Introduction to Trigonometry

Right Triangle Trigonometry

Introduction
Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that uses triangles to help you solve problems. Trig is useful to surveyors, engineers, navigators, and machinists (and others too.)

Labeling Right Triangles

Labeling Right Triangles

The most important skill you need right now is the ability to correctly label the sides of a right triangle. The names of the sides are:

the

hypotenuse the opposite side the adjacent side

Labeling Right Triangles

The hypotenuse is easy to locate because it is always found across from the right angle.
Since this side is across from the right angle, this must be the hypotenuse.
Here is the right angle...

Labeling Right Triangles

Before you label the other two sides you must have a reference angle selected. It can be either of the two acute angles. In the triangle below, lets pick angle B as This will be our the reference angle. B reference angle...

Labeling Right Triangles

Remember, angle B is our reference angle. The hypotenuse is side BC because it is across from the right angle.

B (ref. angle)
hypotenuse

Labeling Right Triangles

Side AC is across from our reference angle B. So it is labeled: opposite.

B (ref. angle)

hypotenuse
C
opposite

Labeling Right Triangles

Adjacent means beside or next to The only side unnamed is side AB. This must be the adjacent side.

B (ref. angle)
adjacent

hypotenuse
C opposite

Labeling Right Triangles

Lets put it all together. Given that angle B is the reference angle, here is how you must label the triangle:

B (ref. angle)
hypotenuse
adjacent

A
opposite

Labeling Right Triangles

Given the same triangle, how would the sides be labeled if angle C were the reference angle? Will there be any difference?

Labeling Right Triangles

Angle C is now the reference angle. Side BC is still the hypotenuse since it is across from the right angle.

B
hypotenuse

C (ref. angle)

Labeling Right Triangles

However, side AB is now the side opposite since it is across from angle C.

B
opposite

hypotenuse

C (ref. angle)

Labeling Right Triangles

That leaves side AC to be labeled as the adjacent side.

B hypotenuse opposite A C (ref. angle)

adjacent

Labeling Right Triangles

Lets put it all together. Given that angle C is the reference angle, here is how you must label the triangle:
B
hypotenuse

opposite

A
adjacent

C (ref. angle)

Labeling Practice
Given that angle X is the reference angle, label all three sides of triangle WXY. Do this on your own. Click to see the answers when you are ready.

W X

Labeling Practice
How did you do? Click to try another one...

W
opposite

adjacent

hypotenuse

Labeling Practice
Given that angle R is the reference angle, label the triangles sides. Click to see the correct answers.
R

Labeling Practice

The answers are shown below:

hypotenuse adjacent

T
opposite

Which side will never be the reference angle?

The right angle

What are the labels? Hypotenuse, opposite, and adjacent