How Do You Solve the Ambiguous Triangle Case in Trigonometry?

  • Thread starter Veronica_Oles
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In summary, the problem involves determining the distances between three towns - kettletown, teatown, and coffee town - given that kettletown is 27km from teatown, 32km from coffee town, and the angle between kettletown and coffee town to teatown is 29o. By using the sine and cosine formulas for triangles, it is possible to draw two different triangles and determine the two possible distances between teatown and coffee town. Some additional guidance and clarification on drawing the triangle and using the formulas may be needed.
  • #1
Veronica_Oles
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Homework Statement


kettletown is 27km from teatown and 32km from coffee town. The angle from kettletown to coffee town to teatown is 29o. Determine the two possible distances between teatown and coffee town.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


The only problem I'm having is trying to draw the triangle I am insure of how to do it.
 
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  • #2
You try; two triangles can be drawn with this data. Use sine formula? Do you get only one value of theta for angle opposite to 32 side, angle opposite to 27 is 29?. Think it over while drawing! When included angle is given only one triangle can be drawn as cosine formula fixes the third side.
 
  • #3
Veronica_Oles said:

Homework Statement


kettletown is 27km from teatown and 32km from coffee town. The angle from kettletown to coffee town to teatown is 29o. Determine the two possible distances between teatown and coffee town.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


The only problem I'm having is trying to draw the triangle I am insure of how to do it.
Just draw an arbitrary triangle, and denote the vertices by K, T, C, representing the towns.
 
  • #4
Veronica, R u not well versed with sine and cosine formulas for triangles?
 
  • #5
Let'sthink said:
Veronica, R u not well versed with sine and cosine formulas for triangles?
You misspelled the words "Are" and You".
 
  • #6
sorry for the misspellings of are and you!
 

FAQ: How Do You Solve the Ambiguous Triangle Case in Trigonometry?

What is the ambiguous triangle case?

The ambiguous triangle case refers to a scenario in geometry where there are two possible solutions for a given set of measurements of a triangle, resulting in ambiguity and confusion.

What causes ambiguity in the triangle case?

Ambiguity in the triangle case is caused by the fact that the three sides and three angles of a triangle are interdependent, meaning that changing one measurement can affect the others and potentially create multiple solutions.

How can the ambiguous triangle case be solved?

The ambiguous triangle case can be solved by using the ambiguous case theorem, which states that if two sides and a non-included angle are given, there may be two possible solutions for the remaining angles and side. The correct solution can be determined by considering the relationships between the given measurements and using trigonometric functions.

Why is the ambiguous triangle case important?

The ambiguous triangle case is important because it highlights the limitations of relying solely on measurements to determine the properties of a geometric shape. It also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills in mathematics.

How can we avoid ambiguity in the triangle case?

Avoiding ambiguity in the triangle case requires careful measurement and consideration of all given information. It is important to use multiple measurements and relationships between them to confirm the solution and avoid making assumptions based on a limited set of data.

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