RIGHT TRIANGLE and

TRIGONOMETRY
CHAPTER 6
Chapter Project: Inirect Measurement

In the previous chapter, you learned to estimate lengths of inaccessible heights

or distances using triangle similarity. In this chapter you will learn another way of
doing it using trigonometry.

How are inaccessible heights and distances be determined when professional tools are not
available?

LESSON COVERAGE:

TRIANGLES

Pythagorean Theorem Theorems o Special Right

Triangles

TRIGONOMETRY

The 6 Trigonometric Ratios The Angle of Elevation and

Depression

The Laws of Sines and Cosines

In this chapter, you will learn the following:

Lesson 1:
14. use the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse to solve problems; and
1. uses Pythagorean inequalities to classify triangles.
2. Use the special right triangle theorems in finding missing lengths
Lesson 2:
3. illustrate the six trigonometric ratios: sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and
cotangent.
4. find the trigonometric ratios of special angles.
5. illustrate angles of elevation and angles of depression.
6. use trigonometric ratios to solve real-life problems involving right triangles.
7. illustrate laws of sines and cosines.
8. solve problems involving oblique triangles.

298
 Lesson 1: Theorems on Right triangles
Learning Competencies: The learner …
1. uses the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse to solve problems; and
2. uses Pythagorean inequalities to classify triangles.

The Pythagorean Theorem is named after its creator, Pythagoras.

In the 47th proposition of Euclid’s Elements, the Pythagorean Theorem
states that “In right angle triangles, the square on the side subtending
the right angle is equal to the sum of the squares on the sides
containing the right angle.” There are many different proofs of the
Pythagorean Theorem. One of its proofs is shown below.

The Pythagorean Theorem, a2 + b2 = c2

Given : A right triangle with a and b as
the leg lengths, and c as the a c
hypotenuse.
b
Prove: a2 + b2 = c2 a b
Proof: Arrange four copies of the triangle as shown. a
Notice that the are two squares formed. The inner b
square whose area is c2 and the outer square c
whose area is (a + b)2. The area of each triangle is
1
ab . b
2 a

We can see in the figure that the area of the outer b a

square is equal to the area of the four triangles plus
the area of the inner square.

area of the square  area of 4 blue triangles  area of the inner square
1 
Expand the binomial
a  b 
2
 4  ab   c 2 Substitute the areas
2 
a  2ab  b  2ab  c 2
2 2
Simplify.

a  2ab  2ab  b  c
2 2 2
Apply subtraction prop. of equality
a b c
2 2 2

The Pythagorean Theorem is used to find unknown lengths of a right

triangle. To avoid confusion on the use of the variables we will just follow
the formula,  leg1    leg2    hypotenuse 
2 2 2

299
Example 1: The hypotenuse is unknown
How long is the hypotenuse of a right triangle if the lengths of its two legs are 8, and 15?
Solution
Step 1: Illustrate the problem to show the given and assign a variable for the unknown.

leg2 =15 Hypotenuse = (h)

leg1 = 8
Step 2: Solve for the hypotenuse
 leg1    leg2    hypotenuse 
2 2 2

 8   15   h2
2 2

64  225  h2
1

 289  h  2 2

289  h
17  h
The length of the hypotenuse is 17.

Example 2: A leg is unknown.

How long is the other leg of a right triangle if the length of the one leg is 9 and the length of the
hypotenuse is 41?
Solution
Step 1: Illustrate the problem to show the given and assign a variable for the unknown

leg2 = x 41

leg1 = 9
Step 2: Solve for the length of the second leg
 leg1    leg2    hypotenuse 
2 2 2

 9  x 2   41
2 2

81  x 2  1681
x 2  1681  81
1

x 2
 1600  2

x  40

The length of the other leg is 40.

300
Example 3: Safety Application
To prevent a ladder from shifting, safety experts
recommend that the ratio of a:b be 4:1. How far from
the base of the wall should you place a 12 foot
ladder? 12 ft a

b
Solution
Step 1: Visualize the problem and assign variables for the unknown lengths.

12 ft a = 4x

b= x

Step 2: Solve for the unknown x.

 leg1    leg2    hypotenuse 
2 2 2

x 2   4x   12 
2 2

x 2  16x 2  12 
2

17x 2 144

17 17
1

 x2  8.47  2
x  8.47
x  2.91

The foot of the ladder must be 2.91 ft away from the base of the wall.

Activity No. 1: Skills Practice

Find the missing side length of each right triangle. Express your answer in the simplest radical form
whenever possible.
1.

8 m

301
 2.
n

5 13

3.

p 15
9

r q
25

4.

10 6 7

B. Solve the problem below.

The size of a computer monitor is usually given by the

length of its diagonal. A monitor’s aspect ratio is the ratio
of its width to its height. The monitor below has a 15.5 in
diagonal length of 15.5 in and an aspect ratio of 7: 4
What are the width and height of the monitor? Round
your answer to the nearest tenth of an inch.

302
 If you want to know whether the given sides of a triangle will form a right
triangle, isosceles triangle, or scalene triangle, the Pythagorean Theorem
and its converse as well the Pythagorean Inequalities Theorem will help
you on this.

Key Concept

The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem

If the sum of the squares of the lengths of two sides of a triangle is equal to the square of the
length of the third side, then the triangle is a right triangle.

The Pythagorean Inequalities Theorem

In ABC, c is the length of the longest side.

If c 2  a 2  b 2 , then ABC is an If c 2  a 2  b 2 , then ABC is an

obtuse triangle. acute triangle.
A
A
b c

a B
C
B
C

Example
Tell if the side lengths can be the sides of a triangle. If so, classify the triangle as acute, obtuse, or
right.
Note: The Triangle Inequality Theorem states that “The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a
triangle is greater than the length of the third side.”,
a. 6, 8 , 10
Step 1: Determine if the measures form a triangle using the Triangle Inequality Theorem.
6  8  10 6  10  8 8  10  6

The theorem is satisfied. Therefore, the sides can be sides of a triangle.

