Form

Trigonometry

Chapter 12: Trigonometry

Edexcel: Chapter 19 Pg. 304 Exercise 19D, 19E, 19F

Section 12.1: Introduction

Trigonometry means triangle measure.

It is generally used to work out lengths and angles in RIGHT ANGLED triangles.
The longest side of a right angled triangle is called the ___________________.








The other two sides of a right angled triangle also have names.
The side opposite the given angle is called the Opposite side.
The side joining given angle and the right angle is called the Adjacent side.

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3

Trigonometry

Opposite side: The side opposite the angle

Adjacent side: The side joining the angle with the right angle

Section 12.2a: Trigonometric Ratios: Tangent

To use the trigonometric ratios you MUST have a right angled triangle.

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3

Trigonometry

Tangent Ratio

tan(B) =

Example 1: Find the length of side x.



4 cm

Angle = 60
Opposite = 4cm

Adjacent = x cm

60

tan =
!

tan 60 =
!

(Substitute the given information in the equation)

(Get x subject of the formula)

!
!"# !"

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3
=

!
!.!"#

= 2.31

Trigonometry

(Work out tan 60)

(Work out the division and give your answer to 2 decimal places)

Example 2: Find the length of side x.

8 cm

50

Example 3: Find the length of side x.

2 cm

70

Support Exercise Pg 307 Exercise 19D No 1 (d, e, g), No 2 (c, e, h)

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3

Trigonometry

12.2b: Trigonometric Ratios: Sine

You are NOT always given the opposite and adjacent to investigate. When we are given the OPPOSITE
and the HYPOTENUSE there is another ratio which can be used.

Sine Ratio









sin (B) =

Example 1: Find the length of side x.

Angle = 24

14.2cm

Opposite = x cm

Hypotenuse = 14.2 cm

24

!""!#$%&
!!"#$%&'(%

24 =

!
!".!

(Substitute the given information in the equation)

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3

Trigonometry

(Get x subject of the formula)

= sin 24 14.2
= 0.4067 14.2

= 5.78

(Work out sin 24)

(Work out the multiplication and give your answer to 2 decimal places)

Example 2: Find the length of side x.

12.2 cm

70

Example 3: Find the length of side x

51

8.5 cm

Support Exercise Pg 307 Exercise 19D No 1(a, b, h), No 2 (a, d, g)

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3

Trigonometry

12.2c Trigonometric Ratios: Cosine

When we are given an angle, the adjacent side and the hypotenuse we cannot use neither tangent nor
sine.

Cosine Ratio

cos (B) =

Example 1: Find the length of side x.

Angle = 20

Adjacent = 10 cm

Hypotenuse = x cm

20

10 cm

=
20 =

!"
!

(Substitute the given information in the equation)

(Get x subject of the formula)

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3

=
!"

Trigonometry

10

20

(Work out cos 20)

= 10.64

(Work out the division and give your answer to 2 decimal places)

!.!"!#

Example 2: Find the length of side x.
=

sin =

SOH

52

6.3cm

The Three Trigonometric Ratios

tan =
TOA

!""!#$%&

cos =

CAH

!"#!$%&'

!"#!$%&'
!!"#$%&'(%

!""!#$%&
!!"#$%&'(%

SOHCAHTOA might help you to remember the ratios.

Sin Opp Hyp Cos Adj Hyp Tan Opp Adj

Support Exercise Pg 307 Exercise 19D No 1 (c, f, i), No 2 (b, e, h), 3, 4, 5

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3

Trigonometry

12.3 Finding Angles using Trigonometry

To find unknown angles we still have to use the three trigonometric ratios according to the given
information.

Example 1: Work out the size of the angle marked with letter x.

15.9 cm is the hypotenuse

15.9cm

11.7cm

11.7 cm is the opposite

Angle x is the u nknown angle.

!""!#$%&

(Since we are given the opposite and hypotenuse we use the sine ratio)

(Substitute the lengths of the sides)

sin = 0.7358

(Work out the division with the calculator)

= sin!! 0.7358

(Use the calculator to work out the sin )

sin =
sin =

!!"#$%&'(%
!!.!
!".!

-1

-1

(In order to work the sin we must first press the SHIFT button and then the SIN button.)

= 47.379

(Round the answer to 1 decimal place)

= 47.4

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

Form 3

Trigonometry

Example 2: Work out the size of the angle marked with letter x.

15.2 cm is the hypotenuse

10.6 cm is the adjacent

10.6 c m

15.2cm

Angle x is the u nknown angle

cos =

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

10

Form 3

Trigonometry

Example 3: Work out the size of the angle marked with letter x.

x

9.4 cm is the Adjacent

5.3 cm is the Opposite

9.4 cm

Angle x is the u nknown angle.

5.3 cm

tan =

Support Exercise Pg 309 Exercise 19E Nos 1 4

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

11

Form 3

Trigonometry

12.4: Trigonometric Problems

Example 1: Find the length of side x.

100 ft is the hypotenuse

x is the adjacent
32is the angle

cos =

cos 32 =

100

= cos 32 100
= 0.8480100
= 84.8

Example 2: Find the length of side x.

Support Exercise Pg 311 Exercise 19F No 1 10

j.camenzulismc@gmail.com

12