Trig function table

[ProEDesigner00]

I would like to build a table that will solve all factors of a triangle with two given random factors. I would like to do this in 2 columns and 6 rows. the first column would be the input of two factors, the second column would be the solve of the remaining factors. I have deduced in my simple understanding of excel that I might accomplish this with alot of if then statements. I know nothing of VBA functions. if someone might be explicite in instructing me or sharing with me something allready in existence I would appreciate it.

 

[ivymike]

what do you mean by factors - do you want to put in one angle and one length, and get all the other angles and lengths (for example)? If that's what you mean, then i think you'll find that your triangles are underconstrained (indeterminate).

 

[electricpete]

I agree with Mike. You would need to input three and solve the remaining three of the six total parameters (3 angles and three lengths).

If you are going to have 6 columns and expect to input on any 3 (programmer doesn't know which 3), it sounds like a tough problem (at least without vba). I think you'll need to keep your input and your output in a different place. The equations will look at the input and decide which two are given and populate the 6 items on the output from there.

=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.

 

[IRstuff]

see:

http://www.1728.com/trig4.htm

TTFN

 

[smcadman]

It will not be easy to do this on one "section" of a sheet, but it can be done on several "sections". I have a worksheet with 6 sections, each one having 6 rows, and 2 columns. Mine is dumbed down like this:

Height
Base
Hypotenuse
Angle A
Angle B
Angle C

Each "section" needs only 2 inputs, and the rest is input automatically. For example, If I only know the Height and Base variables, I just pick the section missing those values. You will not need trig for some of these because the pythagorean theorem is easy to use.

Alse, a triangle is 180 degrees, and if you have 1 angle, then you only need to subtract that one and 90 degrees (right triangle remember) from 180 and the answer is the missing angle.

Do a "thread number" search here for "770-128136" (Using sin, cosine, and tan in excel) and I have put a few examples on Excel trig functions.

Flores

 

[ivymike]

right triangle remember There are other kinds, too...

 

[electricpete]

I guess my first post was not completely right. The input cannot be any three random inputs. It has to include at least one length. (3 angles doesn't solve the problem).

=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.

 

[johnwm]

Nor does 2 sides and one angle, unless the angle is the included angle

Good Luck
johnwm
________________________________________________________
To get the best from these forums read faq731-376 before posting

Steam Engine enthusiasts:

http://www.essexsteam.co.uk

 

[electricpete]

Good point. Two sides and an angle can have two solutions.

=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.

 

[Structr]

To streamline your input, have an input cell that defines what knowns are being input, similar to the triangle solver that IRstuff provided a link for.
That input cell could be set up with data validation for 1,2,3,4 for the 4 different combiination types of input known data.
The function CHOOSE is a bit more efficient than the IF function. It will perform a "If,then Go To" sort of function to 4 different cells which each can have your tringle solver formulas.

 

[HEC]

Try this method, for each calculation to determine the unknown angle or length, use a combination of if statements, test pairs of inputs by testing that the multiple is greater than 0, otherwise set the cell to zero. Then use a max(range) for each unknown to display the results in a known area. The calculation "matrix" can be hidden anywhere on the spreadsheet.

Mark Hutton

 

[ProEDesigner00]

Hi folks

IRstuff Nice reference page. I should clarify myself in stating a right triangle solver. Simular to the page located at this link.

http://www.darex.com/calipers/

In this page you use two known values and the rest follow. It would be great to get a graphical representaion as well.

I have 6 rows set up as

Angle a =
Angle b = 90
Angle c =

side op =
Side adj =
side Hyp =

The results co;um would be adjacent to the input column

Check out the web site and let me know what you think.

 

[wolf1728]

Hi
This is wolf and I am flattered that soemone referenced my Triangle Calculator.
Just thought I'd say that I also have a right triangle calculator at:

http://www.1728.com/trig.htm

Incidentally, when only the 3 angles of any triangle are known, at least the relative sizes of the sides can be determined. I don't know why other people don't program for this - but I did:

http://www.1728.com/trig4.htm

 

[ProEDesigner00]

Wolf

I want to apply this to a spread sheet. I am not familiar with doing so by determining whether to use VBA or IF Then statements or Other statements.

I dont have time to try and learning it by experiemntation. If you could advise please do.