Trigonometry Basics

Right Triangle Trigonometry

Sine Function

When you talk about the sin of an angle,

that means you are working with the
opposite side, and the hypotenuse of a
right triangle.

Sine function

Given a right triangle, and reference angle A:

sin A =

opposite
hypotenuse

The sin function specifies

these two sides of the
triangle, and they must be
arranged as shown.

hypotenuse
opposite
A

Sine Function
For example to evaluate sin 40
Type-in 40 on your calculator (make sure the
calculator is in degree mode), then press the
sin key.
It should show a result of 0.642787

Note:

If this did not work on your calculator, try

pressing the sin key first, then type-in 40. Press
the = key to get the answer.

Sine Function
Try each of these on your calculator:
sin 55
sin 10
sin 87

Sine
Function
Sine
Function
Try each of these on your calculator:
sin 55 = 0.819
sin 10 = 0.174
sin 87 = 0.999

Inverse Sine Function

Using sin-1 (inverse sin):

If
then

0.7315
sin-1 (0.7315)

=
=

Solve for if sin = 0.2419

sin

Cosine
function
Cosine
Function

The next trig function you need to know

is the cosine function (cos):
adjacent
hypotenuse

cos A =

hypotenuse
A
adjacent

Cosine Function
Use your calculator to determine cos 50
First, type-in 50
then press the cos key.
You should get an answer of 0.642787...

Note:

If this did not work on your calculator,

try pressing the cos key first, then type-in 50.
Press the = key to get the answer.

Cosine Function
Try these on your calculator:
cos 25
cos 0
cos 90
cos 45

Cosine
Function
Cosine
Function
Try these on your calculator:
cos 25 = 0.906
cos 0 = 1
cos 90 = 0
cos 45 = 0.707

Inverse Cosine Function

Using cos-1 (inverse cosine):

If
then

0.9272 =
cos-1 (0.9272) =

Solve for if cos = 0.5150

cos

Tangent function
Function

The last trig function you need to know

is the tangent function (tan):
opposite
adjacent

tan A =

opposite
A
adjacent

Tangent Function
Use your calculator to determine tan 40
First, type-in 40
then press the tan key.
You should get an answer of 0.839...

Note:

If this did not work on your calculator,

try pressing the tan key first, then type-in 40.
Press the = key to get the answer.

Tangent Function
Try these on your calculator:
tan 5
tan 30
tan 80
tan 85

Tangent Function
Try these on your calculator:
tan 5 = 0.087
tan 30 = 0.577
tan 80 = 5.671
tan 85 = 11.430

Inverse Tangent Function

Using tan-1 (inverse tangent):

If
then

0.5543 =
tan-1 (0.5543) =

Solve for if tan = 28.64

tan

Review
Review
These are the only trig functions you will be
using in this course.
You need to memorize each one.
Use the memory device: SOH CAH TOA

opp
hyp
adj
cos A
hyp
opp
tan A
adj

sin A

Review

The sin function:

sin A =

opposite
hypotenuse

hypotenuse
opposite
A

Review
Review

The cosine function.

cos A =

adjacent
hypotenuse

hypotenuse
A
adjacent

Review
Review

The tangent function.

opposite
adjacent

tan A =

opposite
A
adjacent

Most Common Application:

r x y
2

x r cos
y r sin
y
tan
x
1

Review
Review
Solve for x:
x = sin 30
x = cos 45
x = tan 20

Review
Review

Solve for :

0.7987 = sin
0.9272 = cos
2.145 = tan

What if its not a right triangle?

- Use the Law of Cosines:
The Law of Cosines
In any triangle ABC, with sides a, b, and c,
a 2 b 2 c 2 2bc cos A
b 2 a 2 c 2 2ac cos B
c 2 a 2 b 2 2ab cos C.

What if its not a right triangle?

Law of Cosines - The square of the magnitude of

the resultant vector is equal to the sum of the
magnitude of the squares of the two vectors, minus two
times the product of the magnitudes of the vectors,
multiplied by the cosine of the angle between them.

R2 = A2 + B2 2AB cos