Question

I need help with this!

How could the length of the shorter leg be determined without measuring it? What is its length?

Please use the Pythagorean Theorem and show me how you do it-- thanks.

Answer 1

Answer: 2.5 feet

Explanation:

A 30-60-90 triangle is a special right triangle in which the sides all have a fixed relationship with each other. We only need to know one side to calculate the other two.

Make the side opposite the 30° angle x, then

• The side opposite the 60° angle is x*√3
• The side opposite the 90° angle is 2x

The side opposite the right angle is 5ft, therefore:

2x = 5

x = 2.5ft, the side opposite the 30° angle

Then x*√3 is the third side:

(2.5)*(1.442) = 3.605 feet