Sides of Right Triangles in Trigonometry
The sides of right triangles are named in relationship to the interior angles of the triangle.
The names of the sides are called, hypotenuse, opposite, and adjacent.
The hypotenuse side of a right triangle is always across from the 90 degree angle (the little box). It
is always the longest side of the triangle.
90° angle
Hypotenuse
side
The opposite and adjacent sides of a right triangle are the legs of the triangle and they form the 90
degree angle.
Legs
The opposite side is always across from the angle you are referring to. The adjacent side is right next
to the angle you are referring to. Remember, the hypotenuse side is always across from the 90 degree
angle.
10
Angle you
Opposite
side
Hypotenuse
side
Adjacent
Hypotenuse
side
refering to
side
Adjacent
side
Opposite
side
The opposite and adjacent sides will depend on which angle you are referring to, but the
hypotenuse side is always across from the 90 degree angle.
Let's say for example, you have a right triangle with interior angles measuring 30, 60, and
90 degrees.
Hypotenuse
side
60°
30°
90° angle
The first thing you want to do is label the hypotenuse side of the triangle. Remember, it's directly
across from the 90 degree angle. You'll always know which angle measures 90°, because it is always
indicated by the "little box". The side across from this angle will always be the hypotenuse side.
When you label the opposite and adjacent sides, it will depend on which angle you refer to. For
example, if you are referring to the 30 degree angle, the opposite side is across from this
angle, and the adjacent side is next to this angle.
60°
Hypotenuse
side
"across"
Opposite
side
The side adiacent to the 30 angle is
The Sic
t to the ang
posite of the 30%
angle is across from the
angle.
The hypot se side
30°
vs across from the 90 angle
"next to" Adjacent
side
If you are referring to the 60 degree angle, then the side across from this angle is the opposite
side, and the side next to this angle is the adjacent side.
Hypotenuse
60°
side "acróss"
30°
Opposit
e side
F
"next to"
Adjacent
side
The side adjacent to the 60 angle
is next to the angle,
The side o
angle is
angle
osite of the 60
ess from the
The hypotenuse side is
always across from the 90.
You will need to know how to label the sides of a right triangle when it comes time to using the
trigonometry equations. You will use these equations to solve for the missing sides of a right triangle.
Solving for the Missing Sides of a Right Triangle.
Let's say you have a right triangle with interior angles measuring 30, 60, and 90 degrees. You are given
the length of one side of the triangle. How do you find the lengths of the missing sides x and y?
Steps in problem
solving.....
160
y
7 in.
30
1) The first step is to recall SO/H, CA/H, TO/A. You should have this written down on the
front of your test.
О
a) Sin 0==
H
A
b) Cos 0=
H
O
c) Tan
A
2) Decide which angle you are going to refer to, then label the sides according to that angle.
a) If you refer to the 30° angle, the opposite side is 7 inches, the adjacent side is x,
and the hypotenuse side is y.
Hypotenuse =}
Opposite = 7 in.
30
Adjacent = x
b) If you refer to the 60° angle, the opposite side is x, the adjacent side is 7 inches,
and the hypotenuse side is
y.
60
Adjacent = 7
in.
Hypotenuse = }
Opposite = x
3) Write down the three equations referring to the angle you have chosen.
a) If you choose the 30° angle, then the equations will
be...
Sin 30
7
y
X
Cos 30
y
7
Tan 30
X
b) If you choose the 60° angle, then the equations will be
X
c) Sin 60
y
Cos 60
7
y
I
Tan 60
7
You will only use two of the three equations. You cannot solve an equation with two
variables. By writing down all three, you can see which equations you can use to solve the missing
sides.
4) Finally, rewrite the equation as a proportion and solve.
To solve for sides x and y, we'll refer to the 30° angle. From the equations written in 3a, you can
see that we cannot use cos 30°
X
>
because it has two variables. To solve for side x, we'll use
y
I suggest rewriting tan 30° as a ratio
of
tan 30°
and think of these as two ratios
1
7
tan 30°:
2
2
X
that are
proportional.
tan 30°
7
1
X
You can use your skills of solving proportions to isolate x. When solving proportions, you multiply
the two numbers that are diagonally across from each other, then divide by the number that is diagonally
across from x.
1x 7
tan 30°
X
Calculator: 7
Tan
30
x = 12.12
7
sin 30°
To solve for y, use the equation sin 30°
Rewrite sin 30° as a ratio of
and set up
y
1
the problem as a proportion.
sin 30°
7
1
y
1 x 7
y
sin 30°
Calculator: 7
sin 130
y = 14
Note: If you don't have the Sharp calculator, your calculator entries may be different. See me,
if you need help.
Right Triangle Trigonometry Handout
1) Use the right triangle below to answer questions A and B.
150
40
A) Fill in the boxes above labeling the hypotenuse side, and the sides opposite and
adjacent to the 40° angle.
B) Write down the three trigonometry ratios referring to the 40° angle. Use
SO/H,
CA/H, TO/A to recall the equations.
Sin 40°=
opposite
hypotenus
e
Cos 40°==
Tan 40°-
2) Use the right triangle below to answer questions A and B.
150
40
A) Fill in the boxes above labeling the hypotenuse side, and the sides opposite and
adjacent to the 50° angle.
B) Write down the three trigonometry ratios referring to the 50° angle. Use SO/H,
CA/H, TO/A to recall the equations.
Sin 50°=
Cos 50°:
Tan 50°=
-
Find the Missing Sides of a Right Triangle.
Steps for problem solving
1) Recall SOIL CAIL TO A
2). Decide which angle you are going to refer to then label the sides according
to that angle.
Write down the three equations releming to the angle you have chosen
Use SOIL CAH, TOA to help recall the equations.
4) Solve as if you are solving a proportion
Solve the following problems. Write your answer in the box provided. Round your answer to
the nearest tenth place.
3) Use the figure below to answer questions A and B.
ν
50°
15 in.
X
40
A) Find the length of side
x.
B) Find the length of side y.
4) Use the figure below to answer questions A and B.
6 ft.
70
N
A) Find the length of side x.
20°
B) Find the length of side z.
5) Use the figure below to answer questions A and B.
y
60
N
30°
15.59
A) Find the length of side
y.
B) Find the length of side z.
Answers to problems 3, 4, and 5.
3a) 11.5
3b) 9.64
4a) 16.5
4b) 17.5
5a) 9
5b) 18
