An Introduction to the mathematical

concepts behind Directional Drilling

Triangles and Circles

KOP

EOB
KOP

EOB
Grid
North

EOB

East
Triangles
We have seen triangles in Well Planning
therefore, in Directional Drilling calculations

This module will provide an introduction to the math

calculations we use with Right Angled triangles. You
will see hand calculation methods for many of the
values our survey software calculates at every
survey.
Triangles

180°

Every triangle has 3 angles that add up to

180°
Triangles

Every triangle has 3 angles that add up to

180°
Triangles

180°

Every triangle has 3 angles that add up to

180°
 Right Angled Triangles

A Right Angled Triangle is a triangle with

one angle measuring 90°
 Right Angled Triangles

A Right Angled Triangle is a triangle with

one angle measuring 90°
If one of the angles = 90°, then the
remaining angles must add up to 90°
Triangles

Right Angled Triangles

Two important concepts relating to
Right Angled Triangles are:
Triangles

Right Angled Triangles

Two important concepts relating to Right Angled
Triangles are:

1.The 3,4,5 Triangle or Pythagoras’

Theory
2.“SOH-CAH-TOA”
Triangles

The 3,4,5 Triangle

5
3

4
Triangles
The 3,4,5 triangle, or more commonly known as
Pythagoras’ theory, shows us that in any right angled
triangle:
Triangles
The 3,4,5 triangle, or more commonly known as
Pythagoras’ theory, shows us that in any right angled
triangle:
 The area of the square whose side is the hypotenuse
(the side of a right angled triangle opposite the right
angle) is equal to:
Triangles
The 3,4,5 triangle, or more commonly known as
Pythagoras’ theory, shows us that in any right angled
triangle:
 The area of the square whose side is the hypotenuse
(the side of a right angled triangle opposite the right
angle) is equal to:

 The sum of areas of the squares whose sides are the two
legs (i.e. the two sides other than the hypotenuse).
Triangles
If we let c be the length of the hypotenuse
and a and b be the lengths of the other
two sides, the theorem can be expressed
as the equation:
Triangles
If we let c be the length of the hypotenuse
and a and b be the lengths of the other
two sides, the theorem can be expressed
as the equation:

a² + b² = c² or, solved for c: √[a² + b²] = c

Triangles
If we assume that the length of a is 4 and
the length of b is 3 we can calculate the
length of c

? 4

3
Triangles
If we assume that the length of a is 4 and
the length of b is 3 we can calculate the
length of c

5 4

√[4² + 3²] = c √[25] = c therefore c = 5

Triangles
This calculation is true for ALL Right Angled
Triangles. As long as we know the lengths of
two of the three sides, we can calculate the
third side.

√[a² + b²] = c; √[c²- b²] = a; √[c²- a²] = b

Triangles

“SOH-CAH-TOA”

5
3
х°

4
Triangles
The relationship between the lengths of the
sides of a triangle and the angles created
within the triangle is the relationship that is
the basis of Trigonometry.

х°
Triangles
Lets look at one angle within the triangle
and determine which of the sides
determine the size of the angle.

х°
Triangles
opposite

х°

Does the side opposite the angle

help determine the size of the angle?
Triangles
opposite

х°

Does the side opposite the angle

help determine the size of the angle?
- YES
Triangles
nu se
pote
hy

х°

Does the side opposite the angle help determine

the size of the angle? - YES

Does the side opposite the right

angle (hypotenuse) help determine
the size of the angle?
Triangles
nu se
pote
hy

х°

Does the side opposite the angle help determine

the size of the angle? - YES

Does the side opposite the right

angle (hypotenuse) help determine
the size of the angle? - YES
Triangles

х°
adjacent

Does the side opposite the angle help determine

the size of the angle? - YES
Does the side opposite the right angle (hypotenuse)
help determine the size of the angle? - YES

Does the side adjacent to the angle

help determine the size of the angle?
Triangles

х°
adjacent

Does the side opposite the angle help determine

the size of the angle? - YES
Does the side opposite the right angle (hypotenuse)
help determine the size of the angle? - YES

Does the side adjacent to the angle

help determine the size of the angle? -
YES
Triangles

х°

We only need one side length and one

angle to determine the lengths of the other
two sides. The two lengths that we want to
calculate will determine the Trigonometric
function we use.
Triangles
S Sin
O Opposite
H Hypotenus
C e Cos
х° A Adjacent
H Hypotenus
T e Tan
O Opposite
A Adjacent
Triangles
us e
o t e n
Hyp Opposite

х° S Sin
Adjacent O Opposite
H Hypotenus
e
The sin function uses the lengths of the
side opposite and the hypotenuse.
Triangles
us e
o t e n
Hyp Opposite

х° S Sin
Adjacent O Opposite
H Hypotenus
e
The sin function uses the lengths of the
side opposite and the hypotenuse.
The sin of the angle х is equal Opposite
to
Hypotenus
e
Triangles
us e
o t e n
Hyp Opposite

