Right Triangle Trigonometry

In this section, you will:

Use right triangles to evaluate trigonometric functions.
Find function values for $30° (\frac{π}{6}),$ $45° (\frac{π}{4}),$
and
$60° (\frac{π}{3}) .$
Use cofunctions of complementary angles.
Use the deﬁnitions of trigonometric functions of any angle.
Use right triangle trigonometry to solve applied problems.

We have previously defined the sine and cosine of an angle in terms of the coordinates of a point on the unit circle intersected by the terminal side of the angle:

\begin{matrix} \cos t = x \\ \sin t = y \end{matrix}

In this section, we will see another way to define trigonometric functions using properties of right triangles.

Using Right Triangles to Evaluate Trigonometric Functions

In earlier sections, we used a unit circle to define the trigonometric functions. In this section, we will extend those definitions so that we can apply them to right triangles. The value of the sine or cosine function of $t$

is its value at $t$

radians. First, we need to create our right triangle. [link] shows a point on a unit circle of radius 1. If we drop a vertical line segment from the point $(x, y)$

to the x-axis, we have a right triangle whose vertical side has length $y$

and whose horizontal side has length $x .$

We can use this right triangle to redefine sine, cosine, and the other trigonometric functions as ratios of the sides of a right triangle.

Graph of quarter circle with radius of 1 and angle of t. Point of (x,y) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle.

We know

\cos t = \frac{x}{1} = x

Likewise, we know

\sin t = \frac{y}{1} = y

These ratios still apply to the sides of a right triangle when no unit circle is involved and when the triangle is not in standard position and is not being graphed using $(x, y)$

coordinates. To be able to use these ratios freely, we will give the sides more general names: Instead of $x,$

we will call the side between the given angle and the right angle the adjacent side to angle $t .$

(Adjacent means “next to.”) Instead of $y,$

we will call the side most distant from the given angle the opposite side from angle $t .$

And instead of $1,$

we will call the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle the hypotenuse. These sides are labeled in [link].

A right triangle with hypotenuse, opposite, and adjacent sides labeled.

Understanding Right Triangle Relationships

Given a right triangle with an acute angle of $t,$

\begin{array}{l} \sin (t) = \frac{opposite}{hypotenuse} \\ \cos (t) = \frac{adjacent}{hypotenuse} \\ \tan (t) = \frac{opposite}{adjacent} \end{array}

A common mnemonic for remembering these relationships is SohCahToa, formed from the first letters of “Sine is opposite over hypotenuse, Cosine is adjacent over hypotenuse, Tangent is opposite over adjacent.”

Given the side lengths of a right triangle and one of the acute angles, find the sine, cosine, and tangent of that angle.

Find the sine as the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse.
Find the cosine as the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse.
Find the tangent as the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side.

Evaluating a Trigonometric Function of a Right Triangle

Given the triangle shown in [link], find the value of $\cos α .$

A right triangle with sid lengths of 8, 15, and 17. Angle alpha also labeled.

The side adjacent to the angle is 15, and the hypotenuse of the triangle is 17, so:

\begin{array}{l} \cos (α) = \frac{adjacent}{hypotenuse} \\ = \frac{15}{17} \end{array}

Given the triangle shown in [link], find the value of $sin t .$

A right triangle with sides of 7, 24, and 25. Also labeled is angle t.

\frac{7}{25}

Relating Angles and Their Functions

When working with right triangles, the same rules apply regardless of the orientation of the triangle. In fact, we can evaluate the six trigonometric functions of either of the two acute angles in the triangle in [link]. The side opposite one acute angle is the side adjacent to the other acute angle, and vice versa.

Right triangle with angles alpha and beta. Sides are labeled hypotenuse, adjacent to alpha/opposite to beta, and adjacent to beta/opposite alpha.

