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5.1: Right Triangle Trigonometry

  • Page ID
    1107
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    A right triangle is defined as having one angle precisely equal to 90o (a right angle).

    Trigonometric Identities

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    H is the Hypotenuse, always being opposite the right angle. Relative to angle x, O is the Opposite and A is the Adjacent.

    “Arc” functions such as “arcsin”, “arccos”, and “arctan” are the complements of normal trigonometric functions. These functions return an angle for a ratio input. For example, if the tangent of 45o is equal to 1, then the “arctangent” (arctan) of 1 is 45o. “Arc” functions are useful for finding angles in a right triangle if the side lengths are known.

    The Pythagorean Theorem

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    This page titled 5.1: Right Triangle Trigonometry is shared under a GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Tony R. Kuphaldt (All About Circuits) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.