Question

Can someone help me? Not sure how to solve this problem. (Do I use sin, cos, or tan?)

Answer 1

Well, it depends. Pick which interior angle you wish to use. (Just not the 90° angle)

Answer 2

@Bubbles1204

Answer 3

@noseboy908
sorry, slow computer.
how about 28 degrees

Answer 4

Alright, so are you familiar with the opposite, adjacent, and hypotenuse rules of Sin, cos, and tan?

Answer 5

Kind of , I've been having a hard time understanding cos, sin, and tan though

Answer 6

Alright, no problem. Have you ever heard of good ol' chief SohCahToa?

Answer 7

Yes, Sine opposite hypotenuse, Cosine adjacent hypotenuse, and Tan ( I don't know)

Answer 8

Try using the acronym I just used. what comes after the "T"?

Answer 9

o, would that be opposite?

Answer 10

yep, and after that?

Answer 11

A, for adjacent?

Answer 12

Yep. So which one relates what the side length of 50 to the unknown variable, witch represents the hypotenuse?

Answer 13

I don't understand what your asking,
ah I'll be right back though, I have to do something real quick

Answer 14

Ok.

Answer 15

What I'm asking is: Which of the three trig functions you see above includes what the length "50" is to the angle, as well as what the length "x" (which you obviously need to solve for) is to the angle you picked. Remember that those two must be either Adjacent, Opposite, or the Hypotenuse.

Answer 16

Would it be adjacent?

Answer 17

Let me draw you an illustration, and then see if you can answer me.

Answer 18

Okay (sorry "-.- I know its hard teaching me)

Answer 19

No need to apologize, If I was annoyed by people who didn't understand math, then why would I be here?

Answer 20

Haha I suppose so, it's just I don't understand things right away, and im in advanced math but I understand very little about it. And math intimidates me ;-;

Answer 21

And I'll make another drawing to show how O & A trade places when the angle to be found is moved.

Answer 22

So in my case, H is x, 28 is A, and 50 is O

Answer 23

Is that right?

Answer 24

Almost. You stated that 28 might be the A, but isn't that the angle you're working with? Also, note that angles are never Opposites, Adjacents, or Hypotenuse's. Don't bother with the Adjacent in this problem. Since it has neither length given or variable assigned, then it's irreverent in this problem.

Answer 25

Ah okay, then what do I do?

Answer 26

Firstly, please restate what you know, from what you said above, but without the guess about the Adjacent side.

Answer 27

about sine, cosine, and tan?

Answer 28

Well, about what you know is the Opposite and Hypotenuse.

Answer 29

Ah, um that x is the hypotenuse and 50 is the opposite angle?

Answer 30

Correct! Now answer me this: What trig function relates H and O?

Answer 31

Sin?

Answer 32

Correct! Now, restate the formula for sine please.

Answer 33

The formula? Like Sine, Opposite, hypotenuse?

Answer 34

Yes, but the formula itself. For instance, if I wanted to know the tangent formula, what i'm asking for is "T(degree)=O/A"

Answer 35

Sin(28)=x/50?

Answer 36

Yep! Firstly then, use either a calculator (make sure it's in degrees), or google ("sin28°" in a google search) to find the exact answer for sin(28°)

Answer 37

0.469

Answer 38

Correct, now multiply that by the denominator of the right side, "50".

Answer 39

23.45

Answer 40

Correct. There's your final answer.

Answer 41

Yay! Thank you so much!

Answer 42

You are most welcome. If you ever need my help again, just mention my name in a reply. I'll help as soon as I can.

Answer 43

Kay thank you(: