Finding an Angle
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Using Trigonometric Ratios to Find Angles
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
To find an angle in a right-angled triangle, we can use inverse trigonometric functions like sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹, and tan⁻¹. Can anyone tell me what sides we need to know to use these inverse functions?
We need to know the lengths of at least two sides!
Exactly! If we know the lengths of the opposite side and the hypotenuse, we can use sin⁻¹. And what about if we know the adjacent side and the hypotenuse?
We would use cos⁻¹!
Right! Now, if we only have the opposite side and the adjacent side, which function should we use?
We would use tan⁻¹!
Great job! To remember these, think 'O/H for sin, A/H for cos, O/A for tan.' Let's summarize—knowing which sides correspond to each function helps us find angles effectively.
Example Problem: Finding an Angle
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Let's solve an example. Suppose we have a right triangle where the opposite side measures 5 cm and the adjacent side measures 12 cm. What angle can we find?
To find the angle, we can use tan⁻¹(opposite/adjacent), so tan⁻¹(5/12).
Correct! Now, what is the value of tan⁻¹(5/12)?
The angle is approximately 22 degrees!
Excellent! Remember, practice with more examples is key to mastering this technique.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, students learn to calculate unknown angles in right-angled triangles using trigonometric ratios, focusing on the sine, cosine, and tangent functions, along with their inverse functions. This understanding is crucial for solving practical mathematical problems in various fields.
Detailed
Finding an Angle
In this section, we delve into the concept of finding angles within right-angled triangles. This is achieved primarily through the application of trigonometric ratios defined by sine, cosine, and tangent, as well as their respective inverse functions. To find an angle, one typically requires the lengths of two sides of the triangle, allowing the use of inverse sine (sin⁻¹), cosine (cos⁻¹), or tangent (tan⁻¹) functions to derive the angle of interest.
We emphasize the importance of understanding these inverse functions, as they are instrumental in a wide array of applications, including physics, engineering, and architectural design. Besides recalling the definitions of these functions, students must also become adept at applying them correctly in various contexts. Key steps in the process include identifying known side lengths and determining which trigonometric ratio to utilize for calculating the desired angle. Overall, this section equips the students with essential tools for solving real-world problems related to right-angled triangles.
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Finding an Angle Using Trigonometric Ratios
Chapter 1 of 1
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
If two sides are known, the angle 𝜃 can be found by using the inverse trigonometric functions:
𝜃 = sin−1( Opposite / Hypotenuse )
𝜃 = cos−1( Adjacent / Hypotenuse )
𝜃 = tan−1( Opposite / Adjacent )
Detailed Explanation
In order to find an angle in a right-angled triangle when the lengths of two sides are known, we can use the inverse functions of the trigonometric ratios.
- Sine Function: To find angle 𝜃 using the opposite side and the hypotenuse, we use the formula 𝜃 = sin⁻¹(opposite/hypotenuse).
- Cosine Function: If we know the adjacent side and the hypotenuse, we utilize the formula 𝜃 = cos⁻¹(adjacent/hypotenuse).
- Tangent Function: With the opposite and adjacent sides, we can find the angle using 𝜃 = tan⁻¹(opposite/adjacent).
These functions effectively allow us to calculate the size of angle 𝜃 based on side lengths.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you're standing on the ground looking up at the top of a tall building. If you measure how far away from the building you are (the adjacent side) and how high the building is (the opposite side), you can use trigonometry to find out the angle at which you need to look up, which is like finding the angle 𝜃 in our triangle.
Key Concepts
-
Trigonometric Ratios: Relationships between sides of right-angled triangles.
-
Inverse Trigonometric Functions: Functions used to find angles based on the sides' ratios.
Examples & Applications
Example 1: If the opposite side is 6 cm and adjacent side is 8 cm, use tan⁻¹(6/8) to find the angle.
Example 2: In a triangle with a hypotenuse of 10 cm and opposite side of 6 cm, find the angle using sin⁻¹(6/10).
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
In triangles we see, the sides hold the key, use sin and cos for angles, and tan makes it free.
Stories
Imagine a triangle as a mountain; climbing straight up is like using sine, while walking along the base is like cosine.
Memory Tools
Some Old Horses Can Always Help! (Sine, Opposite, Hypotenuse; Cosine, Adjacent, Hypotenuse; Tangent, Opposite, Adjacent)
Acronyms
SOH-CAH-TOA
Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse
Cosine = Adjacent/Hypotenuse
Tangent = Opposite/Adjacent.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Trigonometric Ratio
The ratio of the lengths of two sides of a right triangle.
- Inverse Trigonometric Function
Functions that allow you to find an angle when the lengths of two sides are known.
- Sine (sin)
A trigonometric ratio defined as the length of the opposite side divided by the hypotenuse.
- Cosine (cos)
A trigonometric ratio defined as the length of the adjacent side divided by the hypotenuse.
- Tangent (tan)
A trigonometric ratio defined as the length of the opposite side divided by the length of the adjacent side.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.