sorry if this question seems stupid. i can label the hypotenuse because its always the longest side and its diagonal. i was told that you can find the opposite because it's 'opposite' the right angle on the triangle, but i can interperate both sides to be 'opposite' to the right angle. so how do i tell the difference between the opposite and the adjacent side? thanks
2007-12-21 05:50:36 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
let's break it down a bit, okay
sine = opposite/hypotenuse
cosine = adjacent/hypotenuse
tangent = opposite/adjacent
when you are looking at an angle that is less than 90° in measure, there is a side of the triangle that makes up one side of that angle..this is the "adjacent" side and its length is used in determining cosine and tangent of that particular angle.
when you look at this same angle that is less than 90° in measure, there is a side of the triangle that is directly across from this angle and is not directly connected, or makes up, this angle...this is the "opposite" side and its length is used in determining the sine or tangent of that particular angle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigonometry
this website has a picture that helps to show the relationships
2007-12-21 06:05:24 · answer #1 · answered by Jim L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The hypotenuse is always opposite the right angle (90 degree angle).
The adjacent side is the side "next to" the angle in question and is never the hypotenuse.
The opposite side is " directly opposite" to the angle in question and is never the hypotenuse.
Hopefully, a drawing of a right triangle will help you interpret this.
2007-12-21 06:05:14 · answer #2 · answered by stanschim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The opposite is NOT opposite the right angle, that's the hypotenuse.
opposite - opposite the angle you're calculating
adjacent - helps to form the angle you're calculating OR after you've labeled the opposite and hypotenuse, the other side will be adjacent
2007-12-21 06:00:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The three sides are the legs (the two sides that form the right angle), and the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse is the longest side of the triangle, and opposite the right angle.
2007-12-21 06:05:30 · answer #4 · answered by Richard H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given a right angled triangle with angles A, B and C. C is 90 deg. The opposite sides of the angles has the nomination a,b and c. Draw this on the paper and you will see the normal nomination in trigonometry. c is the normal nomination on the hypotenuse, and a and b are the nomination on the katets.
This is not difficult. Just get into it!
2007-12-21 09:32:32 · answer #5 · answered by anordtug 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do people who don't know the answer try and imply they do.
All who said opposite is opposite the angle in question are right.
The one who said, the adjacent side is the one adjacent to the angle under consideration and which is NOT the hypotenuse side, is the only full answer.
2007-12-22 10:30:05 · answer #6 · answered by eastanglianuk1951 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The right angle is the 90 degree angle on the right triangle and the Hypotenuse is directly opposite that angle. The other two side are adjacent to the right angle, that is they are next to it because they help make the 90 angle.
2007-12-21 05:55:50 · answer #7 · answered by ikeman32 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
"What about other triangles ?" If you take almost any triangle you can cut it up or add something to make it several right triangle. And then they will succumb to some sort of analysis. Forgive my ignorance Btech is Bio tech Or business tech? In any case you need the trig to help understand Change. Change in oxygen concentration or change dollars to build a factory. Something that changes in a pattern. In calculus Sines and Cosines can almost magically explain some very common changes like a rotating wheel accelerating up an on ramp. Ask you librarian for mathematics handbook that shows differential equations. There will be pages and pages. Go through and count those with sines and cosines in them. Notice how things flip back and forth across the equal sign. Notice that things are getting too complex for drawing 2d pictures or 3d models. It is in the end a kind of religion. You have to believe in things you can't see or hold in your hands. Sines and cosines live in both real and unreal worlds. Some people can not make that leap of faith and some like you can. Best to find out now before you try doing for a living what your mind rebels at.
2016-04-10 11:43:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hypotenuse is opposite the right angle.
The opposite side is opposite the angle you are using or are finding.
The adjacent side is the one left over.
2007-12-23 05:05:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both of the adjacent sides touch the right angle, the opposite side doesn't.
2007-12-21 05:56:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