Method 1: Equilateral triangles (also are equiangular - each angle 60 degrees) have all sides the same length... and an altitude from a vertex will bisect (cut in half) the side it intersects. Also, a 2 congruent right triangles are formed. 9. 4 ft = side length (this will be the hypotenuse when the altitude drops) 2 ft = one of the legs in the new right triangle [tex] a^{2} + b^{2} = c^{2} [/tex] a² + 2² = 4² a² + 4 = 16 a² = 12 a = [tex] \sqrt{12} = \sqrt{4} [/tex]×[tex] \sqrt{3} =2 \sqrt{3} [/tex]ft
Method 2: Using the information about 30 - 60 - 90 right triangle The side opposite the 30 degree angle is half of the hypotenuse and the side opposite the 60 degree angle is the side opposite the 30 angle × [tex] \sqrt{3} [/tex]. The altitude is the side opposite the 60 degree angle...