We will be asked to find all six trigonometric functions for a given angle in a triangle. Our strategy is to find the sine, cosine, and tangent of the angles first. Then, we can find the other trigonometric functions easily because we know that the reciprocal of sine is cosecant, the reciprocal of cosine is secant, and the reciprocal of tangent is cotangent.

Given the side lengths of a right triangle, evaluate the six trigonometric functions of one of the acute angles.

If needed, draw the right triangle and label the angle provided.
Identify the angle, the adjacent side, the side opposite the angle, and the hypotenuse of the right triangle.
Find the required function:
- sine as the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse
- cosine as the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse
- tangent as the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side
- secant as the ratio of the hypotenuse to the adjacent side
- cosecant as the ratio of the hypotenuse to the opposite side
- cotangent as the ratio of the adjacent side to the opposite side

Evaluating Trigonometric Functions of Angles Not in Standard Position

Using the triangle shown in [link], evaluate $\sin α,$

\cos α,

\tan α,

\sec α,

\csc α,

and $\cot α .$

Right triangle with sides of 3, 4, and 5. Angle alpha is also labeled.

\begin{array}{l} \sin α = \frac{opposite α}{hypotenuse} = \frac{4}{5} \\ \cos α = \frac{adjacent to α}{hypotenuse} = \frac{3}{5} \\ \tan α = \frac{opposite α}{adjacent to α} = \frac{4}{3} \\ \sec α = \frac{hypotenuse}{adjacent to α} = \frac{5}{3} \\ \csc α = \frac{hypotenuse}{opposite α} = \frac{5}{4} \\ \cot α = \frac{adjacent to α}{opposite α} = \frac{3}{4} \end{array}

Using the triangle shown in [link], evaluate $\sin t,$

\cos t,

\tan t,

\sec t,

\csc t,

and $\cot t .$

Right triangle with sides 33, 56, and 65. Angle t is also labeled.

\begin{array}{l} s i n t = \frac{33}{65}, \cos t = \frac{56}{65}, t a n t = \frac{33}{56}, \\ \sec t = \frac{65}{56}, \csc t = \frac{65}{33}, \cot t = \frac{56}{33} \end{array}

Finding Trigonometric Functions of Special Angles Using Side Lengths

We have already discussed the trigonometric functions as they relate to the special angles on the unit circle. Now, we can use those relationships to evaluate triangles that contain those special angles. We do this because when we evaluate the special angles in trigonometric functions, they have relatively friendly values, values that contain either no or just one square root in the ratio. Therefore, these are the angles often used in math and science problems. We will use multiples of $30°,$

60°,

and $45°,$

however, remember that when dealing with right triangles, we are limited to angles between $0° and 90° .$

Suppose we have a $30°, 60°, 9 0°$

triangle, which can also be described as a $\frac{π}{6}, \frac{π}{3}, \frac{π}{2}$

triangle. The sides have lengths in the relation $s, \sqrt{3} s, 2 s .$

The sides of a $45°, 45°, 90°$

triangle, which can also be described as a $\frac{π}{4}, \frac{π}{4}, \frac{π}{2}$

triangle, have lengths in the relation $s, s, \sqrt{2} s .$

These relations are shown in [link].

Two side by side graphs of circles with inscribed angles. First circle has angle of pi/3 inscribed. Second circle has angle of pi/4 inscribed.

We can then use the ratios of the side lengths to evaluate trigonometric functions of special angles.

Given trigonometric functions of a special angle, evaluate using side lengths.

Use the side lengths shown in [link] for the special angle you wish to evaluate.
Use the ratio of side lengths appropriate to the function you wish to evaluate.

