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Solve Geometry Applications: Triangles, Rectangles, and the Pythagorean Theorem

Solve applications using properties of triangles

Solve Applications Using Properties of Triangles

In this section we will use some common geometry formulas. We will adapt our problem-solving strategy so that we can solve geometry applications. The geometry formula will name the variables and give us the equation to solve. In addition, since these applications will all involve shapes of some sort, most people find it helpful to draw a figure and label it with the given information. We will include this in the first step of the problem solving strategy for geometry applications.

We will start geometry applications by looking at the properties of triangles. Let’s review some basic facts about triangles. Triangles have three sides and three interior angles. Usually each side is labeled with a lowercase letter to match the uppercase letter of the opposite vertex.

The plural of the word vertex is vertices. All triangles have three vertices. Triangles are named by their vertices: The triangle in is called \(\text{△}ABC.\)

The three angles of a triangle are related in a special way. The sum of their measures is \(180\text{^{\circ}}.\) Note that we read \(m\text{∠}A\) as “the measure of angle A.” So in \(\text{△}ABC\) in ,

\[m\text{∠}A+m\text{∠}B+m\text{∠}C=180\text{^{\circ}}\]

Because the perimeter of a figure is the length of its boundary, the perimeter of \(\text{△}ABC\) is the sum of the lengths of its three sides.

\[P=a+b+c\]

To find the area of a triangle, we need to know its base and height. The height is a line that connects the base to the opposite vertex and makes a \(90\text{^{\circ}}\) angle with the base. We will draw \(\text{△}ABC\) again, and now show the height, h. See .

Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e.

Use the Pythagorean Theorem

We have learned how the measures of the angles of a triangle relate to each other. Now, we will learn how the lengths of the sides relate to each other. An important property that describes the relationship among the lengths of the three sides of a right triangle is called the Pythagorean Theorem. This theorem has been used around the world since ancient times. It is named after the Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras, who lived around 500 BC.

Before we state the Pythagorean Theorem, we need to introduce some terms for the sides of a triangle. Remember that a right triangle has a \(90\text{^{\circ}}\) angle, marked with a small square in the corner. The side of the triangle opposite the \(90\text{^{\circ}}\) angle is called the hypotenuse and each of the other sides are called legs.

The Pythagorean Theorem tells how the lengths of the three sides of a right triangle relate to each other. It states that in any right triangle, the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two legs equals the square of the length of the hypotenuse. In symbols we say: in any right triangle, \({a}^{2}+{b}^{2}={c}^{2},\) where \(a\ \text{and}\ b\) are the lengths of the legs and \(c\) is the length of the hypotenuse.

Writing the formula in every exercise and saying it aloud as you write it, may help you remember the Pythagorean Theorem.

To solve exercises that use the Pythagorean Theorem, we will need to find square roots. We have used the notation \(\sqrt{m}\) and the definition:

If \(m={n}^{2},\) then \(\sqrt{m}=n,\) for \(n\ge 0.\)

For example, we found that \(\sqrt{25}\) is 5 because \(25={5}^{2}.\)

Example

Try it.

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse shown below.

Solution

Step 1. Read the problem.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it. Label side c on the figure.	Let c = the length of the hypotenuse.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.	\({a}^{2}+{b}^{2}={c}^{2}\)
Substitute.	\({3}^{2}+{4}^{2}={c}^{2}\)
Step 5. Solve the equation.	\(\ 9+16={c}^{2}\)
Simplify.	\(\ 25={c}^{2}\)
Use the definition of square root.	\(\ \sqrt{25}=c\)
Simplify.	\(\ 5=c\)
Step 6. Check.
Step 7. Answer the question.	The length of the hypotenuse is 5.

Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e.

Solve Applications Using Rectangle Properties

You may already be familiar with the properties of rectangles. Rectangles have four sides and four right \((90\text{^{\circ}})\) angles. The opposite sides of a rectangle are the same length. We refer to one side of the rectangle as the length, L, and its adjacent side as the width, W.

The distance around this rectangle is \(L+W+L+W,\) or \(2L+2W.\) This is the perimeter, P, of the rectangle.

\[P=2L+2W\]

What about the area of a rectangle? Imagine a rectangular rug that is 2-feet long by 3-feet wide. Its area is 6 square feet. There are six squares in the figure.

\[\begin{array}{l}A=6 \\ A=2\cdot 3 \\ A=L\cdot W\end{array}\]

The area is the length times the width.

