Why do I have to convert to degrees to calculate length here? Why do some equations require converting?

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I'm reviewing for the fundamentals of engineering exam, and I'm stuck on this question. This is a problem about a regular polygon with 6 sides, and it asks to calculate the apothem r which is the normal distance from the center to one of the sides.

What is it that requires me to convert to degrees, and how do I know in which cases to convert to degrees?

Why would a calculation in rad not give me the length of the apothem?

Something this simple shouldn't be slowing me down...click here to see the picture which is essential for this

Please see this picture for the actual problem and solution given by Mr. Lindenburg

geometry

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asked Jul 29 at 19:38

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  While the problem can be solved by converting to degrees, it is not necessary. Just replace $60^circ$ by $fracpi6$.
  – N. F. Taussig
  Jul 29 at 19:41
  

  
  
  
  

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0
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I'm reviewing for the fundamentals of engineering exam, and I'm stuck on this question. This is a problem about a regular polygon with 6 sides, and it asks to calculate the apothem r which is the normal distance from the center to one of the sides.

What is it that requires me to convert to degrees, and how do I know in which cases to convert to degrees?

Why would a calculation in rad not give me the length of the apothem?

Something this simple shouldn't be slowing me down...click here to see the picture which is essential for this

Please see this picture for the actual problem and solution given by Mr. Lindenburg

geometry

share|cite|improve this question

asked Jul 29 at 19:38

First Last

1

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  While the problem can be solved by converting to degrees, it is not necessary. Just replace $60^circ$ by $fracpi6$.
  – N. F. Taussig
  Jul 29 at 19:41
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

favorite

up vote
0
down vote

favorite

I'm reviewing for the fundamentals of engineering exam, and I'm stuck on this question. This is a problem about a regular polygon with 6 sides, and it asks to calculate the apothem r which is the normal distance from the center to one of the sides.

What is it that requires me to convert to degrees, and how do I know in which cases to convert to degrees?

Why would a calculation in rad not give me the length of the apothem?

Something this simple shouldn't be slowing me down...click here to see the picture which is essential for this

Please see this picture for the actual problem and solution given by Mr. Lindenburg

geometry

share|cite|improve this question

asked Jul 29 at 19:38

First Last

1

I'm reviewing for the fundamentals of engineering exam, and I'm stuck on this question. This is a problem about a regular polygon with 6 sides, and it asks to calculate the apothem r which is the normal distance from the center to one of the sides.

What is it that requires me to convert to degrees, and how do I know in which cases to convert to degrees?

Why would a calculation in rad not give me the length of the apothem?

Something this simple shouldn't be slowing me down...click here to see the picture which is essential for this

Please see this picture for the actual problem and solution given by Mr. Lindenburg

geometry

share|cite|improve this question

asked Jul 29 at 19:38

First Last

1

share|cite|improve this question

share|cite|improve this question

asked Jul 29 at 19:38

First Last

1

asked Jul 29 at 19:38

First Last

1

asked Jul 29 at 19:38

First Last

1

1

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  While the problem can be solved by converting to degrees, it is not necessary. Just replace $60^circ$ by $fracpi6$.
  – N. F. Taussig
  Jul 29 at 19:41
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  While the problem can be solved by converting to degrees, it is not necessary. Just replace $60^circ$ by $fracpi6$.
  – N. F. Taussig
  Jul 29 at 19:41
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

While the problem can be solved by converting to degrees, it is not necessary. Just replace $60^circ$ by $fracpi6$.
– N. F. Taussig
Jul 29 at 19:41

While the problem can be solved by converting to degrees, it is not necessary. Just replace $60^circ$ by $fracpi6$.
– N. F. Taussig
Jul 29 at 19:41

add a comment | 

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You do not have to convert to degrees.

In this case obviously you are talking about $pi/3$ or $pi/6$ which are well behaved angles.

I do not know why the author is using decimal values for $pi/3$ and $pi/6$ to make it look awkward and then convert to degrees to look more decent.

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answered Jul 29 at 19:48

Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

27.3k41851

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1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
1
down vote

You do not have to convert to degrees.

In this case obviously you are talking about $pi/3$ or $pi/6$ which are well behaved angles.

I do not know why the author is using decimal values for $pi/3$ and $pi/6$ to make it look awkward and then convert to degrees to look more decent.

share|cite|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 at 19:48

Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

27.3k41851

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

You do not have to convert to degrees.

In this case obviously you are talking about $pi/3$ or $pi/6$ which are well behaved angles.

I do not know why the author is using decimal values for $pi/3$ and $pi/6$ to make it look awkward and then convert to degrees to look more decent.

share|cite|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 at 19:48

Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

27.3k41851

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

You do not have to convert to degrees.

In this case obviously you are talking about $pi/3$ or $pi/6$ which are well behaved angles.

I do not know why the author is using decimal values for $pi/3$ and $pi/6$ to make it look awkward and then convert to degrees to look more decent.

share|cite|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 at 19:48

Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

27.3k41851

You do not have to convert to degrees.

In this case obviously you are talking about $pi/3$ or $pi/6$ which are well behaved angles.

I do not know why the author is using decimal values for $pi/3$ and $pi/6$ to make it look awkward and then convert to degrees to look more decent.

share|cite|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 at 19:48

Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

27.3k41851

share|cite|improve this answer

share|cite|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 at 19:48

Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

27.3k41851

answered Jul 29 at 19:48

Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

27.3k41851

answered Jul 29 at 19:48

Mohammad Riazi-Kermani

27.3k41851

27.3k41851

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

 

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