Vectors 45

The Pythagorean theorem gives the relationship of the Finally, the sum of all angles in a triangle is 180°.
three sides of a right triangle. For the triangle shown in Knowing that angle C is 90°, the sum of the other two angles
Figure 3.2, it is defined as must be
a2 + b2 = c 2 (3.4) ∠A + ∠B = 90° (3.5)

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 3.1

Figure 3.3 shows a front loader with cylinder BC in a vertical position. Use trigonometry to determine the required
length of the cylinder to orient arm AB in the configuration shown.

96"
B

35

A C

FIGURE 3.3 Front loader for Example Problem 3.1.

SOLUTION: 1. Determine Length BC

Focus on the triangle formed by points A, B, and C in Figure 3.3. The triangle side BC can be found using
equation (3.1).
opposite side
sin ∠ A =
hypotenuse
BC
sin 35° =
(96 in.)

solving:
BC = (96 in.) sin 35° = 55.06 in.
2. Determine Length AC
Although not required, notice that the distance between A and C can similarly be determined using
equation (3.2). Thus
adjacent side
cos∠ A =
hypotenuse
AC
cos 35° =
(96 in.)

solving:
AC = (96 in.) cos 35° = 78.64 in.

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 3.2

Figure 3.4 shows a tow truck with an 8-ft boom, which is inclined at a 25° angle. Use trigonometry to determine
the horizontal distance that the boom extends from the truck.

SOLUTION: 1. Determine the Horizontal Projection of the Boom

The horizontal projection of the boom can be determined from equation (3.2):
horizontal projection
cos 25° =
(8 ft)
horizontal projection = (8 ft)cos 25° = 7.25 ft