Exercises: Sine, Cosine and Tangent on a right triangle
- 1
Calculate the missing sides and angles (marked red) of the triangles
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Trigonometry on the unit circle
computing α
sin(α)=24.9cm12.7cm
α=30.7∘
computing β
You can calculate β by subtracting all given angles from the total sum of all angles in a triangle (180∘).
β=180∘−90∘−30.7∘
β=59.3∘
computing b
Then you compute b using the Pythagorean theorem.
(24.9cm)2=(12.7cm)2+b2
∣−(12.7cm)2
b2=(24.9cm)2−(12.7cm)2
b2=458.72cm2
Take the root.
b≈21.4cm
Do you have a question?
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Trigonometry on the unit circle
computing β
sin(β)=645m420m
β=40.6∘
computing γ
You can calculate γ by subtracting all given angles from the total sum of all angles in a triangle (180∘).
γ=180∘−90∘−40.6∘=49.4∘
computing c
Then you compute c using the Pythagorean theorem.
Note in particular that c is not the hypotenuse of the triangle, but a (see picture above), so that the Pythagorean form remains similar, but now a, b and c do not take the familiar roles, where a,b would be the cathetuses and c the hypotenuse.
(645m)2=(420m)2+c2
c2=(645m)2−(420m)2
c2=239625m2
Take the root.
c≈490m
Do you have a question?
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Trigonometry on the unit circle
computing b
Compute b using the Pythagorean theorem.
b2=(30.7cm)2+(15.8cm)2
b2=1192.13cm2∣
b≈34.5cm
computing α
tan(α)=ca
tan(α)=15.8cm30.7cm
α≈62.7∘
computing γ
You may calculate γ by subtracting all given angles from the total sum of all angles in a triangle (180∘).
γ≈180∘−90∘−62.7∘
γ≈27.3∘
Do you have a question?
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Trigonometry on the unit circle
computing β
You may calculate β by subtracting all given angles from the total sum of all angles in a triangle (180∘).
β=180∘−90∘−35∘
β=55∘
computing a
sin(35∘)=12.5cma∣⋅12.5cm
a=sin(35∘)⋅12.5cm
a=7.2cm
computing b
Then you compute b using the Pythagorean theorem.
c2=a2+b2
(12.5cm)2=(7.2cm)2+b2∣−(7.2cm)2
b2=(12.5cm)2−(7.2cm)2
b2≈104.4cm2
Take the root.
b≈10.2cm
computing b (alternative solution with the cosine)
cos(α)=cb
Solve for b
b=cos(α)⋅c≈10.2cm
Do you have a question?
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Trigonometry on the unit circle
computing β
You may calculate β by subtracting all given angles from the total sum of all angles in a triangle (180∘).
β=180∘−90∘−40.3∘
β=49.7∘
computing b
sin(49.7∘)=10.5cmb∣⋅10.5cm
b=sin(49.7∘)⋅10.5cm
b≈8cm
computing c
Then you compute c using the Pythagorean theorem.
(10.5cm)2=c2+(8cm)2
c2=46.25cm2
Take the root.
c≈6.8cm
Do you have a question?
- 2
In a right triangle with a=5 cm and α=75°compute the length of b.
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given: a=5 cmα=75°
Required: b
The opposite cathetus of α is given and the adjacent cathetus of α is sought. Therefore we use the tangent of α.
tan(α) = ba ⋅b :tan(α) ↓ Solve for b
b = tan(α)a ↓ Plug in a=5cm and α=75°
b = tan(75∘)5cm b = 1.34cm Side b has a length of approx. 1.34cm.
- 3
Calculate the missing sides and angles of the isosceles triangle ABC with a=b. Note that we are looking at general isosceles triangles that are not necessarily right-angled.
a=44.2cm
c=63.4cm
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given: a=b= 44.2cm c=63.4cm
Required: h, α,β,γ
Draw a sketch for an overview.
