triangle pythagoras vs tangent

petr

New member
Joined
Oct 22, 2015
Messages
24
Hello,

attachment.php


why is the result of pythagoras theorem different compare to trig tangent function?????

guess they should be the same???

and sorry for the rotation of the picture.
 

Attachments

  • WP_002025.jpg
    WP_002025.jpg
    59.4 KB · Views: 12
petr,

the Pythagoras Theorem (or Pythagorean Theorem) is used for right triangles.

That first method doesn't apply.

Neither does the second method.


If the angle is 143.13 degrees, you will need a third way.

Edit

Assuming you meant to use the given diagram, use the Law of Cosines:


Let the measure of angle C = 143.13 degrees

Let one of a or b = 12

Then let the other of a and b = 15

Solve for c in this equation:


\(\displaystyle c^2 \ = \ a^2 \ + \ b^2 \ - \ 2ab*cosC\)
 
Last edited:
Top