Step 2: Classify the triangle.
c 2 ? a 2  b2 Compare c2 to a2 + b2.
132 ? 52  82 Substitute the longest side length for c
169 ? 25  64 Get the square of each and add.
169  89 Compare

Since c 2  a 2  b2 , the triangle is obtuse.

b. 5, 8, 13
Step 1: Determine if the measures form a triangle.
Since 5 + 8 = 13, the side lengths cannot form a triangle.
303
Activity No. 2: Skills Practice
Tell if the side lengths can be the sides of a triangle. If so, classify the triangle as acute, obtuse, or
right.
1. 8, 11, 13 2. 5, 9, 14

3. 7, 12, 16 4. 10, 12, 15

5. 3.8, 4.3, 5.5 6. 5, 12, 13

304
 The Special Right Triangles
Learning Competency: The learner applies the theorems on special right triangles to find side
lengths of a triangle.

KEY CONCEPT
A
The 450 – 450 – 900 Triangle Theorem
450
In a 450 – 450 – 900 triangle, both legs are congruent,
and the length of the hypotenuse is the length of a leg
times 2 .
450
hypotenuse  leg 2 C B

Examples:
Find the missing lengths x and y.

450
x y y
1.
450 450
5 x

Solution Solution
hypotenuse  leg 2
a. Find x.
Since the 450 – 450 – 900 triangle is 3 2 x 2

isosceles, then the legs are equal. So, x = 5 . 2 2
3x
b. Find y.
hypotenuse  leg 2 or

y 5 2 hypotenuse  leg 2
3 2x 2
The length of the leg is 5 and the length
of the hypotenuse is y= 5 2 .

The length of both legs is 3.

305
Example 3
The diagonal of a square is 12in long. What is the length of each of its sides?
Solution
Step 1: Visualize the problem by the drawing the square.
450 Recall that the diagonal of a square
450
12 in bisects the pair of opposite angles. Thus,
we have this figure. Then take one
450
450 triangle.

450
12 in

450

Step 2: Use the 450-450-900 Theorem the find the length of each leg of the triangle.
hypotenuse  leg 2
12 leg 2

2 2
12 2
 leg
2 2
12 2
 leg
2
6 2  leg
The length of each side of the square is 6 2 in .

Activity No. 3: Skills Practice

A. Find the missing lengths. Show your solution if necessary.
1. 2. 3.
y
450 450
y x
8 y x
450 450
450
x

4. 5. 6.
450
450
y x y
x y 16
450
450
10 x

306
 7. 8. 9.
x
x 450
y 450
450 y x y

B. Solve the following problems.

1. One of the displays at a botanical garden is an herb garden planted in the shape of a square.
The square measures 10 yards on each side. Visitors can view the herbs from a diagonal
pathway through the garden. How long is the pathway?

2. The softball diamond field is shown below. What 2nd base

is the distance from the home plate to the
second base if the bases are 90 feet apart? 450 450
90 ft 90 ft

3rd base 1st base

90 ft 90 ft
450 450

Home plate

You have just solved problems involving which call for the 450-450-900 triangle to be
used. Notice that you don’t need to have a lengthy solution just to get the answer,
simply used the theorem. Another theorem is the 300 – 600 – 900 Triangle Theorem.

KEY CONCEPT
The 300 – 600 – 900 Triangle Theorem

In a 300 – 600 – 900 triangle , the length of the A

hypotenuse is twice the length of the shorter leg, 300
and the length of the longer is 3 times the
shorter leg. 2s
The longer leg is opposite the 600-
angle.
600
C s B
The shorter leg is opposite the 300- angle.

hypotenuse  2  shorter leg longer leg  shorter leg 3

hypotenuse 3
shorter leg  shorter leg 
2 3

307
Example 1
Find the missing lengths.
1. 2.
300 hypotenuse 300
12 x
y y

600 600
x 14 Shorter leg
Solution Solution
a. Find the length of the shorter leg, x. a. Find the length of the hypotenuse, x
shorter leg 
hypotenuse hypotenuse  2  shorter leg 
2 x  2 14 
12
x x  28
2
x6

b. Find the length of the longer leg, y

b. Find the length of the longer leg, y.
longer leg  shorter leg 3
longer leg  shorter leg 3
y  14 3
y 6 3

The length of the hypotenuse is 28 and the

The length of the shorter leg is 6 and the length
length of the longer leg is 14 3 .
of the longer leg is 6 3 .

3.
300
Longer leg
y
15

600
x
Solution

a. Find the length of the shorter leg, x

longer leg  shorter leg 3
15 x 3
 Substitute
3 3
15 3
Rationalize the denominator x
3 3
15 3
x
3

308
 b. Find the length of the hypotenuse, y
hypotenuse  2  shorter leg 
 15 3 
y  2  
 3 
30 3
y
3
y  10 3

15 3
The length of the shorter leg is and the length of the hypotenuse is 10 3 .
3

Activity No. 4: Skills Practice

Find the missing lengths. Write your answer beside the variable.
1. 2. y
300 300

14 9
y x
600
600
x
x
3. 600 4.
y
18
y 600
x
300
300

5. 6. y
300
300
22
y 25
x
600 600
x

x
7. 600 8.
y
y 300 600
28 x

309
 9. 10.
y 600
x 300 x y

B. Solve the following problems using the theorems on right triangles. Show your solutions
1. Find the length of d. 2. Find d2.
1200 600

d 28 cm
d2

d1=26 cm

3. Find h. 4. Find r.

r 45
0

36cm r
h

600

310
Activity No. 5: Quiz
Find the missing lengths. Express your answers in simplest radical form whenever possible. Write
your answer beside the variable.
1. 2. 3.
450 x
38 y
y 450
54
y 450
x
x

4. 5. 6.
450
xa yb
62 450
450 x y 450
y c

7. 8. 9.
y y
600 300
x 300 x y
x
600450 36 300 600
27

10. 11. 12.

