Trigonometric solution for finding the lengths of an obtuse triangle given the base, angle, & area
$begingroup$
Given a triangle ABC where $measuredangle BAC = 120^circ$, $BC = sqrt{37}$, and area $3sqrt{3}$, find the lengths AB and AC.
Here is my attempt:
At first I thought of doing it by getting BA by $BA = BP - AP$ then use the two lengths and angle formula for triangle area having $sin alpha$ as my variable, but the problem is that I cannot define BP in terms of $sinalpha$, and get an equation with $cos alpha$ instead where they have different factors that prevent me from applying any trigonometric identity.
I've also tried doing $3sqrt{3} = frac{PC cdot BA}{2}$, but I run into the same problem.
Any other solution I've tried (like the Pythagorean theorem) leaves me with a trigonometric identity equation where I cannot extract anything useful.
geometry trigonometry
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Given a triangle ABC where $measuredangle BAC = 120^circ$, $BC = sqrt{37}$, and area $3sqrt{3}$, find the lengths AB and AC.
Here is my attempt:
At first I thought of doing it by getting BA by $BA = BP - AP$ then use the two lengths and angle formula for triangle area having $sin alpha$ as my variable, but the problem is that I cannot define BP in terms of $sinalpha$, and get an equation with $cos alpha$ instead where they have different factors that prevent me from applying any trigonometric identity.
I've also tried doing $3sqrt{3} = frac{PC cdot BA}{2}$, but I run into the same problem.
Any other solution I've tried (like the Pythagorean theorem) leaves me with a trigonometric identity equation where I cannot extract anything useful.
geometry trigonometry
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Given a triangle ABC where $measuredangle BAC = 120^circ$, $BC = sqrt{37}$, and area $3sqrt{3}$, find the lengths AB and AC.
Here is my attempt:
At first I thought of doing it by getting BA by $BA = BP - AP$ then use the two lengths and angle formula for triangle area having $sin alpha$ as my variable, but the problem is that I cannot define BP in terms of $sinalpha$, and get an equation with $cos alpha$ instead where they have different factors that prevent me from applying any trigonometric identity.
I've also tried doing $3sqrt{3} = frac{PC cdot BA}{2}$, but I run into the same problem.
Any other solution I've tried (like the Pythagorean theorem) leaves me with a trigonometric identity equation where I cannot extract anything useful.
geometry trigonometry
$endgroup$
Given a triangle ABC where $measuredangle BAC = 120^circ$, $BC = sqrt{37}$, and area $3sqrt{3}$, find the lengths AB and AC.
Here is my attempt:
At first I thought of doing it by getting BA by $BA = BP - AP$ then use the two lengths and angle formula for triangle area having $sin alpha$ as my variable, but the problem is that I cannot define BP in terms of $sinalpha$, and get an equation with $cos alpha$ instead where they have different factors that prevent me from applying any trigonometric identity.
I've also tried doing $3sqrt{3} = frac{PC cdot BA}{2}$, but I run into the same problem.
Any other solution I've tried (like the Pythagorean theorem) leaves me with a trigonometric identity equation where I cannot extract anything useful.
geometry trigonometry
geometry trigonometry
asked Jan 10 at 12:36
daedsidogdaedsidog
29017
29017
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1 Answer
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$begingroup$
Guide:
Let $AB=y$,
By cosine rule $$x^2+y^2-2xy cos 120^circ = 37$$
From the area, we know that
$$frac12 xy sin 120^circ = 3sqrt3$$
$$xy=12tag{1}$$
and $$x^2+y^2+12=37$$
$$x^2+y^2=25=5^2tag{2}$$
Can you solve for $x$ and $y$ from $(1)$ and $(2)$? (Further hint: I purpose write $25=5^2$, if you are familiar with certain identities, the answer could be very obvious).
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Guide:
Let $AB=y$,
By cosine rule $$x^2+y^2-2xy cos 120^circ = 37$$
From the area, we know that
$$frac12 xy sin 120^circ = 3sqrt3$$
$$xy=12tag{1}$$
and $$x^2+y^2+12=37$$
$$x^2+y^2=25=5^2tag{2}$$
Can you solve for $x$ and $y$ from $(1)$ and $(2)$? (Further hint: I purpose write $25=5^2$, if you are familiar with certain identities, the answer could be very obvious).
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Guide:
Let $AB=y$,
By cosine rule $$x^2+y^2-2xy cos 120^circ = 37$$
From the area, we know that
$$frac12 xy sin 120^circ = 3sqrt3$$
$$xy=12tag{1}$$
and $$x^2+y^2+12=37$$
$$x^2+y^2=25=5^2tag{2}$$
Can you solve for $x$ and $y$ from $(1)$ and $(2)$? (Further hint: I purpose write $25=5^2$, if you are familiar with certain identities, the answer could be very obvious).
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Guide:
Let $AB=y$,
By cosine rule $$x^2+y^2-2xy cos 120^circ = 37$$
From the area, we know that
$$frac12 xy sin 120^circ = 3sqrt3$$
$$xy=12tag{1}$$
and $$x^2+y^2+12=37$$
$$x^2+y^2=25=5^2tag{2}$$
Can you solve for $x$ and $y$ from $(1)$ and $(2)$? (Further hint: I purpose write $25=5^2$, if you are familiar with certain identities, the answer could be very obvious).
$endgroup$
Guide:
Let $AB=y$,
By cosine rule $$x^2+y^2-2xy cos 120^circ = 37$$
From the area, we know that
$$frac12 xy sin 120^circ = 3sqrt3$$
$$xy=12tag{1}$$
and $$x^2+y^2+12=37$$
$$x^2+y^2=25=5^2tag{2}$$
Can you solve for $x$ and $y$ from $(1)$ and $(2)$? (Further hint: I purpose write $25=5^2$, if you are familiar with certain identities, the answer could be very obvious).
answered Jan 10 at 12:48


Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
101k1466118
101k1466118
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