SOLVING REAL-

;LIFE PROBLEMS
INVOLVING
TRIGONOMETRIC
RATIOS
The 6 trigonometric ratios:

𝑜𝑝𝑝 ℎ𝑦𝑝
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑜𝑝𝑝

𝑎𝑑𝑗 ℎ𝑦𝑝
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑎𝑑𝑗

𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝑎𝑑𝑗
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝜃 =
𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝑜𝑝𝑝
The 6 trigonometric ratios:

Refer to the given figure below, illustrate the 6 trigonometric

functions of angles A and B.
The 6 trigonometric ratios:
Refer to the given figure below, 8 𝟒 6 𝟑
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 = = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐵 = =
illustrate the 6 trigonometric 10 𝟓 10 𝟓
6 𝟑 8 𝟒
functions of angles A and B. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴 = =
10 𝟓
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵 = =
10 𝟓
8 𝟒 𝟑
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐴 = = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐵 =
6 𝟑 𝟒
𝟓 𝟓
𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝐴 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝐵 =
𝟒 𝟑
𝟓 5
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝐴 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝐵 =
𝟑 4
𝟑 𝟒
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝐴 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝐵 =
𝟒 𝟑
1.What is the sum of the measures of ∠𝐴 and ∠𝐵?
What do you call this pair of angles?

The sum of the measures of ∠A and ∠B is 90°.

These two angles are complementary.

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2. What are the reciprocal ratios of ∠A?
What are the reciprocal ratios of ∠𝑩?
The reciprocal ratios of ∠A:
Sin A → Csc A The reciprocal ratios of ∠B:
Cos A → Sec A Sin B → Csc B
Tan A → Cot A Cos B → Sec B
Tan B → Cot B

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3. What trigonometric functions are equal?

Remark:
Ratios of complementary
angles are equal or have equal
values.

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The 6 trigonometric ratios:
8 𝟒 6 𝟑
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 = = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐵 = =
10 𝟓 10 𝟓
6 𝟑 8 𝟒
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴 = = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵 = =
10 𝟓 10 𝟓
8 𝟒 𝟑
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐴 = = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐵 =
6 𝟑 𝟒
𝟓 𝟓
𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝐴 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝐵 =
𝟒 𝟑
𝟓 5
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝐴 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝐵 =
𝟑 4
𝟑 𝟒
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝐴 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝐵 =
𝟒 𝟑
1. Refer to the figure above, which side has an unknown measure?
The side having unknown measure is side b.
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 2. What would be the solution to find
the measure of side b?
Since only one side of the right
triangle has an unknown measure,
it can be solved using the
Pythagorean Theorem.

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3. What is a Pythagorean Theorem?
In a right triangle the square of the hypotenuse is equal
to the sum of the squares of the two legs.

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The Pythagorean Theorem is used to find an unknown side of a right triangle.
The variables/letters used in the formula are followed from the illustration
on the above figure.
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝐜 =𝐚 + 𝐛
26 = (10) + 𝐛 (Substitution of values: c=26 and a=10)
2 2 𝟐

676 = 100 + 𝐛 (The square of 26 is 676 and the square of

𝟐

10 is 100)
676 − 100 = 𝐛 (Group the constant terms and leave the variable b alone)
𝟐 2

576 = 𝐛 𝟐 (To find b extract the square roots of both sides)

𝐛 = ±𝟐𝟒(extracting the square root of both sides)
𝐛 = 𝟐𝟒 (always choose a positive number for the measurement)
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 4. What are the values of the six trigonometric functions?
The values of the 6 trigonometric functions are:
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 10 5
sin 𝐴 = =
26 13

24 12
cos 𝐴 = =
26 13

10 5
tan 𝐴 = =
24 12

26 13
csc 𝐴 = =
10 5

26 13
sec 𝐴 = =
24 12

24 12
cot 𝐴 = =
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 24 12
sin 𝐵 = =
26 13

10 5
cos 𝐵 = =
26 13

24 12
tan 𝐵 = =
10 5

26 13
csc 𝐵 = =
24 12

26 13
sec 𝐵 = =
10 5

10 5
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝐵 = = NEXT
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SOLVE:
1. Solve the unknown side of a right triangle
using the Pythagorean Theorem.
2. Find the values of the 6 trigonometric ratios
of the given angles.
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SOLVE #1:

