UNIT 6 – RIGHT ANGLE TRIANGLES

Assignment Title Notes to Self Complete

1 Triangles

2 Pythagorean Theorem

3 Pythagorean Triples

4 Trigonometry

Quiz #1

5 The Sine Ratio

6 Using Sine Ratio in Solving

Right Triangles

7 The Cosine Ratio

Using Cosine Ratio in Solving

8
Right Triangles

9 The Tangent Ratio

10 Using Tangent Ratio in Solving

Right Triangles

Quiz #2

Angle of Elevation and

11
Depression

12 Finding Angles

13 Solving Right Triangles

Chapter Test Show me your stuff!

1
TRIANGLES
In this unit, you will be looking at triangles, specifically right angle triangles, also called
right triangles. You will learn about Pythagorean Theorem and the basic trigonometric
ratios. But first it is necessary to start with some facts about triangles.

Fact 1: Every triangle contains 3 sides and 3 angles or vertices (plural of vertex).
Fact 2: The measurements of these angles always total 180 0. Remember this from the
last unit??
Fact 3: To identify the side or vertex in a triangle, it is important to label the triangle
following a standard routine. Each vertex of a triangle is labeled with a capital
case letter – like “A” - and each side is labeled with the lower case letter that
matches the opposite vertex. An example is below.

c b

B a C

Another way to label the sides is with the capital letters of the two vertices the
side connects. An example is below.

c b

B a C

Side a can be called BC.

Side b can be called AC.
Side c can be called AB.

2
ASSIGNMENT 1 – LABELLING TRIANGLES
1) Label each side of the triangles below using a single lower case letter matching the
opposite vertex.

a) X b)
R

Y Z S T

c) d)
D A

B C
F

2) Label each vertex of the triangles below using a single capital letter matching the
opposite side.
a) b)
f

a b d e

c) d)

x
p
w
q
r y

3
PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM
Pythagorean Theorem states the relationship between the sides of a right triangle. So,
more facts about triangles are necessary.

Fact 4: A triangle that contains a 900 angle (a right angle) is called a right triangle (or
right-angle triangle).

Fact 5: The side of the triangle that is opposite the 90 0 angle is always called the
hypotenuse. It is labelled in the triangle below. The other two sides of the
triangle are called legs.

hypotenuse

Fact 6: The hypotenuse is always the longest side in the triangle. It is always opposite
the largest angle which is the 900 or right angle.

Fact 7: Pythagorean Theorem states that in any right triangle, the sum of the squares of
the lengths of the legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse. So in
ΔABC with the right angle at C, the following relationship is true:

c2 = a2 + b2

where a and b are the other 2 legs of the triangle.

c
b

4
We can also rearrange the equation to find the length one of the legs;
c2 = a2 + b2
a2 = c2 – b2
b2 = c2 – a2

When we use Pythagorean Theorem to find a length of the hypotenuse or a leg, you
need to have a calculator that has the square root function √ ❑on it. The computer
symbol looks like this: √ or √ ❑

Example 1: Use Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the missing side to one
decimal place.

P
Solution: q2 = p2 + r2
3.8 cm q q2 = 5.22 + 3.82
q2 = 27.04 + 14.44
q2 = 41.48
Q 5.2 cm R √ q2 = √ 41.48
q ≈ 6.44 cm
Side q is approximately 6.4 cm

Example 2: Use Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the missing side to one
decimal place.

A
Solution: c2 = a2 + b2
b 12.8 in So, b2 = c2 – a2
b2 = 12.82 – 10.782
b2 = 163.84 – 116.21
C 10.78 in B b2 = 47.66
√ b2= √ 47.66
b ≈ 6.90 cm
Side b is approximately 6.9 in

5
ASSIGNMENT 2 – PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM
1) Using the following triangles, use lettering provided to state the Pythagorean
relations that apply.
a) b) E F

z y

D
Y x Z

2) Find the missing value in each of the following to 2 decimal places.

a) p2 = 62 + 92 b) m2 = 42 + 72

3) Calculate the missing side length to 1 decimal place as needed.

a) b)

?
? 15 15
8
9

6
4) Find the length of the bracket in the picture, to one decimal place.

