ENGINEERING TRIGONOMETRY

Lesson 2: Solutions of Right Triangle

Trigonometric Functions of a Right Triangle

The triangle of the most interest is the right-angled triangle. The right angle is shown by the
little box in the corner:

Another angle is often labeled θ, and the three sides are then called:
• Adjacent – adjacent (next to) the angle θ
• Opposite – opposite the angle θ
• Hypotenuse – the longest side

Examples in how to label a right triangle.

As you can see, the position of sides of a triangle will depend on the given angle θ.
Additional Facts and Definitions:
 1. Right Angle: angle measuring 90˚ or π/2 radians. (example angle C above)
2. Straight Angle: angle measuring 180˚ or π radians.
3. Acute Angle: angle measuring between 0 and 90˚. (example angles A and B above)
4. Obtuse Angle: angle measuring between 90˚ and 180˚.
5. Complementary Angles: Two angles whose sum is 90˚. Note that A and B are
complementary angles since C is 90˚ and all triangles have a sum of 180˚ between the three
angles.
6. Supplementary Angles: two angle whose sum is 180˚.
7. Right Triangle: a triangle with a right angle (90˚)
8. Isosceles Triangle: a triangle with exactly two sides of equal length.
9. Equilateral Triangle: a triangle with all three sides of equal length.
10. Hypotenuse: side opposite the right angle, side c in the diagram above

The Pythagorean Theorem

The Pythagorean Theorem, also known as Pythagoras’ Theorem, is a fundamental relation in
Euclidean geometry. It defines the relationship among the three sides of a right triangle. It states
that the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the
squares of the other two sides. The theorem can be written as an equation relating the lengths of
the sides a, b and c, often called the “Pythagorean equation”.
a2 + b2 = c2
In this equation, c represents the length of the hypotenuse and a and b the lengths of the triangle’s
other two sides.
Although it is often said that the knowledge of the theorem predates him, the theorem is named
after the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras (c. 570 – c. 495 BC). He is credited with its first
recorded proof.

Finding a Missing Side Length

Example 1: A right triangle has a side length of 10 feet, and a hypotenuse length of 20 feet. Find the
other side length. (round to the nearest tenth of a foot)

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 Substitute a=10 and c=20 into the Pythagorean Theorem and solve for b.

Example 2: A right triangle has side lengths 3 cm and 4 cm. Find the length of the hypotenuse.

Substitute a=3 and b=4 into the Pythagorean Theorem and solve for c.

How Trigonometric Functions Work

Trigonometric functions can be used to solve for missing side lengths in right triangles.

We can define the trigonometric functions in terms of an angle t or θ and the lengths of the side of
the tringle. The adjacent side is the side closest to the angle. The opposite side is the side across
from the angle. The hypotenuse is the side of the triangle opposite the right angle, and it is the
longest.

When solving for a missing side of a right triangle, but the only given information is an acute angle
measurement and a side length, use the trigonometric functions listed below:

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 The trigonometric functions are equal to ratios that relate certain side lengths of a right triangle.
When solving for a missing side, the first step is to identify what sides and what angle are given, and
then select the appropriate function to use to solve the problem.

Evaluating a Trigonometric Function of a Right Triangle

Sometimes you know the length of one side of a triangle and an angle, and need to find
measurements. Use one of the trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan or SOH-CAH-TOA), identify the
sides and angle given, set up the equation and use the calculator and algebra to find the missing side
length.

Example 1: Given a right triangle with acute angle of 34˚. The ratio of the sides would be the
opposite side and the hypotenuse is 25. The ratio that relates those two sides is the sine function.

The side opposite the acute angle is 14 feet.

(you may use θ instead of t)

Example 2: Given a right triangle with an acute angle of 83˚ and an adjacent length of 300 feet,
find the hypotenuse length (round to the nearest tenth):

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 Looking at the figure, solve for the hypotenuse to the acute angle of 83˚. The ratio of the sides would
be the adjacent side and the hypotenuse. The ratio that relates these two sides is the cosine
function.

Example 3: Given a right triangle with an acute angle of 62˚ and an adjacent side of 45 feet, solve for
the opposite side length. (round to the nearest tenth)

First, determine which trigonometric function to use when given an adjacent side, and you need to
solve for the opposite side. Always determine which side is given and which side is unknown from
the acute angle (62˚). Remembering the SOH-CAH-TOA, the sides given are opposite and adjacent or
“o” and “a”, which would use “T”, meaning the tangent trigonometric function.

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 Example 4: A ladder with a length of 30 feet is leaning against a building. The angle the ladder makes
with the ground is 32˚. How high up the building does the ladder reach? (round to the nearest tenth)

Determine which trigonometric function to use when given the hypotenuse, and you need to solve
for the opposite side. Remembering the SOH-CAH-TOA, the sides given are the hypotenuse and
opposite or “h” and “o”, which would use “S” or the sine trigonometric function.

Finding Angles from Ratios: Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Using the trigonometric functions to solve for missing side when given an acute angle is as simple as
identifying the sides in relation to the acute angle, choosing the correct function, setting up the
equation and solving. Finding the missing acute angle when given two sides of a right triangle is just
as simple.

Inverse Trigonometric Functions

In order to solve for the missing acute angle, use the same three trigonometric functions, but, use
the inverse key (-1 on the calculator) to solve for the angle (A) when given two sides.

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 Example: For a right triangle with hypotenuse length 25 feet and acute angle A˚ with opposite side
length 12 feet, find the acute angle to the nearest degree:

From angle A, the sides opposite and hypotenuse are given, Therefore, use the sine trigonometric
function. (SOH from SOH-CAH-TOA). Write the equation and solve using inverse key for sine.

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 Word Problems Involving Angle of Elevation and Depression

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