Pythagorean Theorem
The Pythagorean Theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. This can be expressed as a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse. This theorem is essential for finding the length of the missing side in right triangles.
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Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions relate the angles of a triangle to the lengths of its sides. The six primary functions are sine (sin), cosine (cos), tangent (tan), cosecant (csc), secant (sec), and cotangent (cot). For angle θ in a right triangle, these functions can be defined as: sin(θ) = opposite/hypotenuse, cos(θ) = adjacent/hypotenuse, and tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent, among others.
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Right Triangle Properties
Right triangles have specific properties that make them unique, including the presence of a 90-degree angle. The sides are categorized as the hypotenuse (the longest side) and the two legs (the other two sides). Understanding these properties is crucial for applying the Pythagorean Theorem and calculating trigonometric functions, as they depend on the relationships between the angles and sides.
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