Trigonometry

Learn it by playing

Answer these questions to earn energy, then fish and explore. No account needed.

For teachers: ready-to-use lesson slides, revision notes, diagrams for Trigonometry (Maths [CIE], Core) — use them in your lesson, or run the topic as an interactive class activity your students play as a live game.

Lesson notes

Trigonometry Basics

Trigonometry is the mathematics of angles in triangles, studying relationships between side lengths and angles.
The three trigonometric functions are sine, cosine, and tangent (sin, cos, tan).
These functions are ratios of side lengths in right-angled triangles.
SOHCAHTOA is a mnemonic to remember the ratios: Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse, Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Tan = Opposite/Adjacent.
Trigonometry (like Pythagoras) can only be used in right-angled triangles.
Ensure your calculator is set to degrees (D or Deg on screen).

Labelling Sides of a Right-Angled Triangle

Label the sides relative to a chosen angle θ: Hypotenuse (H) – longest side, opposite the right angle.
Opposite (O) – side directly opposite angle θ.
Adjacent (A) – side next to angle θ (not the hypotenuse).
H is always the same; O and A change depending on which angle is θ.

Labelling a right-angled triangle

Finding Missing Lengths Using SOHCAHTOA

Step 1: Label the sides as H, O, A relative to the given angle.
Step 2: Identify which ratio to use: given two sides, find the two letters in SOHCAHTOA (e.g., O and A → tan).
Step 3: Substitute values into the formula: e.g., tan(θ) = O/A.
Step 4: Rearrange to solve for the unknown side (multiply or divide).
Step 5: Type into calculator and round to 3 significant figures unless otherwise stated.
Example: If tan(43°) = x/9, then x = 9 × tan(43°) = 8.39 cm (3 s.f.).

Finding a length: worked example

Finding Missing Angles Using SOHCAHTOA

Step 1: Label sides as H, O, A relative to the unknown angle.
Step 2: Identify the ratio using the two given side letters (e.g., A and H → cos).
Step 3: Write the ratio as a fraction: cos(θ) = A/H.
Step 4: Use the inverse trigonometric function (sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹, tan⁻¹) – press SHIFT on calculator.
Step 5: Calculate and round to 1 decimal place unless otherwise stated.
Example: If cos(y) = 8/23, then y = cos⁻¹(8/23) = 69.6° (1 d.p.).

Finding an angle: worked example

Common Exam Tips

Always label the triangle first before applying SOHCAHTOA.
Write down the ratio you are using to avoid mistakes.
For lengths, round to 3 significant figures; for angles, round to 1 decimal place.
Check your calculator mode: it must be in degrees.
SOHCAHTOA only works in right-angled triangles – do not use it for non-right triangles.

Slides

Step through every slide for this topic — plus flashcards and revision notes — with a free account.

Practice questions

Free preview — 8 of 59 questions. Sign up to see them all.

1.In a right-angled triangle, which side is the hypotenuse?
Easy
- AThe side opposite the right angle
- BThe side opposite the given angle
- CThe side adjacent to the given angle
- DThe shortest side
2.What does SOHCAHTOA stand for?
Easy
- ASin = Opposite/Hypotenuse, Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Tan = Opposite/Adjacent
- BSin = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Cos = Opposite/Hypotenuse, Tan = Adjacent/Opposite
- CSin = Hypotenuse/Opposite, Cos = Hypotenuse/Adjacent, Tan = Adjacent/Opposite
- DSin = Opposite/Adjacent, Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Tan = Hypotenuse/Opposite
3.If tan θ = opposite/adjacent, which sides are used for tan?
Easy
- AOpposite and adjacent
- BOpposite and hypotenuse
- CAdjacent and hypotenuse
- DHypotenuse and opposite
4.In a right-angled triangle, the adjacent side is 8 cm and the hypotenuse is 17 cm. What is cos θ?
Easy
- A8/17
- B17/8
- C15/17
- D8/15
5.In a right-angled triangle, the adjacent side is 9 cm and the opposite side is 12 cm. Find tan θ.
Easy
- A1.333
- B0.750
- C0.800
- D1.250
6.A right-angled triangle has opposite side 5 cm and hypotenuse 13 cm. Find the adjacent side.
Easy
- A12 cm
- B8 cm
- C10 cm
- D9 cm
7.In a right-angled triangle, the angle is 60° and the opposite side is 10 cm. Find the hypotenuse.
Medium
- A11.55 cm
- B8.66 cm
- C5.77 cm
- D20.0 cm
8.A right-angled triangle has adjacent side 7 cm and hypotenuse 25 cm. Find the angle θ.
Medium
- A73.7°
- B16.3°
- C45.0°
- D30.0°

