TRIG PROBLEM: A flagpole is anchored by two pairs of guy wires attached 8m above the ground. One pair is anchored to the ground at 60 degrees angles. Which pair of guy wires has the greater total length and by how much, to the nearest tenth of a metre?

Question

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

you know the opposite length (opposite of the angle) is 8m and sin(x) = opposite/hypothenuse the hypothenuse is the length of the guy wire.

anonymous · Answer

e.g. sin(45) = 8/n where n is the length of the guy wire aka the hypothenuse and you solve for n

anonymous · Answer

ohh.. and I solve for n using pythagoras? but what would my adjacent be> o.o

anonymous · Answer

no you solve using algebra so n = 8/sin(45)

anonymous · Answer

ohh, okay. thank you!