Working out the length of a tv?

Energize · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:06

To work out the length and height of a tv when you know the aspect ratio and diagonal length you use trigonometry right?

PardonTheWait · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:09

I'd use a tape measure, me.

Or the manufacturer's website.

Or do you just mean the actual screen?

If it's just the screen, then yeah - widescreens are 16 to 9 to with that new fangled mathematicalising you could work it out.

Bear in mind with CRT tellys the viewable's not the same as the quoted size.

Tomsk · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:10

You can, but it's easier once you know the ratios

height : width : diagonal
3 : 4 : 5
or
9 : 16 : 18.358

chris_r · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:12

I am lost, use a measuring tape

, probaly the quickest way

iSam · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:15

chris_r said:
I am lost, use a measuring tape , probaly the quickest way

Works for me!

Energize · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:25

I would If I had the tv to measure.

AJUK · 2 Apr 2006 at 08:00

You have to ask if trigonometry is a suitable method of working out the length of one side of a triangle. That is absolutely bloody frightening, no wonder this country is going down the tubes.

woodsy2k · 2 Apr 2006 at 10:27

^^^ lol!

"calm down dear, its a commerc...." /gets out

It is slightly worrying, but atleast was right in the first assumption!

It can be done quite easily by ratios or trig, of which both have been recommended

Woody

Noxis · 2 Apr 2006 at 11:41

Personally I am 25 and cant even remember what trigo-thingy does. If you dont use it everyday it is soon forgotten.

woodsy2k · 2 Apr 2006 at 15:40

It doesnt matter mate. Each case assumes you know at least one dimension. If you know any dimension you can use the ratio of each side to get an angle between that side and the diagonal, and work out each of the other lengths from that using trig. Pythag will work and is prob easier, but it depends. People who do a lot of maths all the time will see no difference in how hard each method is.

basmic · 2 Apr 2006 at 15:56

This is how I'd do it, with a 32" TV.

32 / 25 = 1.28
1.28 * 16 = 20.48
1.28 * 9 = 11.52

Width: 20.48"
Height: 11.52"

Only a guess, though.

Tomsk · 2 Apr 2006 at 15:59

basmic said:
This is how I'd do it, with a 32" TV.

32 / 27 = 1.185
1.185 * 16 = 18.96
1.185 * 9 = 10.665

Width: 18.96"
Height: 10.665"

Only a guess, though.

you guessed wrong

basmic · 2 Apr 2006 at 16:02

Tomsk said:
you guessed wrong

Fix that quote you.

Tomsk · 2 Apr 2006 at 18:17

basmic said:
This is how I'd do it, with a 32" TV.

32 / 25 = 1.28
1.28 * 16 = 20.48
1.28 * 9 = 11.52

Width: 20.48"
Height: 11.52"

Only a guess, though.

Still wrong

Old aspect 32" TV
Diagonal = 32"
Horizontal = 32 / 5 x 4 = 25.6"
Vertical = 32 / 5 x 3 = 19.2"

Widescreen 32" TV
Diagonal = 32"
Horizontal = 32 / 18.358 x 16 = 27.9"
Vertical = 32 / 18.358 x 9 = 15.7"

Arcade Fire · 2 Apr 2006 at 18:23

Initially I didn't believe it when someone said that most people leave school with less mathematical knowledge than is required to get them a D at GCSE, but I'm coming around.

Hint for OP: Not trigonometry. Just Pythagoras' Theorem.