9.

5 Trigonometric Ratios
Geometry Mrs. Spitz Spring 2005

Objectives/Assignment
Find the since, the cosine, and the tangent of an acute triangle. Use trionometric ratios to solve real-life problems, such as estimating the height of a tree or flagpole. To solve real-life problems such as in finding the height of a water slide. Assignment: pp. 562-563 #3-38 all Due TODAY 9.4 Quiz next time we meet

Finding Trig Ratios

A trigonometric ratio is a ratio of the lengths of two sides of a right triangle. The word trigonometry is derived from the ancient Greek language and means measurement of triangles. The three basic trigonometric ratios are sine, cosine, and tangent, which are abbreviated as sin, cos, and tan respectively.

Trigonometric Ratios
Let ABC be a right triangle. The since, the cosine, and the hypotenusec tangent of the acute angle A are b defined as follows. A side adjacent to angle A
cos A = sin A = Side opposite A hypotenuse = a c tan A = Side opposite A a = Side adjacent to A b
B Side a opposite angle A C

Side adjacent to A b = hypotenuse c

Note:
The value of a trigonometric ratio depends only on the measure of the acute angle, not on the particular right triangle that is used to compute the value.

Ex. 1: Finding Trig Ratios

Compare the sine, the cosine, and the tangent ratios for A in each triangle beside. By the SSS Similarity Theorem, the triangles are similar. Their corresponding sides A are in proportion which implies that the trigonometric ratios for A in each triangle are the same.
A

B 17 8

15
B 8.5 4

7.5

Ex. 1: Finding Trig Ratios

Large
sin A = opposite
hypotenuse

Small
4 0.4706 8.5 7.5 0.8824 8.5

8 0.4706 17

cosA =

adjacent
hypotenuse

15 0.8824 17 8 0.5333 15

tanA =

opposite
adjacent

4 0.5333 7.5

B
B

17 8
A

8.5 4

7.5

15

C Trig ratios are often

expressed as decimal approximations.

Ex. 2: Finding Trig Ratios

S
sin S = opposite
hypotenuse

5 0.3846 13

cosS =

adjacent
hypotenuse

12 0.9231 13
5 0.4167 12

opposite 5

13 hypotenuse

tanS =

opposite
adjacent

12 adjacent

Ex. 2: Finding Trig RatiosFind the sine, the cosine, and the tangent of the indicated angle.
R
sin S = opposite
hypotenuse

12 0.9231 13

cosS =

adjacent
hypotenuse

5 0.3846 13 12 2.4 5
R

tanS =

opposite
adjacent

adjacent 5

13 hypotenuse

12 opposite

Ex. 3: Finding Trig RatiosFind the sine, the cosine, and the tangent of 45
45
sin 45=
opposite
hypotenuse

1 2 1 2

= =

2 2 2 2

0.7071 0.7071 = 1

cos 45=

adjacent
hypotenuse

tan 45=

opposite
adjacent

1
1

Begin by sketching a 45-45-90 triangle. Because all such triangles are similar, you can make calculations simple by choosing 1 as the length of each leg. From Theorem 9.8 on page 551, it follows that the length of the hypotenuse is 2.

2
1 hypotenuse

45
1

Ex. 4: Finding Trig RatiosFind the sine, the cosine, and the tangent of 30
30
sin 30= opposite
hypotenuse

1
2 3 2 1 3

= 0.5 0.8660 = 3 3

cos 30=

adjacent
hypotenuse

tan 30=

opposite
adjacent

0.5774

Begin by sketching a 30-60-90 triangle. To make the calculations simple, you can choose 1 as the length of the shorter leg. From Theorem 9.9, on page 551, it follows that the length of the longer leg is 3 and the length of the hypotenuse is 2.

2 1

30

Ex: 5 Using a Calculator

You can use a calculator to approximate the sine, cosine, and the tangent of 74. Make sure that your calculator is in degree mode. The table shows some sample keystroke sequences accepted by most calculators.

Sample keystrokes
Sample keystroke sequences Sample calculator display Rounded Approximation

74 sin sin 74
ENTER

0.961262695

0.9613

74
COS

COS

0.275637355

0.2756

74

ENTER

74
TAN

3.487414444
TAN

3.4874

74

ENTER

Notes:
If you look back at Examples 1-5, you will notice that the sine or the cosine of an acute triangles is always less than 1. The reason is that these trigonometric ratios involve the ratio of a leg of a right triangle to the hypotenuse. The length of a leg or a right triangle is always less than the length of its hypotenuse, so the ratio of these lengths is always less than one.

Trigonometric Identities
A trigonometric identity is an equation involving trigonometric ratios that is true for all acute triangles. You are asked to prove the following identities in Exercises 47 and 52. (sin A)2 + (cos A)2 = 1
tan A = sin A cos A
B

Using Trigonometric Ratios in Real-life

Suppose you stand and look up at a point in the distance. Maybe you are looking up at the top of a tree as in Example 6. The angle that your line of sight makes with a line drawn horizontally is called angle of elevation.

Ex. 6: Indirect Measurement

You are measuring the height of a Sitka spruce tree in Alaska. You stand 45 feet from the base of the tree. You measure the angle of elevation from a point on the ground to the top of the top of the tree to be 59. To estimate the height of the tree, you can write a trigonometric ratio that involves the height h and the known length of 45 feet.

The math
opposite tan 59 =

Write the ratio Substitute values Multiply each side by 45 Use a calculator or table to find tan 59 Simplify

adjacent
h tan 59 = 45

45 tan 59 = h 45 (1.6643) h 75.9 h

The tree is about 76 feet tall.

Ex. 7: Estimating Distance

Escalators. The escalator at the Wilshire/Vermont Metro Rail Station in Los Angeles rises 76 feet at a 30 angle. To find the distance d a person travels on the escalator stairs, you can write a trigonometric ratio that involves the hypotenuse and the known leg of 76 feet.

76 ft

30

Now the math

opposite sin 30 = hypotenuse

76 ft

Write the ratio for sine of 30 Substitute values.

30

76
sin 30 = d

d sin 30 = 76
76 d= sin 30 76 0.5

Multiply each side by d. Divide each side by sin 30 Substitute 0.5 for sin 30 Simplify

d=

d = 152

A person travels 152 feet on the escalator stairs.

Reminders:
After this section, you have a quiz on Thursday or Friday. Chapter 9 exam will take place before you leave for spring break . . . Take it before you go on break. Binder check before spring break. These are your new grades for the last quarter of the year. Study and dont slack off now.