ALGEBRA 2 HELP -- Must have knowledge with Trig.?

Question

Ok, In my class, Algebra 2 is mixed in with trigonometry and I reall don't understand SOH CAH TOA (Using a calculator to find parts of a triangle using Tangent, Cosine, and sine) I just really do not understand how you know what to punch into the calculator.. Can someone help?

Answer 1

MAKE SURE YOUR CALCULATOR IS IN THE DEGREE MODE.

To use the six trig functions for solving triangles we must locate the hypotenuse, adjacent, and opposite sides:

The hypotenuse is always the longest side and across from the right angle. The opposite and adjacent sides depend on which angle you are referring to. The opposite side would be just as it sounds, opposite the angle. The adjacent side is the side that touches the angle.



Each trig function is the ratio of two sides. It is that ratio that determines the angle.

Sine function, abbreviated sin, is the ratio of the opposite to the hypotenuse.
Cosine function, abbreviated cos, is the ratio of the adjacent to the hypotenuse.
The tangent function, abbreviated tan, is the ratio of the opposite to the adjacent.

The other three functions are inverses to these. They are not used very often, but it's important that you know about them.

The cosecant function, csc, is the inverse function of the sin function. Thus, it is the ratio of the hypotenuse to the opposite side. The secant function, sec, is the inverse function to the cos function. Therefore, its ratio is the hypotenuse to the adjacent sides. Finally, the cotangent function, cot, has the tangent function as its inverse. The ratio of the cotangent function is the adjacent to the opposite sides.

Next you will need to use trigonometric functions on the calculator. The calculator can do two things. 1) Give the function value of an angle and 2) Give the angle of a function value. You must determine which way your calculator operates.

To find the sin, cos, or tan function value of a given angle:

(1) Press appropriate button
(2) Enter angle in decimal degrees
(3) Press =

EX: sin 30o = ?

(1) Press sin
(2) Enter 30
(3) Press =

To find the csc function value of a given angle:

(1) Press sin
(2) Enter angle in decimal degrees
(3) Press =
(4) Press 1/x (reciprocal key)

To find the sec function value of a given angle:

(1) Press cos
(2) Enter angle in decimal degrees
(3) Press =
(4) Press 1/x

To find the cot function value of a given angle

(1) Press tan
(2) Enter angle in decimal degrees
(3) Press =
(4) Press 1/x

To find the angle when given the sin, cos, or tan function value:

(1) Press 2nd or shift (whichever button you calculator has)
(2) Press appropriate button
(3) Press in value
(4) Press = (The calculator will always give you the angle in decimal degrees. If you need it in degrees, minutes, and seconds, you will have to convert it as learned earlier.)

EX: sin ? = .5

(1) Press 2nd or shift
(2) Press sin
(3) Enter .5
(4) Press =

To find the angle when given the csc value:

(1) Press 2nd or shift
(2) Press sin
(3) Enter value
(4) Press 1/x
(5) Press =

To find the angle when given the sec value:

(1) Press 2nd or shift
(2) Press cos
(3) Enter value
(4) Press 1/x
(5) Press =

To find the angle when given the cot value:

(1) Press 2nd or shift
(2) Press tan
(3) Enter value
(4) Press 1/x
(5) Press =

For other types of calculators here are the directions:

To find the sin, cos, or tan function values of a given angle:

(1) Enter angle in decimal degrees
(2) Press appropriate button

EX: sin 30o = ?

(1) Enter 30
(2) Press sin

To find the csc function value of a given angle:

(1) Enter angle in decimal degrees
(2) Press sin
(3) Press 1/x (the reciprocal button)

To find the sec function value of a given angle:

(1) Enter angle in decimal degrees
(2) Press cos
(3) Press 1/x

To find the cot value of a given angle:

(1) Enter angle in decimal degrees
(2) Press tan
(3) Press 1/x

To find the angle when given the sin, cos, or tan function value:

(1) Enter value
(2) Press 2nd or shift (whichever button your calculator has)
(3) Press appropriate button

EX: sin ? = .5

(1) Enter .5
(2) Press 2nd or shift
(3) Press sin (Your calculator will always give you the angle in decimal degrees. If you want it in degrees, minutes, and seconds, you will need to convert it as you learned earlier.)

To find the angle when given the csc value:

(1) Enter value
(2) Press 1/x
(3) Press 2nd or shift
(4) Press sin

To find the angle when given the sec value:

(1) Enter value
(2) Press 1/x
(3) Press 2nd or shift
(4) Press cos

To find the angle when given the cot value:

(1) Enter value
(2) Press 1/x
(3) Press 2nd or shift
(4) Press tan
Now we are ready to solve right triangles. Remember there are six parts to a triangle - three sides and three angles. You will need to be given three parts. One of those will, of course, have to be the right angle. (How else would you know it was a right triangle?:-) The other two can be another angle and a side or two sides. You can not solve a triangle if you are given just three angles. There are infinitely many triangles with the same three angles. (Remember similar triangles from geometry.)




Let me know if this helped you any and I'll send you more info...

Answer 2

SOH is sine (aka sin)= opposite/hypotenuse
CAH is cosine (aka cos)= adjacent/hypotenuse
TOA is tangent (aka tan)= opposite/ adjacent
You will be presented with values/ numbers or a right triangle and the right angle will be diagnal from the hypotenuse and there will be a opposite side and a adjacent side.
You use these in these equations. Set these up with the equations ex: SOH sin(30)= x/11 cross multiply sin(30)with 11 and x with 1( since sin(30)/1 still= sin(30)). This will then give you the value of x.
If you simply are asked what the tan, cos, or sin is of a number plug it into the calculator. ex: push the appropriate button (sin, cos, or tan) and put the number in the parenthesesis.
Trig has so much so I'm not sure if you're farther than this. I hope this helps and you can understand what I mean. I tutor math and this is how I would explain it in person, I hope it translates as well in writing.

Answer 3

SOH - sin = opposite side divided by hypotenuse
CAH - cosine = adjacent side divided by hypotenuse
TOA - tangent = opposite side divided by adjacent side

Using a calculator just enter the lengths of the sides and do the division. Good Luck!

Answer 4

SOH = sine (sin) = Side OPPOSITE the hypotnues over HYPOTENUSE

CAH = cosine (cos) = Side ADJACENT to the hypotenuse over HYPOTENUSE

TOA = tangent (tan) = Side OPPOSITE to the hypotenuse over the side ADJACENT to the hypotenuse

So, when using you calculater, you'll be given side lengths, at which point you'll divide the appropriate sides to get the appropriate ratio. (opp = 4, adj = 2, therefore tan=2).

Answer 5

lol i skipped trig and went instantly into calc. were given A's in 5a 5b and six the in problem-free words trig you want is largely the identities. you are able to study as you go. Atlest you discovered it once, i replaced into initiating from no longer something.