Solving for UT Length and Area of Nonrectangular Land Plot | Geometry/Trig Help

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the length of side UT and the area of a nonrectangular land plot using the law of sines and the law of cosines. Given the measurements RU= 130.0 m, RS= 120.0 m, ST= 90.0 m, angle RST= 115 degrees, and angle RUT= 100 degrees, these trigonometric laws are essential for solving oblique triangles. The law of cosines is defined as C² = a² + b² - 2ab(cosC), while the law of sines is expressed as sinA/a = sinB/b = sinC/c. These equations provide a systematic approach to determine the unknown lengths and area of the plot.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the law of sines
  • Understanding of the law of cosines
  • Basic knowledge of trigonometric angles
  • Ability to visualize and sketch geometric shapes
NEXT STEPS
  • Practice solving problems using the law of sines with various triangle configurations
  • Explore applications of the law of cosines in real-world surveying scenarios
  • Learn how to calculate the area of nonrectangular plots using trigonometric methods
  • Investigate software tools for geometric calculations, such as GeoGebra
USEFUL FOR

Surveyors, civil engineers, students studying geometry or trigonometry, and anyone involved in land measurement and plotting.

ur5pointos2sl
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A surveyer is required to survey a nonrectangular plot of land but is unable to measure side UT directly. The following data are taken:
RU= 130.0 m
RS= 120.0 m
ST=90.0m
Angle RST= 115 degrees
Angle RUT = 100 degrees

Calculate the length of side UT and area of the plot.

Again I haven't taken any geometry or trig in years and just need help starting the problems(I have a few to post)
 

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hello UR5,
I believe that for this problem, the equation that will help you is either the law of sines or law of cosines equations. This will help you to form oblique triangles and find out the length of the line going through the shape, which will help in finding out the other two sides.

Law of cosines= C2=a2+b2-2ab(cosC)

Law of sines= sinA/a=sinB/a=sinC/a (captial A= angle A, lower case a=side a)

This should definitely get you headed in the correct direction. If you need to, draw a shape that resembles a rectangle, just so you can get an idea of where the opposite sides would be and all that.
 
Thanks that worked out well.
 

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