7.2 Right triangle trigonometry  (Page 5/12)

Key equations

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 facilitates 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

Algebraic

For the following exercises, use cofunctions of complementary angles.

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.