Right Angle Trigonometry

 

     

Find the value of x in the figure above

The expression for tan 60 connects x and h

\[ \begin{align} \tan 60^o &= \frac{x+h}{200} \\ \end{align} \ \]

Use the expression for tan h

\[ \begin{align} \tan 45^o &= \frac{h}{200} \\ 1 &= \frac{h}{200} \\ h &= 200 \end{align} \ \]

Solve for x

\[ \begin{align} \tan 60^o &= \frac{x+h}{200} \\ 200 \tan 60^o &= x + 200 \\ x &= 200(\tan 60^o - 1) \\ &= 146.41 \end{align} \ \]

Important This is not a 'textbook on a screen' - this is an interactive learning system. Which means you have to 'act' to make it go.

Look through the options below and select the one you think is the best response. You will gain most benefit if you work the problem with pen and paper as you go, i.e. decide what you think is the correct option and write down what you think the result will be before you click. If the next step doesn't display, click another option.

 

What expression connects the two unknowns?

==>>

Now You Try:

 

The expression for sin 60 connects x and h
The expression for cos 60 connects x and h
The expression for tan 60 connects x and h