Solving a Trigonometry Problem: Uncovering "h

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a trigonometry problem involving the calculation of a height represented by "h" in relation to angles and lengths in a triangle. Participants are exploring the relationships between the sides of the triangle using trigonometric functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to express the tangents of the angles in terms of the unknowns and a known length. There is uncertainty about the initial steps and how to effectively use the trigonometric identities provided.

Discussion Status

Some participants are expressing confusion about the guidance provided and the complexity of the problem. There is acknowledgment of reaching a point with two equations involving two unknowns, suggesting a potential path forward, but also a sense of frustration regarding the perceived difficulty of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of clarity in the problem setup and express concerns about the complexity of the equations derived from the trigonometric relationships. There is an indication that previous experience with similar problems may not align with the current challenge.

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Homework Statement


[PLAIN]http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5062/dgsdgsdgs.jpg
what is h??

Homework Equations


tan x = sin x/ cos x
cos x = adj/hyp
sin x = opp/hyp


The Attempt at a Solution


uh I am not even really sure where to start. i haven't done trig in a really really long time. I am guessing you have to use trig. and i set the area under the dotted triangle as x so the entire bottom length would be 100 + X but I am not even sure how that helps.
 
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Add one unknown - length of the leg adjacent to 60° angle. You have two unknowns - h and the leg. Can you express tangents of both angles using these unknowns (and known length 100)?
 
^ no offense but the "clue" you gave was so small that I'm just back where I started...confused...didnt really push me in any particular direction. -_-
tan 30 = h / (100 + x) = sqrt 3 over 3
tan 60 = h / x = sqrt 3?
i don't see how that helps.
i tried solving for h using the one that equals tan 60..that turns out to be x times sqrt 3...i plugged that into the first equation...and that just seems way too complicated. I did this type of question two years ago in HS...i am so sure this question isn't supposed to be this complicated.
 
ooovooos said:
i tried solving for h using the one that equals tan 60..that turns out to be x times sqrt 3...i plugged that into the first equation...and that just seems way too complicated. I did this type of question two years ago in HS...i am so sure this question isn't supposed to be this complicated.

Is this the equation you got?

[tex]\frac{x\sqrt{3}}{100 + x} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}[/tex]

It requires a bit of algebra, but it's not bad.
 
ooovooos said:
i tried solving for h using the one that equals tan 60..that turns out to be x times sqrt 3...i plugged that into the first equation...

You got to two equations in two unknowns, and you are solving them using correct approach. Just don't give up.
 

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