300c
80 yc

xc

311
 Lesson 2: The Six Trigonometric Ratios
Learning Competencies: The learner …
1. illustrates the six trigonometric functions
2. finds the trigonometric ratios of special angles
3. solves real life problems involving right triangles

Trigonometry is the study of triangle measurement. The ratios of the

sides of a right triangle are called trigonometric ratios. The six trigonometric
ratios are defined below.
Knowing the basic parts and the terms related to a right triangle is very
important because this will help you determine the right trigonometric ratio to
use to find unknown length of a side or a measure of an angle of a given right
triangle.

KEY CONCEPTS
Parts of a Right Triangle
The side opposite the right angle is always the longest side called the hypotenuse.
The sides opposite each acute angles are the legs.

The Six Trigonometric Functions

sine (sin) , cosine (cos), tangent (tan),
cosecant (csc), secant (sec) , and cotangent (cot)

Illustration 1. A is an acute angle of ABC .

AB or c is the hypotenuse. A

BC or a is the side opposite to A .

hypotenuse c b
AC or b is the side adjacent to A .
adjacent side
of A
B C
a
Opposite side of A

The Six Trigonometric Ratios with A as the acute angle of ABC

3 Common Ratios Corresponding Reciprocals
opposite side a hypotenuse c
sin A   csc A  
hypotenuse c opposite side a

adjacent side b hypotenuse c

cos A   sec A  
hypotenuse c adjacent side b

opposite side a adjacent side b

tan A   cot A  
adjacent side b opposite side a

312
 Illustration 2. B is an acute angle of ABC .
AB or c is the hypotenuse.
A
AC or a is the side opposite to B .

BC or b is the side adjacent to B . Opposite side of

Hypotenuse c b

B C
a
Adjacent side of

The Six Trigonometric Ratios with B as the acute angle of ABC

3 Common Ratios Corresponding Reciprocals

opposite side b hypotenuse c
sin A   csc A  
hypotenuse c opposite side b
adjacent side a hypotenuse c
cos A   sec A  
hypotenuse c adjacent side a
opposite side b adjacent side a
tan A   cot A  
adjacent side a opposite side b

Use the mnemonics SOH, CAH, TOA to easily recall the three common trigonometric ratios.

Example1:
Find the exact values of the six trig functions for Q
P
O 12 H 15
sin Q   csc Q  
H 15 O 12
 0.8  1.25
Hypotenuse 15
12 Opposite side
A 9 H 15
cos Q   sec Q  
H 15 A 9
 0.6  1.67
Q 9 R
O 12 A 9 Adjacent side
tan Q   cot Q  
A 9 O 12
 1.33  0.75

313
Activity No.6: Skills Practice

Determine the hypotenuse, opposite and adjacent sides of the given acute angle. Write your
answer on the boxes provided. Then find the exact values of the six trigonometric ratios for each.

SET A
1. P P

sin P  csc P 

15 12
cos P  sec P 

Q 9 R
tan P  cot P 

2. Y

sin Y  csc Y  W 24 X

10
cos Y  sec Y 
26

tan Y  cot Y  Y

3. K

L 18 M

sin K  csc K 

81
cos K  sec K  82

tan K  cot K 

K
314
SET B
Find the exact values of the six trigonometric ratios for each.

1. A A

sin A  csc A 

10 8
cos A  sec A 

tan A  cot A  B 6 C

2. E
F 10 E

sin E  csc E 

24
cos E  sec E 
26

tan E  cot E 

3. G

G 99 I

sin G  csc G 
20
101
cos G  sec G 
H

tan G  cot G 

315
Example 2
1. Find the mQ to the nearest degree. P

Hypotenuse
Solution: You may use any of the 3common 15 12 Opposite side
trigonometric ratios to determine the measure of the
acute angle.

Q 9 R
Adjacent side

Use a calculator to find the measure of the angle. Choose any of the methods presented. The
keying in of the entries depend on the type of scientific calculator that you have.
O 12 Key in
sin Q  
H 15 12 ÷15 = SHIFT sin = 53.13
1  12 
 sin  
 15  or
 53.13
SHIFT sin = 53.13

A 9
cos Q  
H 15 9 ÷15 = SHIFT cos = 53.13
9
1
 cos   or
 15 
 53.13
SHIFT cos = 53.13

O 12
tan Q  
A 9 12 ÷9 = SHIFT tan = 53.13
 12 
 tan1   or
9
 53.13
SHIFT tan = 53.13
The mQ =53.130.

316
Activity No. 7: Skills Practice

Find the measure of each acute angle in each right triangle below.

1. mW
W 24 X

10
26

2. mY Y

3. mK L 14 M

48
50
4. mM

5. mP

P
65
6. mR 16
Q 63 R

317
Example 3: Solve the following.
5
1. In ABC , C is the right angle.If tan A  , find the value of csc A.
3
Solution
Step 1. Draw a right triangle and label acute A
B
Since tan A  opposite  5 , label the opposite
adjacent 3
leg 5 and the adjacent leg 3. Hypotenuse
Step 2. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find c.
a =5 c=?
a=5, b= 3, c= ? Opposite
side of A
leg1 2  leg2 2  hy potenuse2
a2  b2  c 2 C b =3 A
2 2 2
5 3  c
Adjacent side of
 
1 1
34 2  c2 2 A

34  c
Step 3. Find csc A.

hy potenuse 34
csc A  
opposite 5
16
2. In PQR , R is the right angle. If sinP  , find the value of tan P.
32
Solution
Step 1. Draw a right triangle and label acute A P
Since opposite 16 , label the Adjacent side
sinP  
hy potenuse 32
of P Hypotenuse
opposite leg 16 and the hypotenuse 32.
q =? r =32
Step 2. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find c.
p=16, q= ?, r= 32
leg1 2  leg 2 2  hy potenuse2
R p =16 Q
p2  q2  r 2
16 2  q 2  32 2 Opposite
2
q  32  16 2 2 side of P

q 
1 1
2 2
 768 2
q  768
q  27.71
Step 3. Find tan P.
opposite 16
tan P  
adjacent 27.71

318
Activity No. 8: Skills Practice

Solve the following.

