Lecture and Assessment On Solving A Right Triangle
Lecture and Assessment On Solving A Right Triangle
For example:
Solutions:
To solve for 𝑐, which is the hypotenuse, use the Pythagorean Theorem.
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
𝑐 2 = (5)2 + (8)2 Replace 𝑎 with 5, and 𝑏 with 8.
2
𝑐 = 25 + 64 Get the square of 5 and 8, then add.
𝑐 2 = 89
√𝑐 2 = √89 Get the square root of both sides of the equation.
𝒄 = 𝟗. 𝟒𝟑 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
To solve for ∠𝐴, use the given measurements which are 𝑎 and 𝑏. With respect to ∠𝐴, side 𝑎 is the opposite
side, and side 𝑏 is the adjacent side. Among the primary trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA,
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
TOA contains the opposite and the adjacent sides, therefore, to solve for ∠𝐴, use 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
tan 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑎
tan 𝐴 = 𝑏
5
tan 𝐴 = Replace 𝑎 with 5, and 𝑏 with 8. Then, divide.
8
tan 𝐴 = 0.625 On the solution part, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal places.
∠𝐴 = tan−1 0.625 Get the measure of the angle by using arc functions on your calculators.
∠𝑨 = 𝟑𝟐° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Lastly, based on the fact that ∠𝐴 and ∠𝐵 are complementary angles, therefore, solve for ∠𝐵 by subtracting
the measure of ∠𝐴 from 𝟗𝟎°.
∠𝐵 = 90° − ∠𝐴
∠𝐵 = 90° − 32°
∠𝑩 = 𝟓𝟖° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
2) Triangle ACB is right angled at C. If a = 7 and b = 10, find c, ∠A, and ∠B.
Solutions:
To solve for 𝑐, which is the hypotenuse, use the Pythagorean Theorem.
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
𝑐 2 = (7)2 + (10)2 Replace 𝑎 with 7, and 𝑏 with 10.
𝑐 2 = 49 + 100 Get the square of 7 and 10, then add.
𝑐 2 = 149
√𝑐 2 = √149 Get the square root of both sides of the equation.
𝒄 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟐𝟏 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
To solve for ∠𝐴, use the given measurements which are 𝑎 and 𝑏. With respect to ∠𝐴, side 𝑎 is the opposite
side, and side 𝑏 is the adjacent side. Among the primary trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA,
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
TOA contains the opposite and the adjacent sides, therefore, to solve for ∠𝐴, use 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
tan 𝜃 =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑎
tan 𝐴 = 𝑏
7
tan 𝐴 = 10
Replace 𝑎 with 7, and 𝑏 with 10. Then, divide.
tan 𝐴 = 0.7 On the solution part, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal places.
∠𝐴 = tan−1 0.7 Get the measure of the angle by using arc functions on your calculators.
∠𝑨 = 𝟑𝟒. 𝟗𝟗° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Lastly, based on the fact that ∠𝐴 and ∠𝐵 are complementary angles, therefore, solve for ∠𝐵 by subtracting
the measure of ∠𝐴 from 𝟗𝟎°.
∠𝐵 = 90° − ∠𝐴
∠𝐵 = 90° − 34.99°
∠𝑩 = 𝟓𝟓. 𝟎𝟏° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
SOLVING A RIGHT TRIANGLE GIVEN THE LENGTH OF THE HYPOTENUSE AND THE LENGTH OF ONE LEG
For example:
1) Triangle ACB is right angled at C. If b = 17 and c = 23, find a, ∠A, and ∠B.
Solutions:
To solve for 𝑎, which is a leg, use the derived formula from the
Pythagorean Theorem which is 𝑎2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2 .
𝑎2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2
𝑎2 = (23)2 − (17)2 Replace 𝑐 with 23, and 𝑏 with 17.
𝑎2 = 529 − 289 Get the square of 23 and 17, then subtract.
2
𝑎 = 240
√𝑎2 = √240 Get the square root of both sides of the equation.
𝒂 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟒𝟗 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
To solve for ∠𝐴, use the given measurements which are 𝑐 and 𝑏. With respect to ∠𝐴, side 𝑐 is the
hypotenuse, and side 𝑏 is the adjacent side. Among the primary trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-
CAH-TOA, CAH contains the hypotenuse and the adjacent sides, therefore, to solve for ∠𝐴, use
𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = .
𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
cos 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑏
cos 𝐴 =
𝑐
17
cos 𝐴 = 23
Replace 𝑏 with 17, and 𝑐 with 23. Then, divide.
cos 𝐴 = 0.7391 On the solution part, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal places.
∠𝐴 = cos−1 0.7391 Get the measure of the angle by using arc functions on your calculators.
∠𝑨 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟑𝟓° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Lastly, based on the fact that ∠𝐴 and ∠𝐵 are complementary angles, therefore, solve for ∠𝐵 by subtracting
the measure of ∠𝐴 from 𝟗𝟎°.
∠𝐵 = 90° − ∠𝐴
∠𝐵 = 90° − 42.35°
∠𝑩 = 𝟒𝟕. 𝟔𝟓° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
2) Triangle ACB is right angled at C. If a = 12 and c = 13, find b, ∠A, and ∠B.
Solutions:
To solve for 𝑏, which is a leg, use the derived formula from the
Pythagorean Theorem which is 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 .
𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2
𝑏 2 = (13)2 − (12)2 Replace 𝑐 with 13, and 𝑎 with 12.
𝑏 2 = 169 − 144 Get the square of 13 and 12, then subtract.
2
𝑏 = 25
√𝑏 2 = √25 Get the square root of both sides of the equation.
𝒃=𝟓 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
To solve for ∠𝐴, use the given measurements which are 𝑐 and 𝑎. With respect to ∠𝐴, side 𝑐 is the
hypotenuse, and side 𝑎 is the opposite side. Among the primary trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-
CAH-TOA, SOH contains the hypotenuse and the opposite sides, therefore, to solve for ∠𝐴, use
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
sin 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎
sin 𝐴 =
𝑐
12
sin 𝐴 = 13 Replace 𝑎 with 12, and 𝑐 with 13. Then, divide.
sin 𝐴 = 0.9231 On the solution part, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal places.
∠𝐴 = sin−1 0.9231 Get the measure of the angle by using arc functions on your calculators.
∠𝑨 = 𝟔𝟕. 𝟑𝟖° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Lastly, based on the fact that ∠𝐴 and ∠𝐵 are complementary angles, therefore, solve for ∠𝐵 by subtracting
the measure of ∠𝐴 from 𝟗𝟎°.
∠𝐵 = 90° − ∠𝐴
∠𝐵 = 90° − 67.38°
∠𝑩 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟔𝟐° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
ASSESSMENT 6:
ANSWER THE ASSESSMENT ON A 1 WHOLE SHEET OF PAPER TO BE SUBMITTED NEXT FACE-TO-FACE
MEETING. SHOW YOUR COMPLETE SOLUTIONS. DO YOUR OWN WORK AND DO NOT SEND/ SHARE YOUR
ANSWERS ON YOUR GROUP CHAT.
For example:
Solutions:
Since there is already one acute angle given which is ∠𝐴, we can
easily solve for the second acute angle, ∠𝐵, by using the concept of
complementary angles.
∠𝐵 = 90° − ∠𝐴
∠𝐵 = 90° − 58°
∠𝑩 = 𝟑𝟐° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
To solve for 𝑎, since there is only one side given which is side 𝑐, we cannot apply the Pythagorean Theorem.
Instead, we will be using trigonometric ratios to solve for the sides. With respect to the given ∠𝐴, the given
side, which is 𝑐, is the hypotenuse and the missing side, which is 𝑎, is the opposite. Among the primary
trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA, SOH contains the hypotenuse and the opposite sides,
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
therefore, to solve for 𝑎, use 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
sin 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎
sin 𝐴 = 𝑐
𝑎
sin 58° = 27 Replace 𝐴 with 58°, and 𝑐 with 27.
sin 58° 𝑎
= Write a denominator of 1 on the left side of the equation.
1 27
𝑎(1) = 27 (sin 58°) Perform cross multiplication then simplify.
𝑎 = 27 sin 58° Get the value of sin 58°, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal places
𝑎 = 27(0.8480) Simplify.
