Pythagorean Theorem VS SIN/COS/TAN

[Dannielle.]

I've been having a lot of trouble with a project in my geometry class dealing with real life situations. I think part of my problem is that I don't know when to use the Pythagorean Theorem versus sin/cos/tan.. Does it matter? I'm just very confused. I don't know what process to go through to even begin my answer. One question is : According to the official handbook instructions for laying out the field: "When the location of home plate is determines, use a steel tape to measure 127 feet, 3and3/4 inches in the desired direction to establish 2nde base. from second base, measure 90 feet towards first base.

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1.)Is the official method used to locate first base correct? {{I didn't know exactly what the question waas asking in the first place (which goes for most of these questions) I took a guess and used Pythagorean Theorem. 90² +90² =x² Then I found the square root of 16200 which is 127.279.. Does this mean that the method is correct? Was this the right way to go about answering this question?}} 2.) Is the official method reasonable? Explain. 3.) Describe a technique that could be used to carry out the instructions. 4.) What is another method that could be used for laying out the field?

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edited: 1.) Yes 2.) ? 3.) Put home plate at any location, measure 127ft 15/3in away from home plate in any direction and place second base, have one person measure 90 ft from home plate and another measure 90ft from second base. Lay first base where the two meet (while both are still 90ft from their starting positions) 4) ?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I've been having a lot of trouble with a project in my geometry class dealing with real life situations. I think part of my problem is that I don't know when to use the Pythagorean Theorem versus sin/cos/tan.. Does it matter? I'm just very confused. I don't know what process to go through to even begin my answer. One question is : According to the official handbook instructions for laying out the field: "When the location of home plate is determines, use a steel tape to measure 127 feet, 3and3/4 inches in the desired direction to establish 2nde base. from second base, measure 90 feet towards first base.

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1.)Is the official method used to locate first base correct? {{I didn't know exactly what the question waas asking in the first place (which goes for most of these questions) I took a guess and used Pythagorean Theorem. 90² +90² =x² Then I found the square root of 16200 which is 127.279.. Does this mean that the method is correct? Was this the right way to go about answering this question?}} 2.) Is the official method reasonable? Explain. 3.) Describe a technique that could be used to carry out the instructions. 4.) What is another method that could be used for laying out the field?

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edited: 1.) Yes 2.) ? 3.) Put home plate at any location, measure 127ft 15/3in away from home plate in any direction and place second base, have one person measure 90 ft from home plate and another measure 90ft from second base. Lay first base where the two meet (while both are still 90ft from their starting positions) 4) ?

Draw a square with 90' sides. The corners will be the home-plate and the bases.

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[Quaid]

part of my problem is that I don't know when to use the Pythagorean Theorem versus sin/cos/tan. Does it matter?

No. If you have sufficient information to apply either, you may choose which to use. It only matters when you see in the exercise statement some specific instructions (to use one or the other, for example).

1.) Is the official method used to locate first base correct?

1.) Yes

I'm not sure whether you provided the entire "official method". There's no ending quote mark. Is what you typed in italics all that was given, for the official method?

I'm asking because question 1 is about whether those italic statements are correct for locating first base. I want to be sure that you're not reading question 1 like the following (different) question.

Is the distance stated in the official method used to locate first base correct?

Otherwise, your answer for question 1 above implies that 90 feet towards first base is good enough, to be official.

See what I'm saying? :cool:

PS: I don't understand question 2; seems like a repeat of question 1. Also, I read question 3 as giving an opportunity to correct any shortcomings one may realize in the "official method".

 

[Quaid]

3.) Put home plate at any location, measure 127ft 15/3 in away from home plate in any direction and place second base, have one person measure 90 ft from home plate and another measure 90ft from second base. Lay first base where the two meet (while both are still 90ft from their starting positions)

The number in red above is not correct.

Okay -- I just read your answer for question 3. Yes, I agree.

Now I'm thinking that question 1 may actually be intended to confirm whether their stated distance from home plate to second base is correct.

Looks like I don't quite understand this project, either.

4) ?

Four people with four, taut tape measures?

Hire a survey crew?