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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Three Triangles - Three Unknown Angles

Category: Trigonometry, Plane Geometry

"Published in Suisun City, California, USA"

Refer to the figure. Show that α + β = γ, and find tan γ.

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

Solution:

Referring to the given figure above

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

Since the two small triangles are right triangles, then we can get the other angle of two triangles as follows

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

The two vertices of a big triangle are vertical angles with the other two triangles. The sum of the interior angles of a big triangle is calculated as follows



Therefore,


Consider again the figure above


Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

We can get the tangent of α and β as follows





If



Take tangent on both sides of the equation, we have







Substitute the values of tan α and tan β to the above equation









Therefore,



Saturday, July 27, 2013

Functions - Inverse Functions

Category: Algebra

"Published in Suisun City, California, USA"

Find the inverse function for


Solution:

Consider the given equation above


We know that y = f(x). Substitute y = f(x) as follows


Solve for x for the equation above









Replace x with y and y with x to the above equation, we have


Therefore,



Friday, July 26, 2013

Proving - Congruent Triangles, 2

Category: Plane Geometry

"Published in Newark, California, USA"

In the given figure, if MR PN; NR MP, prove that ∆NOR
∆MOP.

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

Solution:

 Consider the given figure above

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

Proof:

1. Statement: MR PN and NR MP.

    Reason: Given items.

2. Statement: PR PR

    Reason: Reflexive property of congruence.

3. Statement: ∆MRP ∆NPR

    Reason: Side Side Side (SSS) Postulate.

4. Statement: ∠MPR ≅ NRP
                      ∠PMR ≅ ∠PNR
                      ∠PRM ≅ RPN

    Reason: Since ∆MRP ≅ NPR, then all interior angles of a triangle are congruent to all interior angles of other triangle. 

5. Statement: ∠PRM ≅ 4 and ∠RPN ≅ 3.

    Reason: Reflexive property of congruence.

6. Statement: ∠PRM ≅ RPN ≅ 3 ≅ 4

    Reason: Transitive property of congruence.

7. Statement: ∆POR is an isosceles triangle.

    Reason: The two angles of an isosceles triangle are congruent. Hence, 3 ≅ 4 at the base.

8. Statement: OP OR

    Reason: Since ∆POR is an isosceles triangle, then the two sides of an isosceles triangle are congruent.

9. Statement: MPR = 1 + 3 and NRP = 2 + ∠4

    Reason: Addition property of angles.

10. Statement: ∠1 ≅ ∠2

      Reason: If MPR ≅ NRP and 3 ≅ 4, then it follows that 1 ≅ 2.

11. Statement: ∆MOP ∆NOR 

      Reason: Side Angle Side (SAS) Postulate.