Jose Rizal

Parang Parang, Orani, Bataan

Institute
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MODULE 7
TRIANGLE TRIGONOMETRY
I. INTRODUCTION AND FOCUS QUESTIONS
Have you ever wondered how towers and buildings were constructed? How do you determine the distance
traveled as well as the height of an airplane as it takes off? What about determining the height of the mountain? We
can do all these things even if we are not in the real place or situation. These are just some of many real-world
applications of triangle trigonometry.

This module will help you understand how to use the concepts on triangle trigonometry in solving different
real-life problems involving right triangle.

II. LESSONS AND COVERAGE

In this module, you will find answers to questions above by studying the following lessons:
Lesson 1 – The Six Trigonometric Ratios
The Trigonometric Ratios of Special Angles
Angles of Elevation and Angles of Depression
Lesson 2 – Application: The Use of Trigonometric Ratios in Solving Real-Life Problems involving Right Triangles
Lesson 3 – Oblique Triangles
3.1 – Law of sines and its applications
3.2 – Law of cosines and its applications

III. MODULE MAP

LESSON 1: The Six Trigonometric Ratios,

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The Trigonometric Ratios of Special Angles
Angles of Elevation and Angles of Depression

Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
A illustrate the six trigonometric ratios: sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent.
B. find the trigonometric ratios of special angles.
C. illustrate angles of elevation and angles of depression.

INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
Activity 1: Measuring and Calculating

Learn about It.

TRIANGLE TRIGONOMETRY

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Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies relationships between the sides and angles of triangles. The word
trigonometry is a 16th-century Latin derivative from the Greek words for triangle (trigōnon) and measure (metron). Basically, it
is a study of the parts of a triangle.
This unit focuses on right triangle trigonometry, a branch of mathematics that deals with the relations between the sides
and angles of right triangles.

THE SIX TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS

In a right triangle, we can define actually six trigonometric ratios. Consider the right triangle ABC below. In this
triangle we let θ represent∠ B. Then the leg denoted by a is the side adjacent toθ , and the leg denoted byb is the side opposite
to θ .

opposite b
Sineθ= =
hypotenuse c
hypotenuse c
Cosecant θ= =
opposite b

adjacent a hypotenuse c
Cosine θ= = Secant θ= =
hypotenuse c adjacent a

SOH – CAH – TOA is a mnemonic used for remembering the equations.

Examples:
A. Find the values of the 6 trigonometric functions for each of the following indicated angles:
1.
opposite side of M =21
adjacent side of M =20
hypotenuse=29

Answers:
21 29
sin M = Csc M =
29 21
20 29
cos M = Sec M =
29 20
21 20
tan M = cot M =
20 21
2.
opposite side of R=45
adjacent side of R=m
hypotenuse=50

Answers:
45 50
sin R= Csc R=
50 45
m 50
cos R= Sec R=
50 m
45 m
tan R= cot R=
m 45
B. In a right triangle, the legs measure 5 cm and 12 cm, find the values of the 6 trigonometric functions of indicated acute
angle of the right triangle.
Let r – hypotenuse
5 13
A – acute angle sin A= Csc A=
To find r, use the Pythagorean Theorem 13 5
2 2 2
r =5 +12
2 12 13
r =25+144 cos A= Sec A=
13 12
√ r 2=√ 169
r =13 5 12
tan A= cot A=
12 5
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C. Showing a formula for the Missing Parts of a Right Triangle

Example 1. Determine the equation or formula to find a missing part of the triangle.

a. Solve for s in the figure above. b. Solve for p in the figure above.
Solution: ∠ P is an acute angle, t is the Solution: ∠ P is an acute angle, t is the
hypotenuse, s is the side adjacent to ∠ P . hypotenuse, and p is the opposite side of ∠ P .
Use CAH , that is Use SOH , that is

adjacent opposite
cos θ= sin θ=
hypotenuse hypotenuse

s s p p
cos P= cos 53 °= sin P= sin 53 °=
t 12 t 12
s=12cos 53 ° p=12 sin 53 °
c. Solve for a in figure 2.
Solution: ∠ B is an acute angle, b is the opposite side, and a is the side adjacent to ∠ B .
Use TOA, that is
opposite
tanθ=
ajacent

b 10.6
tan B= tan67 ° =
a a
a tan 67 °=10.6
10.6
a=
tan 67 °
d. Solve for c in figure 2.
Solution:∠ B is an acute angle, b is the opposite side and c is the hypotenuse of the given acute angle.
Use SOH, that is
opposite
sin θ=
hypotenuse
b 10.6
sin B= sin 67 °=
c c
c sin 67 °=10.6
10.6
c=
sin 67 °
THE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS OF SPECIAL ANGLES
In an isosceles right triangle, the legs are congruent. Suppose the lengths of the legs of isosceles rt . ∆ ACB is 1 unit.

