Geometry Question

BoldAsLove

Platinum Member
May 10, 2005
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We are having a bunch of review in trig, and I forgot how to do this...ive tried the pythagorean theorem but it doesent quite work...anybody know?

Right triangle with hypotenuse 4x + 20, a leg 20, and a leg 3x....find x
 

hypn0tik

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2005
5,866
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Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
We are having a bunch of review in trig, and I forgot how to do this...ive tried the pythagorean theorem but it doesent quite work...anybody know?

Right triangle with hypotenuse 4x + 20, a leg 20, and a leg 3x....find x

Try again.
 

bonkers325

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
13,076
1
0
Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
when i do the PT i just get 3x^2=4x^2

you cant do basic trig if u cant get the basic arithmetic right :p

do you know how to multiply binomials?
 

ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,792
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use FOIL = First Out In Last
i learned it in 6th grade if i recall. for example, if i have (3x-5)(5x+7)=0, first i do the 3 time 5 and get 15x^2, then i multiply the 3x time the 7 and get 21x, then the -5 time the 5x and get -25x, then -5 time 7 which is -35. all in all, it turns out like this: 15x^2-4x-35 = 0 try that out on the prob and you'll get it. i got it using this trick, but if i tell u the answer, u won't leaarn anything, will u?;) try again and good luck!

edit:srry. didn't see that u already said u knew how. alright then, do u have anyangle besides the 90 degree angle which u might be able to do sin,cos, or tan on?
 

ArJuN

Platinum Member
Aug 13, 2005
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a^2 + b^2 = c^2
a = 3x
b = 20
c = 4x + 20
(3x)^2 + (20)^2 = (4x+20)^2
9X^2 + 400 = 16X^2 + 80x + 80x + 400
9X^2 + 400 = 16X^2 + 160x + 400
0 = 7x^2 + 160x
0 = x(7x + 160)
...wait a minute...lol
yea..my geometry skills don't seem to be upto par..
 

bonkers325

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
13,076
1
0
Originally posted by: ArJuN
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
a = 3x
b = 20
c = 4x + 20
(3x)^2 + (20)^2 = (4x+20)^2
9X^2 + 400 = 16X^2 + 80x + 80x + 400
9X^2 + 400 = 16X^2 + 160x + 400
0 = 7x^2 + 160x
0 = x(7x + 160)
...wait a minute...lol
yea..my geometry skills don't seem to be upto par..

the issue is the problem - i believe he has some numbersm ixed up
 

BoldAsLove

Platinum Member
May 10, 2005
2,078
0
0
Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
We are having a bunch of review in trig, and I forgot how to do this...ive tried the pythagorean theorem but it doesent quite work...anybody know?

Right triangle with hypotenuse 4x + 1, a leg 20, and a leg 3x....find x