Trigonometry

[12345786332]

I found the length of the first cable (cos(55)/20), but then I don't know how to find the other cables, because they aren't right angled triangles.

 

[jonah2.0]

Beer soaked hint follows.

View attachment 20882

I found the length of the first cable (cos(55)/20), but then I don't know how to find the other cables, because they aren't right angled triangles.

The length of all 3 cables are identical.
Also, you should be using the sine definition instead.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

View attachment 20882

I found the length of the first cable (cos(55)/20), but then I don't know how to find the other cables, because they aren't right angled triangles.

Incorrect.

If the length of the cable is l and height of the pole is h, then:

sin(55^o) = h/l

continue......

 

[Dr.Peterson]

View attachment 20882

I found the length of the first cable (cos(55)/20), but then I don't know how to find the other cables, because they aren't right angled triangles.

It would be helpful if the problem explicitly told you that the pole is vertical and the ground is level, but assuming that is true, they are all right triangles. They could have marked this on the picture, too. (They didn't even mark the one you assumed was a right angle!)