# Math Help - How do non right angle triangles differ from right angle triangles

1. ## How do non right angle triangles differ from right angle triangles

I'm trying to solve what seems to be a basic triangle question but I keep getting strange results.

So I did $x1 = \frac{8}{\tan 14} = 32$

Then I did $a1 = \frac{8}{32} = 14$

Subsequently $x2 = 32^2+8^2 = 1088 \sqrt{1088} = 33$

So now I can say angle $a2 = 152$

Making the final triangle look like this

I don't think it is correct though, I'm trying to use SohCahToa to solve this problem :/ Please help

2. ## Re: How do non right angle triangles differ from right angle triangles

Originally Posted by uperkurk
I'm trying to solve what seems to be a basic triangle question but I keep getting strange results.

What are you asked to do?
What do you know about the unknowns in the figure?

And NO you cannot apply trigonometric function here unless there is much more information that you have given us.

3. ## Re: How do non right angle triangles differ from right angle triangles

Sorry I should have been a little more descriptive, I have to figure out what the unknowns are, as in x1, x2, a1 and a2. I can easily do it if I make it a right angled triangle, but for some reason this irregular triangle follows different rules?

4. ## Re: How do non right angle triangles differ from right angle triangles

Originally Posted by uperkurk
Sorry I should have been a little more descriptive, I have to figure out what the unknowns are, as in x1, x2, a1 and a2. I can easily do it if I make it a right angled triangle, but for some reason this irregular triangle follows different rules?
Well, from what you posted it impossible to do that.
If we know that the triangle is isosceles, then that would help.
But as is, nothing.

5. ## Re: How do non right angle triangles differ from right angle triangles

Well note to self, don't try to invent your own problems because they fail. Lol thanks anyway.

6. ## Re: How do non right angle triangles differ from right angle triangles

You should remember, from geometry, such "congurence" theorems as "SSS", "SAS", "ASA", etc. Generally, if three parts of two triangles are the same then the two triangles are congruent. For others (and even three may not be enough- there is no "ASS" congruence theorem!) there may be non-congruent triangles with the same information, so you cannot calculate the size of the other parts from two parts of a triangle.