I've a isosceles triangle which length is $10\;\mathrm{cm}$ , $10\;\mathrm{cm}$ and $x$. If I want to make this triangle $120^\circ$ degree then what should be the $x$?
What is The 3rd side length of Isosceles Triangle
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$\begingroup$
geometry
triangles
2 Answers
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Angles opposite to equal sides are equal, so one angle is $120^0$ while others are $30^0$ each (angles opposite to equal sides can't be $120^0$,otherwise sum of angles of triangle would be greater than $180^0$). Draw perpendicular from vertex (intersection of two equal sides) to the opposite side, it divides the opposite side into two equal halves. Let one half of that be $x$,then $\frac{x}{10}=\cos30^0\implies x=5\sqrt 3$ Thus the side length=$2x=10\sqrt 3$
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0i edited my answer and mentioned the possibility.check it. – 2012-07-13
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Hint: Use the law of cosines.