14
1. In ABC , C is the right angle. If cosB  , find the value of cot B.
50

21
2. In RST , T is the right angle. If cot S  , find the value of sin S.
24

82
3. In DEF , F is the right angle. If csc D  , find the value of tan D.
80

319
Example 4:
Solve for the value of x and y. Round your answers to the nearest hundredths.
1.

Hypotenuse
Opposite side x 12

600
Solution
Step 1. Identify the parts of the triangle that are already known to figure out the appropriate
trigonometric ratio to use in solving for the unknown. Always put into mind the mnemonics
opposite
SOH CAH TOA. In this case, the ratio of sin   shall be used.
hypotenuse
Step 2. Solve for x.
o
U sin g sin 600 
h
x
sin 600  or
12
0
12 sin 60  x
10.39  x

The length of the opposite side of  is 10.39 units.

2. y
x
280
13
Solution
Step 1. Identify the parts of the triangle that are already known to figure out the appropriate
trigonometric ratio to use in solving for the unknown. Always put into mind the mnemonics
SOH CAH TOA. Always remember that we cannot have two unknowns in one ratio. No
value will be solved. Make sure that there is only one unknown in a ratio.

Hypotenuse y
x
280 280
Opposite side
13 13
Adjacent side
Adjacent side

To solve for x, the appropriate ratio is To solve for y, the appropriate ratio is
opposite adjacent
tan   cos  
adjacent hypotenuse
320
Step 2. Solve for x and y.
adjacent
cos 280 
opposite hypotenuse
tan 280 
adjacent 13
x cos 280 
tan 280  y
13 0
y cos 28 13
13 tan 28  x 0

cos 28 cos 280
x  6.91
y  14.72

The length of the opposite side of  is 6.91 units and the length of the hypotenuse is 14.72 units.

Activity No. 9: Skills Practice

Solve for the value of x and y. Round your answers to the nearest hundredths
1.

230
18

2.

3.
18

x
y
670

4.
360

y
43

321
Example 5: Solving Application Problems
Solve the following problems.
1. A skateboarder builds a ramp to perform jumps. If the ramp is 5 feet long and 3 feet high, what
angle does it make with the ground?
Solution:
Step 1. Illustrate the problem to clearly see the appropriate trigonometric ratio to use.

Hypotenuse
Opposite side 5 ft
3 ft

?
Acute angle

Since the opposite and adjacent sides are given, we can use the sine ratio to solve for  .
Step 2. Solve for  .
opposite
sin  
hypotenuse
3
sin  
5
  36.870 or approximately 370
The measure of the angle is approximately 370.

2. In order to construct a bridge across a river, the width of the river must be determined. A stake
is planted on one side of the river directly across from a second stake on the opposite side. At
a distance 40 meters to the left of the stake, an angle of 65 is measured between the two
stakes. Find the width of the river.
Solution
Step 1. Illustrate the problem.
1st stake

width (w) Opposite side

650
40 m 2nd stake
Adjacent side

Since the adjacent and opposite sides of the triangle are involved, use the tangent ratio to
solve for w.
Step 2. Solve for the width
opposite
tan  
adjacent
w
tan650 
40
40 tan 65  w
0

85.8  w
The width of the river is 85.8 meters.
322
Activity No. 10: Skills Practice
Solve the following problems.
1. Find the length of the skateboard ramp c and its
base a as illustrated at the right. 5 ft
200
a

2. The original height of the Great Pyramid of Cheops

in Giza, Egypt was 481.4 feet. Each face of the
pyramid is an isosceles triangle with a 760 vertex
angle. How long is the base of the pyramid?

3. A temporary bridge to be constructed to connect both sides of the river. The length of the river
must be known in order to determine the length of the bridge. The head of the engineering team
placed two stakes on both sides of the river which are across each other. The engineer walks
downstream 80 ft away from the first stake and sighted the second stake at an angle of 65 0.
How wide is the river?

323
 The Trigonometric Ratios in Special Right Triangles

Example1:
Find the values of sin 450, cos 450, tan 450, and their corresponding reciprocals.
Solution:
a. Construct a right triangle having 450 as
one of its acute angles as shown at the 450
right. Let the length of the adjacent side to
be 1.. So, the triangle is isosceles and the
length of the opposite side is also 1. Using 1
the Pythagorean Theorem, the length of
the hypotenuse is 2 . 450
1
b. Determine the values of the six
trigonometric functions.

