# Trig help

#### sinjid9

In an isosceles triangle the length of each of the two equal sides is 10 cm, and each of the equal angles measures 68 degrees. Find the height of the triangle from one of the two equal sides.
I tried this and got approximately 9.28cm but the answer according to the sheet is supposed to be 7cm.

#### bigwave

In an isosceles triangle the length of each of the two equal sides is 10 cm, and each of the equal angles measures 68 degrees. Find the height of the triangle from one of the two equal sides.
I tried this and got approximately 9.28cm but the answer according to the sheet is supposed to be 7cm.

$$\displaystyle 10\sin{68^o} = 9.27$$

sinjid9

#### sinjid9

An overpass must clear a highway by 12m. If the approach to the overpass may not exceed 8 degrees, find the minimum length of the approach (along the slope).
What does a diagram for this question even look like?

#### Prove It

MHF Helper
An overpass must clear a highway by 12m. If the approach to the overpass may not exceed 8 degrees, find the minimum length of the approach (along the slope).
What does a diagram for this question even look like?
Your approach needs to be $$\displaystyle 12\,\textrm{m}$$ above the ground and be at an angle of $$\displaystyle 8^{\circ}$$. You can draw a right-angle triangle to show this situation. You need to find the length of the approach, which is the hypotenuse of the triangle.

sinjid9

#### sinjid9

If I were to do a let statement for the side, opposite to the angle that is 82 degrees, how would I write it?

#### Prove It

MHF Helper
If I were to do a let statement for the side, opposite to the angle that is 82 degrees, how would I write it?
The height of the triangle is the side opposite $$\displaystyle 8^{\circ}$$.

Since you are dealing with the opposite side and trying to find the hypotenuse, you need to use

$$\displaystyle \sin{\theta} = \frac{\textrm{Opposite}}{\textrm{Hypotenuse}}$$.

sinjid9