Geo 5.3 - Right Triangle Trigonometry
G.2.3 Solve problems involving the basic trigonometric ratios of sine, cosine, and tangent;
In past chapters, we used Pythagorean Theorem, properties of similar triangles, or the relationships in special right triangles to find missing sides or angles in right triangles. In this chapter, we will learn how to setup and solve trigonometric equations to solve for all missing angles and sides for any given triangle.
Trigonometry comes from the Greek words:
Right triangle trigonometry, which we will be focusing on in this module, allows one to solve for all possible missing measurements within any one right triangle, provided that 2 sides or 1 angle and 1 side are given.
Why is this important?
Well...it allows us to find distances we can’t easily measure. For instance, what is the height of the tree in my neighbors yard below?
Trigonometry comes from the Greek words:
- Trigonon (which means "triangle") and
- Metron (which means "measurement”)
Right triangle trigonometry, which we will be focusing on in this module, allows one to solve for all possible missing measurements within any one right triangle, provided that 2 sides or 1 angle and 1 side are given.
Why is this important?
Well...it allows us to find distances we can’t easily measure. For instance, what is the height of the tree in my neighbors yard below?
If my neighbors wanted to cut the tree down themselves to save money, knowing the exact height would be important.
Why you ask?
Because they would need to cut the tree so it falls in their lot and not the street. Obviously it’s not okay for them to block the street. If the tree needs to fall in their lot towards their house, knowing the height would be vital to ensure that there would be no possibly for property damage (I.e. Neighbors need to know if the tree will hit the house).
We will explore this scenario in more detail as we venture through this lesson.
Why you ask?
Because they would need to cut the tree so it falls in their lot and not the street. Obviously it’s not okay for them to block the street. If the tree needs to fall in their lot towards their house, knowing the height would be vital to ensure that there would be no possibly for property damage (I.e. Neighbors need to know if the tree will hit the house).
We will explore this scenario in more detail as we venture through this lesson.
Page 1 of Lesson