Finding Missing Sides and Angles in 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 of a right triangle are called the hypotenuse (the longest side), and the two legs (the other two sides).

Front

What is the sine function in relation to a right triangle?

Back

The sine function (sin) of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the hypotenuse.

Front

What is the cosine function in relation to a right triangle?

Back

The cosine function (cos) of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the length of the hypotenuse.

Front

What is the tangent function in relation to a right triangle?

Back

The tangent function (tan) of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side.

Front

How do you find a missing side using sine?

Back

To find a missing side using sine, use the formula: sin(angle) = opposite/hypotenuse. Rearrange to find the opposite side: opposite = hypotenuse * sin(angle).

Front

How do you find a missing side using cosine?

Back

To find a missing side using cosine, use the formula: cos(angle) = adjacent/hypotenuse. Rearrange to find the adjacent side: adjacent = hypotenuse * cos(angle).

Front

How do you find a missing side using tangent?

Back

To find a missing side using tangent, use the formula: tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent. Rearrange to find the opposite side: opposite = adjacent * tan(angle).

Front

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

Back

In a right triangle, the sum of the two non-right angles is always 90 degrees.