how can you find the base and the hypotenuse of a right triangle when you only know the height?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Are you given any angle degrees?

anonymous · Answer

no i'm only given the length of the height

anonymous · Answer

What is the height?

anonymous · Answer

3 cm

anonymous · Answer

Well since it's a right triangle, you know one angle is 90 degrees. Sorry this is taking so long, I'm still working this out with the help of my sister.

anonymous · Answer

ok take your time!

anonymous · Answer

Do you know if the triangle is a 45-45-90, or 30-60-90?

anonymous · Answer

i believe that it's a 45-45-90 considering the only angle thats given is the 90 degree angle

nikato · Answer

Can you post the actual problem or draw it like it is in your problem?

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1399857331419:dw|

anonymous · Answer

I labeled the hypotenuse "x" and the base "y" 

Since you believe it's a 45-45-90, the height should be the same length as the base.

So the height and base are both 3 cm.

To find the hypotenuse, you have to take $$3\sqrt{2}$$

anonymous · Answer

Oh, disregard my comment about labeling the base and hypotenuse!

anonymous · Answer

ok

anonymous · Answer

the answer is, if you only know two measurements (one angle and a side) then there is no way to know any other angle or any other side
you need more information

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1399858929470:dw|

anonymous · Answer

oh ok