The formula for the area of a rectangle is \(A=LW.\)

Example

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The length of a rectangle is 32 meters and the width is 20 meters. What is the perimeter?

Solution

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the perimeter of a rectangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let P = the perimeter.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}P & ≟ & 104 \\ 20+32+20+32 & ≟ & 104 \\ 104 & = & 104✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The perimeter of the rectangle is 104 meters.

Example

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The area of a rectangular room is 168 square feet. The length is 14 feet. What is the width?

Solution

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the width of a rectangular room
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let W = the width.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.	\(\ A=LW\)
Substitute.	\(\ 168=14W\)
Step 5. Solve the equation.	\(\frac{168}{14}=\frac{14W}{14}\) \(\ 12=W\)
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}A & = & LW \\ 168 & ≟ & 14⋅12 \\ 168 & = & 168✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The width of the room is 12 feet.

Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e.

Key Concepts

Problem-Solving Strategy for Geometry Applications
1. Read the problem and make all the words and ideas are understood. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
2. Identify what we are looking for.
3. Name what we are looking for by choosing a variable to represent it.
4. Translate into an equation by writing the appropriate formula or model for the situation. Substitute in the given information.
5. Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
6. Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
7. Answer the question with a complete sentence.
Triangle Properties For \(\text{△}ABC\)
Angle measures:
- \(m\text{∠}A+m\text{∠}B+m\text{∠}C=180\)
Perimeter:
- \(P=a+b+c\)
Area:
- \(A=\frac{1}{2}bh,\ \text{b}=\text{base},\text{h}=\text{height}\)
A right triangle has one \(90\text{^{\circ}}\) angle.
The Pythagorean Theorem In any right triangle, \({a}^{2}+{b}^{2}={c}^{2}\) where c is the length of the hypotenuse and a and b are the lengths of the legs.
Properties of Rectangles
- Rectangles have four sides and four right (90°) angles.
- The lengths of opposite sides are equal.
- The perimeter of a rectangle is the sum of twice the length and twice the width: \(P=2L+2W.\) The area of a rectangle is the length times the width: \(A=LW.\)

Solve Geometry Applications: Triangles, Rectangles, and the Pythagorean Theorem

Solving Applications Using Triangle Properties

In the following exercises, solve using triangle properties.

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The measures of two angles of a triangle are 26 and 98 degrees. Find the measure of the third angle.

Solution

56 degrees

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The measures of two angles of a triangle are 61 and 84 degrees. Find the measure of the third angle.

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The measures of two angles of a triangle are 105 and 31 degrees. Find the measure of the third angle.

Solution

44 degrees

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The measures of two angles of a triangle are 47 and 72 degrees. Find the measure of the third angle.

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The perimeter of a triangular pool is 36 yards. The lengths of two sides are 10 yards and 15 yards. How long is the third side?

Solution

11 feet

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A triangular courtyard has perimeter 120 meters. The lengths of two sides are 30 meters and 50 meters. How long is the third side?

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If a triangle has sides 6 feet and 9 feet and the perimeter is 23 feet, how long is the third side?

Solution

8 feet

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If a triangle has sides 14 centimeters and 18 centimeters and the perimeter is 49 centimeters, how long is the third side?

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A triangular flag has base one foot and height 1.5 foot. What is its area?

Solution

0.75 sq. ft.

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A triangular window has base eight feet and height six feet. What is its area?

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What is the base of a triangle with area 207 square inches and height 18 inches?

Solution

23 inches

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What is the height of a triangle with area 893 square inches and base 38 inches?

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One angle of a right triangle measures 33 degrees. What is the measure of the other small angle?

Solution

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One angle of a right triangle measures 51 degrees. What is the measure of the other small angle?

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One angle of a right triangle measures 22.5 degrees. What is the measure of the other small angle?

Solution

67.5

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One angle of a right triangle measures 36.5 degrees. What is the measure of the other small angle?

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The perimeter of a triangle is 39 feet. One side of the triangle is one foot longer than the second side. The third side is two feet longer than the second side. Find the length of each side.

Solution

13 ft., 12 ft., 14 ft.

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The perimeter of a triangle is 35 feet. One side of the triangle is five feet longer than the second side. The third side is three feet longer than the second side. Find the length of each side.

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One side of a triangle is twice the shortest side. The third side is five feet more than the shortest side. The perimeter is 17 feet. Find the lengths of all three sides.

Solution

3 ft., 6 ft., 8 ft.