5) What is the length of the guy wire in the picture below, to

one decimal place?

6) A ramp into a house rises up 3.5 meters over a horizontal distance of 10.5 meters.
How long is the ramp? Draw a diagram and show your work.

7) A flagpole is 12 metres tall. It makes a shadow on the ground that is 15 metres long.
How long is a line that joins the top of the flagpole with the end of the shadow? Draw
a diagram and show your work.

7
PYTHAGOREAN TRIPLES
A Pythagorean Triple is a set of three numbers that satisfy the Pythagorean Theorem
and are all whole numbers (no decimals). If a set of numbers satisfies the Pythagorean
relationship, then the triangle must be a right triangle. An example is shown below.

13
5

C 12 B

Left Side = c2 Right Side = a2 + b2

= 132 = 122 + 52
= 169 = 144 + 25
= 169

Therefore, Left Side = Right Side. This triangle is a right angle triangle, and the
set of numbers, 5, 12, and 13 are a Pythagorean Triple.

ASSIGNMENT 3 – PYTHAGOREAN TRIPLES

1) Which of the following triangles are right triangles? Show your work as proof.

a) b)

4 5 9
23

c)

25 24

8
TRIGONOMETRY
Trigonometry is one of the most important topics in mathematics. Trigonometry is used
in many fields including engineering, architecture, surveying, aviation, navigation,
carpentry, forestry, and computer graphics. Also, until satellites, the most accurate
maps were constructed using trigonometry.

The word trigonometry means triangle measurements. It is necessary to finish our

triangle facts here.

Fact 8: In trigonometry, the other two sides (or legs) of the triangle are referred to as the
opposite and adjacent sides, depending on their relationship to the angle of
interest in the triangle.

In this example, if we pick angle DEF – the angle labelled with the Greek letter θ – then
we are able to distinguish the sides as illustrated in the diagram below.

opposite hypotenuse

θ
F adjacent E

The side that is opposite the angle of interest, in this case θ, is called the opposite side.
The side that is nearest to angle θ and makes up part of the angle is called the
adjacent side. To help you, remember that adjacent means beside. Although the
hypotenuse occupies one of the two adjacent positions, it is never called the adjacent
side. It simply remains the hypotenuse. This is why it is identified first. It is
recommended to label the side in the order hypotenuse, opposite, and finally adjacent.
You may use initials for these side, h, o, and a, but always use lower case letters to
avoid mixing up the labelling with a vertex.

9
ASSIGNMENT 4 – TRIGONOMETRY
For each of the right triangles below, mark the hypotenuse, and the sides that are
opposite and adjacent sides to θ as shown in the example.

Example:
h = hypotenuse
h o o = opposite
a = adjacent
θ
a

1) 2)
θ

You are ready for Quiz #1 

10
TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS
In the previous unit about similar figures, you learned that the ratios of corresponding
sides of similar triangles are equal. When the angles of different triangles are the same,
the ratio of the sides within the triangle will always be the same. They depend only on
the measure of the angle of interest, not the size of the triangle. These ratios are the
trigonometric ratios.

There are three trigonometric ratios we are concerned with: sine, cosine, and tangent.
THE SINE RATIO
The sine of angle θ means the ratio of the length of opposite side to the length of the
hypotenuse. It is abbreviated as sin θ but read as sine θ. It is written like this:

opposite o
sin θ = hypotenuse or sin θ = h

Example 1: Find the sine of θ in this triangle. Round to 4 decimal places.

13
5

θ
12

Solution:
The opposite side is 5 and the hypotenuse is 13. So
o 5
sin θ = h = 13 = 0.3846 So sin θ = 0.3846

Note: Rounding to 4 decimal places is standard when calculating trigonometric ratios.

