Triangles

Help Questions

ACT Math › Triangles

Questions 1 - 10
1

Screen_shot_2013-03-18_at_10.21.29_pm

In the figure above, is a square and is three times the length of . What is the area of ?

Explanation

Assigning the length of ED the value of x, the value of AE will be 3_x_. That makes the entire side AD equal to 4_x_. Since the figure is a square, all four sides will be equal to 4_x_. Also, since the figure is a square, then angle A of triangle ABE is a right angle. That gives triangle ABE sides of 3_x_, 4_x_ and 10. Using the Pythagorean theorem:

(3_x_)2 + (4_x_)2 = 102

9_x_2 + 16_x_2 = 100

25_x_2 = 100

_x_2 = 4

x = 2

With x = 2, each side of the square is 4_x_, or 8. The area of a square is length times width. In this case, that's 8 * 8, which is 64.

2

In order to get to work, Jeff leaves home and drives 4 miles due north, then 3 miles due east, followed by 6 miles due north and, finally, 7 miles due east. What is the straight line distance from Jeff’s work to his home?

2√5

11

10√2

15

6√2

Explanation

Jeff drives a total of 10 miles north and 10 miles east. Using the Pythagorean theorem (a2+b2=c2), the direct route from Jeff’s home to his work can be calculated. 102+102=c2. 200=c2. √200=c. √100Ÿ√2=c. 10√2=c

3

Find the perimeter of an equilateral triangle given side length of 2.

Explanation

To solve, simply multiply the side length by 3 since they are all equal. Thus,

4

Find the perimeter of an equilateral triangle whose side length is .

Explanation

To solve, simply multiply the side length by . Thus,

5

What is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with side lengths and ?

Explanation

The Pythagorean Theorem states that . This question gives us the values of and , and asks us to solve for .

Take and and plug them into the equation as and :

Now we can start solving for :

The length of the hypotenuse is .

6

_tri11

What is the value of in the triangle above? Round to the nearest hundredth.

Cannot be calculated

Explanation

Begin by filling in the missing angle for your triangle. Since a triangle has a total of degrees, you know that the missing angle is:

Draw out the figure:

_tri12

Now, to solve this, you will need some trigonometry. Use the Law of Sines to calculate the value:

Solving for , you get:

Rounding, this is .

7

Find the perimeter of an equilateral triangle whose side length is .

Explanation

To solve, simply multiply the side length by . Thus,

8

Find the perimeter of an equilateral triangle given side length of 2.

Explanation

To solve, simply multiply the side length by 3 since they are all equal. Thus,

9

What is the area of a triangle with a circle inscribed inside of it, in terms of the circle's radius R?

Circleinscribedintriangle

Explanation

Draw out 3 radii and 3 lines to the corners of each triangle, creating 6 30-60-90 triangles.

See that these 30-60-90 triangles can be used to find side length.

Formula for side of equilateral triangle is

.

Now substitute the new equation that is in terms of R in for S.

10

What is the area of a triangle with a circle inscribed inside of it, in terms of the circle's radius R?

Circleinscribedintriangle

Explanation

Draw out 3 radii and 3 lines to the corners of each triangle, creating 6 30-60-90 triangles.

See that these 30-60-90 triangles can be used to find side length.

Formula for side of equilateral triangle is

.

Now substitute the new equation that is in terms of R in for S.

Page 1 of 59