Evaluating Trigonometric Functions of Special Angles Using Side Lengths

Find the exact value of the trigonometric functions of $\frac{π}{3},$

using side lengths.

\begin{array}{l} \sin (\frac{π}{3}) = \frac{opp}{hyp} = \frac{\sqrt{3} s}{2 s} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \\ \cos (\frac{π}{3}) = \frac{adj}{hyp} = \frac{s}{2 s} = \frac{1}{2} \\ \tan (\frac{π}{3}) = \frac{opp}{adj} = \frac{\sqrt{3} s}{s} = \sqrt{3} \\ \sec (\frac{π}{3}) = \frac{hyp}{adj} = \frac{2 s}{s} = 2 \\ \csc (\frac{π}{3}) = \frac{hyp}{opp} = \frac{2 s}{\sqrt{3} s} = \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{2 \sqrt{3}}{3} \\ \cot (\frac{π}{3}) = \frac{adj}{opp} = \frac{s}{\sqrt{3} s} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3} \end{array}

Find the exact value of the trigonometric functions of $\frac{π}{4},$

using side lengths.

\sin (\frac{π}{4}) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, \cos (\frac{π}{4}) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, \tan (\frac{π}{4}) = 1,

\sec (\frac{π}{4}) = \sqrt{2}, c s c (\frac{π}{4}) = \sqrt{2}, \cot (\frac{π}{4}) = 1

Using Equal Cofunction of Complements

If we look more closely at the relationship between the sine and cosine of the special angles relative to the unit circle, we will notice a pattern. In a right triangle with angles of $\frac{π}{6}$

and $\frac{π}{3},$

we see that the sine of $\frac{π}{3},$

namely $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2},$

is also the cosine of $\frac{π}{6},$

while the sine of $\frac{π}{6},$

namely $\frac{1}{2},$

is also the cosine of $\frac{π}{3} .$

\begin{array}{l} \begin{array}{l} \sin \frac{π}{3} = \cos \frac{π}{6} = \frac{\sqrt{3} s}{2 s} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \end{array} \\ \sin \frac{π}{6} = \cos \frac{π}{3} = \frac{s}{2 s} = \frac{1}{2} \end{array}

See [link]

A graph of circle with angle pi/3 inscribed.

This result should not be surprising because, as we see from [link], the side opposite the angle of $\frac{π}{3}$

is also the side adjacent to $\frac{π}{6},$

so $\sin (\frac{π}{3})$

and $\cos (\frac{π}{6})$

are exactly the same ratio of the same two sides, $\sqrt{3} s$

and $2 s .$

Similarly, $\cos (\frac{π}{3})$

and $\sin (\frac{π}{6})$

are also the same ratio using the same two sides, $s$

and $2 s .$

The interrelationship between the sines and cosines of $\frac{π}{6}$

and $\frac{π}{3}$

also holds for the two acute angles in any right triangle, since in every case, the ratio of the same two sides would constitute the sine of one angle and the cosine of the other. Since the three angles of a triangle add to $π,$

and the right angle is $\frac{π}{2},$

the remaining two angles must also add up to $\frac{π}{2} .$

That means that a right triangle can be formed with any two angles that add to $\frac{π}{2}$

—in other words, any two complementary angles. So we may state a cofunction identity: If any two angles are complementary, the sine of one is the cosine of the other, and vice versa. This identity is illustrated in [link].

Right triangle with angles alpha and beta. Equivalence between sin alpha and cos beta. Equivalence between sin beta and cos alpha.

Using this identity, we can state without calculating, for instance, that the sine of $\frac{π}{12}$

equals the cosine of $\frac{5 π}{12},$

and that the sine of $\frac{5 π}{12}$

equals the cosine of $\frac{π}{12} .$

We can also state that if, for a certain angle $t,$

\cos t = \frac{5}{13},

then $\sin (\frac{π}{2} - t) = \frac{5}{13}$

as well.

Cofunction Identities

The cofunction identities in radians are listed in [link].

\cos t = \sin (\frac{π}{2} - t)

\sin t = \cos (\frac{π}{2} - t)

\tan t = \cot (\frac{π}{2} - t)

\cot t = \tan (\frac{π}{2} - t)

\sec t = \csc (\frac{π}{2} - t)

\csc t = \sec (\frac{π}{2} - t)

Given the sine and cosine of an angle, find the sine or cosine of its complement.

