**EDIT**
A rectangle has a diagonal of 18cm. The diagonal creates a 60 degree angle at the base of the triangle. Write an exact expression for the base and the height of the triangle.
My teacher wants the base and height answered in roots so do you think you could switch the answers up? You need to use sin, cos, or tan 60 to find the answer and I don't know how. Ms. H, can you help me?
3 answers
Are you currently using Pythagorean theorem in class?
OK...lets name the diagonal-d, the base - b and the height-h, and use the Pythagorean theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2 c=hypotenuse
(We will substitute the base our letters in.)
b^2 + h^2 = d^2
h = √(d^2 - b^2)
..and...
b = √(d^2 - h^2)
(We will substitute the base our letters in.)
b^2 + h^2 = d^2
h = √(d^2 - b^2)
..and...
b = √(d^2 - h^2)
Let me know if this is the format. I used the Pythagorean's Theorem, but you need another side length in order to solve the third side.