Table of contents
- 0. Fundamental Concepts of Algebra3h 29m
- 1. Equations and Inequalities3h 27m
- 2. Graphs1h 43m
- 3. Functions & Graphs2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 54m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Measuring Angles40m
- 8. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 9. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 10. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 11. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trig Equations1h 41m
- 12. Trigonometric Identities 2h 34m
- 13. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 14. Vectors2h 25m
- 15. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 16. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 17. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
- 18. Systems of Equations and Matrices3h 6m
- 19. Conic Sections2h 36m
- 20. Sequences, Series & Induction1h 15m
- 21. Combinatorics and Probability1h 45m
- 22. Limits & Continuity1h 49m
- 23. Intro to Derivatives & Area Under the Curve2h 9m
8. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles
Special Right Triangles
Struggling with Precalculus?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Given the triangle below, determine the missing side(s) without using the Pythagorean theorem (make sure your answer is fully simplified).

A
x=10,y=55
B
x=3,y=4
C
x=53,y=10
D
x=5,y=52

1
Identify the type of triangle: The given triangle is a right triangle with one angle measuring 30 degrees.
Recall the properties of a 30-60-90 triangle: In a 30-60-90 triangle, the side opposite the 30-degree angle is half the hypotenuse, and the side opposite the 60-degree angle is the hypotenuse times the square root of 3 divided by 2.
Use the property of the 30-60-90 triangle to find the hypotenuse (y): Since the side opposite the 30-degree angle is 5, the hypotenuse y is twice this length, so y = 2 * 5.
Calculate the length of the side opposite the 60-degree angle (x): Use the formula for the 30-60-90 triangle, where the side opposite the 60-degree angle is the hypotenuse times the square root of 3 divided by 2. Therefore, x = y * sqrt(3) / 2.
Simplify the expressions: Ensure that the expressions for x and y are fully simplified to find the missing sides of the triangle.