To find the sine of the complementary angle, find the cosine of the original angle.
To find the cosine of the complementary angle, find the sine of the original angle.

Using Cofunction Identities

If $\sin t = \frac{5}{12},$

find $(\cos \frac{π}{2} - t) .$

According to the cofunction identities for sine and cosine,

\sin t = \cos (\frac{π}{2} - t) .

\cos (\frac{π}{2} - t) = \frac{5}{12} .

If $\csc (\frac{π}{6}) = 2,$

find $\sec (\frac{π}{3}) .$

Using Trigonometric Functions

In previous examples, we evaluated the sine and cosine in triangles where we knew all three sides. But the real power of right-triangle trigonometry emerges when we look at triangles in which we know an angle but do not know all the sides.

Given a right triangle, the length of one side, and the measure of one acute angle, find the remaining sides.

For each side, select the trigonometric function that has the unknown side as either the numerator or the denominator. The known side will in turn be the denominator or the numerator.
Write an equation setting the function value of the known angle equal to the ratio of the corresponding sides.
Using the value of the trigonometric function and the known side length, solve for the missing side length.

Finding Missing Side Lengths Using Trigonometric Ratios

Find the unknown sides of the triangle in [link].

A right triangle with sides a, c, and 7. Angle of 30 degrees is also labeled.

We know the angle and the opposite side, so we can use the tangent to find the adjacent side.

\tan (30°) = \frac{7}{a}

We rearrange to solve for $a .$

\begin{array}{l} a = \frac{7}{\tan (30°)} \\ \approx 12.1 \end{array}

We can use the sine to find the hypotenuse.

\sin (30°) = \frac{7}{c}

Again, we rearrange to solve for $c .$

\begin{array}{l} c = \frac{7}{\sin (30°)} \\ \approx 14 \end{array}

A right triangle has one angle of $\frac{π}{3}$

and a hypotenuse of 20. Find the unknown sides and angle of the triangle.

adjacent = 10;

opposite = 10 \sqrt{3}

; missing angle is $\frac{π}{6}$

Using Right Triangle Trigonometry to Solve Applied Problems

Right-triangle trigonometry has many practical applications. For example, the ability to compute the lengths of sides of a triangle makes it possible to find the height of a tall object without climbing to the top or having to extend a tape measure along its height. We do so by measuring a distance from the base of the object to a point on the ground some distance away, where we can look up to the top of the tall object at an angle. The angle of elevation of an object above an observer relative to the observer is the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer's eye. The right triangle this position creates has sides that represent the unknown height, the measured distance from the base, and the angled line of sight from the ground to the top of the object. Knowing the measured distance to the base of the object and the angle of the line of sight, we can use trigonometric functions to calculate the unknown height. Similarly, we can form a triangle from the top of a tall object by looking downward. The angle of depression of an object below an observer relative to the observer is the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer's eye. See [link].

Diagram of a radio tower with line segments extending from the top and base of the tower to a point on the ground some distance away. The two lines and the tower form a right triangle. The angle near the top of the tower is the angle of depression. The angle on the ground at a distance from the tower is the angle of elevation.

Given a tall object, measure its height indirectly.

Make a sketch of the problem situation to keep track of known and unknown information.
Lay out a measured distance from the base of the object to a point where the top of the object is clearly visible.
At the other end of the measured distance, look up to the top of the object. Measure the angle the line of sight makes with the horizontal.
Write an equation relating the unknown height, the measured distance, and the tangent of the angle of the line of sight.
Solve the equation for the unknown height.

Measuring a Distance Indirectly

To find the height of a tree, a person walks to a point 30 feet from the base of the tree. She measures an angle of $57°$

between a line of sight to the top of the tree and the ground, as shown in [link]. Find the height of the tree.

A tree with angle of 57 degrees from vantage point. Vantage point is 30 feet from tree.

