Thread: A Triangle

This question is related to a vector/force question, but I just need help with finding two angles:

Given the following triangle:



and knowing that a+b = 14. How can you figure out the length of a and b?

Originally Posted by ty2391

This question is related to a vector/force question, but I just need help with finding two angles:

Given the following triangle:



and knowing that a+b = 14. How can you figure out the length of a and b?

Well I can clearly see a right angled triangle. So i think the answer is a = 8 and b = 6

Sorry, the diagram may be misleading, im trying to say that the 6 and 4 split the top into two sections. (thanks for your reply though)

Anyway, I figured it out I believe, can someone confirm that: a=54/7 and b=44/7?

Originally Posted by ty2391

This question is related to a vector/force question, but I just need help with finding two angles:

Given the following triangle:



and knowing that a+b = 14. How can you figure out the length of a and b?

Call the clearly vertical leg (that obviously is intended to meet the side of length 10 at a right angle) c.

Then we know that

and


Then


But

and we know that . Thus




Thus we have the system of equations




This has a solution of

and


(Which are at least close to Isomorphism's a = 8 and b = 6.)

-Dan

EDIT: Just saw your post ty2391. Obviously I agree with your answer. Good job.

Originally Posted by ty2391

Sorry, the diagram may be misleading, im trying to say that the 6 and 4 split the top into two sections. (thanks for your reply though)

Anyway, I figured it out I believe, can someone confirm that: a=54/7 and b=44/7?

Ya sorry... your answer is right

Good job