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SOLVE #1: b
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝐜 =𝐚 + 𝐛
(17) = 𝐚 + (8) (Substitution of values: c=17 and b=8)
2 𝟐 2

289 = 𝐚 + 64 (The square of 17 is 289 and the square of is 64)

𝟐

289 − 64 = 𝐚 (Group the constant terms and leave the variable 𝒂 alone)
𝟐 𝟐

225 = 𝒂 (To find 𝒂 extract the square roots of both sides)

𝟐

𝐚 = ±𝟏𝟓
𝐚 = 𝟏𝟓 (always choose a positive number for the measurement)
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SOLVE #1: 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 =
𝟏𝟓
𝟏𝟕
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐵 =
𝟖
𝟏𝟕
b 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴 =
𝟖
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵 =
𝟏𝟓
𝟏𝟕 𝟏𝟕
a = 15 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐴 =
𝟏𝟓
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐵 =
𝟖
𝟖 𝟏𝟓
𝟏𝟕 𝟏𝟕
𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝐴 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝐵 =
𝟏𝟓 𝟖
𝟏𝟕 𝟏𝟕
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝐴 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝐵 =
𝟖 𝟏𝟓
𝟖 𝟏𝟓
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝐴 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝐵 =
𝟏𝟓 𝟖

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SOLVE #2:

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SOLVE #2:
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝐜 =𝐚 + 𝐛
(15) = (12) + 𝐛 (Substitution of values: a=12 and c=15)
𝟐 2 𝟐

225 = 144 + 𝐛 (The square of 15 is 225 and the square of 12 is 144)

𝟐

225 − 144 = 𝐛 (Group the constant terms and leave the variable 𝒃 alone)
𝟐 𝟐

81 = 𝒃𝟐 (To find 𝒃 extract the square roots of both sides)

𝐛 = ±9
𝐛 = 𝟗 (Always choose a positive number for the measurement)
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SOLVE #2: 12
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼 = =
15
𝟒
𝟓
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 = =
9
15
𝟑
𝟓
9 𝟑 12 𝟒
b =9 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼 = = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 = =
15 𝟓 15 𝟓
12 𝟒 9 𝟑
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝛼 = = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝛽 = =
9 𝟑 12 𝟒
𝟓 𝟓
𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝛼 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝛽 =
𝟒 𝟑
𝟓 𝟓
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝛼 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝛽 =
𝟑 𝟒
𝟑 𝟒
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝛼 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝛽 =
𝟒 𝟑

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SOLVE #3:

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SOLVE #3:
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝐜 =𝐚 + 𝐛
𝟐 = 𝐚 + ( 3) (Substitution of values: b= 3 and c=2)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

𝟒 = 𝐚 + 𝟑 (The square of 2 is 4 and the square of 𝟑 is 3.

𝟐

( 𝟑)( 𝟑) = 𝟗 = 𝟑)
4 − 3 = 𝐚 (Group the constant terms and leave the variable 𝒂 alone)
𝟐 𝟐

𝟏 = 𝒂 (To find 𝒂 extract the square roots of both sides)

𝟐

𝐚 = ±1
𝐚 = 𝟏 (Always choose a positive number for the measurement)
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 𝟏 𝟑
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 =
𝟐 𝟐
𝟑 𝟏
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 = =
𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝛼 = ∙ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝛽 = = 𝟑
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑 𝟏
𝟐 𝟐 𝟑 𝟐 𝟑
𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝛼 = =𝟐 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝛽 = ∙ =
𝟏 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
𝟐 𝟑 𝟐 𝟑 𝟐
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝛼 = ∙ = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝛽 = =𝟐
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑 𝟏
3 𝟏 𝟑 𝟑
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝛼 = = 3 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝛽 = ∙ =
1 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
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SOLVE #4:

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SOLVE #4:
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝐜 =𝐚 + 𝐛
𝐜 = (7) + (24) (Substitution of values: a=7 and c=24)
𝟐 2 𝟐

𝐜 = 49 + 𝟓𝟕𝟔 (The square of 7 is 49 and the square of 24 is 576)

𝟐

𝒄𝟐 = 625 (To find 𝒄 extract the square roots of both sides)