2 2 2
By Pythagorean Theorem: c =1 +1
2
c =1+1
2
c =2
c= √ 2

The 6 trigonometric ratios of A = B = 45 are as follows:

= ∙ √ =√ √ 2 =√ 2
1 1 2 2
sin 45 ° = csc 45 ° =
√ 2 √2 √2 2 1
cos 45 °= = √ √2
1 2
sec 45 °= =√ 2
√2 2 1
1 1
tan 45 °= =1 cot 45° = =1
1 1

For 30 - 60 - 90 right triangle, consider equilateral triangle ABC of sides 2 units with m A=m B=mC=60 .

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If m A = 60 is bisected, thenm DAB=m DAC=30 .
Consequently, BD=DC=1
By Pythagorean Theorem, AC 2= AD 2+ DC 2
2 2 2
2 = AD + 1
2
4= AD +1
2
4−1=AD
2
AD =3
AD=√ 3

The trigonometric ratios for acute angle 60 are determined as follows:

√3 = ∙√ = √
2 2 3 2 3
sin 60 °= csc 60 °=
2 √ 3 √3 √3 3
1 2
cos 60 ° = sec 60 °= =2
2 1
√3 cot 60 °= = ∙ √ = √
1 1 3 3
√3 tan60 ° = =√ 3
1 √ 3 √3 √3 3

For acute angle 30, the following trigonometric ratios are determined:

1 2
sin 30 °= csc 30 °= =2
2 1
√3 sec 30 °= = ∙ √ = √
2 2 3 2 3
cos 30 °=
2 √ √ √3 3
3 3
tan30 °= = ∙ √ = √ cot 30 °= √ =√ 3
1 1 3 3 3
√ 3 √3 √ 3 3 1

Examples:
Evaluate the following trigonometric expressions.

(2) (2)
2 2
1. sin 30 °−tan 45 °=
1
−1=
−1 2
3. cos 45° + sin 45 °=
2 √2 + √2
2 2

2. tan30 ° cos 30 °=
√3 ∙ √3 = 3 = 1 2 2 4
¿ + = =1
3 2 6 2 4 4 4

The table below is constructed for easy reference.

TRIGONOMETRIC TABLE OF SPECIAL ANGLES

Special
Acute Angle sin θ cos θ tanθ csc θ sec θ cot θ
θ
30 1 √3 √3 2 2 √3 √3
2 2 3 3
45 √2 √2 1 √2 √2 1
2 2
60 √3 1 √3 2 √3 2 √3
2 2 3 3

TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS OF OTHER ANGLES

The basic unit of angle measure is the degree.
1 degree = 60 minutes (1 °=60 ' ⁡¿

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1 minute = 60 seconds ¿
The expression 12 25’ means 12 degrees and 25 minutes.
The expression 19 20’15” means 19 degrees, 20 minutes and 15 seconds

USING SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR IN FINDING THE TRIGONOMETRIC VALUES

In using scientific calculator, first check the function mode. It must be in degree mode. This can be indicated by the
screen display DEG . Note the keys for sin , cos and tan.

Examples:
1. Use scientific calculator to find the value of the following in 4-decimal places.
a. sin ⁡10 ° 15' 25 = 0.178
b. cos 38 ° 24' 46 = 0. 7836
c. tan75 ° 29 ' 28 = 3.864
d. sin 47.9 °=0.7420
e. cos 28.95 °=0.8750

SOLUTIONS OF RIGHT TRIANGLE

A triangle is solved when all the measures of its parts, the three sides and the three angles, are known.
In solving a right triangle, at least two parts are given. The other parts can be determined by using the definition of
trigonometric functions.
When solving a right triangle, it is a good practice to draw the right triangle whose parts are proportional to the given
data. Label these parts to easily identify the unknowns. Then, use the appropriate trigonometric functions to find the unknown
parts.
Examples:
A. Solve each rt.∆ ACB , given two of its parts.
1. A=12° , b=20 cm
2. B=35.4 ° , c=35 m
Solutions:
1. Given: Solutions: To find B, use the fact that the acute angles of a right
A=12° , b=20 cm triangle are complementary.
Find: B,a,c m A +m B=90 °
12 °+ m B=90°
m B=90 °−12 °
m B=78 °
To find a , use the definition of tan12 ° To find c , use the definition of
a cos 12 °
tan12 °= 20
20 cos 12 °=
a=20 ¿ c
a=20(0.2126) c¿
a=4.25 cm 20 20
2. Given: c= =
m A +m B=90 ° cos 12 ° 0.9781
Solutions:
B=35.4 ° , c=35 m m A +35.4 °=90°c=20.45 cm
Find: A , a , b
m A=90 ° −35.4 °
m A=54.6 °

