Thread: How to go about solving this triangle.

I can't seem to find what method I should use to solve this right triangle.

I'll call the triangle ABC, with B being the 90 degree angle. Neither angle A or C are known. Side BC is 8 long, side AB is unknown.

A line segment goes from angle B to a point on AC, forming a 90 degree angle with it. From where this line segment meets AC down to angle A is 15 long.

Also, angles A and C are equal.

Originally Posted by Lewong

I can't seem to find what method I should use to solve this right triangle.

I'll call the triangle ABC, with B being the 90 degree angle. Neither angle A or C are known. Side BC is 8 long, side AB is unknown.

A line segment goes from angle B to a point on AC, forming a 90 degree angle with it. From where this line segment meets AC down to angle A is 15 long.

Also, angles A and C are equal.

note your statements in bold and recheck your description ... if ABC is a right triangle with right angle B, and angle A = angle C, then ABC is a right isosceles triangle. as such, your description of the given lengths would not be possible.

Originally Posted by Lewong

I can't seem to find what method I should use to solve this right triangle.

I'll call the triangle ABC, with B being the 90 degree angle. Neither angle A or C are known. Side BC is 8 long, side AB is unknown.

A line segment goes from angle B to a point on AC, forming a 90 degree angle with it. From where this line segment meets AC down to angle A is 15 long.

Also, angles A and C are equal.

As skeeter has pointed out:

if B is 90deg AND A and C are equal then
distance AB = distance BC and
distance AC = = 11.31

If you mean UNEQUAL then it is solvable.

yea i've checked this like a hundred times and everything i typed in the OP seems 100% true. Maybe this really is a flawed question.

Ill have to draw a pic of the triangle to make absolutely sure, though.

Originally Posted by Lewong

yea i've checked this like a hundred times and everything i typed in the OP seems 100% true. Maybe this really is a flawed question.

Ill have to draw a pic of the triangle to make absolutely sure, though.

... there is your mistake.

Ok i drew an exact replica of the problem in question, unfortunately the only program available to me at the moment is artpad. So here it is:

EDIT: those things at the top right and bottom left are greek symbols