Right Triangle Trig & Story Problems

Front

What is a right triangle?

Back

A right triangle is a triangle that has one angle measuring 90 degrees.

Front

What is the Pythagorean theorem?

Back

The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (c) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides (a and b): a² + b² = c².

Front

What is the sine function in a right triangle?

Back

The sine function (sin) is defined as the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the hypotenuse.

Front

What is the cosine function in a right triangle?

Back

The cosine function (cos) is defined as the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the length of the hypotenuse.

Front

What is the tangent function in a right triangle?

Back

The tangent function (tan) is defined as the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side.

Front

How do you find the angle using the sine function?

Back

To find the angle, use the inverse sine function: angle = sin⁻¹(opposite/hypotenuse).

Front

How do you find the angle using the cosine function?

Back

To find the angle, use the inverse cosine function: angle = cos⁻¹(adjacent/hypotenuse).

Front

How do you find the angle using the tangent function?

Back

To find the angle, use the inverse tangent function: angle = tan⁻¹(opposite/adjacent).

Front

What is the relationship between the angles in a right triangle?

Back

The sum of the angles in a right triangle is always 180 degrees, with one angle being 90 degrees.

Front

What is the formula for the height of an object using trigonometry?

Back

Height = distance from the object * tan(angle).