How to Find Missing Sides and Angles of a Right Triangle? (+FREE Worksheet!)

How to Find Missing Sides and Angles of a Right Triangle? (+FREE Worksheet!)

Missing Sides and Angles of a Right Triangle – Example 1:

Find AC in the following triangle. Round answers to the nearest tenth.

Tutor-style math help

Find Missing Sides and Angles of a Right Triangle: what to notice and how to work it

Trigonometry skill
Trigonometry connects an angle to a triangle ratio, a unit-circle coordinate, or a repeating graph. Choosing the right picture makes the problem much easier.

What to notice first

Decide whether the problem is triangle-based, circle-based, or graph-based. Then use the matching definition.

Common student mistake

Do not mix degrees and radians. The angle unit must match the formula, graph scale, or calculator setting.

Key formulas and cues

\(\sin\theta=\frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\)
\(\cos\theta=\frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\)
\(\tan\theta=\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}\)
\(\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta=1\)
(cos theta, sin theta)

A reliable path

  1. Choose the modelUse a right triangle, the unit circle, or a transformed graph.
  2. Track unitsConvert degrees and radians when needed.
  3. Use identitiesReplace complicated trig expressions with equivalent simpler ones.

Worked examples

Right-triangle sine

Example: opposite = 5, hypotenuse = 13
  1. Sine is opposite over hypotenuse.
  2. Substitute 5 and 13.
  3. Leave the ratio simplified.
Answer: \(\sin\theta=\frac5{13}\)

Unit-circle cosine

Example: \(\cos(0)\)
  1. At angle 0, the point is (1, 0).
  2. Cosine is the x-coordinate.
  3. Read the x-value.
Answer: \(1\)
Try one before moving on
Try: In a right triangle, tangent equals which ratio?
Answer: Opposite over adjacent.
Next step: do the matching worksheet or quiz while the method is still fresh, then come back and explain the first step in your own words.

Solution:

\(sin\) \(θ=\frac{opposite}{hypotenuse}\). \(sin\) \(45^\circ=\frac{AC}{8}→8 ×sin 45^\circ=AC\),
now use a calculator to find \(sin\) \(45^\circ\). \(sin\) \(45^\circ=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}→\cong 0.70710\)

AC\(=\) \( 0.70710 \) \(×\) \( 8 \) \( \cong 5.7 \) → AC\(=5.7\)

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Missing Sides and Angles of a Right Triangle – Example 2:

Find AC in the following triangle. Round answers to the nearest tenth.

Solution:

\(sin\) \(θ=\frac{opposite}{hypotenuse}\). \(sin\) \(40^\circ=\frac{AC}{6}→6 ×\) \(sin\) \(40^\circ=AC\),
now use a calculator to find \(sin\) \(40^\circ\). \(sin\) \(40^\circ\cong 0.642\)

AC\(=\) \( 0.642 \) \(×\) \(6 \) \( \cong 3.9 \) → AC\(= 3.9\)

Exercises for Finding Missing Sides and Angles of a Right Triangle

Find the missing side. Round answers to the nearest tenth.

Answers

  • \(\color{blue}{31.4}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{7.0}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{16.2}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{31.1}\)

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