1. ## Very Simple Problem Messing w/ My Head

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the way to solve a very simple problem (I know the answer, but I don't know how to get there). I've found very similar ones on the internet and searched youtube, google, etc; but still w/o any luck. I wonder if anyone can help me (the answer, according to the textbook is 13).

Basically, it is a right triangle inside a right triangle, with the opposite sides equal 24 and 12 (the smaller one is half the size of the bigger one). I need to find the distance between A and Y (the hypothenuse, which I assume is half of the bigger one, or a AW).

It's driving me crazy...

Best regards!

2. ## Re: Very Simple Problem Messing w/ My Head

the problem is unsolvable as stated.

let the angle at the bottom right of the triangle be $\theta$

$12 = YW \sin(\theta)$

$YW= \dfrac{12}{\sin(\theta)}$

as $\theta \to 0, ~YW \to \infty$

and can take any value $YW \in [12,\infty)$

3. ## Re: Very Simple Problem Messing w/ My Head

Aaaah, I guess then there's a typo, and they forgot to add a value (I did see some solutions where they give part of adjacent side as a value).

Thankyou very much for this!

Best regards!