Math help?

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What's the value of x?

2 Answers
Mar 24, 2018

x=4x=4

Explanation:

In a 30-60-90306090 special right triangle:
Side opposite to 3030 degrees: xx
Side opposite to 6060 degrees: xsqrt3x3
Side opposite to 9090 degrees: 2x2x

So in this case we are given the side opposite to the 6060 degrees, because the hypotenuse is always the opposite side of 9090 degrees, and the shortest side is always opposite to the shortest angle so in this case 3030 degrees:

xsqrt3=2sqrt3x3=23

Solve for xx which is the shortest side:
x=2x=2

Now solve for the hypotenuse:
2x= 2*2= 42x=22=4

Now referring to the 45-45-90 triangle with the knowledge that the hypotenuse of the previous triangle was 44, but the hypotenuse for that triangle is actually a leg of this isosceles right triangle:

An isosceles right triangle, is always a 45-45-90 degrees triangle, therefore:
Side opposite to 90 degrees: xsqrt2x2
Side opposite to 45 degrees: xx
Side opposite to 45 degrees: xx

Since xx is also side opposite to 4545 degrees:
x=4x=4

From the right angled triangle RST we have

sin60=(RS)/(RT)=>RT=(2sqrt3)/(sqrt3/2)=>RT=4sin60=RSRTRT=2332RT=4

From the right angled triangle RQT we have

tan45=(RQ)/(RT)=>RQ=RT*tan45=4*1=4tan45=RQRTRQ=RTtan45=41=4

Hence x=RQ=4x=RQ=4