First compute x .
x = 2c x = 263.4cm = 31.7cm Compute h by using the Pythagorean theorem within the triangle △DBC .
h = a2−x2 ↓ Plug in known values.
= (44.2cm)2−(31.7cm)2 ↓ square
= 1953.64cm2−1004.89cm2 ↓ subtract
= 948.75cm2 ↓ take the root
= 30.8cm Compute α usig the sine.
sin(α) = bh ↓ Plug in known values.
= 44.2cm30.8cm ↓ Compute α using a calculator.
α = 44.2° = β ↓ So we have a right triangle with α=β
= Since the base angles in an isosceles triangle are equal, and all interior angles total 180∘, you may calculate γ.
γ = 180°−2⋅44.2° ↓ multiply and subtract
= 91.6° ⇒ h=30.8cm;α=β=44.2∘;γ=91.6∘
Attention: The triangle ABC is not a right triangle because no angle is 90°.
Do you have a question?
a=114.5m
α =32.3°
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given: a=b=114,5m α=β =32.3°
Required: c, h, γ
Draw a sketch for an overview.
Since the base angles in an isosceles triangle are equal, and all interior angles total 180∘, you may calculate γ.
γ = 180°−2⋅32.3° = 115.4° h can be calculated using the sine.
sin(α) = bh ↓ solve for h and plug in values.
h = 114.5m⋅sin(32.3°) ↓ multiply
= 61.2m x is computed using the Pythagorean theorem within the triangle △DBC .
x = a2−h2 ↓ Plug in known values.
= (114.5m)2−(61.2m)2 ↓ square
= 13110.25m2−3745.44m2 ↓ subtract
= 9364.81m2 ↓ take the root
x = 96.8cm c can be obtained by doubling the length of x and then cutting the height h of c in half, such that 2 equally long pieces x are created.
c=2⋅96.8m=193.6m
⇒ h=61.2m;c=193.6m;γ=115.4∘
Do you have a question?
c=35.4cm
β =43.9°
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given: c=35.4cm β=α =43.9°
Required: a, b, h, γ, x
Draw a sketch for an overview.
Since the base angles in an isosceles triangle are equal, and all interior angles total 180∘, you may calculate γ.
γ = 180°−2⋅43.9° = 92.2° x is computed by cutting c into half.
x = 235.4cm = 17.7cm a can be calculated using the cosine.
cos(β) = ax ↓ Solve for a and plug in values.
a = cos(43.9°)17.7cm ↓ a = 24.6cm h can be calculated using the tangent.
tan(β) = xh ↓ Solve for h and plug in values.
h = 17.7cm⋅tan(43.9°) ↓ multiply
h = 17.0cm ⇒α=43.9∘;γ=92.2∘;a=b=24.6cm;h=17.0cm
Do you have a question?
h=14.8cm
α=β= 28.3°
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given.: h=14.8cm; α=β=28.3∘
Required.: β,γ,c,b,a
Draw a sketch for an overview.
Since the base angles (here: α and β) in an isosceles triangle are equal, and all the interior angles add up to 180∘ (i.e. α+β+γ=180∘), you can calculate γ directly with this information.
γ = 180°−2⋅28.3° = 123.4° x can be calculated using the tangent.
tan(β) = xh ↓ Solve for x and plug in values.
x = tan(28.3°)14.8cm ↓ divide
x = 27.5cm ↓ You get c by doubling side x.
c = 2⋅27.5cm = 55cm b can be calculated using the sine.
sin(α) = bh ↓ Solve for b and plug in values.
b = sin(28.3°)14.8cm ↓ divide
= 31.2cm Since this is an isosceles triangle, the side length a is just equal to the side length b.
⇒ γ=123.4∘;c=55cm;a=b=31.2cm
Do you have a question?
a=146.4m
h=58.4m
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given: a=b=146.4m; h=58.4m
Required: c, γ,α,β , x
Draw a sketch for an overview.