Example 2: Use your calculator to determine the following sine ratios. Round to 4
decimal places.

a) sin 150 b) sin 670 c) sin 420

***** REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CALCULATOR ON DEGREES (DEG) ****

Solution: Type “sin” followed by the angle, and then “=” to solve

a) sin 150 = 0.2588 b) sin 670 = 0.9205 c) sin 420 = 0.6691

11
ASSIGNMENT 5 – THE SINE RATIO
1) Calculate the value of sin X to four decimal places.

a) b)
X

5.2 in 8.1 in

6.9 m
9.6 in X

4.3 m

2) Use your calculator to determine the value of each of the following sine ratios to four
decimal places.

a) sin 100 = ______________ b) sin 480 = ______________

3) There are two special sine ratios. Calculate the following and suggest why the values
are what the results give you.

a) sin 00 = ______________ b) sin 900 = ______________

12
USING SINE RATIO IN SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES
The sine ratio can be used to find missing parts of a right triangle when the ‘opposite
side’ and the hypotenuse are involved.

Example 1: Use the sine ratio to find the x in the triangle below.

x
9

θ = 350

Solution:
Step 1: Label the sides of the triangle with h, o and a

x
h 9m
o
θ = 350
a

Step 2: Circle the number with the side it represents and the unknown (x) with the side it
represents.

Step 3: Identify the ratio required to solve for x

Since o and h are being used, the correct ratio is sin θ

Step 4: Substitute the correct values into the correct ratio.

o
sin θ = h

9
sin 350 = x

Step 4: Solve using the process Cross Multiply and Divide.

sin 35 9
1 = x x = 9 × 1 ÷ sin 350
=15.7 m

13
ASSIGNMENT 6 – USING SINE RATIO IN SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES
1) Calculate the length of the side indicated in the following diagrams.

a) b)
580

9.7 cm x x
5.2 m

230

2) A weather balloon with a 15 m string is tied to the ground. How high is the balloon if the
angle between the string and the ground is 38 0?

3) A ramp makes an angle of 220 with the ground. If the end of the ramp is 1.5 m above
the ground, how long is the ramp?

14
THE COSINE RATIO
The cosine of angle θ means the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse. It is
abbreviated as cos θ but read as cosine θ. It is written like this:

adjacent a
cos θ = hypotenuse or cos θ = h

Example 1: Find the cosine of θ in this triangle.

13
5

θ
12

Solution:
The adjacent side is 12 and the hypotenuse is 13. So
a 12
cos θ = h = 13 = 0.9231

Note: Rounding to 4 decimal places is standard when calculating trigonometric ratios.

ASSIGNMENT 7 – THE COSINE RATIO

1) Calculate the value of cos X to four decimal places.

5.2 in 8.1 in

9.6 in X

15
2) Use your calculator to determine the value of each of the following cosine ratios to
four decimal places.

a) cos 100 = ______________ b) cos 480 = ______________

3) There are two special cosine ratios. Calculate the following and suggest why the
values are what the results give you.

a) cos 00 = ______________ b) cos 900 = ______________

16
USING COSINE IN SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES
The cosine ratio can be used to find missing parts of a right triangle when the ‘adjacent
side’ and the hypotenuse are involved.

Example 1: Use the correct trig ratio to find the x in the triangle below.

5 cm

θ = 300
x
Solution:
Step 1: Label the sides of the triangle with h, o and a

5 cm
h o

θ = 300
x a

Step 2: Circle the number with the side it represents and the unknown (x) with the side it
represents.

