Basic Trigonometry

Trigonometry
• The word Trigonometry is derived from the
ancient greek language and means
measurement of triangles.
• “tri” meaning three. “gon” meaning sides.
“metron” meaning measure.
• Trigonometry is the study of triangles. Using
trig, you can solve many problems precisely
where you may have only been able to
approximate before.
• Trig is used in everything from architecture to
engineering.
 Timeline…
• The earliest known work on Trigonometry
was recorded in Egypt and Babylon.
• Early astronomers used Trig to find out the
distance of the stars and planets from the
Earth.
 Parts of a Right Triangle
B
Hypotenuse
Opposite Side

A
C Adjacent Side
The hypotenuse will always be the Imagine that you are at Angle A
longest side, and opposite from the
right angle. looking into the triangle.

The opposite side is the side that is

The adjacent side is the side next on the opposite side of the triangle
to Angle A. from Angle A.
 B
Review
For Angle A
Hypotenuse
This is the Opposite Side
Opposite Side
Opposite Side
This is the Adjacent Side
A
Adjacent
Adjacent Side
Side

B For Angle B

Hypotenuse This is the Opposite Side

This is the Adjacent Side

A
 Trig Functions
• Sine = sin • Cosecant = csc
• Cosine = cos • Secant = sec
• Tangent = tan • Cotangent = cot
 Trig Ratios
Hypotenuse
• Each of the 3 ratios has a name
Opposite
• The names also refer to an angle A
Adjacent

Opposite
Sine of Angle A =
Hypotenuse

Adjacent
Cosine of Angle A =
Hypotenuse

Opposite
Tangent of Angle A =
Adjacent
 SOHCAHTOA
B
Here is a way to remember how
Hypotenuse
to make the 3 basic Trig Ratios if
Opposite
we are talking about angle A A
Adjacent
1) Identify the Opposite and Adjacent
sides for the appropriate angle

2) SOHCAHTOA means
Sin is Opposite over Hypotenuse, Cos is Adjacent over Hypotenuse,
and Tan is Opposite over Adjacent

Put the underlined letters to make

SOH-CAH-TOA
Triangle Definitions of other Trig
Functions
 Examples of Trig Ratios
First we will find the Sine, Cosine and P
Tangent ratios for Angle P. 20
12
Next we will find the Sine, Cosine, and Q
Tangent ratios for Angle Q 16
Remember SohCahToa

16 12
Sin P = Sin Q =
20 20

12 16
= Cos Q =
Cos P 20 20

16 12
= Tan Q =
Tan P 12 16
 Finding an unknown angle
Example : find the angle ɵ
12 cm
1. Label the sides O
H

2. Work out which bit of ɵ

SOHCAHTOA to use
$ 7 cm
#= A
#
3. Substitute in
%
On your calculator:
$%& ɵ =
"#
shift
12 cos
12 7 ÷1212 =12
−" %
#$% ( ) = 54.31466..
&'

ɵ = 54∘
 Finding an unknown side
Example : find the side !
12 cm
1. Label the sides O
H

2. Work out which bit of " 55∘

SOHCAHTOA to use
" A
"=
#
3. Substitute in On your calculator:
∘ !
#$% && = "#
12
12 sin
12 55
12 =12
∘
'( #$% && = "
" = 9.8 cm