𝒄 = ±𝟐𝟓
𝒄 = 𝟐𝟓 (Always choose a positive number for the measurement)
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SOLVE #4: 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼 =
𝟕
𝟐𝟓
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 =
𝟐𝟒
𝟐𝟓
𝟐𝟒 𝟕
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 =
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓
𝟕 𝟐𝟒
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝛼 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝛽 =
𝟐𝟒 𝟕
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓
𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝛼 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝛽 =
𝟕 𝟐𝟒
𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟓
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝛼 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝛽 =
𝟐𝟒 𝟕
𝟐𝟒 𝟕
𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝛼 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝛽 =
𝟕 𝟐𝟒

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Note:
RATIONALIZING THE DENOMINATOR is applied when
the denominator of a fraction is irrational. To
rationalize the denominator is to get rid of the radicals
in the denominator. The examples below show the
process of rationalizing the denominator. The aim is to
make the denominator rational.
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Steps:
1.Multiply numerator and denominator by a radical
that will get rid of the radical in the denominator.
2.Make sure all radicals are simplified.
3.Simplify the fraction if needed.
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 𝟏 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
Examples: ∙ = =
𝟑 𝟑 𝟗 𝟑
𝟐 𝟑 𝟐 𝟑 𝟐 𝟑
∙ = =
𝟑 𝟑 𝟗 𝟑
𝟓 𝟐 𝟓 𝟐 𝟓 𝟐
∙ = =
𝟖 𝟐 𝟏𝟔 𝟒
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The 6 trigonometric ratios definition:

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒

𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝜃 =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
 FINDING THE VALUES OF
TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS USING A
SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR.

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ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE A:
Use your scientific calculator and follow the steps as indicated.
Find sin28.5°
STEPS:
•Set the calculator in degree mode (DEG)
•Press sin key
•Enter 28.5 then press = key
•The value of sin28.5°=0.47715876
(Round to 4 decimal places)
sin28.5°=0.4772 (Final value)
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ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE B:
Find cos 67°
STEPS:
1.Set the calculator in degree mode(DEG)
2.Press cos key
3.Enter 67 then press = key
4.The value of cos 67°=0.390731128
(Round to 4 decimal places)
cos 67°=0.3907 (Final value)

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ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE C:
Find tan 49° 17'(Read as 49 degrees 17 minutes)
STEPS:
1.Set the calculator in degree mode(DEG)
2.Press tan key
3. Enter 49, then press the key encircled
with yellow color. Enter 17 then press
again the key encircled with yellow color.
Press = key.
Note: other calculator has a different
key for degrees and minutes NEXT
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ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE C:
Find tan 49° 17'(Read as 49 degrees 17 minutes)
STEPS:

4. The value of
tan 49° 17’= 1.161923419
(Round to 4 decimal places)

tan 49° 17’= 1.1619 (Final value)

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QUICK CHECKING: 1. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟒. 𝟐𝟓° = 0.4107
2. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟒𝟐. 𝟑𝟑° = 0.7393
Manipulate your scientific
calculator if you can get the 3. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟓𝟒. 𝟓° = 1.4019
indicated values of the 4. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟕𝟐°𝟑𝟎 = 0.9537
′
following trigonometric
functions. Round the values 5. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟔𝟖°𝟐𝟎 = 0.3692
′
to 4 decimal places.
6. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟓𝟗°𝟒𝟑 = 1.7124
′
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SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES #1: BACK NEXT
Note:
The right triangle has 2 angles and one
side with distinct measures namely ∠𝐴
and the right angle, ∠𝐶 and the
hypotenuse. Thus, you need to solve one
angle, ∠𝐵 and the two sides namely,
sides a and b.
Take note,
Pythagorean Theorem cannot be used since
Solve right ∆ ACB.
there are 2 sides whose measures are
unknown.
Find ∠𝑩, 𝒂 and 𝒃
Step 1: Solve ∠B. BACK NEXT

Note: Apply the idea that the two

acute angles of a right triangle are
complementary. The sum of their
measures is 90°.

m ∠B = 90° -36°
m ∠B = 54°
Solve right ∆ ACB.
Find ∠𝑩, 𝒂 and 𝒃
Step 2:Solve the measure of side a. BACK NEXT

