Problema Solution
Make a prediction: Suppose that we have a right triangle that has a height of 30 inches and a base of 40 inches. Describe how we could use this information to find out the measure of each of the angles in the triangle.
Answer provided by our tutors
We assume that we are given the legs of the right triangle:
a = 30 in
b = 40 in
tan (angle A) = a/b
tan (angle A) = 30/40
tan (angle A) = 3/4
angle A = 36.87 degrees
angle B = 90 - angle A
angle B = 90 - 36.87
angle B = 53.13 degrees
The angles in the right triangle are 36.87 degrees and 53.13 degrees.