Step 3: Identify the ratio required to solve for x

Since a and h are being used, the correct ratio is cos θ

Step 4: Write down the chosen ratio and substitute the correct values into the correct ratio.
a
cos θ = h
x
cos 30 = 50

Step 5: Solve using the process cross multiply and divide.

cos30 x
1 = 5

x = cos 300 × 5 ÷ 1
= 4.3 cm

17
ASSIGNMENT 8 – USING COSINE RATIO IN SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES
1) Calculate the length of the side indicated in the following diagrams.

a) x b)
680

x
19.3 cm
110
12.3 m

2) A child’s slide rises 200 to a platform at the top. If the horizontal distance that the slide
covers is 25 m, how long is the slide?

200

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THE TANGENT RATIO
The tangent of angle θ means the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side. It is
abbreviated as tan θ but read as tangent θ. It is written like this:

opposite o
tan θ = adjacent or tan θ = a

Example 1: Find the tangent of θ in this triangle.

13
5

θ
12

Solution:
The opposite side is 5 and the adjacent side is 12. So
o 5
tan θ = a = 12 = 0.4167

Note: Rounding to 4 decimal places is standard when calculating trigonometric ratios.

Example 2: Use your calculator to determine the following tangent ratios. Round to 4
decimal places.

a) tan 150 b) tan 670 c) tan 420

***** REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CALCULATOR ON DEGREES (DEG) ****

Solution: Type “tan” followed by the angle, and then “=” to solve

a) tan 150 = 0.2679 b) tan 670 = 2.3559 c) tan 420 = 0.9004

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ASSIGNMENT 9 – THE TANGENT RATIO
1) Calculate the value of tan X to four decimal places.

a) b)
X

5.2 in 8.1 in
6.5 m

9.6 in X

5.1 m

2) Use your calculator to determine the value of each of the following tangent ratios to
four decimal places.

a) tan 100 = ______________ b) tan 480 = ______________

3) There are some special tangent ratios. Calculate the following and suggest why the
values are what the results give you.

a) tan 00 = ______________

b) tan 450 = ______________

USING TANGENT IN SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES

The tangent ratio can be used to find missing parts of a right triangle when the ‘opposite
side’ and the ‘adjacent side’ are involved.

Example 1: Use the correct trig ratio to find the x in the triangle below.

2 mm

20
 θ = 150
x

Solution:
Step 1: Label the sides of the triangle with h, o and a

h
2 mm
o
θ = 150
x a
Step 2: Circle the number with the side it represents and the unknown (x) with the side it
represents.

Step 3: Identify the ratio required to solve for x

Since o and a are being used, the correct ratio is tan θ

Step 3: Substitute the correct values into the correct ratio.

o
tan θ = a
2
tan 15 = x

Step 4: Solve using the process cross multiply and divide.

tan 15 2
1 = x

x = 2 × 1 ÷ tan 150
= 7.5 mm

21
ASSIGNMENT 10 – USING TANGENT RATIO IN SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES
1) Calculate the length of the side indicated in the following diagrams.

a) 6.5 cm b)
480

x
9.2 m

370
x

2) A surveyor is laying on the ground 12 m from the base of a tree. He sights the top of the
tree at an angle of elevation of 580. How tall is the tree?

ANGLE OF ELEVATION AND DEPRESSION

When you look up at an airplane flying overhead for example, the angle between the
horizontal and your line of sight is called the angle of elevation.

22
When you look down from a cliff to a boat passing by, the angle between the horizontal
and your line of sight is called the angle of depression.

When you are given the angle of depression, it is important to carefully use this angle in
your triangle.

Example 1: You are standing at the top of a cliff. You spot a boat 200 m away at an
angle of depression of 550 to the horizon. How far is the boat from the coast? Draw a
diagram to illustrate this situation.

Solution: Draw a diagram, label it with the information, and then solve the triangle.

horizon
550 Angle of depression
θ
200 m The angle inside the triangle is the
complement to the angle of depression.
To find that angle, do the following:
θ = 900 - 550
θ = 350

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ASSIGNMENT 11 – ANGLE OF ELEVATION AND DEPRESSION
1) The angle of elevation from where you are laying on the ground to the top of a
flagpole is 140. The distance from you to the base of the flagpole is 30m. Draw a sketch
to illustrate this situation and calculate the height of the flagpole.