We know that the angle of elevation is $57°$

and the adjacent side is 30 ft long. The opposite side is the unknown height.

The trigonometric function relating the side opposite to an angle and the side adjacent to the angle is the tangent. So we will state our information in terms of the tangent of $57°,$

letting $h$

be the unknown height.

\begin{array}{l} \tan θ = \frac{opposite}{adjacent} \\ tan (57°) = \frac{h}{30} & Solve for h . \\ h = 30 \tan (57°) & Multiply . \\ h \approx 46.2 & Use a calculator . \end{array}

The tree is approximately 46 feet tall.

How long a ladder is needed to reach a windowsill 50 feet above the ground if the ladder rests against the building making an angle of $\frac{5 π}{12}$

with the ground? Round to the nearest foot.

About 52 ft

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with right triangle trigonometry.

Visit this website for additional practice questions from Learningpod.

Key Equations

Cofunction Identities

\begin{array}{l} \begin{array}{l} \cos t = \sin (\frac{π}{2} - t) \end{array} \\ \sin t = \cos (\frac{π}{2} - t) \\ \tan t = \cot (\frac{π}{2} - t) \\ \cot t = \tan (\frac{π}{2} - t) \\ \sec t = \csc (\frac{π}{2} - t) \\ \csc t = \sec (\frac{π}{2} - t) \end{array}

Key Concepts

We can define trigonometric functions as ratios of the side lengths of a right triangle. See [link].
The same side lengths can be used to evaluate the trigonometric functions of either acute angle in a right triangle. See [link].
We can evaluate the trigonometric functions of special angles, knowing the side lengths of the triangles in which they occur. See [link].
Any two complementary angles could be the two acute angles of a right triangle.
If two angles are complementary, the cofunction identities state that the sine of one equals the cosine of the other and vice versa. See [link].
We can use trigonometric functions of an angle to find unknown side lengths.
Select the trigonometric function representing the ratio of the unknown side to the known side. See [link].
Right-triangle trigonometry permits the measurement of inaccessible heights and distances.
The unknown height or distance can be found by creating a right triangle in which the unknown height or distance is one of the sides, and another side and angle are known. See [link].

Section Exercises

Verbal

For the given right triangle, label the adjacent side, opposite side, and hypotenuse for the indicated angle.* * *

A right triangle.

![A right triangle with side opposite, adjacent, and hypotenuse labeled.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_202.jpg)

When a right triangle with a hypotenuse of 1 is placed in the unit circle, which sides of the triangle correspond to the x- and y-coordinates?

The tangent of an angle compares which sides of the right triangle?

The tangent of an angle is the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side.

What is the relationship between the two acute angles in a right triangle?

Explain the cofunction identity.

For example, the sine of an angle is equal to the cosine of its complement; the cosine of an angle is equal to the sine of its complement.

Algebraic

For the following exercises, use cofunctions of complementary angles.

\cos (34°) = \sin (\_\_°)

\cos (\frac{π}{3}) = \sin (\_\_\_)

\frac{π}{6}

\csc (21°) = \sec (\_\_\_°)

\tan (\frac{π}{4}) = \cot (\_\_)

\frac{π}{4}

For the following exercises, find the lengths of the missing sides if side $a$

is opposite angle $A,$

side $b$

is opposite angle $B,$

and side $c$

is the hypotenuse.

\cos B = \frac{4}{5}, a = 10

\sin B = \frac{1}{2}, a = 20

b = \frac{20 \sqrt{3}}{3}, c = \frac{40 \sqrt{3}}{3}

\tan A = \frac{5}{12}, b = 6

\tan A = 100, b = 100

a = 10, 000, c = 10, 000.5

\sin B = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, a = 2

a = 5, ∡ A = 60^{\circ}

b = \frac{5 \sqrt{3}}{3}, c = \frac{10 \sqrt{3}}{3}

c = 12, ∡ A = 45^{\circ}

Graphical

For the following exercises, use [link] to evaluate each trigonometric function of angle $A .$

A right triangle with sides 4 and 10 and angle of A labeled.

