Question

I got this trig question.
Find the unknown, show you solution

Answer 1

a=?
b=?
I don't know how to solve this and kindly please show the process. Thank you!

Answer 2

You have a right triangle so you can apply the pythagorean theorem.
\[A^2+B^2 = C^2\]

Answer 3

a= 5
b= 13

Answer 4

okay.. but how.

Answer 5

first find A then find B using @Johnbc formula

Answer 6

Use it to solve for C the hypotenuse for both triangles. Where C in the first triangle from left to right is "a" and for the second it is "b"

Answer 7

okay. so meaning 4=A and 3=B then solve for A using pythagorean theorem. But how I know what side to put in the pythagorean. Any formula?

Answer 8

It does not matter as long as C = Hypotenuse/Longest side

Answer 9

oh I see! thank you very much now I fully understand ^.^

Answer 10

The way I like to look at my right angle triangles when using the pythagorean theorem.

Answer 11

My pleasure.

Answer 12

Gladly I found this site! So many helpful people

Answer 13

wait! the square root of 12^2-5^2 should it be equal to 13 or 10.91. Because I'm unsure wether -(5)^2=25 or -(5)^2=-25. Which should come first? Exponent or the negative sign?

Answer 14

you add 5^2 and 12^2 because 5 is not the hypotenuse in the problem in finding B

Answer 15

\[A^2+B^2=C^2\]

Answer 16

So if we are solving for C, \[C = \sqrt{A^2+B^2}\] No subtraction.

Answer 17

Yes I know. But what is -(5)^2?

Answer 18

All of the sides are positive. Not sure where you got the negative sign?

Answer 19

But I thought 12 is the hypotenuse.

Answer 20

12 can not be the hypotenuse since it is one of the sides adjacent to the right angle.

Answer 21

So you mean that the opposite of the right angle is always the hypotenuse?

Answer 22

the hypotenuse is the side where the right angel is facing it