Concept Check Find a solution for each equation. sec(2θ + 6°) cos(5θ + 3°) = 1
Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 45m
- 1. Measuring Angles40m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles
Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles
Problem 5
Textbook Question
In Exercises 1–8, use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the missing side of each right triangle. Then find the value of each of the six trigonometric functions of θ.

Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the sides of the right triangle relative to angle \( \theta \) at vertex R. The hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle, which is \( PR = 53 \). The side opposite \( \theta \) is \( PQ = 28 \), and the adjacent side to \( \theta \) is \( QR \), which is unknown.
Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the missing side \( QR \). The theorem states:
\(QR^2 + PQ^2 = PR^2\)
Substitute the known values:
\(QR^2 + 28^2 = 53^2\)
Solve for \( QR^2 \):
\(QR^2 = 53^2 - 28^2\)
Then take the square root to find \( QR \):
\(QR = \sqrt{53^2 - 28^2}\)
Once you have the length of \( QR \), find the six trigonometric functions of \( \theta \) using the definitions relative to angle \( \theta \):
- \( \sin \theta = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{PQ}{PR} \)
- \( \cos \theta = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{QR}{PR} \)
- \( \tan \theta = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{PQ}{QR} \)
- \( \csc \theta = \frac{1}{\sin \theta} = \frac{PR}{PQ} \)
- \( \sec \theta = \frac{1}{\cos \theta} = \frac{PR}{QR} \)
- \( \cot \theta = \frac{1}{\tan \theta} = \frac{QR}{PQ} \)
Substitute the known side lengths into these formulas to express each trigonometric function in terms of numbers. This completes the process of finding the missing side and the six trigonometric functions of \( \theta \).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Pythagorean Theorem
The Pythagorean Theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (longest side) equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. It is expressed as a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse. This theorem helps find the missing side length when two sides are known.
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Solving Right Triangles with the Pythagorean Theorem
Right Triangle Trigonometric Functions
The six trigonometric functions—sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent—relate the angles of a right triangle to the ratios of its sides. For an angle θ, sine is opposite/hypotenuse, cosine is adjacent/hypotenuse, and tangent is opposite/adjacent. The reciprocal functions are cosecant, secant, and cotangent.
Recommended video:
Introduction to Trigonometric Functions
Identifying Sides Relative to an Angle
In a right triangle, the side opposite the right angle is the hypotenuse. For a given angle θ, the side directly opposite is the opposite side, and the side next to θ (but not the hypotenuse) is the adjacent side. Correctly identifying these sides is essential for applying trigonometric functions accurately.
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Finding Missing Side Lengths
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