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One side of a triangle is three times the shortest side. The third side is three feet more than the shortest side. The perimeter is 13 feet. Find the lengths of all three sides.

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The two smaller angles of a right triangle have equal measures. Find the measures of all three angles.

Solution

\(45\text{^{\circ}},45\text{^{\circ}},90\text{^{\circ}}\)

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The measure of the smallest angle of a right triangle is 20° less than the measure of the next larger angle. Find the measures of all three angles.

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The angles in a triangle are such that one angle is twice the smallest angle, while the third angle is three times as large as the smallest angle. Find the measures of all three angles.

Solution

\(30\text{^{\circ}},60\text{^{\circ}},90\text{^{\circ}}\)

Try it.

The angles in a triangle are such that one angle is 20° more than the smallest angle, while the third angle is three times as large as the smallest angle. Find the measures of all three angles.

Use the Pythagorean Theorem

In the following exercises, use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse.

Try it.

Solution

Try it.

Solution

Try it.

In the following exercises, use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the leg. Round to the nearest tenth, if necessary.

Try it.

Solution

Try it.

Solution

Try it.

Solution

10.2

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Solution

9.8

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In the following exercises, solve using the Pythagorean Theorem. Approximate to the nearest tenth, if necessary.

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A 13-foot string of lights will be attached to the top of a 12-foot pole for a holiday display, as shown below. How far from the base of the pole should the end of the string of lights be anchored?

Solution

5 feet

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Pam wants to put a banner across her garage door, as shown below, to congratulate her son for his college graduation. The garage door is 12 feet high and 16 feet wide. How long should the banner be to fit the garage door?

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Chi is planning to put a path of paving stones through her flower garden, as shown below. The flower garden is a square with side 10 feet. What will the length of the path be?

Solution

14.1 feet

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Brian borrowed a 20 foot extension ladder to use when he paints his house. If he sets the base of the ladder 6 feet from the house, as shown below, how far up will the top of the ladder reach?

Solve Applications Using Rectangle Properties

In the following exercises, solve using rectangle properties.

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The length of a rectangle is 85 feet and the width is 45 feet. What is the perimeter?

Solution

260 feet

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The length of a rectangle is 26 inches and the width is 58 inches. What is the perimeter?

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A rectangular room is 15 feet wide by 14 feet long. What is its perimeter?

Solution

58 feet

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A driveway is in the shape of a rectangle 20 feet wide by 35 feet long. What is its perimeter?

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The area of a rectangle is 414 square meters. The length is 18 meters. What is the width?

Solution

23 meters

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The area of a rectangle is 782 square centimeters. The width is 17 centimeters. What is the length?

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The width of a rectangular window is 24 inches. The area is 624 square inches. What is the length?

Solution

26 inches

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The length of a rectangular poster is 28 inches. The area is 1316 square inches. What is the width?

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Find the length of a rectangle with perimeter 124 and width 38.

Solution

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Find the width of a rectangle with perimeter 92 and length 19.

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Find the width of a rectangle with perimeter 16.2 and length 3.2.

Solution

4.9

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Find the length of a rectangle with perimeter 20.2 and width 7.8.

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The length of a rectangle is nine inches more than the width. The perimeter is 46 inches. Find the length and the width.

Solution

16 in., 7 in.

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The width of a rectangle is eight inches more than the length. The perimeter is 52 inches. Find the length and the width.

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The perimeter of a rectangle is 58 meters. The width of the rectangle is five meters less than the length. Find the length and the width of the rectangle.

Solution

17 m, 12 m

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The perimeter of a rectangle is 62 feet. The width is seven feet less than the length. Find the length and the width.

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The width of the rectangle is 0.7 meters less than the length. The perimeter of a rectangle is 52.6 meters. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.

Solution

13.5 m length, 12.8 m width

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The length of the rectangle is 1.1 meters less than the width. The perimeter of a rectangle is 49.4 meters. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.

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The perimeter of a rectangle is 150 feet. The length of the rectangle is twice the width. Find the length and width of the rectangle.

Solution

50 ft., 25 ft.

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The length of a rectangle is three times the width. The perimeter of the rectangle is 72 feet. Find the length and width of the rectangle.

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The length of a rectangle is three meters less than twice the width. The perimeter of the rectangle is 36 meters. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.

Solution

7 m width, 11 m length

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The length of a rectangle is five inches more than twice the width. The perimeter is 34 inches. Find the length and width.

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The perimeter of a rectangular field is 560 yards. The length is 40 yards more than the width. Find the length and width of the field.