𝒂 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟗 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Lastly, to solve for 𝑏, we will be using again the trigonometric ratios. With respect to the given ∠𝐴, the given
side, which is 𝑐, is the hypotenuse and the missing side, which is 𝑏, is the adjacent. Among the primary
trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA, CAH contains the hypotenuse and the adjacent sides,
𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕
therefore, to solve for 𝑏, use 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆.
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
cos 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑏
cos 𝐴 = 𝑐
𝑏
cos 58° = 27 Replace 𝐴 with 58°, and 𝑐 with 27.
cos 58° 𝑏
1
= 27 Write a denominator of 1 on the left side of the equation.
𝑏(1) = 27 (cos 58°) Perform cross multiplication then simplify.
𝑏 = 27 cos 58° Get the value of cos 58°, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal places
𝑏 = 27(0.5299) Simplify.
𝒃 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟑𝟏 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Solutions:
Since there is already one acute angle given which is ∠𝐵, we can
easily solve for the second acute angle, ∠𝐴, by using the concept of
complementary angles.
∠𝐴 = 90° − ∠𝐵
∠𝐴 = 90° − 56°
∠𝑨 = 𝟑𝟒° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
To solve for 𝑎, since there is only one side given which is side 𝑐, we cannot apply the Pythagorean Theorem.
Instead, we will be using trigonometric ratios to solve for the sides. With respect to the given ∠𝐵, the given
side, which is 𝑐, is the hypotenuse and the missing side, which is 𝑎, is the adjacent. Among the primary
trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA, CAH contains the hypotenuse and the adjacent sides,
𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕
therefore, to solve for 𝑎, use 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆.
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
cos 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎
cos 𝐵 = 𝑐
𝑎
cos 56° = 16 Replace 𝐵 with 56°, and 𝑐 with 16.
cos 56° 𝑎
= Write a denominator of 1 on the left side of the equation.
1 16
𝑎(1) = 16 (cos 56°) Perform cross multiplication then simplify.
𝑎 = 16 cos 56° Get the value of cos 56°, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal places
𝑎 = 16 (0.5592) Simplify.
𝒂 = 𝟖. 𝟗𝟓 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Lastly, to solve for 𝑏, we will be using again the trigonometric ratios. With respect to the given ∠𝐵, the given
side, which is 𝑐, is the hypotenuse and the missing side, which is 𝑏, is the opposite. Among the primary
trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA, SOH contains the hypotenuse and the opposite sides,
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
therefore, to solve for 𝑏, use 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
sin 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑏
sin 𝐵 = 𝑐
𝑏
sin 56° = 16 Replace 𝐵 with 56°, and 𝑐 with 16.
sin 56° 𝑏
1
= 16
Write a denominator of 1 on the left side of the equation.
𝑏(1) = 16 (sin 56°) Perform cross multiplication then simplify.
𝑏 = 16 sin 56° Get the value of sin 56°, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal places
𝑏 = 16 (0.8290) Simplify.
𝒃 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟐𝟔 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
For example:
Solutions:
Since there is already one acute angle given which is ∠𝐴, we can
easily solve for the second acute angle, ∠𝐵, by using the concept of
complementary angles.
∠𝐵 = 90° − ∠𝐴
∠𝐵 = 90° − 63°
∠𝑩 = 𝟐𝟕° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
To solve for 𝑏, since there is only one side given which is side 𝑎, we cannot apply the Pythagorean Theorem.
Instead, we will be using trigonometric ratios to solve for the sides. With respect to the given ∠𝐴, the given
side, which is 𝑎, is the opposite and the missing side, which is 𝑏, is the adjacent. Among the primary
trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA, TOA contains the opposite and adjacent sides,
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
therefore, to solve for 𝑏, use 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
tan 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑎
tan 𝐴 = 𝑏
11
tan 63° = 𝑏
Replace 𝐴 with 63°, and 𝑎 with 11.
tan 63° 11
1
= 𝑏
Write a denominator of 1 on the left side of the equation.
𝑏 (tan 63°) = 1(11) Perform cross multiplication then simplify.
𝑏 (tan 63°) = 11
𝑏 (tan 63°) 11
tan 63°
= tan 63° Divide both sides of the equation by tan 63° to isolate 𝑏.