β can be calculated using the sine.
sin(β) = ah ↓ Plug in values and compute α
β = 23.5° Since the base angles in an isosceles triangle are equal, and all interior angles total 180∘, you may calculate γ.
γ = 180°−2⋅23.5° = 133° x can be calculated using the tangent.
tan(β) = xh ↓ Solve for x and plug in values.
x = tan(23.5°)58.4m = 134.3m ↓ c is computed by doubling side x and then cutting the height h of c into half, such that 2 equally long pieces x result.
c = 2⋅134.3m = 268.6m ⇒ b=146.4m;α=β=23.5∘;γ=133∘;c=268.5m
Do you have a question?
- 4
A triangle with a right angle at C, with side b=113m has an angle α=39∘ . First make a sketch and then calculate all the missing sides and the other angle β .
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
1. Make a sketch
2. Calculate
cos(39°) = c113m ⋅c ↓ Get c on one side
c⋅cos(39°) = 113m : cos(39°) c = cos(39°)113m c = 145m Calculate β by subtracting all given angles from the total sum of all angles in a triangle (180∘).
β+ 90° + 39° = 180° β = 180°−90°−39° β = 51° sin(39°) = 145ma ⋅145m a = sin(39°)⋅145m a = 91m - 5
Sketch a rectangle with sides a=7cm and b=18cm and calculate the angles
between a diagonal and the sides
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given: a=7cm; b=18cm
Required: α,β,
You may start by drawing a sketch.
Compute α using the tangent.
tan(α)=ba
Insert the values and calculate α using the calculator.
tan(α)=18cm7cm
α=21.3∘
Compute β. α and β add up to 90° , so for β, we have:
β=90∘−21,3∘=68.7∘
⇒ The angle α is 21.3°. β equals 68.7°.
Do you have a question?
between both diagonals
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given: α=68.7∘;β=21.3∘
Required: γ,δ
You may start by drawing a sketch.
δ equals 2 α , since δ + γ =180° and γ +2 α =180° holds in a right triangle.
⇒ δ + γ = γ +2 α
⇒ δ =2 α
δ=2⋅68.7∘=137.4∘
γ and δ add up to 180°.
γ=180∘−137.4∘=42.6∘
⇒ The angle γ equals 42,6°. δ amounts to 137.4°.
Do you have a question?
- 6
In a circle with radius r=10cm the chord s has the central angle α=84∘.
What is the length of the chord?
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Given.: r=10cm; α=84∘
Required.: x
First, draw a sketch.
Compute x using the sine.
sin(2α) = rx ↓ Solve for x and plug in values.
x = 10cm⋅sin(284∘) ↓ Computex .
x = 6.7cm ↓ Since x is half of the chord s , double it to get the chord s.
s = 2⋅6.7cm s = 13.4cm ⇒ The length of the chord is 13.4cm.
- 7
Heike is 1.69m tall. How long is her shadow when the sun's rays hit the ground at an angle of 30°? Give the result in metres rounded to 2 decimal places.
m - 8
Calculate the missing sides and angles of the isosceles triangle ABC with a=b.
a = 44.2cm
c = 63.4cm
Calculate the height of the triangle.
Apply the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the height.
hc=b2−(21c)2≈30.802cm
Now calculate α,β and γ using sine or cosine.
sin(α) = bhc α ≈ 44,177°. or:
cos(α) = b21c α = 44.177° sin(β) = αhc β ≈ 44.177° cos(β) = a21c β = 44.177° Add the two angles and subtract them from the sum of the angles in the triangle.
