Trigonometry

Finding Missing Sides and Angles using

SOHCAHTOA

Ms. Franca 9/19/22

 Learning Objectives

 To be able to use the trigonometric functions (sine, cosine and tangent)

to find the missing sides in a right-angled triangle

 To be able to use the trigonometric functions (sine, cosine and tangent)

to find the missing angles in a right-angled triangle

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Recap- SOHCAHTOA

hy
po
sin θ = ten

opposite
us
e
cos θ =

tan θ = θ
adjacent

sin θ = cos θ = tan θ =

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Summarily, SOHCAHTOA…

hy
po
If we let O be the opposite, A be the adjacent, and t en

opposite
us
H be the hypotenuse, then these are shortened to: e

θ
adjacent

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Summarily, Special Angles are…
B A

45o 30o 30o

√2 2 2
1
√3

45o 60o 60o

A C B C
1 1 D 1
sin cos tan

30o

45o 1

60o √3

90o 1 0 ∞

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Let’s find a missing side…
First of all, we need to find which
equation we need to use.

The working angle is 30o.

We have the hypotenuse; H = 8 cm 8 cm
We are to find the adjacent; O = b b

Hence, we’ll use the SOH formula

30o
sin θ =
Substituting, we have; Find the length of the side marked b to 1 d.p.
sin 30 =
b = 8 × sin 30
b=8×
b = 4 cm

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Let’s find another missing side…
The working angle, θ is 45o.
And we have the opposite; O=4m

To find w, weare
areto
tofind
findthe
theadjacent;
hypotenuse; 45o
z, we
H
A = zw w
z
Hence, we’ll use the SOH
TOA formula
sin
tan θ =
Substituting, we have; 4m
sin
tan 45 = Find the length of the sides marked w and z.
w
z == ==
w = 4 × = 4√2 m
z=4m

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Extension
The working angle, θ is 38o.
And we have the hypotenuse; H = 12 cm

We are to find the adjacent; A = y

Hence, we’ll use the CAH formula

cos θ =
Substituting, we have;
cos 38 =

y = 12 × cos (38)

Using the calculator, we have; Find the length of the side marked y to 1 d.p.

y = 9.4561... = 9.5 cm (to 1 d.p.)

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Let’s find a missing angle…
We have the adjacent, A = 3”
We have the hypotenuse, H = 6”
θ
We need to find the working angle = θ
6”
So, if we have A and H, then we use CAH 3”

cos (x) = ​becomes cos (θ) = ​

cos (θ) = ½
Find the size of the angle θ.
To find θ, you need to cancel out the cos
function using its inverse function (cos–1).
Thus, we’ll have;
θ = cos–1 (½)
From the table,
θ = 60o

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Let’s find another missing angle…
We have the opposite, O = 6 cm
We have the adjacent, H = 12 cm
We need to find the working angle = θ

So, if we have O and H, then we use SOH

12 cm
sin (x) = ​becomes sin (v) = ​ 6 cm
sin (v) = ½
v
To find v, you need to cancel out the sin
Find the size of the angle v.
function using its inverse function (sin–1).
Thus, we’ll have;
v = sin–1 (½)
From the table,
v = 30o

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Extension
We have the opposite length = 5 mm
We have the adjacent length = 8 mm
We need to find the working angle = θ Find the size of angle z to 2 s.f.

So, if we have O and A, then we use TOA

tan (x) = ​becomes tan (z) = ​
tan (z) = 0.625

To find z, you need to cancel out the tan function

using its inverse function (tan–1). Thus, we’ll have;
z = tan–1 (0.625)
To get tan–1 using your calculator, enter shift tan
(0.625)
z = 32.0053 = 32.0o

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Now, it’s “Your Turn”!
Find the length of the side marked p to 2 s.f. Find the size of angle q to 1 d.p.

Find the size of angle x to 1 d.p.

Find the length of the side /CB/.

Find the size of

angle w to 1 d.p.

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

 Success Criteria

 I can use the trigonometric functions (sine, cosine and tangent) to find
the missing sides in a right-angled triangle

 I can use the trigonometric functions (sine, cosine and tangent) to find
the missing angles in a right-angled triangle

Ms Franca Okechukwu 9/19/22

9/19/22