Solution

160 yd., 120 yd.

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The perimeter of a rectangular atrium is 160 feet. The length is 16 feet more than the width. Find the length and width of the atrium.

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A rectangular parking lot has perimeter 250 feet. The length is five feet more than twice the width. Find the length and width of the parking lot.

Solution

85 ft., 40 ft.

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A rectangular rug has perimeter 240 inches. The length is 12 inches more than twice the width. Find the length and width of the rug.

Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e.

Practice (40)

Try each one on paper first. Reveal the answer to check; verified ones can be opened in the solver for every step.

Simplify: \(\frac{1}{2}(6h).\)
If you missed this problem, review .

Жауап

\(3h\)
The length of a rectangle is three less than the width. Let w represent the width. Write an expression for the length of the rectangle.
If you missed this problem, review .

Жауап

\(l=w-3\)
Solve: \(A=\frac{1}{2}bh\) for b when \(A=260\) and \(h=52.\)
If you missed this problem, review .

Жауап

\(b=10\)
Simplify: \(\sqrt{144}.\)
If you missed this problem, review .

Жауап

\(12\)

The measures of two angles of a triangle are 55 and 82 degrees. Find the measure of the third angle.

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the measure of the third angle in a triangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let \(x=\) the measure of the angle.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula and substitute.	\(m∠A+m∠B+m∠C=180\)
Step 5. Solve the equation.	\(\begin{array}{lll}55+82+x & = & 180 \\ 137+x & = & 180 \\ x & = & 43\end{array}\)
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}55+82+43 & ≟ & 180 \\ 180 & = & 180✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The measure of the third angle is 43 degrees.

The measures of two angles of a triangle are 31 and 128 degrees. Find the measure of the third angle.

Жауап

21 degrees
The measures of two angles of a triangle are 49 and 75 degrees. Find the measure of the third angle.

Жауап

56 degrees

The perimeter of a triangular garden is 24 feet. The lengths of two sides are four feet and nine feet. How long is the third side?

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	length of the third side of a triangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let \(c=\) the third side.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula and substitute.
Substitute in the given information.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}P & = & a+b+c \\ 24 & ≟ & 4+9+11 \\ 24 & = & 24✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The third side is 11 feet long.

The perimeter of a triangular garden is 48 feet. The lengths of two sides are 18 feet and 22 feet. How long is the third side?

Жауап

8 feet
The lengths of two sides of a triangular window are seven feet and five feet. The perimeter is 18 feet. How long is the third side?

Жауап

6 feet

The area of a triangular church window is 90 square meters. The base of the window is 15 meters. What is the window’s height?

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.	Area \(=90{m}^{2}\)
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	height of a triangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let \(h=\) the height.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute in the given information.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}A & = & \frac{1}{2}bh \\ 90 & ≟ & \frac{1}{2}⋅15⋅12 \\ 90 & = & 90✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The height of the triangle is 12 meters.

The area of a triangular painting is 126 square inches. The base is 18 inches. What is the height?

Жауап

14 inches
A triangular tent door has an area of 15 square feet. The height is five feet. What is the base?

Жауап

6 feet

One angle of a right triangle measures \(28\text{^{\circ}}.\) What is the measure of the third angle?

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the measure of an angle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let \(x=\) the measure of an angle.
Step 4. Translate.	\(m∠A+m∠B+m∠C=180\)
Write the appropriate formula and substitute.	\(x+90+28=180\)
Step 5. Solve the equation.	\(\begin{array}{lll}x+118 & = & 180 \\ x & = & 62\end{array}\)
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}180 & ≟ & 90+28+62 \\ 180 & = & 180✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The measure of the third angle is 62^°.

One angle of a right triangle measures \(56\text{^{\circ}}.\) What is the measure of the other small angle?

Жауап

\(34\text{^{\circ}}\)
One angle of a right triangle measures \(45\text{^{\circ}}.\) What is the measure of the other small angle?

Жауап

\(45\text{^{\circ}}\)

The measure of one angle of a right triangle is 20 degrees more than the measure of the smallest angle. Find the measures of all three angles.

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the measures of all three angles
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	\(\\)Let \(a={1}^{\text{st}}\) angle. \(a+20={2}^{\text{nd}}\) angle \(\ 90={3}^{\text{rd}}\) angle (the right angle)
Draw the figure and label it with the given information
Step 4. Translate
Write the appropriate formula. Substitute into the formula.
Step 5. Solve the equation.	55 90 third angle
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}35+55+90 & ≟ & 180 \\ 180 & = & 180✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The three angles measure 35^°, 55^°, and 90^°.

