# Math Help - triangle height problem from web

1. ## triangle height problem from web

Hi;
The question states.

AB is a line 652 feet long on one bank of a stream, and C is a point on the opposite bank. A = 53° 18', and B = 48° 36'. Find the width of the stream from C to AB.

They get 345.43 feet.

I get 398.1 feet.

Pretty sure I'm right (gob smacked if I'm not).

Just need it confiming.

Thanks.

2. ## Re: triangle height problem from web

The angles are: A = 53.3°, B = 48.6° and C = 78.1°. Then the height is $\frac{AB}{\sin C}\sin A\sin B\approx 400.739$.

3. ## Re: triangle height problem from web

How is angle A=53.3 when it says 53.18.

4. ## Re: triangle height problem from web

53° 18' means 53 degrees and 18 minutes, i.e., 53 + 18/60 degrees.

6. ## Re: triangle height problem from web

Originally Posted by anthonye
Hi;
The question states.

AB is a line 652 feet long on one bank of a stream, and C is a point on the opposite bank. A = 53° 18', and B = 48° 36'. Find the width of the stream from C to AB.

They get 345.43 feet.

I get 398.1 feet. <--- that's definitely wrong

Pretty sure I'm right (gob smacked if I'm not).

Just need it confiming.

Thanks.
You have used 53.18° or 48.36° respectively instead of $53^\circ+\tfrac{18}{60}^\circ = 53.3^\circ$ or $48^\circ+\tfrac{36}{60}^\circ = 48.6^\circ$