Right Triangle Trigonometry

Trigonometry is based upon ratios of the sides of

right triangles.

hyp opp
x
adj

The sides of the right triangle are:

the side opposite the acute angle x,

the side adjacent to the acute angle x,
and the hypotenuse of the right triangle.
 Right Triangle Trigonometry

The hypotenuse is the longest side and is always

opposite the right angle.
The opposite and adjacent sides refer to another angle,
other than the 90o.

x
 Trigonometric Ratios

The trigonometric functions are: hyp

opp
sine, cosine, and tangent.
X
adj

opp
sin x = cos x = adj tan x = opp
hyp hyp adj

S OH C AH T OA
 Finding a side from a triangle

1. We have been given

the adj and hyp so we
7 cm use COSINE:
adjacent
Cos x = hypotenuse
30o
k

Cos x = a
h
Cos 30 = k
7
(Cos 30)(7) = k
6.1 cm = k
2. We have been given the opp
and adj so we use TAN:
50o
4 cm
Tan x =

Tan x = o
a
Tan 50 =
r
4
(Tan 50) (4) = r

4.8 cm = r
3. We have been given the opp
and hyp so we use SINE:
k 12 cm
Sin x =

25o

Sin x = o
h
sin 25 = k
12
(Sin 25) (12) = k

5.1 cm = k
 Using ratios to find angles
It can also be used in reverse, finding an angle from a ratio.
To do this we use the sin-1, cos-1 and tan-1 function keys.
Example:
1. sin x = 0.1115 find angle x.

sin-1 0.1115 =

( )
2nd sin

x = sin-1 (0.1115)
x = 6.4o
2. cos x = 0.8988 find angle x

cos-1 0.8988 =

( )
2nd cos

x = cos-1 (0.8988)
x = 26o
4. We have been given the
h adjacent and hypotenuse so
14 cm we use COSINE:
adjacent
Cos x = hypotenuse
x
6 cm
a

Cos x = a
h
Cos x = 6
14
Cos x = 0.4286

x = cos-1 (0.4286)

x = 64.6o
5. Find angle x
Given adj and opp
x need to use tan:
3 cma
opposite
Tan x = adjacent
o 8 cm

Tan x = o
a
Tan x = 8
3
Tan x = 2.6667

x = tan-1 (2.6667)

x = 69.4o
6.
Given opp and hyp
12 cm need to use sin:
10 cm
opposite
y Sin y = hypotenuse

sin y = o
h
sin y = 10
12
sin y = 0.8333

y = sin-1 (0.8333)
y = 56.4o