Right Triangle Trig Review

Front

What is the Pythagorean Theorem?

Back

In a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (c) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides (a and b). Formula: a² + b² = c².

Front

What is the sine function?

Back

In a right triangle, the sine of an angle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the hypotenuse. Formula: sin(θ) = opposite/hypotenuse.

Front

What is the cosine function?

Back

In a right triangle, the cosine of an angle is the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the length of the hypotenuse. Formula: cos(θ) = adjacent/hypotenuse.

Front

What is the tangent function?

Back

In a right triangle, the tangent of an angle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side. Formula: tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent.

Front

What are the special right triangles?

Back

The two special right triangles are the 45°-45°-90° triangle and the 30°-60°-90° triangle, which have specific side length ratios.

Front

What is the side length ratio of a 45°-45°-90° triangle?

Back

In a 45°-45°-90° triangle, the lengths of the legs are equal, and the hypotenuse is √2 times the length of a leg.

Front

What is the side length ratio of a 30°-60°-90° triangle?

Back

In a 30°-60°-90° triangle, the lengths are in the ratio 1:√3:2, where 1 is the length of the side opposite the 30° angle.

Front

How do you find the missing side of a right triangle?

Back

Use the Pythagorean Theorem (a² + b² = c²) or trigonometric ratios (sin, cos, tan) depending on the information given.

Front

What is the inverse sine function?

Back

The inverse sine function (sin⁻¹) is used to find the angle whose sine is a given number. It returns an angle in radians or degrees.

Front

What is the inverse cosine function?

Back

The inverse cosine function (cos⁻¹) is used to find the angle whose cosine is a given number. It returns an angle in radians or degrees.