Explore Trigonometry with a Right Triangle
- Author:
- cconrad
- Topic:
- Trigonometry
Use this triangle to find which ratios in a right triangle relate to trigonometric functions
Drag point B to change the length of AB. Try not to have the same length as any one else at your table.
Drag point C and record the following information into a table.
Angle Measure, Opposite Length, Adjacent Length, Hypotenuse, Opposite Length/Adjacent Length, Adjacent Length/Hypotenuse, and Opposite Length/Hypotenuse.
Repeat this 5 times for 5 different angles.
On a calculator, find the "sin" "cos" and "tan" buttons. These are trigonometric functions. Make sure your calculator is set in degrees and evaluate the measure of your angles in the table for each trig function. For example, if you had an angle measure of 20 degrees you can type in sin(20) to find this value.
Create a table with columns Angle Measure, Opposite Length, Adjacent Length, Hypotenuse, Opposite Length/Adjacent Length, Adjacent Length/Hypotenuse, and Opposite Length/Hypotenuse.
Record the measure of angle A AND the side lengths AB, BC, and AC. Which leg is adjacent to angle A? Which leg is opposite the triangle from angle A? Which side is the hypotenuse?
Change the angle AND all three side lengths by dragging points B and C.
Record the new angle and side lengths (be clear which measurement is which it's important).
Do this a total of 6 times.
On a calculator, find the "sin" "cos" and "tan" buttons. These are trigonometric functions. Make sure your calculator is set in degree mode and evaluate the measure of your angles in the table for each trig function. For example, if you had an angle measure of 20 degrees you can type in sin(20) to find this value.
What do you notice?