Revision notes

## Trigonometry Revision Notes ### SOHCAHTOA - **S**in = **O**pposite / **H**ypotenuse - **C**os = **A**djacent / **H**ypotenuse - **T**an = **O**pposite / **A**djacent ### Finding Lengths 1. Label sides: H (hypotenuse, opposite right angle), O (opposite given angle), A (adjacent to given angle). 2. Choose ratio: given two letters (e.g., O and A → tan). 3. Write formula: e.g., tan(θ) = O/A. 4. Substitute and solve: multiply or divide. 5. Round to 3 significant figures unless specified. ### Finding Angles 1. Label sides as above. 2. Choose ratio using given sides. 3. Write formula with unknown angle: e.g., cos(θ) = A/H. 4. Use inverse function: θ = cos⁻¹(A/H). 5. Round to 1 decimal place. ### Key Points - Only for right-angled triangles. - Calculator must be in degree mode (D or Deg). - Hypotenuse is always opposite the right angle. ### Example (Length) Find x if tan(43°) = x/9 → x = 9 × tan(43°) = 8.39 cm (3 s.f.) ### Example (Angle) Find y if cos(y) = 8/23 → y = cos⁻¹(8/23) = 69.6° (1 d.p.)

Hypotenuse: The longest side in a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.
Opposite: The side opposite the chosen angle θ.
Adjacent: The side next to the chosen angle θ.
SOHCAHTOA: A mnemonic for remembering trigonometric ratios: Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse, Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Tan = Opposite/Adjacent.
sin θ: Sine of angle θ = opposite / hypotenuse.
cos θ: Cosine of angle θ = adjacent / hypotenuse.
tan θ: Tangent of angle θ = opposite / adjacent.
Inverse trigonometric function: Used to find an angle from a ratio, e.g., sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹, tan⁻¹.

Flashcards

What does SOHCAHTOA stand for?

Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse, Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Tan = Opposite/Adjacent.

What are the three trigonometric ratios for a right-angled triangle?

sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse, cos θ = adjacent/hypotenuse, tan θ = opposite/adjacent.

How do you label the sides of a right-angled triangle for trigonometry?

Hypotenuse (H) is opposite the right angle; Opposite (O) is opposite the given angle; Adjacent (A) is next to the given angle.

Which trigonometric ratio do you use if you know the adjacent and hypotenuse?

Cosine (cos).

Which trigonometric ratio do you use if you know the opposite and adjacent?

Tangent (tan).

Which trigonometric ratio do you use if you know the opposite and hypotenuse?

Sine (sin).

How do you find a missing side length using trigonometry?

Label sides, choose SOHCAHTOA, substitute values, then rearrange and solve using a calculator.

If tan(43°) = x/9, how do you find x?

Multiply both sides by 9: x = 9 × tan(43°).

If cos(40°) = 3/H, how do you find H?

H = 3 / cos(40°).

How do you find a missing angle using trigonometry?

Label sides, choose SOHCAHTOA, write ratio, then use inverse trig function (e.g., sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹, tan⁻¹).

If cos(y) = 8/23, how do you find angle y?

y = cos⁻¹(8/23).

To what accuracy should you round a missing side length if not specified?

Round to 3 significant figures.

To what accuracy should you round a missing angle if not specified?

Round to 1 decimal place.

What is the angle between a tangent and a radius at the point of contact?

90° (the radius is perpendicular to the tangent).

What is the angle in a semicircle?

The angle at the circumference subtended by a diameter is 90°.

In triangle XYZ, Y is due west of Z and Z is due south of X. What is angle YXZ?

tan(YXZ) = YZ/XZ (opposite over adjacent, right angle at Z), so angle YXZ = tan⁻¹(YZ/XZ).

How do you find the bearing of Y from X if XY = 39 km and XZ = 21 km?

cos(YXZ) = XZ/XY = 21/39, so YXZ = cos⁻¹(21/39) ≈ 57.4°. Bearing of Y from X = 180° + 57.4° = 237.4°.

In a right-angled triangle, if you know the opposite and adjacent, which inverse function do you use?

tan⁻¹ (inverse tangent).

In a right-angled triangle, if you know the adjacent and hypotenuse, which inverse function do you use?

cos⁻¹ (inverse cosine).

In a right-angled triangle, if you know the opposite and hypotenuse, which inverse function do you use?

sin⁻¹ (inverse sine).

What is the first step when using trigonometry to find a missing side or angle?

Label the sides of the triangle as H, O, and A relative to the given angle.

What does 'Deg' on a calculator indicate?

The calculator is set to measure angles in degrees.

Unlock all 59 questions, flashcards & more

Create a free account to see every question, the slides, flashcards and revision notes for this topic.

Past papers

Past-paper practice for this topic is coming soon.

Coming soon