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#1 2005-07-26 23:09:02
- GurraTedden
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Trigonometric, is it possible?
Hi, check this out:
http://engman.bravehost.com/mechanics/side.JPG
I've been sitting with it for 2 hours now, it just makes me crazy. I mean, it is
a possibility that the mechanical problem that this trig. is derived from is ment
to be solved in an other way, but i wouldn't bet my money on that.
#2 2005-07-26 23:17:51
- mathsyperson
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Re: Trigonometric, is it possible?
I'm probably reading your drawing wrong, but couldn't you use Pythagoras?
If so, x²=0.3²-0.2²
x²=0.05
x=√0.05≈0.223
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
#3 2005-07-26 23:44:18
- GurraTedden
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Re: Trigonometric, is it possible?
That's the problem, man! The answer should be 0.75, but I can't see it. I need to know if I can solve it,
or if I have to find another way of attacking the original problem. I would also like to read it like you did,
but unfortunately I have drawn it correct. The side 0.3 is not the hyp. of the little triangle. I have gone
forth and back on if there is some kind of connection between the ratios, or (what you call the relationship
between the sides that's not the hyp.)
#4 2005-07-27 00:06:52
- mathsyperson
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Re: Trigonometric, is it possible?
Well, if you don't have the hypotenuse, then it can't be solved as it is, because to use trigonometry you need 3 pieces of information and you've only got 1 side and 1 angle.
So, yes, you need to attack it another way. If you're still stuck then post the whole problem on here.
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
#6 2005-07-27 07:40:37
- MathsIsFun
- Administrator
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Re: Trigonometric, is it possible?
The bigger triangle is a 3:4:5 triangle, but it could be sitting at any angle relative to the (0.2 and x) triangle, so x could be large or small.
Is it part of a wider problem? Perhaps there is a clue there.
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman