Triangle Trigonometry

Virginia SOL T.TT.1

Determine trigonometric ratios in right triangles and solve for missing sides and angles, including contextual problems.

What students need to be able to do

  • Define and represent the six trigonometric ratios (sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, cotangent) for an acute angle in a right triangle.
  • Describe the relationships between side lengths in 30°-60°-90° and 45°-45°-90° special right triangles.
  • Calculate missing sides of a right triangle using trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem.
  • Solve for missing angles in a right triangle using inverse trigonometric functions.
  • Apply trigonometric ratios to solve contextual problems involving right triangles, including angles of elevation and depression.
  • Use the Law of Sines to solve for missing sides and angles in right triangles.
  • Use the Law of Cosines to solve for missing sides and angles in right triangles.