Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry

In reading this module, you should be able to:

1. Solve problems involving angle of elevation and depression.
2. Solve problems involving sine law and cosine law.

Lesson 1: Solution of a Right Triangle

The Pythagorean Theorem

Pythagorean theorem states that, in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse,
is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the legs.

In symbols, c2 = a2 + b2.

Illustrative Examples:

1. Given a triangle that has one leg with the length of 14, and a hypotenuse of 22, what is the length of
the other leg?
Solution:

Illustrate the problem

c = 22
a = 14

b=?

c2 = a2 + b2 Pythagorean Formula
2 2 2
(22) = (14) + b Substitute to the formula
484 = 196 + b2
b2 = 484 – 196
b2 = 288
√ √
b = 16.97 the length of the other leg.

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2. Solve the right triangle ABC, where A = 37.5°, c = 27

Solution: Draw the triangle first
B
Given: A = 37.5°
c = 27 c = 27
a
Find: B, a, b = ?
37.5°
C b A

Since a triangle has a total angles of 180°, and since it is a right triangle, it has one angle measures 90°,
hence A + B + C = 180°, C measures 90°, what we need to do is add A + B to complete the 180°

For B = ? A + B = 90°
37.5 + B = 90
B = 90 – 37.5
B = 52.5°

Noting that the side with the same letter as the angle is opposite it
For a = ? Given : a = opposite side
c = 27 (hypotenuse)
A = 37.5°

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, SOH, since the present in the problems are opposite and
hypotenuse

Sine ɵ =

Sin(37.5) =

0.609 =
0.609(27) = a
a = 16.44

For b = ? Given : b = adjacent side

c = 27 (hypotenuse)
A = 37.5°

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, CAH, since the present in the problems are adjacent
and hypotenuse

Cosine ɵ =

Cos(37.5) =

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0.793 =
0.793(27) = b
b = 21.41

3. 100 feet from the base of a pine tree its top was sighted as forming 38° with the ground. Find the
height of the tree.
Solution: Illustrate the problem

38◦
100 ft

Given : a = opposite side

b = 100 ft. (adjacent side)
A = 38°

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

Tangent ɵ =

tan(38) =

0.7813 =
0.7813(100) = a
a = 78.13
Hence, the height of the tree is 78. 13 ft.

4. A wall 9 feet high casts a shadow of 15 feet. Find the angle of the sun’s rays with the ground.
Solution: Illustrate the problem

9ft

15 ft

Given : a = 9 ft. (opposite side)

b= 15 ft. (adjacent side)
A=?

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Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

Tangent ɵ = deriving the formula for ɵ (angle) = ( )

ɵ= ( )

( )

a = 78.13
Hence, the height of the tree is 78. 13 ft.

Angle of Elevation

Angle of elevation is the angle which the line of sight to an object above the eye.

The angle of elevation is always measured from the ground up. It is always INSIDE the triangle.
In the diagram, x marks the angle of elevation of the top of the tree as seen from a point on the ground.

Illustrative examples:

1. The angle of elevation of the top of a pole measures 48° from a point on the ground 18ft away from
its base. Find the height of the pole.
Solution:
Illustrate the problem:

y=?

48°
18ft.

Given: ɵ = 48° base (adjacent side) = 18ft y (opposite side) = ?

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

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Tangent ɵ =

tan(48) =

1.1106 =
1.1106 (18) = x
x = 19.99

Hence, the height of the pole is 19.99 or 20 ft

2. A building is 250 meters high. At a distance away from the building, an observer notices that the
angle of elevation to the top of the building is 65°. How far is the observer from the base of the
building?

Solution:
Illustrate the problem:

250 m

65°
x=?

Given: ɵ = 65° (opposite side) = 250m base (adjacent side) = x

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

Tangent ɵ =

tan(65) =

2.1445 =
2.1445 (x) = 250
x=

x = 116.57

Hence, the observer is 116.57 meters away from the base of the building.

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3. At a point on the ground 39 feet from the foot of a tree, the measure of the angle of elevation of the
top of the tree is 42° . Find the height of the tree to the nearest foot.

Solution:
Illustrate the problem:

y=?

42°
39 ft

Given: ɵ = 42° y (opposite side) = ? base (adjacent side) = 39 ft.

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

Tangent ɵ =

tan(42) =

0.9004 =
0.9004 (39) = y
y=

Thus, the height of the tree is 35 ft.

4. A 100-foot wire is extended from the ground to the top of a 60-foot pole, which is perpendicular to
the level ground. Find, to the nearest degree, the measure of the angle that the wire makes with the
ground.
Illustrate the problem:

60 ft. 100 ft.

ɵ=?

Given: ɵ=? (opposite side) = 60 ft. (hypotenuse side) = 100 ft.

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, SOH, since the present in the problems are opposite and
hypotenuse

Sin ɵ =

ɵ = sin-1 ( )

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ɵ = sin-1 ( )

ɵ = 36.8 = 37

Thus, the angle that the wire makes with the ground is 37°

Angle of Depression:

The angle of depression is always measured from the top looking down OUTSIDE the triangle.

In the diagram, x marks the angle of depression of a boat at sea from the top of a lighthouse.

Note: Angle of depression (x) always equals angle of elevation (y)

Examples:

1. From the top of a fire tower, a forest ranger sees his partner on the ground at an angle of
depression of 40º. If the tower is 45 feet in height, how far is the partner from the base of the
tower.