\sin A

\frac{5 \sqrt{29}}{29}

\cos A

\tan A

\frac{5}{2}

\csc A

\sec A

\frac{\sqrt{29}}{2}

\cot A

For the following exercises, use [link] to evaluate each trigonometric function of angle $A .$

A right triangle with sides of 10 and 8 and angle of A labeled.

\sin A

\frac{5 \sqrt{41}}{41}

\cos A

\tan A

\frac{5}{4}

\csc A

\sec A

\frac{\sqrt{41}}{4}

\cot A

For the following exercises, solve for the unknown sides of the given triangle.

![A right triangle with sides of 7, b, and c labeled. Angles of B and 30 degrees also labeled.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_205.jpg)

c = 14, b = 7 \sqrt{3}

![A right triangle with sides of 10, a, and c. Angles of 60 degrees and A also labeled.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_206.jpg)

![A right triangle with corners labeled A, B, and C. Hypotenuse has length of 15 times square root of 2. Angle B is 45 degrees.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_207.jpg)

a = 15, b = 15

Technology

For the following exercises, use a calculator to find the length of each side to four decimal places.

![A right triangle with sides of 10, a, and c. Angles of A and 62 degrees are also labeled.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_208.jpg)

![A right triangle with sides of 7, b, and c. Angles of 35 degrees and B are also labeled.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_209.jpg)

b = 9.9970, c = 12.2041

![A right triangle with sides of a, b, and 10 labeled. Angles of 65 degrees and B are also labeled.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_210.jpg)

![A right triangle with sides a, b, and 12. Angles of 10 degrees and B are also labeled.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_211.jpg)

a = 2.0838, b = 11.8177

![A right triangle with corners labeled A, B, and C. Sides labeled b, c, and 16.5. Angle of 81 degrees also labeled.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_212.jpg)

b = 15, ∡ B = 15^{\circ}

a = 55.9808, c = 57.9555

c = 200, ∡ B = 5^{\circ}

c = 50, ∡ B = 21^{\circ}

a = 46.6790, b = 17.9184

a = 30, ∡ A = 27^{\circ}

b = 3.5, ∡ A = 78^{\circ}

a = 16.4662, c = 16.8341

Extensions

Find $x .$

A triangle with angles of 63 degrees and 39 degrees and side x. Bisector in triangle with length of 82.

Find $x .$

A triangle with angles of 36 degrees and 50 degrees and side x. Bisector in triangle with length of 85.

188.3159

Find $x .$

A right triangle with side of 115 and angle of 35 degrees. Within right triangle there is another right triangle with angle of 56 degrees. Side length difference between two triangles is x.

Find $x .$

A right triangle with side of 119 and angle of 26 degrees. Within right triangle there is another right triangle with angle of 70 degrees instead of 26 degrees. Difference in side length between two triangles is x.

200.6737

A radio tower is located 400 feet from a building. From a window in the building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the tower is $36°,$

and that the angle of depression to the bottom of the tower is $23° .$

How tall is the tower?

A radio tower is located 325 feet from a building. From a window in the building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the tower is $43°,$

and that the angle of depression to the bottom of the tower is $31° .$

How tall is the tower?

498.3471 ft

A 200-foot tall monument is located in the distance. From a window in a building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the monument is $15°,$

and that the angle of depression to the bottom of the tower is $2° .$

How far is the person from the monument?

A 400-foot tall monument is located in the distance. From a window in a building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the monument is $18°,$

and that the angle of depression to the bottom of the monument is $3° .$

How far is the person from the monument?

1060.09 ft

There is an antenna on the top of a building. From a location 300 feet from the base of the building, the angle of elevation to the top of the building is measured to be $40° .$

From the same location, the angle of elevation to the top of the antenna is measured to be $43° .$

Find the height of the antenna.

