How to Calculate Triangle Dimensions

Mathematicians developed trigonometry to solve problems concerning triangles.
••• Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

Trigonometric functions relate the lengths of a triangle's sides and the size of its angles. You can calculate the length of any of the triangle's sides from the size of its opposite angle and the ratio between any other length and opposite angle. Mathematicians call this relationship the law of sines. This trigonometric method has applications with real-life vector problems, such as how to pilot an aircraft while countering the wind.

    Find the sine of the angle opposite of the length that you know. If you do not have a scientific calculator, they are available online at Web sites such as web2.0calc.com. If the angle is, for instance, 35 degrees: sin (35) = 0.574.

    Divide that known length by the sine of its opposite angle. If the length measures six inches divide six by 0.574 to get 10.45.

    Find the sine of the angle opposite to the unknown length. If this angle is, for instance, 80 degrees: sin (40) = 0.643.

    Multiply together the answers from steps two and three: 10.45 x 0.643 = approximately 6.7. The unknown dimension is 6.7 inches.

Related Articles

How to Calculate Angle Size
How to Find the Angles of a Right Triangle
How to Calculate the Diameter of a Circle From a Linear...
How to Solve a Hexagon
How to Calculate Arctan
How To: Degree to Radian Conversion
How to Find Side Lengths of Triangles
How to Find the Perimeter of Different Shapes
How to Calculate the Linear Footage in a Radius
How to Find a Missing Angle
How to Calculate Angles Without a Protractor
How to Find the Area of a Parallelogram With Vertices
How to Find the Circumference of an Octagon
How to Find the Length of the Sides of an Octagon Based...
How to Calculate Pendulum Force
How to Find the Long Side Dimension on a Right Triangle
How to Use Trigonometry in Carpentry
How to Calculate Acute Angles
How to Find the Perimeter of a Triangle
How to Find the Missing Side of a Right Triangle

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!