Solution:

Given: ɵ = 40° opposite = 45 ft adjacent = ?

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

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Tangent ɵ =

tan(40) =

0.8391 =
0.8391 (x) = 45
x=

x=

Thus, the height of the tree is 53.63 ft.

2. You are hiking and come to a cliff at the edge of a ravine. In the distance you can see your
campsite at the base of the cliff, on the other side of the ravine. You know that the distance
across the ravine is 500 meters, and the angle between your horizontal line of sight and your
campsite is 25°. How high is the cliff? (Assume you are 1.2 m tall.)

Solution:

Given: ɵ = 25° opposite = ? adjacent = 500

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

Tangent ɵ =

tan(25) =

0.4663 =
0.4663 (500) = y
y=

h = 233.15 - 1.2 You should take away your height to get the height of
the cliff.
h = 231.95

Thus the height of the cliff is 231.95 meters

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3. The angle of depression from the top of a vertical cliff 220 m in height to a ship is 28°. How
far is the ship from the base of the cliff?

Solution:

Given: ɵ = 28° opposite = 200 m adjacent = x

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

Tangent ɵ =

tan(28) =

0.5317 =

0.5317 (x) = 200

x=

x = 389.33

Thus the ship is 389.33 m far away from the base of the cliff

4. Jason is on top of a 40 m cliff. He observes a boat 800m away from the base of the cliff. Find
the angle of depression from Jason to the boat. Answer to the nearest degree.

Solution:

Given: opposite = 40 m adjacent = 800 m ɵ=?

Using SOHCAHTOA, we will use, TOA, since the present in the problems are opposite and
adjacent

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Tangent ɵ =

tan ɵ =

ɵ = tan-1 ( )

ɵ = 2.86°

The angle of depression from Jason to the boat is 2.86°

Web link:
https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Geometry/Trigonometry/TGElevDepress.html
https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Geometry/Trigonometry/TGWordPractice.html

Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp6h4GMMXI4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9nmTFSrTZM

Lesson 2: Solution of Oblique Triangles

An oblique triangle is one without an angle of measure 90◦ .

Keep in mind these properties from geometry:

 The sum of the angles of a triangle is 180
 The sum of the two shorter sides of a triangle is always greater than the longest side.

 In a triangle, the largest side is opposite the largest angle and the smallest side is opposite the
smallest angle.

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Sine Law

The Sine Rule is used in the following cases:

Case 1: Give two angles and one side (AAS or ASA)

Case 2: Given two sides and a non-included angle (SSA)

The Law of Sines

Illustrative Examples:

1. In Δ ABC , suppose that α = 41◦ , β = 77◦ , and a = 74. Solve for γ , b, and c.

Solution:
Since γ + 41 + 77 = 180
γ = 180 – 41 – 77
γ = 62°

For b = ? Given: α = 41° , β = 77° , and a = 74

By the law of sine =

(74)(sin 77°) = (b)(sin 41°)

b=

b = 109.90

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For c = ? Given: α = 41° , γ = 62° , and a = 74

By the law of sine =

(74)(sin 62°) = (c)(sin 41°)

c=

c = 99.59

2. α = 30° , a = 8, b = 5

Web link:
https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/trig-sine-law.html

Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPjB_z7PZt0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDPRWJdVzfs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZh19gjZyMI

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Cosine Law

The Cosine Rule is used in the following cases:

1. Given two sides and an included angle (SAS)
2. Given three sides (SSS)

The Cosine Rule states that the square of the length of any side of a triangle equals the sum of the
squares of the length of the other sides minus twice their product multiplied by the cosine of their
included angle. In symbols:

Examples:

1. How long is side c

Solution:

We know angle C = 37°, and sides a = 8 and b = 11

The Law of Cosines says: c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos(C)

Put in the values we know: c2 = 82 + 112 – (2)(8)(11)(cos 37º)
Do some calculations: c2 = 64 + 121 − 176 (0.798)
More calculations: c2 = 44.44...

Take the square root: c=√ = 6.67

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2. What is angle C?

Solution:

The side of length "8" is opposite angle C, so it is side c. The other two sides are a and b.

Now let us put what we know into The Law of Cosines:

Start with: c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos(C)

Put in a, b and c: 82 = 92 + 52 – (2)(9)(5)(cos(C))
Calculate: 64 = 81 + 25 – (90)(cos(C))
64 = 106 – 90 cos C
90cos C = 106 – 64
90cos C = 42
c-1 =

c-1 = 62.2°

3. Find angle C

Solution:

In this triangle we know the three sides:

a = 8,
b = 6 and
c = 7.

Use The Law of Cosines to find angle C :

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cos C =

cos C =

cos C =

cos C =

C = cos -1 ( )

C = 57.91°

Web link:
http://mathbitsprep.com/Geometry/TrigApps/TAUsingLawCosines.html

Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CGY0s-uCUE

References:

https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Geometry/Trigonometry/TGElevDepress.html
https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Geometry/Trigonometry/TGWordPractice.html
https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Geometry/Trigonometry/TGElevDepress.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp6h4GMMXI4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9nmTFSrTZM
https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/trig-sine-law.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPjB_z7PZt0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDPRWJdVzfs
http://mathbitsprep.com/Geometry/TrigApps/TAUsingLawCosines.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CGY0s-uCUE

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