Question

Help please! Not sure how to do this...

Vance is designing a garden in the shape of an isosceles triangle. The base of the garden is 36 feet long. The function y=18 tan(theta) models the height of the triangular garden.

a. What is the height of the triangle when theta=45deg?
b. What is the height of the triangle when theta= 55deg
c. Vance is considering using either theta=45deg or theta= 55deg for his garden. Compare the areas of the two possible gardens.
Explain how you found the areas.

Answer 1

For a, plug in 30 to theta, which should give you this: (make sure your calculator is in degrees)
y=15tan(30)=8.66025≈8.660ft

and do the same for b, plugging in 40.

Answer 2

Then use the formula for area of a triangle (A=.5bh) with each answer, where b = 36 ft and
h=18tan(θ)

Answer 3

For a, plug in 36 to theta, which should give you this: (make sure your calculator is in degrees)
y=18tan(36)=

and do the same for b, plugging in 55.

Answer 4

You're saying to plug 30 or 36 in for A. but the value is 45??