Question 147254: Hi, this is Scott.
I really dont have any clue to what im supposed to do. Im trying to find trigonometric function values of acute angles and I really need help, cause i need to pass this section of my book by Monday.
Thank you for your time.
Scott Johnson
Found 3 solutions by Alan3354, jim_thompson5910, mangopeeler07:
Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source):
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Please post the entire problem. Are you given an angle and supposed to find the ratio/side of a triangle, or are you given two sides and supposed to find the angle?
Answer by mangopeeler07(462) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! The six trig functions are sin, cos, tan, csc, sec, and cot. The angles that you need these ratios for are probably 45, 30, and/or 60 degree angles, correct? Those are probably included. If you have already learned about special triangles and unit circles, then draw them on a unit circle and obtain your answers there. (A unit circle is a circle with the radius of one unit). If not, then just draw some right triangles on a piece of paper and hear me out:
Pick one triangle, mark it isosceles and put 45 degree marks in the angles that aren't right. The ratio of sides is this: the length of both legs is x, and the length of the hypotenuse is  . Next, pick another triangle and make it a 30, 60, 90 triangle. Mark the lengths as follows: hypotenuse=2x, short leg=x, and long leg= . Using these triangles that you have just drawn, you can take the ratios. If you know how to do that, then stop reading this.
But if you don't, keep on reading and hear me out: Use the lengths of the sides to form your ratios. Substitute 1 for x. Whether a leg is opposite or adjacent to the angle is based on the placement of the angle. If the angle touches the side, it is adjacent. If not, it is opposite. The hypotenuse is never adjacent or opposite, it is just the hypotenuse. sin=opposite leg/hypotenuse. cos=adjacent leg/hypotenuse. tan=opposite leg/adjacent leg. csc=the reciprocal of sin. sec=reciprocal of cos. cot=reciprocal of tan.
If you are given side lengths and no angles, observe the ratio of the sides. If they are like the ones mentioned above or proportional, then you know what to do. But if not, hear me out: Find the requested ratio. Then get a calculator with trig ability. Push the button that says "2nd" on it. (it might be a different color than the rest of the buttons...). Then push the button for the indicated function you want, and punch in the ratio. Push enter and it will give you the measure of the angle. If you want to know how that works, then set up an equation like this:  .
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