The measure of one angle of a right triangle is 50° more than the measure of the smallest angle. Find the measures of all three angles.

Жауап

\(20\text{^{\circ}},70\text{^{\circ}},90\text{^{\circ}}\)
The measure of one angle of a right triangle is 30° more than the measure of the smallest angle. Find the measures of all three angles.

Жауап

\(30\text{^{\circ}},60\text{^{\circ}},90\text{^{\circ}}\)

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse shown below.

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it. Label side c on the figure.	Let c = the length of the hypotenuse.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.	\({a}^{2}+{b}^{2}={c}^{2}\)
Substitute.	\({3}^{2}+{4}^{2}={c}^{2}\)
Step 5. Solve the equation.	\(\ 9+16={c}^{2}\)
Simplify.	\(\ 25={c}^{2}\)
Use the definition of square root.	\(\ \sqrt{25}=c\)
Simplify.	\(\ 5=c\)
Step 6. Check.
Step 7. Answer the question.	The length of the hypotenuse is 5.

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse in the triangle shown below.

Жауап

\(c=10\)
Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse in the triangle shown below.

Жауап

\(c=13\)

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the leg shown below.

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.		the length of the leg of the triangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.		Let b = the leg of the triangle.
Lable side b.
Step 4. Translate
Write the appropriate formula.		\({a}^{2}+{b}^{2}={c}^{2}\)
Substitute.		\({5}^{2}+{b}^{2}={13}^{2}\)
Step 5. Solve the equation.		\(25+{b}^{2}=169\)
Isolate the variable term.		\(\ {b}^{2}=144\)
Use the definition of square root.		\(\ {b}^{2}=\sqrt{144}\)
Simplify.		\(\ b=12\)
Step 6. Check.
Step 7. Answer the question.		The length of the leg is 12.

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the leg in the triangle shown below.

Жауап

8
Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the leg in the triangle shown below.

Жауап

12

Kelvin is building a gazebo and wants to brace each corner by placing a \(10\text{″}\) piece of wood diagonally as shown above.

If he fastens the wood so that the ends of the brace are the same distance from the corner, what is the length of the legs of the right triangle formed? Approximate to the nearest tenth of an inch.

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem.
Step 2. Identify what we are looking for.	the distance from the corner that the bracket should be attached
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let \(x=\) the distance from the corner.
Step 4. Translate Write the appropriate formula and substitute.	\(\begin{array}{lll} \\ {a}^{2}+{b}^{2} & = & {c}^{2} \\ {x}^{2}+{x}^{2} & = & {10}^{2} \\ \\ \\ \end{array}\)
Step 5. Solve the equation. Isolate the variable. Use the definition of square root. Simplify. Approximate to the nearest tenth.	\(\begin{array}{lll}2{x}^{2} & = & 100 \\ {x}^{2} & = & 50 \\ x & = & \sqrt{50} \\ x & \approx & 7.1\end{array}\)
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}\ {a}^{2}+{b}^{2} & = & {c}^{2} \\ {(7.1)}^{2}+{(7.1)}^{2} & \approx & {10}^{2}\ \text{Yes.}\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	Kelvin should fasten each piece of wood approximately 7.1" from the corner.

John puts the base of a 13-foot ladder five feet from the wall of his house as shown below. How far up the wall does the ladder reach?

Жауап

12 feet
Randy wants to attach a 17 foot string of lights to the top of the 15 foot mast of his sailboat, as shown below. How far from the base of the mast should he attach the end of the light string?

Жауап

8 feet

The length of a rectangle is 32 meters and the width is 20 meters. What is the perimeter?

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the perimeter of a rectangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let P = the perimeter.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}P & ≟ & 104 \\ 20+32+20+32 & ≟ & 104 \\ 104 & = & 104✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The perimeter of the rectangle is 104 meters.

The length of a rectangle is 120 yards and the width is 50 yards. What is the perimeter?

Жауап

340 yards
The length of a rectangle is 62 feet and the width is 48 feet. What is the perimeter?

Жауап

220 feet

The area of a rectangular room is 168 square feet. The length is 14 feet. What is the width?

