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MPM2D - Trigonometry - Application of Right Triangles - W2011

This document discusses solving right triangle problems using trigonometric ratios. It defines angle of elevation and angle of depression, outlines the steps to solve problems which include drawing a sketch, identifying knowns and unknowns, selecting the appropriate trig ratio, and solving. Examples are provided for finding string length, distance to a boat, and height of a building using multiple triangles. Students are assigned practice problems from their textbook.

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Krystal Zhang
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85 views5 pages

MPM2D - Trigonometry - Application of Right Triangles - W2011

This document discusses solving right triangle problems using trigonometric ratios. It defines angle of elevation and angle of depression, outlines the steps to solve problems which include drawing a sketch, identifying knowns and unknowns, selecting the appropriate trig ratio, and solving. Examples are provided for finding string length, distance to a boat, and height of a building using multiple triangles. Students are assigned practice problems from their textbook.

Uploaded by

Krystal Zhang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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06x 

Solving Right Triangle Problems.notebook May 18, 2011

For any angle of interest, there are three (3) primary 
trigonometric ratios.

sine of θ= opposite
se

opposite
hypotenuse u
ten

to θ
adjacent po
cosine of θ= hy
hypotenuse
tangent of θ=
opposite θ
adjacent adjacent to θ

S o h C a h T o a

Dec 7­9:58 PM

Solving Problems with Trigonometric Ratios

Terminology:
Angle of Elevation (or Inclination):  the angle
measured above the horizontal.

Angle of Depression (or Declination): the angle
measured below the horizontal.

angle of elevation

angle of depression

Dec 9­9:41 PM

1
06x Solving Right Triangle Problems.notebook May 18, 2011

Steps:

1. Draw a neat sketch of the situation.

2. Identify the unknown (what are you looking for?)
3. Label the sides of the triangle as opposite, hypotenuse, 
and adjacent with respect to the given angle (or the 
unknown if angle is what you are looking for)
4. Identify the trigonometric ratio that relates to the 
unknown and two of the knowns OR Pythagorean 
Theorem OR the sum of the angles in a triangle.
5. Solve 

May 13­12:15 PM

Ex.1 A kite is 32 m above the ground.  The string
makes an angle of 39° with the ground.  How
long is the string?

Dec 10­10:22 PM

2
06x Solving Right Triangle Problems.notebook May 18, 2011

Ex.2  A lighthouse observation deck is about 20 m
above sea level.  A boat is viewed at an angle of
depression of 6°.  How far is the boat from the
base of the lighthouse?

Dec 10­10:23 PM

Ex.3  From the window of a building, Sam finds
the angle of elevation to the top of a second building
to be 41°.  The angle of depression to the bottom
is 54°.  The buildings are 54 m apart.
How tall is the second building?

Dec 10­10:25 PM

3
06x Solving Right Triangle Problems.notebook May 18, 2011

h1
41° 54 m
Sam
54°
h = h1+h2

h2

Dec 10­10:33 PM

Solve one triangle for h1 and the other triangle for h2

54 m
54°

h1 h2

41° 54 m

Dec 10­10:33 PM

4
06x Solving Right Triangle Problems.notebook May 18, 2011

Assigned Work:

p.412­414 # 2, 3, 7, 10, 11

Dec 10­10:43 PM

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