Difference between revisions of "Trigonometry"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m |
Hojimachong (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | Trigonometry is the study of angles and [[triangle]]s, relying heavily on three basic functions: sine, cosine and tangent. These functions are abbreviated as "sin", "cos" and "tan". | + | Trigonometry is the study of angles and [[triangle]]s, 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. | These functions are defined by reference to a "right triangle," which is a triangle in which one angle is 90 degrees. | ||
Revision as of 02:43, June 23, 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!
- SOH: Sine = opposite over hypotenuse
- CAH: Cosine = adjacent over hypotenuse
- TOA: Tangent = opposite over adjacent