-Overview-
Trigonometric Ratios
What is Trigonometry? Trigonometry is considered one of the first challenging math topics that high schoolers learn. Trigonometry is different depending on if your using it for geometry or algebra. In geometry you will typicaly use the main trigonometric functions to find the missing sides of a right triangle. In algebra trigonometry is used for graphing wave functions.
You will learn about the main functions that cover the fundamentals of geometric trigonometry as well as how to use them and certain aplications for them.
If you are just starting to learn trigonometry it can be helpful to remember the acronym sohcahtoa as it will help with remembering each function.
For better context before learning the functions its best to have a good understanding of the anatomy of a right Triangle.
A right triangle is made up of three sides and three angles. For the triangle to be considered a right triangle it must have one 90 degree angle. the side that the 90 degree angle does not touch is known as the hypotonuse and it is always the longest side of the triangle. The other two angles don't have names but are often given the variable Θ(theta) or α(alpha). these angles are the inputs to the trigonometric functions and you only need one to use trigonometric functions. the side that is not touched by the angle inputted is known as the opposite side because it is opposite the angle. the side touching the angle but is not the hypotonuse is the adjacent as its adjacent to the angle.
If your ever unsure of if the triangle is a right triangle you can use pythagorean theorom to ditermine if its truely a right triangle since pythagorean theorom only works on right triangle.
Since the trigonometric functions are different depending on what your using it for,
remember to switch your calcultor to degrese or radians!
Your calculator will typicaly have the letters DEG or RAD to indicate which mode it is set in. to switch it there is a button usually at the top that says: RAD.