There is lightning rod on the top of a building. From a location 500 feet from the base of the building, the angle of elevation to the top of the building is measured to be $36° .$

From the same location, the angle of elevation to the top of the lightning rod is measured to be $38° .$

Find the height of the lightning rod.

27.372 ft

Real-World Applications

A 33-ft ladder leans against a building so that the angle between the ground and the ladder is $80° .$

How high does the ladder reach up the side of the building?

A 23-ft ladder leans against a building so that the angle between the ground and the ladder is $80° .$

How high does the ladder reach up the side of the building?

22.6506 ft

The angle of elevation to the top of a building in New York is found to be 9 degrees from the ground at a distance of 1 mile from the base of the building. Using this information, find the height of the building.

The angle of elevation to the top of a building in Seattle is found to be 2 degrees from the ground at a distance of 2 miles from the base of the building. Using this information, find the height of the building.

368.7633 ft

Assuming that a 370-foot tall giant redwood grows vertically, if I walk a certain distance from the tree and measure the angle of elevation to the top of the tree to be $60°,$

how far from the base of the tree am I?

Review Exercises

Angles

For the following exercises, convert the angle measures to degrees.

\frac{π}{4}

45°

- \frac{5 π}{3}

For the following exercises, convert the angle measures to radians.

-210°

- \frac{7 π}{6}

180°

Find the length of an arc in a circle of radius 7 meters subtended by the central angle of 85°.

10.385 meters

Find the area of the sector of a circle with diameter 32 feet and an angle of $\frac{3 π}{5}$

radians.

For the following exercises, find the angle between 0° and 360° that is coterminal with the given angle.

420°

60°

- 80°

For the following exercises, find the angle between 0 and $2 π$

in radians that is coterminal with the given angle.

- \frac{20 π}{11}

\frac{2 π}{11}

\frac{14 π}{5}

For the following exercises, draw the angle provided in standard position on the Cartesian plane.

-210°

![A graph of a circle with a negative angle inscribed.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_217.jpg)

75°

\frac{5 π}{4}

![A graph of a circle with an angle inscribed.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_219.jpg)

- \frac{π}{3}

Find the linear speed of a point on the equator of the earth if the earth has a radius of 3,960 miles and the earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours. Express answer in miles per hour.

1036.73 miles per hour

A car wheel with a diameter of 18 inches spins at the rate of 10 revolutions per second. What is the car’s speed in miles per hour?

Unit Circle: Sine and Cosine Functions

Find the exact value of $\sin \frac{π}{3} .$

\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}

Find the exact value of $\cos \frac{π}{4} .$

Find the exact value of $\cos π .$

–1

State the reference angle for $300° .$

State the reference angle for $\frac{3 π}{4} .$

\frac{π}{4}

Compute cosine of $330° .$

Compute sine of $\frac{5 π}{4} .$

- \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}

State the domain of the sine and cosine functions.

State the range of the sine and cosine functions.

[- 1, 1]

The Other Trigonometric Functions

For the following exercises, find the exact value of the given expression.

\cos \frac{π}{6}

\tan \frac{π}{4}

\csc \frac{π}{3}

\sec \frac{π}{4}

\sqrt{2}

For the following exercises, use reference angles to evaluate the given expression.

\sec \frac{11 π}{3}

\sec 315°

\sqrt{2}

If $\sec (t) = - 2.5$

, what is the $sec (- t) ?$

If $tan (t) = - 0.6,$

what is the $tan (- t) ?$

0.6

If $tan (t) = \frac{1}{3},$

find $tan (t - π) .$

If $cos (t) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2},$

find $sin (t + 2 π) .$

\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}

or $- \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$

Which trigonometric functions are even?

Which trigonometric functions are odd?

sine, cosecant, tangent, cotangent

Right Triangle Trigonometry

For the following exercises, use side lengths to evaluate.

