Practice Trig Word Problems

Front

What is the sine function in a right triangle?

Back

The sine function (sin) is 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 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 the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side.

Front

How do you find the height of an object using trigonometry?

Back

You can use the sine function: height = hypotenuse * sin(angle).

Front

How do you find the distance to an object using trigonometry?

Back

You can use the cosine function: distance = hypotenuse * cos(angle).

Front

What is the Pythagorean theorem?

Back

In a right triangle, a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse.

Front

If a ladder makes a 20° angle with the ground and is 3 m from the wall, how do you find its length?

Back

Use the cosine function: length = distance / cos(20°).

Front

If a kite string is 100 m long and makes a 60° angle with the horizontal, how do you find the height of the kite?

Back

Use the sine function: height = 100 * sin(60°).

Front

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

Back

The angles determine the ratios of the sides, which can be expressed using sine, cosine, and tangent.

Front

How do you calculate the distance from the base of a tree to a hawk swooping down at an angle?

Back

Use the sine function: distance = height / sin(angle).