Define trigonometric ratios for acute angles using right-triangle similarity.
Assign separate opposite, adjacent-leg, and hypotenuse roles
Problem
In right triangle \(ABC\), \(\angle~C\) is the right angle and \(\angle~A\) is the reference angle. Assign \(BC\), \(AC\), and \(AB\) to the opposite, adjacent, and hypotenuse roles relative to \(\angle~A\).
Trig side roles are assigned relative to a reference angle, except that the hypotenuse is fixed by the right angle. We’ll locate that side first, find the leg across from the reference angle, name the remaining touching leg, and check the length pattern with the Pythagorean theorem.
Inside Gozunta
Turn the preview into practice.
More than a preview
Gozunta lets you study this problem—and more than 10,000 others.
Create targeted learning sessions, use hints, check your answer, read the walkthrough, watch the video, print the work, and track your progress.
