MATHEMATICS

COMMON TASK-INVESTIGATION
TERM 1 2019
MARKING GUIDELINE

S.B.A
TASK

GRADE 10

1
Discovering Trigonometric ratios: MEMO
Question 1
1.1 Solve for 𝑥 in the triangle below given that AB = 4cm, BC = 3cm and AC = 𝑥
A

4 cm x

B C
3 cm
𝑥 = 5 √ ___________________________________________________________________________________

Pythagoras√

(2)
1.2 In the diagram below, given that XY = 3cm, 𝑋𝑍̂𝑌 = 300 and YZ = 𝑥, is it possible to
solve for 𝑥 using the theorem of Pythagoras? Motivate your answer.
X

3 cm

30 0
Y x Z

Not possible, √_ because, in addition to the given 3 cm, we also need to be given the

length of the hypotenuse. √______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

(2)
[4]

2
 Question 2: Answers will vary, the values here only serve as a guideline
In each of the similar triangles labelled 1 to 5 on your diagram sheet, the OPP (opposite),
ADJ (adjacent) and HYP (hypotenuse) sides are denoted by the letters o, a and h
respectively:
2.1 Measure the length of each side, and record your measurements in the columns
assigned for that, to the nearest mm, in the table below. (5)
2.2 Measure each of the marked angles and record your measurement in the column
assigned for that, to the nearest degree, in the table below. (5)
2.3 When you are done with your measurements, use them to complete the remaining
columns on ratios, as indicated. (18)

Lengths in mm
Ratios

𝐎𝐏𝐏 𝐀𝐃𝐉 𝐎𝐏𝐏

Triangle Angle
OPP ADJ HYP 𝐇𝐘𝐏 𝐇𝐘𝐏 𝐀𝐃𝐉
(0) (a) (h) Fraction Decimal Fraction Decimal Fraction Decimal
(2dp) (2dp) (2dp)
𝟏𝟖 𝟑𝟐 𝟗
√ √ √
1 𝟑𝟎𝟎 √ 90 160 185√ 𝟑𝟕 0,49√ 𝟑𝟕 0,86√ 𝟏𝟔 0,56√
𝟒 𝟖 𝟏𝟏
2 𝟑𝟎𝟎 √ 22 40 45√ 𝟗 0,49 𝟗 0,89 𝟐𝟎 0,55
𝟑
𝟏𝟓 𝟐𝟓 √
𝟎
√ √ 𝟓
3 𝟑𝟎 √ 60 100 116√ 𝟐𝟗 0,52√ 𝟐𝟗 0,86√ 0,60√
𝟑𝟓 𝟓𝟗 𝟑𝟓
4 𝟑𝟎𝟎 √ 70 118 136√ 𝟔𝟖 0,51 𝟔𝟖 0,87 𝟓𝟗 0,59
𝟏𝟎 𝟑𝟑 𝟐𝟎
√ √ √
5 𝟎
𝟑𝟎 √ 40 66 76√ 𝟏𝟗 0,52√ 𝟑𝟖 0,87√ 𝟑𝟑 0,61√

2.4 Write down the mean values of your ratios below:

(Use the decimal columns to work them out): (6)

𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞

𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞
= 0,51 √√ = 0,87 √√ = 0,58 √√
𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭

2.5 Complete the statement below by writing down your observation on the values of your
respective ratios for each of the triangles 1 to 5:
2.5.1 Even though the triangles are all different sizes, the decimal values for each ratio are
almost equal.” √√ (2)

3
 2.5.2 Although the sides of the triangles are different measurements

2.5.2.1 all triangles are right√ angled triangles. (1)

2.5.2.2 the angle opposite the OPP side is the same/300 √ (1)

2.5.2.3 the corresponding sides of all these triangles are in proportion. √ (1)

[39]
Question 3
These ratios (from 2.4. above) are given special names.

𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞

𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞
= sine = cosine = tangent
𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭

All 3 of the above ratios are written as sin 𝜃 or cos 𝜃 or tan 𝜃.

Where 𝜃 is the angle of reference.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
For example, sin 300 , so sin 300 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒

3.1 Now use your calculator to evaluate the following values to 2 decimal
places:
sin 300 cos 300 tan 300

0,50 √√ 0,87 √√ 0,58 √√

(6)

3.2 Compare your values in question 3.1 with the mean values you calculated in
question 2.4 and draw a conclusion from your observation. Write down your conclusion
below. (3)

𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝑜𝑝𝑝

Any conclusion which makes sense, that the ratios: , ℎ𝑦𝑝, 𝑎𝑑𝑗 ≈
ℎ𝑦𝑝

sin 300, cos 300 and tan 300 respectively. √ √ √

4
3.3 What would happen if the angle measured in table 2.3 was 420? Explain your answer
by calculating any one of the three trigonometric ratios discussed above.

sin 420 = 0,67______________________________________________________________________________

cos 420 = 0,74 _______________√ √ _________________________________________________________

tan 420 = 0,9________________________________________________________________________________

The ratios would increase._____(Any reasonable answer)_ √ √ ___________________

(4)

3.4 Using the knowledge, you have discovered in this investigation, solve for 𝑥 in
question 1.2.
3
tan 300 = √√
𝑥
3
𝑥 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛300 √

= 3√3 𝑐𝑚 √
(4)

3.5 In ∆PQR below, QR =5, 5 cm and Q𝑅̂P = 600, calculate the length of PR
5,5
cos 600 = √
𝑃𝑅

5,5
𝑃𝑅 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠600 √

= 11 𝑐𝑚 √ (3)

[20]

GRAND TOTAL: 60