3 Common Ratios Corresponding Reciprocals

opposite side 1 oppositeside 2
sin 450   csc 450    2
hy potenuse 2 hy potenuse 1
1 2
 
2 2
2

2

adjacent side 1 hy potenuse 2

cos 450   sec 450    2
hy potenuse 2 adjacent 1
1 2
 
2 2
2

2

opposite side 1 opposite side 1

tan 450   1 cot 450   1
adjacent side 1 adjacent side 1

Process Questions:
1. What are the functions that have the same values?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

324
Example 2:
a. Find the values of sin 600, cos 600, tan 600, and their corresponding reciprocals.
b. Find the values of sin 300, cos 300, tan 300, and their corresponding reciprocals.
c. Solution:
a. Use an equilateral triangle with the length of
each side is 2 units. We will use the
300
Pythagorean Theorem. The adjacent side
1, and hypotenuse 2 of   600 to
determine the length of the height/altitude 2 2
(which is its opposite side).

opp 2  adj side2  hy po 2

opp2  12  22 600
1 1
opp2  22  12
opp2  4  1
opp 
1 1

 3
2 2 2

opposite  3

b. Find the sin 600, cos 600, tan 600, sin 300, cos 300, tan 300.

sin 600 3 sin 300 1

sin 600  sin 300 
2 2

cos 600 1 cos 300 3

cos 600  cos 300 
2 2

tan 600 3 tan 300 1

tan 600   3 tan 300 
1 3
1 3
 
3 3
3

3

csc 600 2 csc 300 2

csc 600  csc 300  1
3 1

2 3
 
3 3
2 3

3

325
 sec 600 2 sec 300 2
sec 600  2 cos 300 
1 3
2 3
 
3 3
2 3

3

cot 600 1 cot 300 3

cot 600  cot 300   3
3 1

1 3
 
3 3
3

3
Process Questions:

2. What are the functions that have the same values?

Your answers in the process questions in examples 1 and 2 lead you to three
sets of cofunction identities shown below.

KEY CONCEPT
Cofunctions of complementary angles are equal.

The three sets of cofunction identities are as follows


sin   cos 900    
tan   cot 900    
sec   csc 900   
cos   sin 90 0
  
cot  tan 90   0
 csc   sec 90 0
 

326
 Notice the connection of the letters C & O:
* sine and cosine cofunctions
* tangent and cotangent cofunctions
* secant and cosecant cofunctions
* complementary

Example:
Find the value of  for which sin   cos150 is true.
Solution
Since sine and cosine are cofunctions, we know the value will be the complement of 15 which is
750.
So,   750 .

Activity No. 11: Skills Practice

Find the value of  for which each cofunction is true.

1. sec 520  csc  2. sec   csc13.5 0

 

3. tan270  cot  4. tan   cot 39 0

 

5. sin650  cos  6. cos  sin50 0

 

7. cot 540  tan  8. csc  tan 75 0

 

9. sec190  cos 10. sin  cos 44 0

 

327
 Angle of Elevation and Depression
Learning Competencies: The learner…
1. illustrates angle of elevation and depression.
2. solves problems involving angle of elevation and depression

Right triangle trigonometry is often used indirectly to find the height of a

tall object. To solve a problem of this type, measure the angle from the
horizontal to your line of sight when you look at the top or bottom of the
object.
If you look up, you measure the angle of elevation. If you look down,
you measure the angle of depression.

KEY CONCEPT
The angle of elevation for a point above a horizontal line is the angle formed by the
horizontal line and the line of sight of the observer at that point.

Object

Observer’s line of sight

Observer’s Eye Angle of elevation

Horizontal line

The angle of depression for a point below a horizontal line is the angle formed by the
horizontal line and the line of sight of the observer at that point.
Observer’s Eye
Horizontal line
Angle of depression

Observer’s line of sight

Object

Horizontal lines are parallel, so the angles of elevation and the angle of depression in the
diagram are congruent by the Alternate Interior Angles Theorem.

328
Examples. Solve the following problems.
1. Calculate the angle of elevation of the line of sight of a person whose eye is 1.7m above the
ground, and is looking at the top of a tree which is 27.5 m away on level ground and 18.6 m
high.
Solution
Step 1. Illustrate the problem. Then determine the given and the unknown.

16.9 m

16.9 m
18.6 m

? Horizontal line
27.5 m
1.7 m 1.7 m

Step 2. Solve for  using the tangent ratio since the opposite side (16.9 m) and adjacent side (27.5
m) of  are known.
opposite side 16.9
tan   
adjacent side 27.5
tan   0.6145
  tan1  0.6145 
  31.570
The angle of elevation formed measures 31.570.
2. A man stands at the window of a house so that his eyes are 12.6 m above the level ground in
the vicinity of the house. An object is 58.5 m away from the house on a line directly underneath
the man. Find the angle of depression of the person's line of sight to the object on the ground.
Solution
Step 1. Illustrate the problem. Then determine the given and the unknown. Recall parallel lines
cut by a transversal.
Notice that the angle
? of elevation and
12.6 m

depression are
alternate interior
Ground level Object angles which are
58.5 m congruent to each
Step 2. Solve for the angle of depression the tangent ratio other. Thus, the
opposite side 12.6 length of both the
tan    horizontal line and
adjacent side 58.5
the vertical line used
tan   0.2154
for angle of elevation
  tan1  0.2154  is the same as that
  12.160 in the angle of
The angle of depression formed measures 12.160. depression.
329
3. The angle of elevation from a sailboat to the top of a 115-foot lighthouse on the shore
measures 20°. How far is the sailboat from the lighthouse?
Solution
Step 1. Illustrate the problem. Then determine the given and the unknown.

115 ft

200
distance (d)

Step 2. Solve for d using the tangent ratio.

115
tan 200 
d
0
dtan20 115
0

tan20 tan200
d  315.96
The boat is approximately 316 feet away from the lighthouse.
4. Olivia is 190 ft from the base of the lighthouse. She observes two sailboats due east of the
lighthouse. The angles of depression to the two boats are 330 and 570. Find the distance between
the two sailboats to the nearest foot.
Solution
Step 1. Illustrate the problem. Then determine the given and the unknown.

330
570 If you find it difficult to
190 ft analyse this
illustration, you may
A B illustrate each triangle.
distance (d)

distance (B)
330
190 ft
190 ft

B
distance (B)

distance (A)
570
190 ft 190 ft

A
distance (A)

330
Step 2. Solve for the distances of the two boats from the base of the tower.
190 190
tan 330  tan 570 
B A
0 0
Btan 33 190 A tan 57 190
0
 0 0

tan 33 tan 33 tan 57 tan 570
B  292.6  293 A  123.4  123

a. The distance between the two boat is B – A.

