Geometry - Solving Right Triangles

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 are the three sides of a right triangle called?

Back

The three sides are called the hypotenuse (the longest side opposite the right angle), and the two legs (the sides that form the right angle).

Front

What is SOH CAH TOA?

Back

SOH CAH TOA is a mnemonic for remembering the definitions of the sine, cosine, and tangent functions: Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse, Cosine = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Tangent = Opposite/Adjacent.

Front

How do you find the sine of an angle in a right triangle?

Back

To find the sine of an angle, divide the length of the side opposite the angle by the length of the hypotenuse.

Front

How do you find the cosine of an angle in a right triangle?

Back

To find the cosine of an angle, divide the length of the side adjacent to the angle by the length of the hypotenuse.

Front

How do you find the tangent of an angle in a right triangle?

Back

To find the tangent of an angle, divide the length of the side opposite the angle by the length of the side adjacent to the angle.

Front

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

Back

The sum of the angles in any triangle is 180 degrees. In a right triangle, the two non-right angles must add up to 90 degrees.

Front

How can you find a missing angle in a right triangle?

Back

To find a missing angle, subtract the known angles from 90 degrees (for the non-right angles) or use inverse trigonometric functions.

Front

What is an inverse trigonometric function?

Back

Inverse trigonometric functions are used to find angles when the values of the sides are known. They include arcsin, arccos, and arctan.