Take note:
The reference angle is ∠A
To solve for a, you have to choose a
trigonometric function which has a ratio
between known and unknown sides or
vice versa. The possible trigonometric
functions that can be used are sin or
csc. Other trigo functions cannot be Solve right ∆ ACB.
used to solve for a. Find ∠𝑩, 𝒂 and 𝒃
 𝑎 𝑜𝑝𝑝
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 = (The definition of sin A is sin 𝐴 = )
𝑐 ℎ𝑦𝑝
𝑎
𝑠𝑖𝑛 36° = (Substitute 𝑨 = 𝟑𝟔°; 𝒄 = 𝟏𝟎 and remain
10
𝒂 since its measure is unknown)
𝑎
0.5878 = (Using the calculator, the value of
10
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟑𝟔° = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟖𝟕𝟖)
𝒂 = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟖 (Multiply 𝟎. 𝟓𝟖𝟕𝟖 (𝟏𝟎) and round the
product to 2 decimal places).
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Step 3. Solve the measure of side b. BACK NEXT

Take note:
The reference angle is ∠A
To solve for b, you have to choose a
trigonometric function which has a ratio
between known and unknown sides or
vice versa. The possible trigonometric
functions that can be used are cos or
sec. Other trigo functions cannot be Solve right ∆ ACB.
used to solve for b. Find ∠𝑩, 𝒂 and 𝒃
 𝑏 𝒂𝒅𝒋
cos 𝐴 = (The definition of cos A is 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝑨 = )
𝑐 𝒉𝒚𝒑
𝑏
cos 36° = (Substitute 𝑨 = 𝟑𝟔°; 𝒄 = 𝟏𝟎 and remain
10
𝒃 since its measure is unknown)
𝑏
0.8090 = (Using the calculator, the value of
10
𝟑𝟔° = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟎𝟗𝟎)
𝒃 = 𝟖. 𝟎𝟗 (Multiply 𝟎. 𝟖𝟎𝟗𝟎 (𝟏𝟎) and round the
product to 2 decimal places).
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SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES #2: BACK NEXT

Step 1: Solve ∠A.

Note: Apply the idea that the two
acute angles of a right triangle are
complementary. The sum of their
measures is 90°.

m ∠A = 90° -67°
Solve right ∆ ACB.
m ∠A = 23°
Find ∠A, a and c
Step 2:Solve the measure of side a. BACK NEXT

Take note:
The reference angle is ∠B
To solve for a, you have to choose a
trigonometric function which has a ratio
between known and unknown sides or
vice versa. The possible trigonometric
functions that can be used are tan or
cot. Other trigo functions cannot be Solve right ∆ ACB.
used to solve for a. Find ∠A, a and c
 𝑎 𝒐𝒑𝒑
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐵 = (The definition of sin B is 𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝑩 = )
𝑏 𝒂𝒅𝒋
𝑎
𝑡𝑎𝑛 67° = (Substitute 𝑩 = 𝟔𝟕°; 𝒃 = 𝟏𝟓 and
15
remain 𝒂 since its measure is unknown)
𝑎
2. 3559 = (Using the calculator, the value of
15
𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝟔𝟕° = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟓𝟓𝟗)
𝒂 = 35.34 (Multiply 𝟐. 𝟑𝟓𝟓𝟗 (𝟏𝟓) and round the
product to 2 decimal places).
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Step 3. Solve the measure of side c. BACK NEXT

Take note:
The reference angle is ∠B
To solve for c, you have to choose a
trigonometric function which has a ratio
between known and unknown sides or
vice versa. The possible trigonometric
functions that can be used are cos or
sec. Other trigo functions cannot be Solve right ∆ ACB.
used to solve for c. Find ∠A, a and c
 𝑏 𝒂𝒅𝒋
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵 = (The definition of cos B is 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝑩 = )
𝑐 𝒉𝒚𝒑
15
𝑐𝑜𝑠 67° = (Substitute 𝑩 = 𝟔𝟕°; 𝒄 = 𝟏𝟓 and
𝑐
remain 𝒄 since its measure is unknown)
15
0. 3907 = (Using the calculator,
c
the value of 𝒔 𝟔𝟕° = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟗𝟎𝟕)
0.3907𝑐 = 15 (Multiply (𝟎. 𝟑𝟗𝟎𝟕) (𝒄) and the product
to 𝟎. 𝟑𝟗𝟎𝟕𝒄)
0.3907𝑐 15
=
0.3907 0.3907 BACK NEXT
𝒄 = 38.39
SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES #3: BACK NEXT

Take note:
You can choose any of the 3
unknown parts of the right triangle
to solve. However, it is easier to
solve for side e. Pythagorean
Theorem is used to solve for it. The
variables/letters used in the
Solve right ∆FED.
formula are followed from the Find ∠F, ∠D and e
illustration on the given figure.
 BACK NEXT

Step 1: Solve e.
The variables/letters used in the
formula are followed from the
illustration on the given figure.