293 – 123 = 170

The distance between the two boats is approximately 170 feet.

Activity No. 12: Skills Practice

Solve the following problem. Illustrate the problem and show your complete solution.

1. From the top of a vertical cliff 40 m high, the angle of depression of an object that is level with
the base of the cliff is 34º. How far is the object from the base of the cliff?

2. Benny is flying a kite directly over his friend Frank, who is 25 meters away. When he holds the
kite string down to the ground, the string makes a 39° angle with the level ground. How high is
Benny’s kite?

3. The angle of elevation from a ship to the top of a 42-meter lighthouse on the shore measures
33°. How far is the ship from the lighthouse? (Assume the horizontal line of sight meets the
bottom of the lighthouse.)

331
4. A salvage ship’s sonar locates wreckage at a 12° angle of depression. A diver is lowered 40
meters to the ocean floor. How far does the diver need to walk along the ocean floor to the
wreckage?

5. According to a Chinese legend from the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.), General Han Xin
flew a kite over the palace of his enemy to determine the distance between his troops and the
palace. If the general let out 800 meters of string and the kite was flying at a 35° angle of
elevation, how far away was the palace from General Han Xin’s position?

6. From the top of a roller coaster, 60 yards above the ground, a rider looks down and sees the
merry-go-round and the Ferris wheel. If the angles of depression are 110 and 80, respectively,
how far apart are the merry-go-round and the Ferris wheel?

332
 Indirect Measurement

How would you measure the height of your school building? In the first
quarter, you used shadows and similar triangles to measure the height
of tall objects that you couldn’t measure directly. Right triangle
trigonometry gives you another method of indirect measurement.

Activity No. 13: Making a Clinometer

Materials Needed:
 Protractor  Straw  Paper clip
 String (15 inches)  3 x 5 index card  Tape
Steps in Making a Clinometer
Step 1: Tie a knot at one end of the string. Step 4: Tape the straw to the protractor and
index card.

Step 2: Thread the string (from back to front) Step 5: Tie the paper clip to the other end of the
through the hole in the protractor. string.

Step 3: Tape the index card to the protractor. Step 6: Indicate on the index card which
direction to look.

333
 Using a Clinometer

1. Place a ball point on the paper clip.

This would give weight to the
string.

2. Look through the straw and site the

top of an object.

3. Ask your partner to read the

degrees that the string makes with
the protractor.

334
Activity No. 8: Using a clinometer to determine heights of tall objects

Investigation
Pair Work
Materials:
 Measuring tape or meter sticks
 A clinometer
Procedure:
Step 1: Locate a tall object that would be difficult to measure directly. Start a table like the
one below.
Name of object Viewing Height of the Distance Height of the
angle observer from object
from feet to observer to
(observer’s
the eyes object
height +
calculated
height)

Step 2. Use your clinometer to measure the viewing angle from the horizontal to the top of the
object.
Step 3. Measure the observer’s eye height. Measure the distance from the observer to the
base of the object

Step 4. Calculate the approximate height of the object.

Step 5. Use the shadow method to measure the height of the same object. How do your results
compare? If you got different results, explain what part of each process could
contribute to the differences.

Step 6. Repeat Steps 1–5 for another tall object. If you measure the height of the same object
as another group, compare your results when you finish.

335
 Trigonometry of Oblique Triangles
Learning Competencies: The learner …
1. illustrates law of sine and cosine
2. solves problems involving oblique triangles

So far you have used trigonometry only to solve problems with right
triangles. But you can use trigonometry with any triangle. In this section
we will be dealing with triangles with no right angles called oblique
triangles. The solution for the oblique triangles can be done with the
application of the Law of Sine and Law of Cosine, simply called the
Sine and Cosine Rules.
We will discuss first the Law of Sine which is related to the area of the
triangle.

KEY CONCEPT
An oblique triangle is a triangle with no right angle. It is a triangle whose angles are all acute or
a triangle with one obtuse angle.

The two general forms of an oblique triangle are as shown:

The Law of Sine

Illustration
Find the area of the triangle below.

h 100 m

400

b=150 m

Solution
Step 1. Identify the known and unknown parts of the triangle.
Known: base of the triangle (b) = 150 m
Unknown: height of the triangle (h) This part of the oblique
triangle is a right triangle
100 m
h and this can be used to
400 determine its height.

b=150 m
336
Step 2. Determine the height (h) of the triangle using the sine ratio
h
sin 400 
100
0
100 sin 40  h
64.28  h

Step 3. Solve for the area of the triangle.

bh bh
A A
2 2

A
150 m64.28 m
which can also be expressed as 150 m 100 sin400 m 
A
2 2
2
A  4,821 m A  4,821 m 2

The area of the triangle is 4, 821 m2.

Activity No. 14: Investigating the Area of the Triangle

Investigation
Step 1: Find the area of each triangle. Use the example above as your guide.
Solution:

29 cm
h

550
33 cm

Solution:

43
c
m h

520
18

Solution:

31 cm h

720
38.5 cm

337
 Step 2: Generalize Step 1 to find the area of this triangle in terms of a, b, and C . State your
general formula as your conjecture.
A

h b

B C
a

SAS Triangle Area Conjecture

The area of a triangle is given by the formula ______________ where a and b are the lengths
of two sides and C is the angle between them.

Deriving the Law of Sine

A. Consider ABC using height h. h

b h a

A B
c
Step 1: Find h in terms of a and the sine of an angle.
h
sinB 
a
Equation 1
a sinB  h
Step 2: Find h in terms of b and the sine of an angle.
h
sinA 
b
Equation 2
b sinA  h

Step 3: Compare equations 1 and 2 .

a sinB b sinA Divide both sides by ab

ab ab
sinB sinA

b a

338
B. Now consider the same ABC using different height k.
C

A B

Step 4: Find k in terms of c and the sine of an angle.

k
sinB 
c
Equation 1
c sinB  k
Step 5: Find k in terms of b and the sine of an angle.
k
sinC 
b
Equation 2
b sinC  k

Step 6: Compare equations 1 and 2 .