\cos \frac{π}{4}

\cot \frac{π}{3}

\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}

\tan \frac{π}{6}

\cos (\frac{π}{2}) = \sin (\_\_°)

\csc (18 °) = \sec (\_\_°)

For the following exercises, use the given information to find the lengths of the other two sides of the right triangle.

\cos B = \frac{3}{5}, a = 6

b = 8, c = 10

\tan A = \frac{5}{9}, b = 6

For the following exercises, use [link] to evaluate each trigonometric function.

A right triangle with side lengths of 11 and 6. Corners A and B are also labeled.

\sin A

\frac{11 \sqrt{157}}{157}

\tan B

For the following exercises, solve for the unknown sides of the given triangle.

![A right triangle with corners labeled A, B, and C. Hyptenuse has length of 4 times square root of 2. Other angles measure 45 degrees.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_222n.jpg)

a = 4, b = 4

![A right triangle with hypotenuse with length 5, and an angle of 30 degrees.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_223n.jpg)

A 15-ft ladder leans against a building so that the angle between the ground and the ladder is $70° .$

How high does the ladder reach up the side of the building?

14.0954 ft

The angle of elevation to the top of a building in Baltimore is found to be 4 degrees from the ground at a distance of 1 mile from the base of the building. Using this information, find the height of the building.

Practice Test

Convert $\frac{5 π}{6}$

radians to degrees.

150°

Convert $−620°$

to radians.

Find the length of a circular arc with a radius 12 centimeters subtended by the central angle of $30° .$

6.283 centimeters

Find the area of the sector with radius of 8 feet and an angle of $\frac{5 π}{4}$

radians.

Find the angle between $0°$

and $360°$

that is coterminal with $375° .$

15°

Find the angle between 0 and $2 π$

in radians that is coterminal with $- \frac{4 π}{7} .$

Draw the angle $315°$

in standard position on the Cartesian plane.

![A graph of a circle with an angle inscribed.](/precalculus-book/resources/CNX_Precalc_Figure_05_04_224.jpg)

Draw the angle $- \frac{π}{6}$

in standard position on the Cartesian plane.

A carnival has a Ferris wheel with a diameter of 80 feet. The time for the Ferris wheel to make one revolution is 75 seconds. What is the linear speed in feet per second of a point on the Ferris wheel? What is the angular speed in radians per second?

3.351 feet per second, $\frac{2 π}{75}$

radians per second

Find the exact value of $\sin \frac{π}{6} .$

Compute sine of $240° .$

- \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}

State the domain of the sine and cosine functions.

State the range of the sine and cosine functions.

[- 1, 1]

Find the exact value of $\cot \frac{π}{4} .$

Find the exact value of $\tan \frac{π}{3} .$

\sqrt{3}

Use reference angles to evaluate $\csc \frac{7 π}{4} .$

Use reference angles to evaluate $\tan 210 ° .$

\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}

If $csc t = 0.68,$

what is the $csc (- t) ?$

If $cos t = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2},$

find $cos (t - 2 π) .$

\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}

Which trigonometric functions are even?

Find the missing angle: $\cos (\frac{π}{6}) = \sin (\_\_\_)$

\frac{π}{3}

Find the missing sides of the triangle $A B C : \sin B = \frac{3}{4}, c = 12$

Find the missing sides of the triangle.

A right triangle with hyptenuse length of 9 and angle measure of 60 degrees.

a = \frac{9}{2}, b = \frac{9 \sqrt{3}}{2}

The angle of elevation to the top of a building in Chicago is found to be 9 degrees from the ground at a distance of 2000 feet from the base of the building. Using this information, find the height of the building.

Glossary

adjacent side: in a right triangle, the side between a given angle and the right angle

angle of depression: the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer’s eye, assuming the object is positioned lower than the observer

angle of elevation: the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer’s eye, assuming the object is positioned higher than the observer

opposite side: in a right triangle, the side most distant from a given angle

hypotenuse: the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle

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