х° C Cos
Adjacent A Adjacent
H Hypotenus
e
The cos function uses the lengths of the
side adjacent and the hypotenuse.
Triangles
us e
o t e n
Hyp Opposite

х° C Cos
Adjacent A Adjacent
H Hypotenus
e
The cos function uses the lengths of the
side adjacent and the hypotenuse.
The cos of the angle х is equal Adjacent
Hypotenus
to
e
Triangles
us e
o t e n
Hyp Opposite

х° T Tan
Adjacent O Opposite
A Adjacent

The tan function uses the lengths of the

side opposite and the adjacent.
Triangles
us e
o t e n
Hyp Opposite

х° T Tan
Adjacent O Opposite
A Adjacent

The tan function uses the lengths of the

side opposite and the adjacent.
Opposite
The tan of the angle х is equal to
Adjacent
Triangles
To determine the lengths of the other two
sides, we need to know an angle and a
length of one of the sides of the triangle, so
lets assume the hypotenuse is 5 and the
angle is 37°.

e 5
o te nu s
Hyp Opposite

37°
Adjacent
Triangles
To determine the lengths of the other two sides, we need to know an angle and a length of one of
the sides of the triangle, so lets assume the hypotenuse is 5 and the angle is 37°.

We know the length of the hypotenuse, so which

functions can we use to calculate the other two
sides?

e 5
o te nu s
Hyp Opposite

37°
Adjacent
Triangles
To determine the lengths of the other two sides, we need to know an angle and a length of one of
the sides of the triangle, so lets assume the hypotenuse is 5 and the angle is 37°.

We know the length of the hypotenuse, so which

functions can we use to calculate the other two
sides? The sin function – to calculate the opposite length
The cos function – to calculate the adjacent length

e 5
o te nu s
Hyp Opposite

37°
Adjacent
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite

37°
Adjacent

Opposite
The sin of 37° is equal to
Hypotenuse

Opp
So, the sin [37] is equal to
5
We cannot divide Opp by 5, so if we multiply both sides by
5
5 x sin [37] = Opp; therefore Opp = 5 x 0.601815023 ≈
3
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°
Adjacent

Once we know the length of one of the other sides,

we have a choice as to how we calculate the third
side. We can either continue to use our
Trigonometry or we can use our 3,4,5 triangle
(Pythagoras).
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°
Adjacent

Once we know the length of one of the other sides, we have a

choice as to how we calculate the third side. We can either
continue to use our Trigonometry or we can use our 3,4,5 triangle
(Pythagoras).

If we use Pythagoras, we know the hypotenuse and

one other side, therefore :
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°
Adjacent 4

Once we know the length of one of the other sides, we have a

choice as to how we calculate the third side. We can either
continue to use our Trigonometry or we can use our 3,4,5 triangle
(Pythagoras).
If we use Pythagoras, we know the hypotenuse and
one other side, therefore :
The adjacent side = √[Hyp² - Opp²] = √[5² - 3²] = √[25 – 9] =
√[16] = 4
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°
Adjacent 4

Once we know the length of one of the other sides, we have a

choice as to how we calculate the third side. We can either
continue to use our Trigonometry or we can use our 3,4,5 triangle
(Pythagoras).
If we use Pythagoras, we know the hypotenuse and one other side,
therefore :
The adjacent side = √[Hyp² - Opp²] = √[5² - 3²] = √[25 – 9] = √[16] = 4

If we continue to use Trigonometry, we can use

the hypotenuse length and use the cos
function…
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°
Adjacent

Adjacent
The cos of 37° is equal to
Hypotenuse
Adj
So, the cos [37] is equal to
5

We cannot divide Adj by 5, so we have to

multiply both side by 5
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°
Adjacent 4

Adjacent
The cos of 37° is equal to
Hypotenuse
Adj
So, the cos [37] is equal to
5
We cannot divide Adj by 5, so, if we multiply both sides
by 5
5 x cos [37] = Adj; therefore Adj = 5 x
0.79863551 ≈ 4
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°
Adjacent 4

As long as we know either two lengths or one length

and one angle, we can calculate the other lengths of
our Right Angled triangle, by using either;

1. Pythagoras (the 3,4,5

triangle)
2. “SOH-CAH-TOA”
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°
Adjacent 4

As long as we know either two lengths or one length and one angle,
we can calculate the other lengths of our Right Angled triangle, by
using either;
1. Pythagoras (the 3,4,5 triangle)
2. “SOH-CAH-TOA”

