Concept Check Suppose that ―90° < θ < 90° . Find the sign of each function value. cos(θ―180°)
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 1
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 Q: the side opposite \( \theta \) is \( 3 \), the side adjacent to \( \theta \) is \( 4 \), and the hypotenuse \( PQ \) is unknown.
Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the hypotenuse \( PQ \): \( PQ^2 = QR^2 + PR^2 \), which translates to \( PQ^2 = 4^2 + 3^2 \).
Calculate \( PQ \) by taking the square root of the sum: \( PQ = \sqrt{4^2 + 3^2} \). This gives the length of the hypotenuse.
Find the six trigonometric functions of \( \theta \) using the side lengths:
- Sine: \( \sin \theta = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{3}{PQ} \)
- Cosine: \( \cos \theta = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{4}{PQ} \)
- Tangent: \( \tan \theta = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{3}{4} \)
Use the reciprocal identities to find the remaining three functions:
- Cosecant: \( \csc \theta = \frac{1}{\sin \theta} = \frac{PQ}{3} \)
- Secant: \( \sec \theta = \frac{1}{\cos \theta} = \frac{PQ}{4} \)
- Cotangent: \( \cot \theta = \frac{1}{\tan \theta} = \frac{4}{3} \)
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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 (the side opposite the right angle) equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. It is expressed as a² + b² = c². This theorem is essential for finding the missing side length when two sides are known.
Recommended video:
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 sides are classified relative to the angle of interest: the opposite side is across from the angle, the adjacent side is next to the angle (but not the hypotenuse), and the hypotenuse is the longest side opposite the right angle. Correctly identifying these sides is crucial for applying trigonometric functions.
Recommended video:
Finding Missing Side Lengths
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