1. Answer to Student Resources Crane Strain: Math Focus
The Pythagorean is used to find the missing truss members:
a2 + b2 = c2
****Please Note: This formula is for right triangles only!**** b a c

2. Answer to Student Resources Crane Strain: Math Focus
Problem 1:
Given: c = 19; b = 17
Find: a
Equation: a2 + b2 = c2
Solve: a = 192
a = 361
a2 = 361 – 289
a2 = 72
a = √72 = 8.5 19 17

3. Answer to Student Resources Crane Strain: Math Focus
Problem 2:
Given: a = 5; b = 13
Find: c
Equation: a2 + b2 = c2
Solve: = c2
= c2
c2 = 194
c = √194 = 13.9 5 13

4. Answer to Student Resources Crane Strain: Math Focus
Problem 3:
Given: c = 20; a = 10
Find: b
Equation: a2 + b2 = c2
Solve: b2 = 202
100 + b2 = 400
b2 = 400 – 100
b2 = 300
b = √300 = 17.3 20 10

5. Answer to Student Resources Crane Strain: Math Focus
Problem 4:
Given: a = 5; b = 14
Find: c
Equation: a2 + b2 = c2
Solve: = c2
= c2
c2 = 221
c = √221 = 14.9 5 14

6. Answer to Student Resources Crane Strain: Math Focus
Problem 5:
Given: a = 13; b = 6
Find: c
Equation: a2 + b2 = c2
Solve: = c2
= c2
c2 = 205
c = √205 = 14.3 13 6

7. Answer to Student Resources Crane Strain: Math Focus
Problem 6:
Given: c = 23; b = 8
Find: a
Equation: a2 + b2 = c2
Solve: a = 232
a = 529
a2 = 529 – 64
a2 = 465
a = √465 = 21.6 23 8