Get detailed and accurate responses to your questions on IDNLearn.com. Receive prompt and accurate responses to your questions from our community of knowledgeable professionals ready to assist you at any time.

A building's rafter forms the hypotenuse of a [tex]$30^{\circ}-60^{\circ}-90^{\circ}$[/tex] triangle with the roof's frame. If the rafter measures 9 feet, then the short leg measures how many feet?

Sagot :

To solve the problem, we need to analyze the properties of a [tex]\(30^\circ-60^\circ-90^\circ\)[/tex] triangle. The sides of a [tex]\(30^\circ-60^\circ-90^\circ\)[/tex] triangle have a specific ratio which is always [tex]\(1 : \sqrt{3} : 2\)[/tex]. Here, the sides are as follows:

1. The side opposite the [tex]\(30^\circ\)[/tex] angle (the short leg) is the smallest and is denoted as [tex]\(x\)[/tex].
2. The side opposite the [tex]\(60^\circ\)[/tex] angle (the long leg) is [tex]\(x\sqrt{3}\)[/tex].
3. The side opposite the [tex]\(90^\circ\)[/tex] angle (the hypotenuse) is the longest and is [tex]\(2x\)[/tex].

Given that the hypotenuse (which is opposite the [tex]\(90^\circ\)[/tex] angle) measures 9 feet, we can use the ratio to find the short leg.

Since the hypotenuse is [tex]\(2x\)[/tex] and it is given to be 9 feet, we can set up the equation:
[tex]\[ 2x = 9 \][/tex]

To find [tex]\(x\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x = \frac{9}{2} \][/tex]

Therefore, the measure of the short leg ([tex]\(x\)[/tex]) is:
[tex]\[ x = 4.5 \][/tex]

So, the short leg of the [tex]\(30^\circ-60^\circ-90^\circ\)[/tex] triangle measures 4.5 feet.