γ = 180°−2⋅44.177°. γ = 91.646° alternatively:
cos(21γ) = a21c 21γ ≈ 45.8° γ ≈ 45.8∘⋅2=91.6∘ or:
sin(21γ) = ahc 21γ = 45.8° γ = 2⋅45.8° = 91.6° Do you have a question?
a = 114.5m
α = 32.3°
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Triangle
Calculate the side c of the triangle:
Use the cosine to calculate the base of the triangle,
cos(α) = b21c ⋅b cos(32.3°)⋅114.5m = 21c ⋅2 2⋅(cos(32.3°)⋅114.5m) = c c = 193.565 Calculate the height of the triangle:
You may use the sine to do this.
sin(α) = bhc ⋅b sin(32.3°)⋅114.5m = hc hc = 61.183m ↓ Calculate the two missing angles using sine or cosine
= cos(β) = a21c β = 32.3° sin(β) = ah β = 32.3° γ = 180°−2⋅32.3° γ = 115.4° alternatively:
cos(21γ) = bhc 21γ = 57.25° γ = 115.4° sin(21γ) = b21c 21γ = 57.25° ⋅2 γ = 115.4 Do you have a question?
c = 35.4cm
β = 43.9°
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Triangle
Calculate the sides a and b of the triangle.
cos(β) = a21c ⋅a:cos(β) a = cos(43.9°)21⋅35.4cm a = 24.565cm = b Calculate the height of the triangle:
You may use the sine to do this.
sin(β) = ahc ⋅a hc = sin(43.9°)⋅24.565cm hc = 17.033cm ↓ Calculate the two missing angles with sine or cosine .
= cos(α ) = b21c α = 43.9° or:
sin(α) = bhc α = 43.9° ↓ Add the two angles and subtract them from the sum of the angles in the triangle to calculate the last angle.
= γ = 180°−2⋅43.9° = 92.2° alternatively:
cos(21γ) = bhc 21γ = 46.1° ⋅2 γ = 92.2° sin(21γ) = b21c 21γ = 46.1° ⋅2 γ = 92.2° Do you have a question?
hc = 14.8cm
α = 28.3°
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Triangle
Calculate the sides a and b of the triangle:
You may use the sine to do this.
sin(α) = bhc ⋅b:sin(α) b = sin(28.3°)14.8 cm b = 31.218 = a Calculate the side c of the triangle:
You may use the cosine to do this.
cos(α) = b21c ⋅b cos(28.3°)⋅31.218cm = 21c ⋅2 c = 54.973cm ↓ Calculate the missing angles using cosine or sine,
= cos(β) = a21c β = 28.3° or:
sin(β) = ahc β = 28.3° ↓ Add the two angles and subtract them from the sum of the angles in the triangle to work out the last angle.
= γ = 180°−2⋅28,3° γ = 123,4° alternatively:
cos(21γ ) = bhc 21γ = 61,7° ⋅2 γ = 123,4° or:
sin(21γ) = b21c 21γ = 61,7° ⋅2 γ = 123,4° Do you have a question?
a = 146.4m
hc = 58.4m
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Triangle
Calculate the angle α .
You may use the sine to do this.
sin(α) = bhc α = 23.51∘ Now calculate the side c using the cosine.
cos(α) = b21c ⋅b 21c = cos(α)⋅b 21c = 134.25m ⋅2 c = 268.5m Calculate the remaining angles using sine or cosine.
cos(β) = a21c β = 23.51∘ or:
sin(β) = ahc β = 23.51∘ Add the two angles and subtract them from the sum of the angles in the triangle.
γ = 180∘−2⋅23.51∘ = 132.98∘ alternatively:
cos(21γ) = bhc 21γ = 66.49∘ ⋅2 γ = 132.98∘ or:
sin(21γ) = b21c 21γ = 66.49∘ ⋅2 γ = 132.98∘ Do you have a question?
- 9
This sketch, which is not to scale, shows a trapezoid with the lengths:
AD=7m,∡DAB=∡DCB=∡CDA=90∘,∡CAD=50∘,∡ADE=55∘
Calculate the distance of x
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Hint: Proceed backwards in pictures:
For this exercise, you need to be able to use the sine and cosine in the right triangle and the Pythagorean theorem.
