a= 8.3m
c= 42.118m

But wouldn't that make the triangle not work?

 

[PeterO]

Homework Statement

Solve the following right triangle.
b=17.8m and theta = 65 degrees. (Right angle is at bottom left, C is hypotenuse, A is bottom leg, B is left leg, theta is opposite of B).
Solve for a & c

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

a= 8.3m
c= 42.118m

But wouldn't that make the triangle not work?

Your a value is good. Your C value is wrong? Calculator error [ie you pushed the wrong buttons or used the wrong functions]

 

[phinds]

by "attempt at a solution" it means SHOW YOUR WORK.

Can't tell where you went wrong if you just give the answer you got

 

[cepheid]

ion[/b]
a= 8.3m
c= 42.118m

But wouldn't that make the triangle not work?

Yes, that cannot be a right triangle. Your answers don't obey Pythagoras, since in your case,
a² + b² ≠ c².

So, you must have messed up somewhere. You're going to have to show your work if you want us to help you figure out where you went wrong.

By the way, for future reference, this type of thread should be in the "Precalculus Mathematics" forum, not Introductory Physics (since it is, in fact, pre-calculus math, and not intro physics).

 

[Goopy17]

I got 19.64m for my new c

 

[cepheid]

I got 19.64m for my new c

Well good for you. Again, if you expect any useful feedback from us, you have to show your work. I'm not sure what part of that you didn't understand.