Difference between revisions of "Trigonometry"
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These functions are defined by reference to a "right triangle," which is a triangle in which one angle is 90 degrees. | These functions are defined by reference to a "right triangle," which is a triangle in which one angle is 90 degrees. | ||
| − | A way to remember the | + | A way to remember the relationships is the mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA ("soak a toe"). Think of a man soaking his toe in a tub of water - preferably a three-sided tub! |
*Sine: opposite over adjacent | *Sine: opposite over adjacent | ||
*Cosine: adjacent over hypotenuse | *Cosine: adjacent over hypotenuse | ||
| − | *Tangent: opposite over | + | *Tangent: opposite over adjacent |
Revision as of 16:29, April 18, 2007
Trigonometry is the study of angles and triangles, relying heavily on three basic functions: sine, cosine and tangent. These functions are abbreviated as "sin", "cos" and "tan".
These functions are defined by reference to a "right triangle," which is a triangle in which one angle is 90 degrees.
A way to remember the relationships is the mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA ("soak a toe"). Think of a man soaking his toe in a tub of water - preferably a three-sided tub!
- Sine: opposite over adjacent
- Cosine: adjacent over hypotenuse
- Tangent: opposite over adjacent