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Solving right triangles. Topics in trigonometry. The Topics | Home This is a topic in traditional trigonometry. It does not come up in calculus. To SOLVE A TRIANGLE means to know all three sides and all three angles. When we know the ratios of the sides, we use the method of similar figures. The general method Example 1. Solution. To find an unknown side, say a, proceed as follows: a = 10 × .588 cm = 5.88 cm Problem 1. To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area. Problem 2. Distance AC along one bank is perpendicular to BA, and is measured to be 100 feet. from the Table. w = 100 × 5.145 = 514.5 ft (To measure the height of a flagpole, and for the meaning of the angle of elevation, see the Example in Topic 5.) Example 2. Solution. Now, the triangle formed by the lighthouse and the distance d of the boat from the lighthouse, is right-angled. If d is the distance of a boat from the lighthouse, then Therefore, d = 951.4 meters. Example 3. Solution. Next, to find angle A, we have (See Skill in Arithmetic: Fractions into decimals.) 37°.

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