This week in math we learned how to solve a triangle. Solving a triangle is much different than solving an equation. When solving an equation, you are trying to find the variable. However, when you are solving a triangle, you are trying to find all of the side lengths and angles.

Tools for solving Triangles:

All angles in triangles add to 180°

Pythagorean Theorem (a²+b²=c²)

SahCahToa (Sin, Cos, Tan)

Here is an example of a triangle that I will solve:

First we can use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for the hypotenuse (AB)

29²+38²=C²

841+1444=2285

the answer is the square root of 2285

C=47.8

Now we can start to identify angles. We already know that side C is 90°. Lets start finding side B. I have identified all the sides with B as the reference angle. I will use Tan to find B.

TanB=29/38

B=Tan^-129/38

B=Tan^-10.76

B=37°

How we can solve for A.

180-90-37=53

Here is the solved triangle.