Math Is Fun Forum

NonMathLover

Member

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 7

Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

I know how to find sides, but angles can be tricky...here's the problem:

I have to find the measure of the angle labeled X. Help?

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That's me; I'm a non-math lover.

Daniel123

Member

Registered: 2007-05-23

Posts: 663

Re: Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

tanx = opposite/adacent = 2.3/5

So x = tan^-1 2.3/5 = ...

NonMathLover

Member

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 7

Re: Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

So wait...I do 2.3/5? I get .46. Ack, this is soo confusing.
Okay, so I have to find the tangent right? The tangent of what number? Eh, sorry I'm confused.

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That's me; I'm a non-math lover.

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

The tangent is what you have (0.46). You want the number that has that value as its tangent.

ie. tan[sup]-1[/sup](0.46).

Hopefully your calculator will have a tan[sup]-1[/sup] function on it.

You might have to do 2ndF + tan, or something like that.

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

NonMathLover

Member

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 7

Re: Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

Oooh! I thought so! & yeah, it does. Thanks!
Okay so here's what I have so far:

2.3/5 = .46
Now how do I find out what X is ? X can't be .46...lol. I am getting it slowly!

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That's me; I'm a non-math lover.

John E. Franklin

Member

Registered: 2005-08-29

Posts: 3,588

Re: Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

angle X = (atan(2.3 / 5) * 180) / 3.14159265 = 24.7024303 degrees.=(angle X)
angle S=(atan(5 / 2.3) * 180) / 3.14159265 = 65.2975698 degrees.=(angle S)

The 180 over pi=3.14159265 stuff is because google calculator does it in radians,
so I had to convert from radians to degrees.  Your calculator will have
D, R, G modes, but D is for degrees, like 180 means half of a turn. 360 is a whole turn.

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igloo myrtilles fourmis

NonMathLover

Member

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 7

Re: Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

Oooooh! Okay, thanks soo much. I am really starting to understand it now.

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That's me; I'm a non-math lover.

donya

Guest

Re: Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

I know how to find sides, but angles can be tricky...here's the problem:

http://i34.tinypic.com/s24eax.png

I have to find the measure of the angle labeled X. Help?

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Finding the measure of the angle labeled X?

Hi donya;

You use SOHCAHTOA to determine that angle.

X ≈ 24.7024302°

Last edited by bobbym (2009-10-26 14:07:40)

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.