2) From a building, the angle of depression to a fountain is 62 0. The fountain is 75

metres away (along the ground) from the building. Draw a sketch to illustrate this
situation and determine the height of the building.

FINDING ANGLES
So far in this unit, you have used the trigonometric ratios to find the length of a side. But
if you know the trigonometric ratio, you can calculate the size of the angle. This requires
and “inverse” operation. You can use your calculator to find the opposite of the usual
ratio provided you can calculate the ratio. To do this you need 2 sides in the triangle.
You can think of the inverse in terms of something simpler: addition is the opposite or
inverse of subtraction. In the same way, trig functions have an inverse.

To calculate the inverse, you usually use a 2nd function and the sin/cos/tan buttons on
your calculator in sequence. If you look at your calculator just above the sin/cos.tan
buttons, you should see the following: sin -1, cos-1, tan-1. These are the inverse functions.
If you use these buttons, you will be able to turn a ratio into an angle.

Example 1: Calculate each angle to the nearest whole degree.

a) sin X = 0.2546
b) cos Y = 0.1598
c) tan Z = 3.2785

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Solution: Use the appropriate inverse function on your calculator.

NOTE: Every calculator is different in how the buttons are keyed in order to achieve the
desired outcome. Most calculators will need to key “2ndF sin” in order to get sin -1
displayed. Then key in the value with or without brackets as necessary.

a) sin X = 0.2546
X = sin-1 (0.2546)
X = 14.749880 Angle X is 150.

b) cos Y = 0.1598
Y = cos-1 (0.1598)
Y = 80.80470 Angle Y is 810.

c) tan Z = 3.2785
Z = tan-1 (3.2785)
Z = 73.037370 Angle Z is 730.

25
ASSIGNMENT 12 – FINDING ANGLES
1) Calculate the following angles to the nearest whole degree.

a) sin D = 0.5491 b) cos F = 0.8964

c) tan G = 2.3548 d) sin P = 0.9998

2) In a right triangle, ΔXYZ, the ratio of the opposite side to X to the hypotenuse is 7:8
7
or 8 . What is the approximate size of X?

3) At what angle to the ground is an 8 m long conveyor belt if it is fastened 5 m from the
base of the loading ramp?

26
SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES
When asked to solve a right triangle, that means to find all the angle measures and the
length of all the sides. Remembering that the angles in a triangle add up to 180 0, once
two of the angles are known, the third can be calculated by subtraction. Also, once two
of the sides are known, the third side can be found using Pythagorean Theorem –
unless told not to use it! Then the third side should be found using trig ratios.

Example 1: Solve the right triangle below. Give lengths to the nearest tenth of a cm, and
angles to the nearest whole degree.
R

q = 8.7 cm p

560
P r Q

Solution: Subtract to find the third angle, use trig to find side p, and use Pythagorean
Theorem to find side r.

Part 1:  R = 180 – 900 - 560

 R= 340

Part 2: To solve for side p, use the sin ratio. Use  P and the hypotenuse, 8.7 cm
o
sin P = h
sin 56 p
1 = 8.7
p = sin 560 × 8.7 ÷ 1
p = 7.2 cm

Part 3: Use Pythagorean Theorem to find side r

q2 = p2 + r2
8.72 = 7.22 + r2
r2 = 8.72 - 7.22
r2 = 23.85
√ r 2= √ 23.85
r ≈ 4.88 cm r ≈ 4.9 cm

27
28
ASSIGNMENT 13 – SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES
1) Solve the given triangle.

a) D E
0
25

18 m

Q
b)

135 cm
R

200 cm

29
2) Solve the triangles below without using Pythagorean Theorem.

a) A

6.8 in

370
B C

b) 12m

52°

30