Triangles - ACT Math

Using the pythagorean theorem, 82=72+x2. Solving for x yields the square root of 15, which is 3.9

Because this is a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem which says _a_2 + _b_2 = _c_2, or the squares of the two sides of a right triangle must equal the square of the hypotenuse. Here we have a = 5 and b = 8.

_a_2 + _b_2 = _c_2

52 + 82 = _c_2

25 + 64 = _c_2

89 = _c_2

c = √89

By the Pythagorean Theorem, 212 + 722 = hyp2. Then hyp2 = 5625, and the hypotenuse = 75. If you didn't know how to figure out that 752 = 5625, that's okay. Look at the answer choices. We could easily have squared them and chosen the answer choice that, when squared, equals 5625.

Using Pythagorean Theorem, we can solve for the length of leg x:

_x_2 + 22 = (√8)2 = 8

Now we solve for x:

_x_2 + 4 = 8

_x_2 = 8 – 4

_x_2 = 4

x = 2

To answer this question without plugging all five answer choices in to the Pythagorean Theorem (which takes too long on the GRE), we can use special triangle formulas. Remember that 45-45-90 triangles have lengths of x, x, x√2. Similarly, 30-60-90 triangles have lengths x, x√3, 2x. We should also recall that 3,4,5 and 5,12,13 are special right triangles. Therefore the set of sides that doesn't fit any of these rules is 6, 7, 8.

This can be solved with the Pythagorean Theorem.

62 + 42 = _c_2

52 = _c_2

c = √52 = 2√13

By using the Pythagorean Theorem, we can solve for the distance “as the crow flies” from Paul to his home:

32 + 42 = _x_2

9 + 16 = _x_2

25 = _x_2

5 = x

Because we are told this is a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem, _a_2 + _b_2 = _c_2. You may also remember some of these as special right triangles that are good to memorize, such as 3, 4, 5.

Here, 6, 8, 11 will not be the sides to a right triangle because 62 + 82 = 102.

Given that it is a right triangle, either angle A or B has to be 90 degrees. The other angle then must be less than 30 degrees, given that C is greater than 60 because there are 180 degrees in a triangle.

Example:

If angle C is 61 degrees and angle A is 90 degrees, then angle B must be 29 degrees in order for the angle measures to sum to 180 degrees.

Since all the answer choices are in trigonometric form, we know we must not necessarily solve for the exact value (although we can do that and calculate each choice to see if it matches). The first step is to determine the length of the ground between the bottom of the ladder and the wall via the Pythagorean Theorem: "x2 + 152 = 172"; x = 8. Using trigonometric definitions, we know that "opposite/adjecent = tan(theta)"; since we have both values of the sides (opp = 15 and adj = 8), we can plug into the tangential form tan(theta) = 15/8. However, since we are solving for theta, we must take the inverse tangent of the left side, "tan-1". Thus, our final answer is

By rule, this is a 3-4-5 right triangle. Sine = (the opposite leg)/(the hypotenuse). This gives us 3/5.

The angles in a triangle sum to 180 degrees. This makes the middle angle 60 degrees.

The Triangle Angle Sum Theorem states that the sum of all interior angles in a triangle must be . We know that a right triangle has one angle equal to , and we are told one of the acute angles is .

The rest is simple subtraction:

Thus, our missing angle is .

Solving this problem quickly requires that we recognize how to break apart our ratio.

The Triangle Angle Sum Theorem states that the sum of all interior angles in a triangle is . Additionally, the Right Triangle Acute Angle Theorem states that the two non-right angles in a right triangle are acute; that is to say, the right angle is always the largest angle in a right triangle.

Since this is true, we can assume that is represented by the largest number in the ratio of angles. Now consider that the other two angles must also sum to . We know therefore that the sum of their ratios must be divisible by as well.

Thus, .

To find the value of one angle of the ratio, simply assign fractional value to the sum of the ratios and multiply by .

, so:

Thus, the shortest angle (the one represented by in our ratio of angles) is .

The word similar means, comparable in measurement, but not equal. The best sides way to compare these two triangles is by looking at the diagonal side of the triangle since it cannot be mistaken for any of the other sides of either triangle. If the larger triangle has a measurement of 7 and the smaller triangle has a measurement of 3.5 for their diagonal sides, then that means the ratio of the larger triangle to the smaller one is .

This means that segment EF must be similar to segment AC (look at the orientation). So, since segment DE is similar to segment CB, divide 5 by two to get your answer.

1. Find the length of the missing hypotenuse:

You can do this one of two ways:

1. Using the special 3-4-5 right triangle, you can infer that the missing hypotenuse is 5.

2. By using the Pythagorean Theorem, you can solve for the length of the hypotenuse:

In this case:

2. Using the meaning of congruent (the exact same three angles and sides), determine if these two triangles fit this meaning:

They do, because both are 3-4-5 right triangles, and thus must have corresponding and equal angles due to trigonometric properties.

1. Since the two triangles are similar, find the ratio of the two triangles to each other:

In this case, both triangles are multiples of a special right triangle.

and

The ratio of the triangles is

2. Use the ratio you found to solve for , or the length of the missing side:

The points define a 3-4-5 right triangle. Its area is A = 1/2bh = ½(3)(4) = 6. The scale factor (SF) of the new triangle is 3. The area of the new triangle is given by Anew = (SF)2 x (Aold) =

32 x 6 = 9 x 6 = 54 square units (since the units are not given in the original problem).

NOTE: For a volume problem: Vnew = (SF)3 x (Vold).

Similar triangles are proportional.

Base1 / Height1 = Base2 / Height2

6 / 9 = 20 / Height2

Cross multiply and solve for Height2

6 / 9 = 20 / Height2

6 * Height2= 20 * 9

Height2= 30

Start by drawing out the light poles and their shadows.

In this case, we end up with two similar triangles. We know that these are similar triangles because the question tells us that these poles are on a flat surface, meaning angle B and angle E are both right angles. Then, because the question states that the shadow cast by both poles are at the same time of day, we know that angles C and F are equivalent. As a result, angles A and D must also be equivalent.

Since these are similar triangles, we can set up proportions for the corresponding sides.

Now, solve for by cross-multiplying.