Math calculation
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 240
Math calculation
How do I figure the side dimensions of an isosceles triangle which has a hypotenuse of 8 inches? I am putting together blocks on point. I know the dimensions of the side setting triangles, but cannot figure out what size to cut the larger corner pieces. Any math wizards out there? Btw, please don't give me the formula . . . give me the answer. Math is NOT my strong suit!
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 204
Assuming that the isosceles triangle has a right angle (90 degree) since it has a hypotenuse of 8 the formula would be
a^2 + b^2=c^2
Where a and b represent the 2 equal sides and c represents the hypotenuse. Pythagorean Theorem.
"a" squared plus "b" squared = "c" squared
so if a and b are equal ( a=b) thus isosceles then you have
2 a^2 = c^2 (2 times "a" (side) squared = "c" (hypotenuse) squared)
or in your case since you said the hypotenuse was 8 inches
2 a^2 = 8^2 (2 times "a" squared = 8 squared) or
2 a^2=64
You would then divide both sides by 2 leaving
a^2=32 ("a" squared = 32)
Take the square root of both sides and the sides of your isosceles triangle are 5.66 inches
IMHO, the charts are much easier if you can find one that shows the hypotenuse or you know the finished size of the unit.
a^2 + b^2=c^2
Where a and b represent the 2 equal sides and c represents the hypotenuse. Pythagorean Theorem.
"a" squared plus "b" squared = "c" squared
so if a and b are equal ( a=b) thus isosceles then you have
2 a^2 = c^2 (2 times "a" (side) squared = "c" (hypotenuse) squared)
or in your case since you said the hypotenuse was 8 inches
2 a^2 = 8^2 (2 times "a" squared = 8 squared) or
2 a^2=64
You would then divide both sides by 2 leaving
a^2=32 ("a" squared = 32)
Take the square root of both sides and the sides of your isosceles triangle are 5.66 inches
IMHO, the charts are much easier if you can find one that shows the hypotenuse or you know the finished size of the unit.
Last edited by Stitches23; 02-13-2021 at 07:48 AM.