Divide both sides by bc
c sinB b sinC

bc bc
sinB sinC

b c

Step 7: Combine Steps 3 and 6. Complete the conjecture below.

By the transitive property of
sinB sinA sinB sinC sinA sinC equality
If  and  , then 
b a b c a c

sin A sin B sin C

Hence, the Law of Sine is   .
a b c

KEY CONCEPT
Law of Sine ( Sine Rule)
The Sine Rule states that the sides of a triangle are proportional to the sides of the opposite
h
angles. In symbols,
sin A sin B sin C
  b h a
a b c

A B
c
The Sine Rule is used in the following cases:
CASE 1: Given two angles and one side (AAS or ASA)
CASE 2: Given two sides and a non-included angle (SSA)

339
Example 2: Case 1: Given two angles and one side (AAS or ASA)
Find the length of AC in ABC . C

b 350
cm
590 380
A B

Solution:
Step 1. Look for the two angles that are involved in the problem to help you determine the
sin A sin B
appropriate equation of the Law of Sine to use. In this case, the equation  must be
a b
used.
Step 2. Solve for b using the equation
sin A sin B

a b
0
sin 59 sin 380

350 b
0
b sin59 350sin380

sin590 sin590
b  251.39
The length of AC = 251.39.
Example 2: Case 2: Given two sides and a non-included angle (SSA)
Find the mB in ABC . C

150cm 250 cm

690
A B
Solution:
Step 1. Look for the two angles that are involved in the problem to help you determine the
sin A sin B
appropriate equation of the Law of Sine to use. In this case, the equation  must be
a b
used.
Step 2. Solve for mB using the equation
sin 690 sin B

250 150
0
150sin69 250sinB

250 250
0.56  sinB
sin1  0.56   B
340  B

mB  34 0 .

340
Example 3: Application: Indirect Measurement
When the angle of elevation of the sun is 620, a telephone pole tilted at an angle of 70 from the
vertical casts a shadow of 30 feet long on the ground. Find the length of the telephone pole.
Solution:
Step 1. Illustrate the problem. Then determine the given (including the implied ones) and the
unknown.
S
P
Determine the mGDP and mP
mGDP  900  70 350
mGDP  830
g =?
70
mP  180   62  83   35
0 0 0 0

830
620 D
G
p =30ft
Step 2. Look for the two angles that are involved in the problem to help you determine the
sinG sinP
appropriate equation of the Law of Sine to use. In this case, the equation  must be
g p
used.

Step 2. Solve for mB using the equation

sinG sinP

g p
sin620 sin350

g 30
30sin620 gsin350

sin350 sin350
46.18  g

The length of the telephone pole is 46.18 feet long.

341
Activity No. 15: Skills Practice
A. Find the area of each triangle to the nearest square centimetre.
Solution:

29 cm h

650
25 cm
Solution:

h 31 cm

500
31 cm

B. Find the value of each variable which represents the length of the third side of the triangle.
1. W Y Solution:

28 cm w

W 79
0
500 X
31 cm

2. x Y Solution:

x
12 cm

370 580
W X

3. y Y Solution:

41 cm

460 870 X
W y

342
C. Find the measure of each angle.
1. mA Solution:

420

36 cm

A B
29 cm

2. mB Solution:

325 m 445 m

770
A B

3. mC Solution:
C

415 m 362 m

650
A B

343
 The Law of Cosine

The Law of Cosine allows us to solve a triangle when the Law of

Sine cannot be used.

KEY CONCEPT
The Cosine Rule states that the square of the length of any side of a triangle equals the sum of
the squares of the length of the other sides minus twice their product multiplied by the cosine of
their included angle. In symbols:
b2  c 2  a2
a 2  b 2  c 2  2bc cos A cos A 
2bc
2
a  c 2  b2
b 2  a 2  c 2  2bc cosB cos B 
2ac
2
a  b2  c 2
c 2  a 2  b 2  2bc cos C cos C 
2ab
The Cosine Rule is used in the following cases:
Case 1:Given two sides and an included angle (SAS)
Case 2:Given three sides (SSS)

Example 1: Case 1: Given two sides and an included angle (SAS)

Find the length of the third side of the triangle and the measure of its two other angles.

A Included Angle

Side (b) 600

10 m
9m
Side (c)

C ? ? B
a =?
Solution:
Step 1. Solve for a (the length AB ) using the appropriate equation of the Cosine Law.
a 2  b 2  c 2  2bc cos A
a 2  102  9 2  2109 cos 600
a 2  100  81  180cos 600

a   181 180cos 60 
1 1
2 2 0 2

a  181  180cos 600

a  9.54

344
Step 2. The formulas in solving for the measure of the other two angles require all lengths of the
sides to be known. So make sure that the length of all sides of the oblique triangle is known.
a. Solve for mB and mC
mB mC
2
a c b 2 2
a2  b2  c 2 Using the Triangle-Angle
cos B  cos C  Sum Theorem
2ac 2ab
9.542  9 2  10 2 9.542  102  9 2
cos B  cos C  mC  1800  mA  mB
29.54 9  29.54 10
cos B  0.4194 cos C  0.5766 
mC  1800  600  65.210 
B  cos1 0.4194 C  cos1 0.5766 mC  1800  125.21

B  65.210 C  54.790 mC  54.790

The length of the third side is 9.54 m, mB  65.210 , and mC  54.79 0 .