To find a , use the definition of cos 35.4 ° To find b , use the definition of sin 35.4 °
a b
cos 35.4 °= sin 35.4 °=
35 35
a=35(cos 35.4 °) b=35(sin 35.4 ° )
a=35(0.8151) b=35(0.5793)
a=28.53 m b=20.28 m
ANGLES OF ELEVATION
AND DEPRESSION
The angle of elevation is the angle between a horizontal line from the observer and the line of sight to an object that is
above the horizontal line.

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In the diagram, AB is the horizontal line. θ is the angle

of elevation from the observer at A to the object at C.

The angle of depression is the angle between a horizontal line from the observer and the line of sight to an object that
is below the horizontal line.

In the diagram, PQ is the horizontal line. θ is the angle of

depression from the observer at P to the object at R.

Examples:
1. A tower is 15.24 m high. At a certain distance away from the tower, an observer determines that the angle of elevation to the
top of it is 41°. How far is the observer from the base of the tower?

Solutions:
opposite
tanθ=
adjacent
15.24
tan 41° =
x
x tan 41 °=15.24
15.24 15.24
x= =
tan 41° 0.8693
x=17.53 m
2. An airplane is flying at a height of 4 kilometers above the ground. The distance along the ground from the airplane to the
airport is 6 kilometers. What is the angle of depression from the airplane to the airport?

Solutions:
opposite
tan α =
adjacent
4
tan α =
6
tan α =0.6667
−1
α =tan 0.6667
α =33.69 °

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3. From the top of a tower, a man finds that the angle of depression of a car on the ground is 30°. If the car is at a distance 40
meters from the tower, find the height of the tower.

h
tan30 °=
40
h=40 tan30 °
h=40(0.5774)
h=23.10 m – Height of the tower

References
Books

Bryant, Merden L. et.al (2014). Mathematics Grade 9 Learner's Material (pp 425-461). Module 7: Triangle Trigonometry.
Department of Education. Vibal Group, Inc. Retrieved date: March 23, 2021

Fernando B. Orines, et.al (2018). Next Century Mathematics (pp. 353-377). Unit 7: Triangle Trigonometry. Quezon City:
Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. Retrieved date: March 23, 2021

PRACTICE (USE YELLOW PAPER)

NAME: ____________________________ SECTION: _____________
A. Determine the 6 trigonometric functions of the following indicated angle of the right triangles:
1. 2.

B. Evaluate the following trigonometric expressions (Use the Table of Trigonometric Ratios of Special Acute Angles)
3. cos 60 °+cot 45 °−csc 30 °

4. tan60 ° ∙ sec 30 °+ cos 60 °

5. csc 30 °+cos 30 ° ∙ tan 60°

6. sin 30 ° ∙ cot 30 °∙ tan30 ° ∙ cos 30 °

sec 60 °−cot 45°

7. sin 30° ∙ csc 30°

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C. Using scientific calculator, determine the values of the following: (give the answers up to 2 decimal places
8. Sin 35 25’ 15” −1
16. sin 0.7821
9. Sin 56 33’ 39” 17. −1
cos 0.6378
10. Tan 66 33’ −1
18. tan 1.2345
11. Cos 33 26’ −1
19. sin 0.6971
12. Tan 13 33’ 4” −1
20. cos 0.5325
13. Sin 49 28’
−1
21. tan 0.2134
14. Tan 25 33’ 12”
−1
22. sin 0.7681
15. Sin 58 32’
−1
23. cos 0.96317

D. Solve the following problems:

24. A hiker is 400 meters away from the base of the radio tower. The angle of elevation to the top of the tower is 46°. How
high is the tower?

25. A building stands on the bank of a river. A man observes from a corner of the roof of the building, the foot of an electric
post just on the opposite bank. If the angle of depression of the foot of the light post at your eye is 30° and the height
of the building is 12 meters, what is the width of the river?

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