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Solving Right Triangles using Trigonometry
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Labeling a Right Triangle In trigonometry, we give each side a name according to its position in relation to any given angle in the triangle: Hypotenuse, Opposite, Adjacent Hypotenuse Adjacent Opposite The _________ is always the longest side of the triangle. The _________ side is the leg directly across from the angle. The _________ side is the leg alongside the angle. hypotenuse opposite adjacent
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Trigonometric Ratios We define the 3 trigonometric ratios in terms of fractions of sides of right angled triangles. Hypotenuse (HYP) Adjacent (ADJ) Opposite (OPP)
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SohCahToa S ine equals O pposite over H ypotenuse C osine equals A djacent over H ypotenuse T angent equals O pposite over A djacent
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Practice Together: Given each triangle, write the ratio that could be used to find x by connecting the angle and sides given. 65 a x 32 b x
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YOU DO: Given the triangle, write all the ratios that could be used to find x by connecting the angle and sides given. 56 d x c
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In a right triangle, if we are given another angle and a side we can find: The third angle of the right triangle: How? The other sides of the right triangle: How? Using the ‘angle sum of a triangle is 180 ’ Using the trigonometric ratios
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Steps to finding the missing sides of a right triangle using trigonometric ratios: 1. Redraw the figure and mark on it HYP, OPP, ADJ relative to the given angle 61 9.6 cm x HYP OPP ADJ
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Steps to finding the missing sides of a right triangle using trigonometric ratios: 2. For the given angle choose the correct trigonometric ratio which can be used to set up an equation 3. Set up the equation 61 9.6 cm x HYP OPP ADJ
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Steps to finding the missing sides of a right triangle using trigonometric ratios: 4. Solve the equation by cross multiplying. 61 9.6 cm x HYP OPP ADJ *Remember you answer had to be less than 9.6cm
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Practice Together: Find, to 2 decimal places, the unknown length in the triangle. 41 x m 7.8 m 1. Since the given sides are opposite and adjacent, use tangent. 2. Cross multiply to solve for x.
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YOU DO: Find, to 1 decimal place, all the unknown angles and sides in the triangle. a m 14.6 m 63 b m 1. First the angles sum to 180° so Θ = 27 2. Use tangent to find b. 3. Use sine to find a.
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Steps to finding the missing angle of a right triangle using trigonometric ratios: 1. Redraw the figure and mark on it HYP, OPP, ADJ relative to the unknown angle 5.92 km HYP OPP ADJ 2.67 km
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Steps to finding the missing angle of a right triangle using trigonometric ratios: 2. For the unknown angle choose the correct trig ratio which can be used to set up an equation 3. Set up the equation 5.92 km HYP OPP ADJ 2.67 km
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Steps to finding the missing angle of a right triangle using trigonometric ratios: 4. Solve the equation to find the unknown using the inverse of trigonometric ratio. 5.92 km HYP OPP ADJ 2.67 km
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Practice Together: Find, to one decimal place, the unknown angle in the triangle. 3.1 km 2.1 km opposite adjacent *on a graphing calc hit 2 nd tan, then 2.1 divided by 3.1 *some other calculators require you to hit 2.1 divided by 3.1 then shift tan.
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YOU DO: Find, to 1 decimal place, the unknown angle in the given triangle. 7 m 4 m
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YOU DO: Other Figures (Rhombus) A rhombus has diagonals of length 10 cm and 6 cm respectively. Find the smaller angle of the rhombus. 10 cm 6 cm 1. I know that a rhombus has diagonals that bisect each other and are perpendicular 2. I then have a right triangle with opposite side 3 and adjacent side 5 3. This means I will use inverse tangent to solve for the angle.
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Summary If you are solving for a missing side, you set up your trig ratio and cross multiply If x is in the numerator, then you multiply If x is in the denominator, then you divide If you are solving for a missing angle, you set up your trig ratio and use the inverse trig key If x is inside the triangle, use the inverse key
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