What is the definition of SOHCAHTOA?

SOHCAHTOA is a mnemonic device in order for us to easily memorize the 3

basic trigonometric ratios that is used in solving the missing sides and angles of a
right triangle.

Now, first let us the define the mnemonic:

O pposite
SOH means Sin (θ ) = H ypotenuse
A djacent
CAH means Cos (θ) = H ypotenuse
O pposite
TOA means Tan (θ ) = A djacent

Rule of thumb: These trigonometric ratios will always hold true for right angles,
regardless of the size of the triangle.

After that we then proceed by using the mnemonic: SOHCAHTOA

Example 1:

Solve for the missing side length of the right triangle, r:

a= 10

C A
b

So in order to solve this, first we have to identify what the missing side length is,
and as we look closely the missing side length is the hypotenuse, which is c of the
given right triangle, then we define the given values for us and in this example the
given are the opposite which is a= 10 and an angle of 20º. After identifying what
side of the right triangle is missing and its given values we then use the mnemonic
that we defined which is the SOHCAHTOA. Now the trigonometric ratio that we
will use is SOH, since it fits our given and the missing side.

We then plug in the values:

opposite
sin ( θ ) =
hypotenuse

a
sin ( 20 ° )=
c

10
sin ( 20 ° )=
c

c=29.24

By using cross multiplication and our calculator we have arrived at an answer of 29.24 m.

Example 2:

Solve for the missing angle measurement.

B

c =5
a=4

C A
b =3
3

So in order to solve this, first we have to identify what the angle measurement is,
and as we look closely the angle is between the opposite and the hypotenuse,
which is ∠ A, then we define the given values for us and in this example the given
are the a, b, and c values which are 3, 4, and 5 respectively. After identifying what
angle of the right triangle is missing and the given, we then use the mnemonic that
we defined which is the SOHCAHTOA. Now the trigonometric ratio that we used
is SOH, since it fits our given and the missing angle.

We then plug in the values:

opposite
sin ( ∠ A )=
hypotenuse

a
sin ( ∠ A )=
c

4
sin ( ∠ A )=
5

−1 4
∠ A=sin
5

∠ A=53.13°

By using the mnemonic and plugging in the values in the calculator, we cross
multiply and then we get an inverse sin multiplied to 4/5, arriving at answer of
53.13 °.