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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using

Trigonometry

Solving Right Triangles in


Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

INTRODUCTION TO
TRIGONOMETRY
GEOMETRY
9TH/10TH GRADE
MR. KIM

Mr. Kim 1
Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Objectives
➢ To use inverses to find the acute angle of a right triangle
➢ To understand the concepts of angle of elevation and
angle of depression
➢ To model real-world situations using a right triangle
➢ To solve right triangles in applied problems using
trigonometry

CA Content Standards Addressed


8. Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in
applied problems.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Mastery Hook

In the next 60 seconds, write


down everything you can
remember about the
trigonometric ratios and the
Pythagorean Theorem.

Education Hook

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Let’s Review:
Trigonometric Ratios
SOH CAH TOA

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒


𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

hypotenuse
opposite

A
adjacent
Dual-Coding Technique

SOH CAH TOA is a pneumonic that we used to help us remember the three trigonometric ratios. Always remember
these trig ratios can only be applied to right triangles!

Mr. Kim 4
Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Let’s Review:
Pythagorean Theorem

c 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2
b

The Pythagorean Theorem explains the relationship between the three sides of any right triangle. Note that in the
equation 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 , c will always represent the longest side of the right triangle (better known as the
hypotenuse). The variables a and b represent the two legs of the right triangle.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Inverse Trigonometric Functions


A
?

35 Question: What is the measure of ∠A?


67

Relative to ∠A, we know the lengths of the opposite side and the
hypotenuse, so we can use the sine function to get:
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 35
sin(A)= ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
= 67

35
But how do solve the equation sin (A) = 67 to find the
measure of ∠A?

We need inverse trig functions!

Up to now, we used the trig ratios to help us find the missing side of a right triangle. What happens when we want
to find the angle instead of a side? This is when we will be using inverse trig functions.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

What are inverse trig functions?


Think of inverse trig functions as functions
that do the opposite of “regular” trig sin
functions.

For example: the


inverse sine
(sin−1 ) does the 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
angle ratio
opposite of sine. ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝐴

𝒔𝒊𝒏−𝟏
Dual-Coding Technique

If you look closely at the diagram, you can see the relationship between the sine function and the inverse sine
function, denoted sin−1 . The sine function takes an angle as its input and gives us the side ratio as its output as we
learned previously. The inverse sine function takes the side ratio as its input and gives us the angle as its output,
1
doing the “opposite” of the sine function. One important thing to note is that sin−1 ≠ 𝑠𝑖𝑛. Many also use arcsin,
which is equivalent to sin−1 , to create less confusion.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Inverse Trig Functions


Trig Functions Inverse Trig Functions
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
sin 𝐴 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 sin−1 (ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 ) = 𝐴

Input is Output is
Output is
an angle Input is a an angle
a ratio
ratio

hypotenuse
opposite In other words, to solve the equation sin 𝐴 = 𝑥,

let A = sin−1 ( 𝑥).


A

For trig functions, your input is an angle and your output is a ratio. For inverse trig functions, your input is a ratio
and your output is an angle. Now, we can find the missing angle whenever we have a trig equation containing sine
by simply taking the inverse sine of the ratio with your calculator.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Let’s go back to the problem


from earlier. A
?

35
Question: What is the measure of ∠A? 67

35
Earlier, we got sin (A) = 67

Using the inverse sine, we


35
get A = sin−1 ( 67)

Putting this into your


calculator gives A ≈ 31.49°

Here, we are trying to find the angle which means we will be using the appropriate inverse trig function.

Mr. Kim 9
Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Inverse Trig Functions


Given equation To find the angle Read as

sin 𝐴 = 𝑥 A = sin−1 (𝑥) A equals the inverse sine of x.

cos 𝐴 = 𝑦 A = cos −1(𝑦) A equals the inverse cosine of y.

tan 𝐴 = 𝑧 𝐴 = tan−1 (𝑧) A equals the inverse tangent of z.

Table Organizer

Whenever you have a given equation similar to those in the first column, apply the appropriate inverse trig function
to the side ratio to find the angle. Hence, inverse trig functions find the angle of any right triangle given at least 2
sides of the triangle.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Example:
Find ∠B.

Using the tangent function, we get:

103
tan 𝐵 =
46
103
To find B, we use inverse tangent to
get:

103
𝐵 = tan−1 ( )
46
B
46

Using your calculator gives B ≈ 65.93°

Anytime you are given a right triangle with at least 2 sides, ask yourself which of the sides (opposite, hypotenuse,
or adjacent) relative to the missing angle are given. In this problem, note that the opposite and adjacent side to
angle B are given, which means we will be using the tangent function to set up our equation. Once we set up our
equation, we simply take the inverse tangent of the side ratio to find the missing angle.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Now You Try


26
C

What is the measure of ∠C?