Example 2: Case 2: Given three sides (SSS)

Find the measure of the three angles of the triangle.
Q

Side 18 m 23 m Side

R S
37 m Side

Solution:

Solve for mQ Solve for the mR Solve for the mS
2 2 2
r 2  s 2  q2 q  s r 2 2
q  r  s2
cos Q  cos R  cos S 
2rs 2qs 2qr
23  182  372
2
37 2  182  232 372  232  18 2
cos Q  cos R  cos S 
22318 23718 23723
cos Q  0.6232 cos R  0.8739 cos S  0.9248
Q  cos1  0.6232 R  cos1 0.8739 S  cos1 0.9248
Q  128.550 R  29.09 0 S  22.36 0

Checking: The sum of the interior angles of a triangle must be equal to 180. Adding all the angles
128.550 + 29.090 + 22.360 = 1800.

345
Example 3: Application Problems.
Mr. Perez is buying some property that is shaped like a quadrilateral ABCD. Find the perimeter of
the property.
C

B
600

180 ft

A D
240 ft

Solution:
Step 1. Solve for the lengths of segments BD and CD in order to get the perimeter of the
quadrilateral. It is very obvious that we need to solve for BD using the Pythagorean
Theorem in order to solve for CD using the law of cosines.

a. Solve for BD. b. Solve for CD.

AB  AD  BD
2 2 2
CD2  BC 2  BD 2  2BC BD cos CBD
1802  2402  BD 
2
CD2  2002  3002  2200300 cos 600

90,0002  BD2 2
1 1 CD2  130,000  60,000

CD 
1 1

90,000  BD
2 2
 70,0002
CD  264.58
300  BD

Step 2. Solve for the perimeter of quadrilateral ABCD.

P= 180 ft + 240 ft+ 200 ft + 264.58 ft

=884.58 ft

The perimeter of quadrilateral ABCD is 885.58 ft.

346
Activity No. 16: Skills Practice
A. Find the value of each variable which represents the length of the third side of the triangle.
1. c A

c 45 cm

B 360 C
52 cm

2. e
D

41 cm e

E 49
0
F
36 cm

3. i
G

i 32 cm

780
H I
42 cm

4. j
J

820
235 cm 282 cm

K L
j

347
B. Each triangle is acute triangle. Find the measure of each angle.
1. mA
B

34 cm 42 cm

A C
36 cm

2. mD
D

350 cm 390 cm

E F
345 cm

5. mH
G

508 cm 328 cm

H I
418 cm

6. mK

175 cm 250 cm

K L
225 cm

348
C. Application Problems.
1. Carlos and Ariel are playing soccer. Carlos standing 40 feet from one post of the goal and
50 feet from the other post. Ariel is standing 30 feet from on post of the goal and 22 feet
from the other post. If the goal is 24 feet wide, which player has a greater angle to make a
shot on goal?
Carlos
40 ft

50 ft
24 ft
30 ft

22 ft
Ariel

2. Two sides of a parallelogram measure 15 inches and 20 inches, and one of the diagonals
measures 19 inches. What are the measures of the angles of the parallelogram?

3. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is 56 m tall. In 1999, the tower made a 1000 angle with the
ground. To stabilize the tower, an engineer considered attaching a cable from the top
of the tower to a point that is 45 m from the base. How long would the cable be, and
what angle would it make with the ground?

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Activity No. 17: Concept Map

Complete the concept map below to sum-up what you have learned in this chapter.

Trigonometry

Right Triangles Oblique Triangles

The 6 trigonometric The Pythagorean The Sine is used The Cosine Law is
Ratios Formula when used when

Angle of Elevation is used when Angle of Depression is used when

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Activity No. 18: Quiz P
The students were asked to give the indicated
trigonometric ratio of a right triangle. Explain what
the student did wrong. Give the correct answer.
Refer to the figure below. 80 82

1. tan P R 18 Q

Rica Explanation and correct answer:

80
tan P 
18

2. cos Q
Shiela Explanation and correct answer:
80
cos Q 
82

3. csc P
Tony Explanation and correct answer:
82
cscP 
80

W 50 X

A. The students were asked to solve for the

unknown part of the triangle. Explain what the 48
student did wrong. Give the correct answer. x
1. Solving for x : 650
a. Y
Tony Explanation and correct answer:
48
cos 650 
x

b.
Xerxes Explanation and correct answer:
2 2 2
50  48  x

98   x 
1 1
2 2 2 2

98  x

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2. A
Xerxes 730
d
sin 59 0 
12 12 d

480 B 480 C
a
Explanation and correct answer:

B. Solve the following problems. Illustrate the problem and show your complete solution.
1. Find the angle of elevation of the sun when 7.6 meter flagpole casts a 18.2-meter shadow.

2. Two boats are observed by a sailor 75 meters above a lake. The angles of depression are
12.50 and 70. How far apart are the boats?

3. After flying at an altitude of 500 meters, a helicopter starts to descend when its ground
distance from the landing pad is 11 kilometers. What is the angle of depression for this part
of flight?

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 4. To find the distance between two points A and B that are on the opposite sides of a river, a
surveyor measures the distance to point C on the same side of the river as point A. the
distance from A to C is 240 feet. He then measures the angle from A to B as 62 0 and
measures the angle from C to B as 550. Find the distance from A to B.

5. Alfonso is over 2500-meter landing strip in a hot-

air balloon. At one end of the strip, Beatrice sees
Alfonso with an angle of elevation measuring 390.
At the other end of the strip, Collete sees Alfonso Alfonso
with an angle of elevation measuring 620.
a. What is the distance between Alfonso and
Beatrice?
b. What is the distance between Alfonso and
Collete? Beatrice 390 620 Collete
c. How high up is Alfonso? 2500 m

6. Emergency Medicine A helicopter flies 55

miles from its base at point C to an accident at
point B and then 35 miles from there to the
hospital at point A. Angle B equals 42. How
far will the helicopter have to fly to return to its
base from the hospital?

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