Cambridge Study Guide

4. Non-right-angled trigonometry

Year 12 Mathematics Standard 2

Right-angled trigonometry
The mnemonic ‘SOH CAH TOA’ is used to determine the
trigonometric ratio.
SOH: Sine-Opposite-Hypotenuse
CAH: Cosine-Adjacent-Hypotenuse
TOA: Tangent-Opposite-Adjacent

hypotenuse
opposite

adjacent

HSC Hint – A trigonometry problem with a right-angled

triangle usually involves SOH CAH TOA.
Angles of elevation and depression
The angle of elevation is the
angle measured upwards Angle of
from the horizontal. elevation

Horizontal

The angle of depression is Horizontal

the angle measure
 Angle of
downwards from the
horizontal. depression

HSC Hint – Angle of elevation is equal to the angle of

depression as they form alternate angles.
Compass bearing
A direction given by stating the angle either side of
north or south. For example, a compass bearing of
N52˚E is found by measuring an angle of 52˚ from the
north direction towards the east side.

HSC Hint – The angle in a compass bearing is always

measured with the vertical line (north-south)
True bearing
A direction given by measuring the angle clockwise
from north. For example, 120˚T is the direction
measured 120˚ clockwise from north. It is the same
bearing as S60˚E.

HSC Hint – The word ‘from’ in bearing questions refers to

the starting point or central point in a diagram.
Trigonometry with obtuse angles
Acute angle (0˚ to 90˚)
sin θ ‒ positive
cos θ ‒ positive
tan θ ‒ positive

Obtuse angle (90˚ to 180˚)

sin θ ‒ positive
cos θ ‒ negative
tan θ ‒ negative

HSC Hint – The context of the question may indicate

whether the angle is acute or obtuse.
Area of a triangle
Area of a triangle is half the product of two sides
multiplied by the sine of the angle between the two
sides (included angle)

side
angle
side

HSC Hint – The formula for the area of a triangle requires

sides a and b to form angle C. Sides a and b are
the arms of the angle.
The sine rule
Sine rule is used in a non-right angled triangle given
information about 2 sides and 2 angles.
To find a side use

To find an angle use

HSC Hint – The sine rule requires a side and the sine of a
matching angle. Matching sides are always
opposite each other on a diagram.
The cosine rule
Cosine rule is used in a non-right angled triangle given
information about 3 sides and 1 angle.

To find a side use

To find an angle use

HSC Hint – Don’t forget to take the square root of the value
for the expression
Miscellaneous problems
1. Read the question and underline key terms.
2. Draw a diagram and label the information.
3. If a right triangle use SOH CAH TOA.
4. If the triangle does not have a right-angle.
 Use the sine rule if given 2 sides and 3 angles.
 Use the cosine rule if given 3 sides and 1 angle

5. Check that the answer is reasonable and units are

correct.

HSC Hint – Problems involving two triangles require the

result of one calculation to be used in another
triangle that share a common side or angle.
Radial survey
Radial survey involves measuring the angles and sides taken
from a central point. There are two methods:

 Plane-table radial survey

Angle between each
radial line is measured.
 Compass radial survey
True bearing of each
corner is measured with
a compass.

HSC Hint – Perimeter in a radial survey is calculated using

the cosine rule.