It’s been a while since I’ve done geometry, is this right?

[mollyk]

It’s been a while since I’ve done geometry, because this is review, but I think I’ve done it right? I’m unsure because it could be possible that the 80 and x have to be switched, the word problem is throwing me off if i’m being honest, but I think the way I’ve done it makes the most sense? We aren’t allowed to use calculators for this problem so what I have as x would be my final answer.

 

[skeeter]

your approach is fine from a trig standpoint.

from a geometry standpoint, the sides of a 30-60-90 triangle are …

hypotenuse = [MATH]2a[/MATH]
short leg = [MATH]a[/MATH]
long leg = [MATH]a\sqrt{3}[/MATH]
you are given …

[MATH]a\sqrt{3} = 80[/MATH]
solve for [MATH]a[/MATH] and determine the string length, [MATH]2a[/MATH]

 

[mollyk]

Oh I totally forgot about that, I didn’t put two and two together that it was a 30,60,90 triangle. Thank you so much!!

 

[pka]

\(\sin\left(60^o\right)=\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}\)