Right trapezoids

[Jais44]

Is it possible to calculate the long side of a right trapezoid whilst only knowing the length of the base and the length of the shorter side?

 

[pka]

Is it possible to calculate the long side of a right trapezoid whilst only knowing the length of the base and the length of the shorter side?

We need to know the measure of the acute angle.

 

[Jais44]

We need to know the measure of the acute angle.

Hmm in that case I guess it’s not possible, it’s a real life situation with the long side being a wooden pole (which is unmeasurable) and the short side being a measurable fence. No worries thanks anyway!

 

[Dr.Peterson]

Is it possible to calculate the long side of a right trapezoid whilst only knowing the length of the base and the length of the shorter side?

Have you noticed that you could redraw your figure by lengthening the right side, without changing any of the known parts? That demonstrates that what is given is insufficient to determine that length.