Solve right ∆FED.

Find ∠F, ∠D and e
 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝐞 =𝐝 + 𝐟
𝐞 = (14) + (18) (Substitution of values: d=14 and f=18)
𝟐 2 𝟐

𝐞 = 196 + 324 (The square of 14 is 196 and the square

𝟐

of 18 is 324)
𝒆 = 520 (To find e extract the square roots of both sides)
𝟐

𝐞 = ±𝟐𝟐. 𝟖𝟎 (Round the value to 2 decimal places)

𝐞 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟖𝟎 (Always choose a positive number
for the measurement)
BACK NEXT
Step 2:Solve for ∠D. BACK NEXT
Take note:
The angle to be solved is ∠D. ∠D is also
used as the reference angle. To solve for
this angle, you have to choose a
trigonometric function which has a ratio
between two known sides or vice versa.
Hence, all the trigonometric functions
are possible to use since all the sides of Solve right ∆FED.
the right triangle have known measures. Find ∠F, ∠D and e
In particular, tan ∠D is being applied.
 𝑑
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐷 = (tan is most preferred trigonometric function since
𝑓
the values of d and f are given)
14
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐷 = (Substitute d = 14 and f = 18)
18
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐷 = 0.7778 (Divide 14 by 18 and round
the quotient to 4 decimal places)

BACK NEXT
 USING THE CALCULATOR, DO THE FF. STEPS:
1. Press shift/inv/2ndF key
2. Press tan
3. Enter 0.7778
4. Press = key
Note:
Round the angle measure to the nearest tenth of a degree.

BACK
𝒎∠𝑫 = 37.9° NEXT
Step 3. Solve for ∠F BACK NEXT

Note:
Apply the idea that the two acute
angles of a right triangle are
complementary. The sum of their
measures is 90°.

m∠F = 90°-37.9° Solve right ∆FED.

m∠F = 52.1° Find ∠F, ∠D and e
SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES #4: BACK NEXT

Step 1: Solve c.
The variables/letters used in the
formula are followed from the
illustration on the given figure.

Solve right ∆ABC.

Find ∠A, ∠C and c
 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝒄 =𝒂 + 𝒃
𝒄 = (15) + (9) (Substitution of values: a=15 and b=9)
𝟐 2 𝟐

𝒄 = 225 + 81 (The square of 15 is 225 and the square

𝟐

of 9 is 81)
𝒄 = 306 (To find c extract the square roots of both sides)
𝟐

𝐜 = ±𝟏𝟕. 𝟒𝟗 (Round the value to 2 decimal places)

𝐜 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟒𝟗 (Always choose a positive number
for the measurement)
BACK NEXT
Step 2:Solve for ∠A. BACK NEXT
Take note:
The angle to be solved is ∠A. ∠A is also
used as the reference angle. To solve for
this angle, you have to choose a
trigonometric function which has a ratio
between two known sides or vice versa.
Hence, all the trigonometric functions
are possible to use since all the sides of Solve right ∆ABC.
the right triangle have known measures. Find ∠A, ∠C and c
In particular, tan ∠A is being applied.
 𝑎
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐴 = (tan is most preferred trigonometric function since
𝑏
the values of a and b are given)
15
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐴 = (Substitute a = 15 and b = 9)
9
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐴 = 1.6667 (Divide 15 by 9 and round
the quotient to 4 decimal places)

BACK NEXT
 USING THE CALCULATOR, DO THE FF. STEPS:
1. Press shift/inv/2ndF key
2. Press tan
3. Enter 1.6667
4. Press = key
Note:
Round the angle measure to the nearest tenth of a degree.

BACK
𝒎∠𝑨 = 59° NEXT
Step 3. Solve for ∠F BACK NEXT

Note:
Apply the idea that the two acute
angles of a right triangle are
complementary. The sum of their
measures is 90°.

m∠B = 90°-59° Solve right ∆ABC.

m∠B = 31° Find ∠A, ∠C and c