Introduction to Right Triangle Trigonometry

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Use right triangles to evaluate trigonometric functions.
  • Find function values for 30(π6), 45(π4), and 60(π3).
  • Use cofunctions of complementary angles.
  • Use the definitions of trigonometric functions of any angle.
  • Use right triangle trigonometry to solve applied problems.

We have previously defined the sine and cosine of an angle in terms of the coordinates of a point on the unit circle intersected by the terminal side of the angle:

cos t=xsin t=y
In this section, we will see another way to define trigonometric functions using properties of right triangles.