Right Triangles

Lesson 8a
TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS OF
ACUTE ANGLES

L7a -- Sequences and Series 2

The six trigonometric functions of a right triangle, with an acute
angle , are defined by ratios of two sides of the triangle.
The sides of the right triangle are:
hyp
 the side opposite the acute angle , opp
 the side adjacent to the acute angle , θ
 and the hypotenuse of the right triangle. adj

The trigonometric functions are

sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant.
opp
sin  = cos  = adj tan  =opp
hyp hyp adj

csc  = hyp sec  = hyp cot  = adj

opp adj opp
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Calculate the trigonometric functions for  .

5
4

3

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Calculate the trigonometric functions for  .

5
4

3
The six trig ratios are
4 3
sin  = cos  =
5 5
4 3
tan  = cot  =
3 4
5 5
sec  = csc  =
3 4

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Geometry of the 45-45-90 triangle
Consider an isosceles right triangle with two sides of
length 1.

45
2 1 h  12  12  2
45

The Pythagorean Theorem implies that the hypotenuse

is of length 2.

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All rights reserved.
Calculate the trigonometric functions for a 45 angle.

2
1
45

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Calculate the trigonometric functions for a 45 angle.
2
1
45

1
opp 1 2 adj 1 2
sin 45 = = = cos 45 = = =
hyp 2 2 hyp 2 2

opp 1 adj 1
tan 45 = = = 1 cot 45 = = = 1
adj 1 opp 1
hyp 2 2 hyp 2 2
sec 45 = = = csc 45 = = =
adj 1 opp 1

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Geometry of the 30-60-90 triangle
Consider an equilateral triangle with
each side of length 2. 30○ 30○

The three sides are equal, so the

2 2
angles are equal; each is 60. 3

The perpendicular bisector

60○ 60○
of the base bisects the
opposite angle. 1 1
2
Use the Pythagorean Theorem to
find the length of the altitude, 3 .

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Calculate the trigonometric functions for a 30 angle.
2 1

30

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Calculate the trigonometric functions for a 30 angle.
2 1

30

3
opp 1 adj 3
sin 30 = = cos 30 = =
hyp 2 hyp 2

opp 1 3 adj 3
tan 30 = = = cot 30 = = = 3
adj 3 3 opp 1

hyp 2 2 3 hyp 2
sec 30 = = = csc 30 = = = 2
adj 3 3 opp 1

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Calculate the trigonometric functions for a 60 angle.

2
3

60○

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Calculate the trigonometric functions for a 60 angle.

2
3

60○

1
opp 3 adj 1
sin 60 = = cos 60 = =
hyp 2 hyp 2

opp 3 1 3
tan 60 = = = 3 cot 60 = adj = =
adj 1 opp 3 3
hyp 2 hyp 2 2 3
sec 60 = = = 2 csc 60 = = =
adj 1 opp 3 3

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Solving “real world” problems

SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES

What does it mean to solve a right triangle?
• Solving a right triangle means to find all the
unknown parts.
• You are usually given one side of a right triangle
and one of the acute angles and asked to find one
of the other sides,
• Or
• Your are given two sides and asked to find one of
the acute angles.
 For example

• Given the triangle shown find
the remaining parts of the
triangle.
B
• 1st label all the sides and angles.
• Now look at your trig.
definitions and decide which
one will let you find sides a and
b and the angle at B.

6
c
a

400

C A
b
 Another example
• Given that two legs of a right triangle are 8 and 15, find the
measure of the acute angles.
B

15

A
8
 Some terms you will need.

• Angle of elevation.
• The angle measured from
the horizontal to the top Lin
eo
of the object in question. fs
igh
t
• The angle of elevation to
the top of a fir tree is q
shown in the diagram. horizontal

Angle of elevation
 Some terms you will need.

• Angle of depression: • The woman is watching the dog.

• The angle measured from
the horizontal down to horizontal
the object in question.
q

ht Angle of depression
sig
e of
Lin
 Something interesting

• The woman is watching

the dog and the dog is
watching the woman.
horizontal
• <a = <q
q

ight Angle of depression

ofs
e
Lin
a

horizontal

Angle of elevation
 Some examples

• A surveyor is standing 50
ft from the base of a large
tree. The surveyor
measures the angle of
elevation to the top of
the tree as 71.50. How
tall is the tree.
 First draw a quick sketch and place all
information in the sketch.
• A surveyor is standing 50
ft from the base of a large
tree. The surveyor
measures the angle of
elevation to the top of x
the tree as 71.50. How
tall is the tree.
71.50

50 ft
 Another example

• From the top of a lookout 7020’

tower, the angle of
depression of a small fire
is 70 20’. If the height of
the tower is 100 ft, how
100 ft
far from the base of the
tower is the fire?
• Make a quick sketch.
7020’
• Label known and
unknowns.
• Notice that the given
100 ft
angle is not inside the
triangle.

x
 Another example
• A person is 200 yds from a river. Rather than
walking directly to the river, the person walks 400
yds along a straight path to the river’s edge. Find
the acute angle q between this path and the river’s
edge.
• See the figure.