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February 12th, 2008, 10:12 PM
|  | Junior Member | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In a cottage
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| |  Angle of elevation problem... it's super simple, but the algebra I need help with ^_^
A ladder leaning against a building makes an angle of 78 degrees with the ground. THe foot of the ladder is 5 feet from the building. How long is the ladder?
Yadda yadda. Okay, a picture came with it, but I already figured out the problem and here is it:
cos(78) = 5/x
.......... = ...???
How do I get x by itself? Could someone please work the problem for me, and then I'll know how to do the rest. Isn't it annoying when you forget the little things? Thanks! |
February 12th, 2008, 10:17 PM
|  | vs Jhevon | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Melancholy  A ladder leaning against a building makes an angle of 78 degrees with the ground. THe foot of the ladder is 5 feet from the building. How long is the ladder?
Yadda yadda. Okay, a picture came with it, but I already figured out the problem and here is it:
cos(78) = 5/x
.......... = ...???
How do I get x by itself? Could someone please work the problem for me, and then I'll know how to do the rest. Isn't it annoying when you forget the little things? Thanks! | there are many ways to get x by itself. one way:
cos(78) = 5/x
flip both sides
=> 1/cos(78) = x/5
multiply by 5 on both sides
=> 5/cos(78) = x |
February 12th, 2008, 10:22 PM
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Cool dude! Thanks a bunch. So on my calc, I'd key in cos(78) divided by 5 (which comes out to 0.415)? Or am I having a retarded moment...  |
February 12th, 2008, 10:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Melancholy Cool dude! Thanks a bunch. So on my calc, I'd key in cos(78) divided by 5 (which comes out to 0.415)? Or am I having a retarded moment... | hehe, you're having a retarded moment, it seems. you'd key in 5 and then the division sign then cos(78) |
February 12th, 2008, 10:32 PM
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Lol, good to know. Okay, so I key in 5/cos(78), just like you said the first time  , and I get 24.048. Would that be the correct answer?
Ever have one of those weeks where you can literally hear your brain frying through your ears? It's a crisp, bancon-like sizzling sound. Not pleasant. But seriously, thanks for putting up with me lol. *continues digging gigantic hole with which to bury homework*  |
February 12th, 2008, 10:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Melancholy Lol, good to know. Okay, so I key in 5/cos(78), just like you said the first time , and I get 24.048. Would that be the correct answer?
Ever have one of those weeks where you can literally hear your brain frying through your ears? It's a crisp, bancon-like sizzling sound. Not pleasant. But seriously, thanks for putting up with me lol. *continues digging gigantic hole with which to bury homework* | it would be 24.049
but yeah, you got it | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
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