11
𝑏=
tan 63°
11
𝑏= Get the value of tan 63°, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal
1.9626
places, then, divide.
𝒃 = 𝟓. 𝟔𝟎 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Lastly, to solve for 𝑐, we will be using again the trigonometric ratios. With respect to the given ∠𝐴, the given
side, which is 𝑎, is the opposite and the missing side, which is 𝑐, is the hypotenuse. Among the primary
trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA, SOH contains the opposite side and the hypotenuse,
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
therefore, to solve for 𝑐, use 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = .
𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
sin 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎
sin 𝐴 = 𝑐
11
sin 63° = 𝑐
Replace 𝐴 with 63°, and 𝑎 with 11.
sin 63° 11
= Write a denominator of 1 on the left side of the equation.
1 𝑐
𝑐 (sin 63°) = 1(11) Perform cross multiplication then simplify.
𝑐 (sin 63°) = 11
𝑐 (sin 63°) 11
sin 63°
= sin 63° Divide both sides of the equation by sin 63° to isolate 𝑐.
11
𝑐=
sin 63°
11
𝑐 = 0.8910 Get the value of sin 63°, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal
places, then, divide.
𝒄 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟑𝟓 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Solutions:
Since there is already one acute angle given which is ∠𝐵, we can
easily solve for the second acute angle, ∠𝐴, by using the concept of
complementary angles.
∠𝐴 = 90° − ∠𝐵
∠𝐴 = 90° − 30°
∠𝑨 = 𝟔𝟎° Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
To solve for 𝑎, since there is only one side given which is side 𝑏, we cannot apply the Pythagorean Theorem.
Instead, we will be using trigonometric ratios to solve for the sides. With respect to the given ∠𝐵, the given
side, which is 𝑏, is the opposite and the missing side, which is 𝑎, is the adjacent. Among the primary
trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA, TOA contains the opposite and adjacent sides,
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
therefore, to solve for 𝑏, use 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
tan 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑏
tan 𝐵 = 𝑎
11
tan 30° = 𝑎
Replace 𝐵 with 30°, and 𝑏 with 11.
tan 30° 11
1
= 𝑎
Write a denominator of 1 on the left side of the equation.
𝑎 (tan 30°) = 1(11) Perform cross multiplication then simplify.
𝑎 (tan 30°) = 11
𝑎 (tan 30°) 11
= Divide both sides of the equation by tan 30° to isolate 𝑎.
tan 30° tan 30°
11
𝑎=
tan 30°
11
𝑎 = 0.5774 Get the value of tan 30°, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal
places, then, divide.
𝒂 = 𝟏𝟗. 𝟎𝟓 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
Lastly, to solve for 𝑐, we will be using again the trigonometric ratios. With respect to the given ∠𝐵, the given
side, which is 𝑏, is the opposite and the missing side, which is 𝑐, is the hypotenuse. Among the primary
trigonometric ratios, and from the SOH-CAH-TOA, SOH contains the opposite side and the hypotenuse,
𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆
therefore, to solve for 𝑐, use 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
sin 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑏
sin 𝐵 =
𝑐
11
sin 30° = 𝑐
Replace 𝐵 with 30°, and 𝑏 with 11.
sin 30° 11
1
= 𝑐
Write a denominator of 1 on the left side of the equation.
𝑐 (sin 30°) = 1(11) Perform cross multiplication then simplify.
𝑐 (sin 30°) = 11
𝑐 (sin 30°) 11
= Divide both sides of the equation by sin 30° to isolate 𝑐.
sin 30° sin 30°
11
𝑐=
sin 30°
11
𝑐 = 0.5 Get the value of sin 30°, express your answers up to a maximum of 4 decimal
places, then, divide.
𝒄 = 𝟐𝟐 Express your final answer up to a maximum of 2 decimal places if applicable.
ASSESSMENT 7:
ANSWER THE ASSESSMENT ON A 1 WHOLE SHEET OF PAPER TO BE SUBMITTED NEXT FACE-TO-FACE
MEETING. SHOW YOUR COMPLETE SOLUTIONS. DO YOUR OWN WORK AND DO NOT SEND/ SHARE YOUR
ANSWERS ON YOUR GROUP CHAT.