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The Basics
The hypotenuse is the longest side
The side opposite the labelled angle is called θ
the opposite side hypotenuse
adjacent
The side next to the labelled angle which is
not the hypotenuse is the adjacent side
adjacent opposite
cosine θ = tangent θ =
hypotenuse adjacent
The Sine
We can use the sine formula from above to find:
an angle when given the opposite and hypotenuse sides to the angle
a side when given the opposite angle and the hypotenuse
Worked Example
In the diagrams below, find the value of x
a) b) 35o
12cm
10cm
7cm
x
x
opposite 7
a sine θ = = = 0.7
hypotenuse 10
Use the inverse function to find x
sin-1(0.7) = 44o
b
opposite x
sine θ =
x = sin35 xhypotenuse
o
12 =
12
= 6.9cm
The Cosine
We can use the cosine formula to find:
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Trigonometry Study Guide Maths 101
an angle when given the adjacent and hypotenuse sides to the angle
a side when given the adjacent angle and the hypotenuse
Worked Example
In the diagrams below, find the value of x
a) b)
47o
9cm
12cm x
7cm
adjacent 12 .
a cosine θ = = = 0.416
hypotenuse 10
Use the inverse function to find x
.
cos-1(0.416) = 65.4o
b adjacent x
cosine θ = =
x = sin47o x 9hypotenuse 9
= 6.14cm
The Tangent
We can use the tangent formula to find:
an angle when given the opposite and adjacent sides to the angle
a side when given the adjacent angle and side
Worked Example
In the diagram below, find the value of x
opposite x
Find the values of angles
tangentand
θ =sides marked with
= letters
= below
0.416
35o adjacent 6
a) b) c)
6cm
x = tan35o x 9
= 8.6cm
d) e)
45o 50o
6cm 15cm 12cm
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x a b
5cm 8cm y 60o 7.2cm
11.8cm
Trigonometry Study Guide Maths 101
Worked Example
The diagram to the right shows triangle BCD.
BC and BD are the same length.
a) Find the length, x, of the triangle
b) Calculate the area of the triangle
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Trigonometry Study Guide Maths 101
Worked Example
In the following triangles, calculate the value of x
a) A b) A
47o 40o x
B C B C
x
a Use the sine rule with the sides on top when trying to find a side
x 25 25(sin 84o)
= therefore x = = 34.0cm (to 3 s.f.)
sin 84o sin 47o sin 47o
b Use the sine rule with the sines on top when trying to find an angle
sin x sin 40o
= therefore x = sin-1 (0.7499) = 48.6o (to 3 s.f.)
7 6
Calculate the lengths of the sides and size of the angle marked with letters
a) b) A
A
x y 43o
5cm
57o 25o 60o
B C B C
9mm
c) A d)
A
132o
6m 8cm
r
B 47o m 18o
B C
The Cosine Rule C 15m
The second of the two rules is the cosine rule, which we can use to:
find the hypotenuse when given two sides and an angle
find any angle when we have all three sides
cosC = a2 +2ab
b2 – c2
Trigonometry Study Guide Maths 101
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac(cosB)
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab(cosC)
c b
y 16cm 12cm
6m
110o y
8m 9cm
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Trigonometry Study Guide Maths 101
15
30o 30o
2 2 2 2 2
3
2 1 1 1
3 1
3
2
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Trigonometry Study Guide Maths 101
1 3 3
sin 30 =
o
cos 30 =
o
tan 30 =
o
2 2 3
We can also use a right-angled isosceles triangle, where the equal sides are of
length 1 and the hypotenuse will be root 2
2 2
sin 45o = cos 45o =
2 2 2 45o
1
tan 45o = 1
45o
1
The Sine Formula
The sine formula can be used to calculate the area of a scalene triangle
Area = ½ ab (sin C)
Worked Example
Find the area of this triangle, to 3 significant figures
B
A = ½ x a x b x sin C
A = 0.5 x 5 x 7 x sin 38o
5cm = 10.8cm2
38o
C A
7cm
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