Name: ___________________________________

Trigonometric Ratios
(Section 9.5)

Finding the lengths of sides of a right triangle.

Review:
 If you have the lengths of two sides of a right triangle, you can use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the
third side. Theorem: leg2 + leg2 = hypotenuse2

 If you have the length of one side of a 45°-45°-90° triangle, you can use the “45°-45°-90°” theorem to find the lengths
of the other two sides. Ratio: x:x:x√2

 If you have the length of one side of a 30°-60°-90° triangle, you can use the “30°-60°-90°” theorem to find the lengths
of the other two sides. Ratio: x:x√3:2x

SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA

Trigonometric Ratios for a Right Triangle:

Sine (sin) of acute angle A = side opposite of angle A Sin = opposite/hypotenuse S = O/H SOH
hypotenuse

Cosine (cos) of acute angle A = side adjacent to angle A Cos = adjacent/hypotenuse C = A/H CAH
hypotenuse

Tangent (tan) of acute angle A = side opposite of angle A Tan = opposite/adjacent T = O/A TOA
side adjacent to angle A

SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA

Problem to Solve: In a right triangle, if you have the length of one side and the measure of an acute angle, you can use a
trigonometric ratio to find the length of either of the two other sides.

How:
1. Circle an acute angle whose measure is known. Why? So you won’t forget what acute angle you’re working with.
2. Label the leg opposite the circled angle as “opposite”, the leg adjacent to the circled angle as “adjacent”, and the side
across from the right angle as “hypotenuse”.
3. Select the trigonometric ratio that uses the side whose length is known and a side whose length you will find. (Sine is
opposite over hypotenuse, cosine is adjacent over hypotenuse, and tangent is opposite over adjacent.)
4. Set up a proportion, and then substitute the known length and variable into the proportion.
5. Use a calculator (in “degree” mode) to find the trigonometric value to 4 decimal places, and substitute that value into
the proportion.
6. Solve the proportion, rounding your answer to the nearest tenth.
7. If you need to find the length of the third side, you can use the Pythagorean theorem or a trigonometric ratio.

See an example problem on the back of this sheet.

 SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA
SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA

Example: Find c and d.

C
50 ° d
6

90 °
D c E

Step 1. Circle angle C.

C
50° d
6

90°
D c E

Step 2. Label the sides according to the circled angle.

C
hypotenuse
50° d
adjacent 6

90°
D c E
opposi te

Step 3. Select tangent (TOA) since the adjacent is known and we’ll find the opposite (c).

Step 4. Set up a proportion. tan C = opposite ⇒ tan 50° = c

1 adjacent 1 6

Step 5. With the calculator in degree mode, tan 50° ≈ 1.1918. So 1.1918 = c
1 6

Step 6. Solve the proportion. c = 1.1918(6), so c ≈ 7.2.

Step 7. Use the Pythagorean theorem to find d. 62 + 7.22 = d2. So d ≈ 9.4

Now try #23 on page 457.

SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA ≈ SOH CAH TOA