McGraw Hill Integrated II, 2012
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McGraw Hill Integrated II, 2012 View details
3. Special Right Triangles
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Exercise 32 Page 645

Divide the given triangle into two right triangles. Do you have a 30^(∘)-60^(∘)-90^(∘) or a 45^(∘)-45^(∘)-90^(∘) triangle?

x=6sqrt(3), y=3

Practice makes perfect

Let's divide the given triangle into two right triangles.

We will deal with these triangles one at a time.

Triangle 1

Notice that this is a right triangle with an acute angle that measures 60^(∘). Therefore, by the Triangle Angle Sum Theorem the measure of the third angle must be 30^(∘).

We have a 30^(∘)-60^(∘)-90^(∘) triangle. In this type of triangle, the length of the longer leg is sqrt(3) times the length of the shorter leg. This will let us find the value of y.
3sqrt(3) = sqrt(3) * y
3 = y
y = 3

Triangle 2

Our second right triangle has an angle that measures 30^(∘). Therefore, by the Triangle Angle Sum Theorem the measure of the third angle is 60^(∘).

We have a 30^(∘)-60^(∘)-90^(∘) triangle. In this type of triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is twice the length of the shorter leg. x= 2 * 3sqrt(3) ⇔ x=6sqrt(3)