Trigonometry

Trigonometry links angles and sides in right-angled triangles. In this topic you will learn sin, cos, tan, how to use them to find sides and angles, and how to solve problems including angles of elevation and depression. O-Level only.

  • Sin, cos, tan in right triangles
  • Finding missing sides
  • Finding missing angles
  • Angles of elevation and depression

Lessons for Trigonometry

Sin, Cos, Tan in Right-Angled Triangles

Labelling the triangleFor angle θ:Opposite = side opposite θAdjacent = side next to θ, not hypotenuseHypotenuse = longest sideRatiossin θ …

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Finding Missing Sides

Method1. Label Opp, Adj, Hyp for the given angle.2. Choose sin, cos or tan depending on which two sides you …

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Finding Missing Angles

Method1. Label sides.2. Choose sin, cos or tan.3. Use inverse: sin-1, cos-1, tan-1.Example: Opp = 7 cm, Hyp = 10 …

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Angles of Elevation and Depression

DefinitionsAngle of elevation: Angle measured upwards from the horizontal to a point above.Angle of depression: Angle measured downwards from the …

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Exercises for Trigonometry

Use the ratios

In right-angled triangle ABC, ∠C = 90°. Find the value:sin A if opposite = 3, hypotenuse = 5cos A if …

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Find the missing side

Find x to 3 s.f. Diagrams are right-angled.Angle 40°, adjacent = 15 cm, opposite = xAngle 25°, hypotenuse = 20 …

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Find the missing angle

Find θ to 1 d.p.Opposite = 4 cm, hypotenuse = 9 cmAdjacent = 6 cm, hypotenuse = 8 cmOpposite = …

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Elevation and depression problems

Draw a diagram and solve:From a point 80 m from a building, the angle of elevation to the top is …

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