SOHCAHTOA

We spent this entire week reviewing for an taking tests except for Friday so SOHCAHTOA it is.

sinƟ=opposite/hypotenuse

cosƟ=adjacent/hypotenuse

tanƟ=opposite/adjacent

-This is only used on RIGHT triangles. A right triangle has one right angle.

-You CANNOT use the 90° angle in these types of problems.

-An angle of elevation

-An angle of depression

-When labeling your triangle you must do so alphabetically clockwise.

EXAMPLE: A 25 ft. pole is leaning against a building at an inline of 75°. Find the distance from the base of the building to the foot of the pole and the height of the pole.

First, draw yourself a triangle and label it.

I’m going to solve for x using cosine.

Cos75°=x/25 (using calculator)

X=6.470, add this to the sketch of your triangle ( I will show you the final drawing at the end of this blog)

Next, I’m going to solve for y using sine.

Sin75°=y/25 (using calculator)

Y=24.148, add this to the sketch also.

Your final sketch should look like this (:

There you have it. Oh and good luck with everyone’s exams (:

--Sarah