But “SOH-CAH-TOA” can also help us

calculate the angles within a Right Angled
triangle.
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

x°
Adjacent 4

In the same way that, using sin, cos or tan, we can

calculate a length, we can also back calculate the
angle.
Above the sin, cos and tan buttons on your
calculator, there are the back calculation functions,
i.e. asin or sin¹‫־‬, acos or cos¹‫ ־‬and atan or tan¹‫־‬
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

x°
Adjacent 4

In the same way that, using sin, cos or tan, we can calculate a length, we can
also back calculate the angle.
Above the sin, cos and tan buttons on your calculator, there are the back
calculation functions, i.e. asin or sin¹‫־‬, acos or cos¹‫ ־‬and atan or tan¹‫־‬

When we know two lengths and want to find

out an angle, we can use these functions and
the same relationships in “SOH-CAH-TOA” to
calculate the angles.
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

x°

To calculate the value of the angle х, we use the

same relationships so, lets assume that we know the
lengths shown above. Which function has a
relationship with the Opposite length and the
Hypotenuse…….
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

x°
To calculate the value of the angle х, we use the same relationships so, lets
assume that we know the lengths shown above. Which function has a
relationship with the Opposite length and the Hypotenuse…….

The sin function

The sin of the angle х is Opposite
equal to Hypotenuse
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

x°

Opposit 3
The sin of the angle х is equal to
e =
0.6 Hypotenus 5
e
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s
H y p Opposite 3

37°

Opposite 3
The sin of the angle х is equal to = 0.6
Hypotenuse 5

If the sin of the angle X = 0.6, the asin/sin¹‫ ־‬of

0.6 = X
Therefore X = asin/sin37° ≈ ]0.6[ ¹‫־‬
Triangles
e 5
p ot e nu s y°
H y Opposite 3

37°

Once we know one angle, we have two ways to

calculate the last remaining angle.

1. Continue to use “SOH-CAH-TOA”, this time using

the cos function, as the two lengths are the
hypotenuse and the adjacent side or…..
Triangles
e 5
o te nu s 53° Opposite 3
H y p

37°

Once we know one angle, we have two ways to calculate the last remaining angle.

1. Continue to use “SOH-CAH-TOA”, this time using the cos function, as the two lengths are
the hypotenuse and the adjacent side or…..

2.Even simpler, we know that all angles in a

triangle add up to 180°, therefore the
remaining angle y = 180 - 90 - 37 = 53°
Circles
Circles

The final calculation we need to understand is

how to calculate the circumference of a circle.
Once we know the total circumference, we can
calculate the measured length of a build
section
Circles

The final calculation we need to understand is how to calculate the circumference of a circle.
Once we know the total circumference, we can calculate the measured length of a build section

The final button we need to understand on our

scientific calculators is the one with the symbol  on
it, also known as ‘Pi’. This value, approx 3.14, can be
used to help us calculate the circumference of a
circle.
Circles

Diameter
Radius

To calculate the circumference, or ‘O.D.’, of a

circle, we need to know one of two things:
 We need to know the Diameter
 We need to know the Radius
Circles

Diameter
To calculate the circumference, or ‘O.D.’, of a circle, we need to know one of two things:
 We need to know the Diameter
 We need to know the Radius

The Diameter is the distance, through the

centre of the circle, from one side to
another.
Circles
Radius

To calculate the circumference, or ‘O.D.’, of a circle, we need to know one of two things:
 We need to know the Diameter
 We need to know the Radius

The radius is simply the distance from the

centre of the circle to the side of the circle,
or half of the diameter. Once we have one
of these values, we can use it in the
formula:
Circles

Diameter
Radius

Circumference =  x Diameter
Or
Circumference = 2 x  x Radius
Circles
In this example, we know our radius, which is 573 ft
and we want to calculate the length of the curve AC.
To do this we have to calculate, first, the total
circumference AA.
573 ft
Circles
In this example, we know our radius, which is 573 ft
and we want to calculate the length of the curve AC.
To do this we have to calculate, first, the total
circumference AA.
573
ft
Circles
In this example, we know our radius, which is 573 ft
and we want to calculate the length of the curve AC.
To do this we have to calculate, first, the total
circumference AA.
573
ft

Circumference = [2 x  x Radius] = [2 x  x 573] ≈

3600 ft.
Circles
The total circumference AA is 3600 ft.
573
ft
Circles
To calculate the length of
The total circumference AA is 3600 ft.
AC, we need to calculate the ratio of AC versus AA.

573 ft
Circles
To calculate the length of
The total circumference AA is 3600 ft.
AC, we need to calculate the ratio of AC versus AA.

573 ft

Ratio = 72 / 360 =
0.2
Circles
To calculate the length of
The total circumference AA is 3600 ft.
AC, we need to calculate the ratio of AC versus AA.

573 ft

Ratio = 72 / 360 =
0.2

if we multiply 3600 by 0.2, we get the length AC =

720ft.
Triangles and Circles
The math principles discussed in this module
are used throughout Well Planning and
Directional Drilling on a daily basis.
While it is true we have PC’s and Software
Applications to do these calculations for us, it
is important, as Directional Drillers, to
understand the basis of these calculations and
to be able to do these calculations.