0 I am practicing finding a side of an angle on Khan Academy. I understand SOH CAH TOA and which sin, cos, tan to choose from. But, I don't understand why they multiply sometimes to find the side and divide other times. I am using a calculator. Here is a multiply example and a divide example thanks.
Here’s how to approach this question To find the missing side using SOH CAH TOA, use the cosine function, noting that cos (θ) = d a d j h y p where a d j = 6 and θ = 72 ∘.
But why does SOH CAH TOA hold? As in, why is $\sin (x)$ the same as the opposite over hypotenuse of a right triangle? Why is $\cos (x)$ the adjacent over hypotenuse? Why is $\tan (x)$ the opposite over the adjacent? And why don't any of these work for right angles as the reference theta?
Question: Problem 2 Consider the following image and find the indicated lengths in terms of a. Hint: this problem is not hard. Write down SOH CAH TOA using the angle a. For the tan (a) part, use the larger right triangle and the fact that OC = 1. D B a O (a) OA (b) AB (c) DC
The result of your calculation is going to depend on whether your calculator is in degrees or radians. SOH CAH TOA, though, is independent of radians or degrees, because it is going the other way.
Question: 5. Using right triangle trigonometry and the Pythagorean Theorem solve the following. Your calculator must be in degree mode. SHOW ALL YOUR WORK! SOH CAH TOA sinθ=hypoppcosθ=hypadjtanθ=adjopp a. θ=55∘ and c=32 m, solve for a and b. b. θ=45∘ and a=15 m/s, solve for b and c. c. b=17.8 m and θ=65∘, solve for a and c. d. a=250 m and b=180 m, solve for θ and c.