SOLUTION: I think I need to solve for a^2 when I know c^2. Our library is gonna buy a new LCD projector that they call 16:9 like movies on TV. Our A/V club has a contest to choose the best

Question 250892: I think I need to solve for a^2 when I know c^2.
Our library is gonna buy a new LCD projector that they call 16:9 like movies on TV.
Our A/V club has a contest to choose the best projector for our school and make the best proposal after the bake sale. So if a/b=16/9 then how I can I rewrite the Pythagorean theorem to get either the height or width of where they put it and know if it is a good one for assemblies. I know that b=1.777a and that goes in somehow. thank you a lot if you can help me. -Bart
Answer by MRperkins(300) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Look up the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines. I am not sure if you can do what you are asking the way that you are explaining it. However, if you would like to discuss it and talk through it, then I will be happy to help. It will be hard to measure a diagonal without knowing the base and height, but you can project a diagonal at a specific angle and If you need it to be a right angle, then it MUST meet the criteria for the Pythagorean Theorem. For example, if a^2 + b^2 =c^2, then it is guaranteed to be a right triangle.
If you want to work some problems on an online whiteboard, then send me an email and I will be happy to help you. We can work out this problem and others until you feel comfortable with doing these on your own. We can also talk over the phone or through skype.
All of this is provided on a volunteer basis and is first come first serve (although I haven't had a huge acceptance of this offer so there is a good chance I will be able to help you right away).
justin.sheppard.tech@hotmail.com
Respectfully,
Justin
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