SOLUTION: Help! How do you tell the difference between the adjacent and opposite side of a triangle? Is the adjacent side the base?

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: Help! How do you tell the difference between the adjacent and opposite side of a triangle? Is the adjacent side the base?      Log On


   

Question 177447This question is from textbook saxon algebra 2
: Help! How do you tell the difference between the adjacent and opposite side of a triangle? Is the adjacent side the base? This question is from textbook saxon algebra 2

Found 2 solutions by MathTherapy, Mathtut:
Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In any right-triangle, the HYPOTENUSE is ALWAYS opposite the 90 degree angle. That leaves the other 2 sides. Now, the side that is OPPOSITE the GIVEN ANGLE is the opposite side (opposite the given angle), thereby making the other side the adjacent side. This adjacent side could be but is NOT NECESSARILY the base.

Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The adjacent side is the side next to the reference angle.
The opposite side is the side directly across from the reference angle.
remember ,it is important to understand that the names of the opposite side and adjacent sides change when you move from one reference angle to the other.