Trig ratios of special triangles

Until now, we have used the calculator to evaluate the sine, cosine, and tangent of
an angle. However, it is possible to evaluate the trig functions for certain angles
without using a calculator.

This is because there are two special triangles whose side ratios we know! These
two triangles are the 45-45-90 triangle and the 30-60-90 triangle.

The special triangles

30-60-90 triangles

A 30-60-90 triangle is a right triangle with a 30^\circ30∘30, degree degree

angle and a 60^\circ60∘60, degree degree angle.

45-45-90 triangles

A 45-45-90 triangle is a right triangle with two 45^\circ45∘45, degree degree

angles.
Trigonometric ratios of a right
triangle
A right triangle has one right angle and two acute angles. The side across
from the right angle is called the hypotenuse and it is always the longest side
in the triangle. The side across an angle (theta ) is called the opposite side.
The side next to an angle is called the adjacent side. See figure below.
 The Cosine of an angle theta , denoted cos , is the ratio of the
adjacent side to the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

 The Sine of an angle theta , denoted sin , is the ratio of the opposite

side to the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

 The Tangent of an angle theta , denoted tan , is the ratio of the
opposite side to the adjacent side in a right triangle. It is also the ratio of

sin to cos .
 The Cotangent of an angle theta, denoted cot is the ratio of the
opposite side to the adjacent side in a right triangle. It is also the ratio of

cos to sin .

Trigonometric ratios of special angles

When finding the trigonometric ratios of 30 and 60angles, we use a 30-
60-90 triangle. This is a specialright triangle that has angle measures of
30 , 60 , and 90 .