8-4 Trigonometry

Learning ®: Use trig ratios to find side measure and inverse trig ratios to find angle measures in right triangles.

The study of trigonometry involves triangle ineaserennent, specifically angles and lengths.
The triangle of most interest is the right triangle.

TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS: a ratio of the lengths of two sides of a right triangle.

The three main trigonometric functions are: Name Abbreviation
SIflO Sin

cosine cos
tangent tan

(f The input to sin, cos, and tan functions is always an acute angle of the right triangle.

opposite
sinA = hkypotenu se

cosA= hypotenuse

B = opposite
Lan

SOH CAH T 0 A
sin opp hyp cos adj hyp tan opp at

Ex. 1: Write the trig ratios for angle A and angle B.

sinA= sin B= TZ
13
cos A = cos B
=
A
12 tan A
=
tan B =

Graphing Calculator Be sure your graphing calculator is in DEGREE mode and not radian mode.
Key Press: [ MODE ] Degree [ENTER]
1~1
Ex. 2: Use a calculator to find x to the nearest thousandths.

2a
CA 2b
18 X

25, 'S/i)
H c X
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. Pre-AP Geometry
r38S ALA-
P
)
INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS
If you are given affAkw sides of a right triangle, you can find the measure of the acute angles in the triangle.
To do this we will use a lulator and the OYeJrse of the trigonometric ratios.
The inverse trigonometric functions are: Name Abbreviation
inverse sine
Graphing calculator
Press 2ND, then trig function button. inverse cosine cos'
inverse tangent tan'

Opposite
-
SoTI
- nypoirenuse

oto 'An gle tile

CL ratio is based X° COS-1 C H
= TOeflUSe
off of.

= tan _b 0 PP0s1te Tt)

Ex. 3: Use a calculator to approximate the measures of LA and LB. Round to the nearest thousandths.
3a. sinA = 0.87 3b. cosB = 0.15

A L(3 =
s
CD

I7
Ex. 4: Use a calculator to find the measure of LA to the nearest thousandths.
4b ic

3
+o'() L4
20

SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES

To "solve a right triangle" means to find the unknown angle measures and side lengths.
These problems will give you either two side lengths OR one side length and 000 acute angle measure.-

**To find unknown sides, use: "normal" trig ratios

**To find unknown angles, use: inverse trig ratios

Example 5: Solve the right triangle. Round side measures and angle measures to the nearest thousandths.
5a. 5b.

zt O'3B1
(oe. 14 L
io yv\ LC 2 U3 S
M 'i L 13 B
A LC
C iyt S
I
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ML
iaT ig
=
riangtes and Trigonometry Pre-AP Geometry

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