85

Progress Monitoring Question

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Solution
26
C What is the measure of ∠C?

26
Using the cosine function, we get cos 𝐶 =
85
26
Using inverse cosine, we get 𝐶 = cos −1 (85)

85 Putting it into your calculator, you get C ≈ 72.19°.

Note the sides of the right triangle given relative to angle C: the adjacent side and hypotenuse. That means we use
the cosine function.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Angle of Elevation

Definition: the angle of


elevation is the angle
between the horizontal
line of sight and the
line of sight up to an
Angle of elevation
object

Horizontal line of
sight

Dual-Coding Technique

Think of the horizontal line of sight as if you were looking perfectly straight ahead. The key word in the given
definition above is the word “up.” The angle of elevation will always be the angle that is above the horizontal.

Mr. Kim 14
Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Angle of Depression

Horizontal line of sight


Angle of depression
Definition: the angle of
depression is the angle
between the horizontal
line of sight and the line
of sight down to an
object

Dual-Coding Technique

The angle of depression is similar to that of an angle of elevation in the sense that they are both relative to the
horizontal line of sight, except the difference is that the angle of depression will always be below the horizontal line
of sight.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Angle of Elevation &


Angle of Depression

To help remember angle of elevation, think of an elevator that is going up and above the ground. Hence, the angle
of elevation is always above the horizontal line of sight. To help remember angle of depression, think of how a
depressed person feels down. Hence, the angle of depression will be down, or below, relative to the horizontal line
of sight.

Mr. Kim 16
Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Real-World Application
Example 1
A man is 6 feet tall and measures the angle between the horizontal
and a bird in the sky to be 35°. The shadow of the bird is directly
beneath the bird, and 155 feet away from the man on the ground.
How high is the bird in the sky?

First, we must draw a picture.


x
35°

155 feet
6 feet

When drawing your picture, always label any given sides appropriately, and you should always have a right triangle
somewhere in your picture. In this problem, note the missing side of the triangle is labeled with the variable x.
However, x is not going to be our final answer. So always read the problem and question carefully.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Solution x
35°

155 feet
6 feet

First, we will find x.


𝑥
Using the tangent function, we get tan 35° = 155.

Multiplying 155 to both sides gives 155· tan 35° = x.

Using your calculator, we get x ≈ 108.53 feet.

But we’re not done! We must add the person’s height of 6 feet,
so the total height of the bird in the sky is 114.53 feet.

Note that we need to find the opposite side but only know the adjacent side relative to the given angle. Hence, we
use the tangent function. Note that in our equation, we do not need to use the inverse tangent function because
we are not trying to find the angle. Simple algebra will help us find x. Here, x only represents the vertical distance
from the bird to the top of the man’s head, but the question asks us to find the distance from the bird to the
ground, which is why we must add the man’s height to x.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Now You Try


Suppose a house is 130 feet tall and a car is
166 feet from the house. Find the angle of
elevation from the base of the car to the
top of the house.

Make sure you draw a picture BEFORE setting up


an equation!

Progress Monitoring Question

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Solution
Suppose a house is 130 feet tall and a car is
166 feet from the house. Find the angle of
elevation from the base of the car to the
top of the house.

First, we draw a picture.

130 ft 130 ft

x x
166 ft 166 ft

Always make sure you depict the situation carefully with all sides labelled appropriately. A right triangle should
always be present. Note that the angle we are looking for is labeled with an x, which is the angle above the
horizontal line of sight.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Solution Continued

130
Using the tangent function, we get tan 𝑥 = 130 ft
166
Using the inverse tangent function, we get x
166 ft
130
𝑥 = tan−1 ( )
166

Using the calculator, we get the angle of elevation to be 38.07°.

Note that the opposite and adjacent sides are given relative to the angle, which means we use tangent. Since we
are trying to find the angle, note that we must use the inverse tangent function.

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Solving Right Triangles in Applied Problems Using
Trigonometry

Now You Try


1. Explain how to find the unknown measure of an angle given
information about only two sides of a right triangle.

2. Draw two pictures, one that illustrates an example of an angle of


elevation and one that illustrates an example of an angle of
depression.

3. A group of friends have hiked to the top of a mountain that is 2


miles high. When they look down, they can see their tent, which
they know is approximately 3 miles from the base of the mountain.
Sketch a drawing of the situation. What is the angle of depression?

Culminating Activity/Question

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