Simple question, 10 points?

I have this math question that asks for the distance between point A and C on a triangle. What formula would i use?


I'm given two measurements of this triangle, both in degrees. How do i do this?





This is the answer i got from my online tutor but it looks soo wrong and confusing


AD = x


BD = 430 – x





In D ADC CD


= AD tan 72°


= 3.08 x





In D BDC CD


= BD tan 77°


= 4.33(430 – x)


= 1862.53 – 4.33x





x = 251.35 m


In D ADC, AC


= AD/cos 72°


= x/cos 72


= 251.35/cos 72°


= 813.4 m


= 813 m.


The distance from cabin A to the lifeguard tower is 813 m.

Simple question, 10 points?
It is not possible to determine such a measurement. Why?





Look at equilateral triangles, one with a perimeter of 3 and other of 81 (edge =1 and edge = 27, respectively). They both have the same angles, but the lengths between two angles are always different. The same goes for all other triangles, due to the property of similarity.





In other words, you need at least 2 angles and a side to even determine another possible side.
Reply:Don't waste your money on an online tutor.
Reply:To tell you the truth, I agree with D.W., and also, don't even trust your tutor even it isn't online in the first place. Seeing that their is a lifeguard tower and a cabin, use the pythagorean thereom, a^2+b^2=c^2. Picturing it in my head, ur triangle looks like this picture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:45-45...


except the let going up is a, the leg going horizontal is b, and the line going diagonal is c. Inputing your distance from the 2 points you got, you can solve it, because if your that advanced enough to see that what your tutor was complicated, I trust that you can do the rest. LOL AND DON'T TRUST THAT TUTOR ;)

statice