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Trigonometry
• Trigonometry can also be used for calculations involving right-angled triangles.
• However, unlike calculations using the Theorem of Pythagoras, an angle must be
involved.

Before you begin a calculation involving trigonometry, label the sides of the triangle:

Hypotenuse (H): always

the longest side, and
Opposite (0):
opposite the
given angle (8). ~ :ppru;;o ili:,:::~:~•~•G=k
letter, often used
for an les.
Adjacent (A): next to
the given angle (9).

Label the following triangles with H, 0 and A.

3 4

5 6

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SOH CAH TOA

You will need to know about three trigonometrical functions: sin 6 (sine)
cos O(cosine)
tan O(tangent).
These are the rules in trigonometry:

sin 6 = O cos O= ~ tan 6 = O

H H A

These are usually remembered as the 'word' SOH CAH TOA.

Organising SOH CAH TOA into triangles can help you work out how to use it:

~A~A~A
~ ~ ~
Finding short sides using sine and cosine
Example one: Calculate the length marked x.

10cm

41°
X

Step 1: Label the sides that are involved in the

problem with 'A', 'O' and 'H'. H
10cm
Step 2: Decide which relationship involves these sides.
In this case we are concerned only with A and H
41°
so we must use:
cosl!=~ X A
H

Step 3: Substitute the values from the triangle.

cos 41° = 2-..

10
Check that your calculator
x = 1Ocos 410 - - - - 1 is
set to degrees.
= 7.547 cm

Step 4: Think about your answer - does it seem reasonable?

In this case, the hypotenuse is 10 cm and x must be shorter, so an answer
of 7.547 cm is reasonable.

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Example two: Calculate the length marked x.

17 cm

41°

Step 1: Label the sides that are involved in the

problem with 'A', 'O' and 'H'. H
0 17 cm
X
Step 2: Decide which relationship involves these sides.
In this case we are concerned only with O and H
41°
so we must use:
• "
Sin"=
0H

Step 3: Substitute the values from the triangle.

sin 41° = ,X7

x= 17sin41°
=11.15cm

Step 4: Think about your answer - does it seem reasonable?

In this case, the hypotenuse is 17 cm and x must be shorter, so an answer
of 11.15 cm is reasonable.

Calculate the length of the unknown side of each triangle.

14 cm

32°

14cm

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