Strategy
If you want to work out a strategy for the solution first, it is best to work backwards:
To calculate the length of x, for example, you need all the other distances in this triangle. You know the length of BC. It is the same length as that of AD, because they are opposite sides in a rectangle. That means you only have to determine BE.
BE can be calculated by subtracting the length of AB from the long side AE. You can calculate AE with the using the tangent in the triangle ΔADE. To calculate AB, for example, you can use the tangent in the triangle ΔACD, because you know that DC and AB, as opposite sides in the rectangle, have the same length.
Lösung
Nun kennst du das Vorgehen "von hinten" und kannst es in genau umgekehrter Reihenfolge verwenden, um auf die Länge der Strecke x zu kommen:
Berechnung von DC
Verwende den Tangens im Dreieck ΔACD mit dem dir bekannten Winkel ∡CAD für die Berechnung von DC:
Solution
Now you know the procedure "from behind" and can use it in exactly the opposite order to arrive at the length of x:
Calculation of DC
Use the tangent in the triangle ΔACD with the known angle ∡CAD to calculate DC:
tan(∡CAD)=adjacent cathetusopposite cathetus=ADDC
Solve for DC by multiplying both sides with AD.
DC=AD⋅tan(∡CAD)
Plug in the values AD=7m and ∡CAD=50∘ .
DC=AB=7⋅tan(50∘)≈8.34
Computing AE
Use the tangent in the triangle ΔADE to calculate AE, since you know ∡ADE=55∘ and AD=7.
tan(∡ADE)=adjacent cathetusopposite cathetus=AEAD
Solve for AE by multiplying with AE and dividing by tan(∡ADE).
AE=tan(∡ADE)AD
Plug in the values.
AE=tan(55∘)7≈10.00
Computing BE
Now you can compute BE :
BE=AE−AD=10.00−8.34=1.66m
Computing x
Now you can calculate the length of x using the Pythagorean theorem. Here x is the hypotenuse.
x2=BE2+BC2
Solve for x by taking the root.
x=BE2+BC2
Plug in the values. Remember that you can use BC=AD because they are opposite sides in the rectangle.
x=1.662+72≈7.19m
The side x is 7.19m long.
Here, as is very often the case, there is not only one possible solution. For example, you can also use the sine or cosine instead of the tangent with another intermediate step.
- 10
This sketch, which is not to scale, shows a kite quadrilateral ABCD with symmetry axis AC and the sides: a=7cm, c=6cm, DB=10cm
Compute the angles α,β and γ.
Solution is still missing
- 11
This sketch, which is not to scale, shows a rectangle with side lengths a=5.0cm and b=7.0cm.
Calculate the angle α.
For this task you need the following basic knowledge: Sine, Cosine and Tangent
First, draw a sketch.
Draw a rectangle and point out the angle α.
If you now draw a line from the intersection of the diagonals to the centre of the side [BC], then the angle α you are looking for is divided into two equal parts by this auxiliary line.
There are several ways to calculate the angle 2α :
You may compute 2α using the sine.
You may compute 2α using the tangent.
The solution with the tangent is mathematically easier .
Solution with the sine
First we calculate the distance from A to C and thus obtain a right-angled triangle.
To calculate the angle α, we divide the distance from A to C and the distance from A to B by 2. Thus we can apply the sine to calculate 2α. Then we multiply the calculated angle by 2 and get the angle we are looking for, α.
Solution with the tangent
Consider the triangle ΔMMBCC. This triangle is right-angled.
The side [MMBC] is the adjacent cathetus of 2α.
The side [MBCC] is the opposite cathetus of 2α.
- 12
This sketch shows a right triangle, not true to size, with height h=8cm and angles α=65∘ and β=80∘.
Calculate the side lengths a and b.
a=tan(α)⋅ha=tan(65∘)⋅8cma=17.16cmb=tan(β)⋅hb=tan(80∘)⋅8cmb=45.37cm
Solution is still missing.
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