Right Triangle Trigonometry

Trigonometry is based upon ratios of the sides of

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

 the side adjacent to the acute angle ,

 and the hypotenuse of the right triangle.

 Right Triangle Trigonometry

The hypotenuse is the longest side and is always

opposite the right angle.
The opposite and adjacent sides refer to another angle,
other than the 90o.

A
 Trigonometric Ratios

hyp
opp
θ
The trigonometric functions are: adj
sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant.
opp
sin  = cos  = adj tan  = opp
hyp hyp adj
hyp hyp
csc  = sec  = cot  = adj
opp adj opp

S OH C AH T OA
 Finding an angle from a triangle

To find a missing angle from a right-angled triangle we

need to know two of the sides of the triangle.

We can then choose the appropriate ratio, sin, cos or tan

and use the calculator to identify the angle from the
decimal value of the ratio.

1. Find angle C
a) Identify/label the names of
14 cm the sides.

C b) Choose the ratio that

6 cm contains BOTH of the
letters.
1. We have been given the
h adjacent and hypotenuse so
14 cm we use COSINE:
adjacent
Cos A = hypotenuse
C
6 cm
a

Cos A = a
h
Cos C = 6
14
Cos C = 0.4286
C = cos-1 (0.4286)

C = 64.6o
2. Find angle x
Given adj and opp
x need to use tan:
3 cm a
opposite
Tan A = adjacent
o 8 cm

Tan A = o
a
Tan x = 8
3
Tan x = 2.6667
x = tan-1 (2.6667)

x = 69.4o
 Finding a side from a triangle

3. We have been given

the adj and hyp so we
7 cm use COSINE:
adjacent
Cos A =
hypotenuse
30o
k

Cos A = a
h
Cos 30 = k
7
Cos 30 x 7 = k
6.1 cm = k
4. We have been given the opp
and adj so we use TAN:
50o
4 cm
Tan A =

Tan A = o
a
Tan 50 =
r
4
Tan 50 x 4 = r

4.8 cm = r
45°-45°-90° Triangle Theorem

• In a 45°-45°-90°
triangle, the 45°
x√2
hypotenuse is √2
times as long as each x
leg.
45°
x
Hypotenuse = √2 * leg
30°-60°-90° Triangle Theorem

• In a 30°-60°-90°
triangle, the
hypotenuse is twice as 60°
2x
long as the shorter
x
leg, and the longer leg
is √3 times as long as
30°
the shorter leg. x√3
Hypotenuse = 2 ∙ shorter leg
Longer leg = √3 ∙ shorter leg
Ex. 1: Finding the hypotenuse in a 45°-45°-
90° Triangle

• Find the value of x

• By the Triangle Sum
Theorem, the measure of
the third angle is 45°. 3 3
The triangle is a 45°-45°-
90° right triangle, so the 45°
length x of the x
hypotenuse is √2 times
the length of a leg.
Ex. 1: Finding the hypotenuse in a 45°-45°-
90° Triangle

3 3

45°
x
Hypotenuse = √2 ∙ leg 45°-45°-90° Triangle
Theorem
x = √2 ∙ 3 Substitute values
x = 3√2 Simplify
Ex. 3: Finding side lengths in a 30°-60°-90°
Triangle

• Find the values of s

and t. 60°
• Because the triangle t
s
is a 30°-60°-90°
triangle, the 30°
5
longer leg is √3
times the length s
of the shorter leg.
Ex. 3: Side lengths in a 30°-60°-90° Triangle
60°
t
s

30°
5

Statement: Reasons:
Longer leg = √3 ∙ shorter leg 30°-60°-90° Triangle Theorem
5 = √3 ∙ s Substitute values
5 = √3
√ s√ Divide each side by √3
35 3
= s Simplify
√
√3 35 = s Multiply numerator and
√ √ denominator by √3
3 5√3 Simplify
= s
3
The length t of the hypotenuse is twice the length s of the shorter leg.

60°
t
s

30°
5

Statement: Reasons:
Hypotenuse = 2 ∙ shorter leg 30°-60°-90° Triangle Theorem

t = 2 5√ Substitute values
∙ 33

t = 10√ Simplify
33