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 is the sine function?

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?

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?

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 the missing angle in a right triangle?

Back

To find the missing angle, use the fact that the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees. For a right triangle, the two non-right angles must sum to 90 degrees.

Front

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

Back

In a right triangle, the angles determine the ratios of the lengths of the sides, which can be expressed using sine, cosine, and tangent functions.

Front

How do you solve for a side using the sine function?

Back

To solve for a side using the sine function, use the formula: sin(angle) = opposite/hypotenuse. Rearrange to find the length of the opposite side.

Front

How do you solve for a side using the cosine function?

Back

To solve for a side using the cosine function, use the formula: cos(angle) = adjacent/hypotenuse. Rearrange to find the length of the adjacent side.

Front

How do you solve for a side using the tangent function?

Back

To solve for a side using the tangent function, use the formula: tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent. Rearrange to find the length of the opposite or adjacent side.