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the width of a rectangular room
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let W = the width.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.	\(\ A=LW\)
Substitute.	\(\ 168=14W\)
Step 5. Solve the equation.	\(\frac{168}{14}=\frac{14W}{14}\) \(\ 12=W\)
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}A & = & LW \\ 168 & ≟ & 14⋅12 \\ 168 & = & 168✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The width of the room is 12 feet.

The area of a rectangle is 598 square feet. The length is 23 feet. What is the width?

Жауап

26 feet
The width of a rectangle is 21 meters. The area is 609 square meters. What is the length?

Жауап

29 meters

Find the length of a rectangle with perimeter 50 inches and width 10 inches.

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem. Draw the figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the length of the rectangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it.	Let L = the length.
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula.
Substitute.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Step 6. Check. \(\begin{array}{lll}P & = & 50 \\ 15+10+15+10 & ≟ & 50 \\ 50 & = & 50✓\end{array}\)
Step 7. Answer the question.	The length is 15 inches.

Find the length of a rectangle with: perimeter 80 and width 25.

Жауап

15
Find the length of a rectangle with: perimeter 30 and width 6.

Жауап

9

The width of a rectangle is two feet less than the length. The perimeter is 52 feet. Find the length and width.

Жауап

Step 1. Read the problem.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for.	the length and width of a rectangle
Step 3. Name. Choose a variable to represent it. Since the width is defined in terms of the length, we let L = length. The width is two feet less than the length, so we let L − 2 = width.	\(\ P=52\) ft
Step 4. Translate.
Write the appropriate formula. The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle relates all the information.	\(P=2L+2W\)
Substitute in the given information.	\(52=2L+2(L-2)\)
Step 5. Solve the equation.	\(52=2L+2L-4\)
Combine like terms.	\(52=4L-4\)
Add 4 to each side.	\(56=4L\)
Divide by 4.	\(\frac{56}{4}=\frac{4L}{4}\) \(14=L\) The length is 14 feet.
Now we need to find the width.	The width is \(L-2\). The width is 12 feet.
Step 6. Check. Since \(14+12+14+12=52\), this works!
Step 7. Answer the question.	The length is 14 feet and the width is 12 feet.

The width of a rectangle is seven meters less than the length. The perimeter is 58 meters. Find the length and width.

Жауап

18 meters, 11 meters
The length of a rectangle is eight feet more than the width. The perimeter is 60 feet. Find the length and width.

Жауап

19 feet, 11 feet

Symbols used here

\sqrt{x},\ \sqrt[n]{x}

square root, n-th root
The non-negative number whose square (n-th power) is x.

^\circ

degrees
1/360 of a full turn. 180° = π radians.

\leq,\ \geq

less/greater than or equal
Inequalities that allow equality; < and > exclude it.

\pm

plus or minus
Both signs at once: x = 3 ± 2 means 5 and 1.

\neq

not equal
The two sides are different.

|x|

absolute value / modulus
Distance from zero: |−3| = 3. For a complex number, distance from the origin.

imaginary unit
i² = −1.

\log_b x,\ \ln x

logarithm, natural log
The exponent b must be raised to for x; ln uses base e.

\mathbb{N},\ \mathbb{Z},\ \mathbb{Q},\ \mathbb{R},\ \mathbb{C}

number sets
Naturals, integers, rationals, reals, complex numbers.

How to: Solve Geometry Applications: Triangles, Rectangles, and the Pythagorean Theorem

Solve applications using properties of triangles
Use the Pythagorean Theorem
Solve applications using rectangle properties
The sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is
The perimeter is the sum of the lengths of the sides of the triangle.
The area of a triangle is one-half the base times the height.
Rectangles have four sides and four right (90°) angles.
The lengths of opposite sides are equal.

Questions people ask

What does it mean to solve an equation?

To find every value of the unknown that makes both sides equal. Each step is an operation applied to both sides that keeps the solution set the same, until the unknown stands alone.

Why do I sometimes get two answers?

A quadratic can cross the axis twice, so it can have two solutions. A degree-n polynomial has up to n. The graph shows where each one comes from.

How do I know whether to factor or use the quadratic formula?

Try factoring for a few seconds: look for two numbers that multiply to a·c and add to b. If nothing obvious appears, the discriminant b² − 4ac tells you how many real roots there are, and the formula finds them without guessing.

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Parts of this page are adapted from OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Condensed and re-explained here; errors are ours.

Кээ бирлери Algebra

Linear equations Quadratic equations Systems of equations Inequalities Factoring Expanding Simplifying expressions Functions and graphs Exponential and logarithmic equations Polynomial equations Absolute value