Example 1: Round to the nearest hundredth, if needed.

a. Solve for x:

b. Solve for r:

12
20

45

60
x

c. Solve for :

(You Try) d. Solve for m:

30
10

(You Try) e. Solve for :

(You Try) f. Solve for :

14

5.7

48
14

Example 2:

a.

50

Sketch a right triangle that corresponds to the trigonometric function below.

Then find the other 5 trig functions.

cos =

5
7

b. tan = 5

(You Try) c. sin = 13

MEMORIZE
Special Right Triangles Find the exact values of the remaining sides of the triangles.
30

45

45
60

x
x

Fill in each trig value:

sin 30 =

sin 60 =

sin 45 =

cos 30 =

cos 60 =

cos 45 =

tan 30 =

tan 60 =

tan 45 =

Example 3: Find the value of in degrees and radians without using a calculator.
a. cos =

c.

2
2

tan = 3

b.

sin =

1
2

d. tan = 1

Homework Worksheet for section 4-3

Homework Worksheet for section 4-3

Name _________________________
Date ______________
Vector Components Worksheet
(HS5.1.1.4)
1. Using dotted lines, draw the horizontal and vertical components for each vector shown below. Show only one
pair of the components.
40 m, 40o from horizontal

20 N 15o from vertical

9 N, 20o from hroizontal

20
15

40

50

70

80
o

15 N, 50 from vertical

45N, 70 from vertical

15N, 80 from horizontal

30

6 N 0o from vertical

50N, 0o from horizontal

100N, 30o from horizontal

2. Using the angles given on the diagrams in problem #1 above, calculate the values of the horizontal ( x ) and
vertical ( y ) components for each diagram you did above, showing your work in the box for each below.
Note: Be sure your calculator is in DEGREE mode before doing your calculations.
X=

Y=

X=

Y=

X=

Y=

X=

Y=

X=

Y=

X=

Y=

X=

Y=

X=

Y=

X=

Y=

3. A force of 500 N (represented by the arrow coming from the box) is applied along a towrope held at
30 degrees above the horizontal to pull a box across a floor as shown below in the diagram.
a. Draw the x and y components of the
pull force on the diagram below.

b. Calculate the component of the force that actually

causes the box to move (horizontal component)

500N

30o

4. A plane heads at an angle of 40o West of North at a speed of 150 m/s.

a. Draw the vector representing the
b. Calculate the westward and northward components
planes flight and show the westward
of the planes velocity.
and northward components of its velocity.

5. A rocket hits the ground at an angle of 60o from the horizontal at a 300N.
a. Draw the vector representing the
b. Calculate the horizontal and vertical components
rockets impact and show the westward
of the rockets impact force.
and eastward components of its Force.

6. a. Draw the components of the boxs 400 N

weight that act parallel and perpendicular
to the inclined plane on the drawing below.

30o

Do this in class with the tutor

b. Calculate the component of the weight vector that

tends to make the box slide down the incline (the
parallel component)

Trigonometry for Physics

There are 3 trig functions that you will use on a regular basis in physics problems: sine, cosine
and tangent. An easy way to remember them is: SOH CAH TOA
sin =

opposite
hypotenuse

cos =

adjacent
hypotenuse

tan =

opposite
adjacent

The Pythagorean theorem is another formula that you will use frequently in physics.
a2 + b2 = c2
Often in physics problems you are given the magnitude of a vector (the hypotenuse of a right
triangle) and one of the angles in the triangle. You then need to determine the x and y
components of the triangle. (This is where it is important that you understand how to use vectors,
see information on vectors)
opposite
hypotenuse
adjacent
cos =
hypotenuse

sin =

(hypotenuse)(sin ) = opposite
(hypotenuse)(cos ) = adjacent

Example:
A projectile is fired into the air at a 35o angle to the horizontal and an initial velocity of 120 m/s,
what are the x and y components of the velocity vector?
120
35o

y
120m / s
x
cos 35 =
120m / s

sin 35 =

(120 m/s)(sin 35) = velocity in the y direction = 69 m/s

(120 m/s)(cos 35) = velocity in the x direction = 98 m/s

692 + 982 = 1202 Since this is true you know that the 2 velocities you calculated are correct.

Problems:
1.

A block slides down a 45o slope for a total of 2.8 meters. What is the change in the
height of the block?
Solution

2.

A 65 meter rope that is connected to the top of the building, it is attached to the
ground 50 meters from a building. What angle does the rope make with the ground?
Solution

3.

A projectile has an initial horizontal velocity of 5 m/s and an initial vertical velocity
of 3 m/s second upward. At what angle was the projectile fired?
Solution

Extra examples chapter 1 and 2

Question 1
Find the resultant of the following:
a)

b)

15

75

24 N

10 N

c)
6N

8N
40

d)

e)

30

Question 2
Determine the resultant
a)

b)

Question 3
Find the moments at A
a)
10N

10N
2m

4m

5m

A
b)

10N

10N
6m

5m
A

Question 4
A man and a boy carry a weight of 300N between them by means of a uniform pole 2m long and
weighing 100N. Where must the weight be placed so that the man may bear twice as much
weight as the boy?