GCSE Math Notes: Trigonometry
Introduction to Trigonometry
Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies relationships between side
lengths and angles of triangles. In GCSE Math, it primarily focuses on right-angled
triangles and extends to non-right-angled triangles using the Sine and Cosine Rules.
1. Right-Angled Triangle Trigonometry (SOH CAH TOA)
For a right-angled triangle, the ratios of the sides are related to the angles. We label
the sides relative to a chosen angle (θ):
Hypotenuse (H): The longest side, opposite the right angle.
Opposite (O): The side directly opposite the angle θ.
Adjacent (A): The side next to the angle θ, not the hypotenuse.
The three primary trigonometric ratios are:
Sine (Sin): Sin(θ) = Opposite / Hypotenuse (SOH)
Cosine (Cos): Cos(θ) = Adjacent / Hypotenuse (CAH)
Tangent (Tan): Tan(θ) = Opposite / Adjacent (TOA)
Using SOH CAH TOA
To find a missing side:
1. Identify the known angle and sides (Opposite, Adjacent, Hypotenuse).
2. Choose the appropriate ratio (SOH, CAH, or TOA).
3. Set up the equation and solve for the unknown side.
Example 1: Find the length of side x in a right-angled triangle where the angle is 30°,
the hypotenuse is 10 cm, and x is the opposite side.
1. Known: Angle = 30°, Hypotenuse = 10 cm. Unknown: Opposite = x .
2. Use Sine (SOH): Sin(θ) = Opposite / Hypotenuse
3. Sin(30°) = x / 10
4. x = 10 * Sin(30°) = 10 * 0.5 = 5 cm
To find a missing angle:
1. Identify the known sides.
2. Choose the appropriate ratio.
3. Set up the equation and use the inverse trigonometric functions (sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹,
tan⁻¹) to find the angle.
Example 2: Find the angle θ in a right-angled triangle where the opposite side is 6 cm
and the adjacent side is 8 cm.
1. Known: Opposite = 6 cm, Adjacent = 8 cm. Unknown: Angle = θ .
2. Use Tangent (TOA): Tan(θ) = Opposite / Adjacent
3. Tan(θ) = 6 / 8 = 0.75
4. θ = Tan⁻¹(0.75) ≈ 36.87°
2. The Sine Rule
The Sine Rule is used to solve non-right-angled triangles when you know:
Two angles and one side (AAS or ASA).
Two sides and a non-included angle (SSA - ambiguous case).
Formula: a / Sin(A) = b / Sin(B) = c / Sin(C)
Where a , b , c are side lengths and A , B , C are the angles opposite those
sides, respectively.
Example 3: In triangle ABC, angle A = 40°, angle B = 60°, and side a = 8 cm. Find side
b.
1. a / Sin(A) = b / Sin(B)
2. 8 / Sin(40°) = b / Sin(60°)
3. b = (8 * Sin(60°)) / Sin(40°)
4. b ≈ (8 * 0.866) / 0.643 ≈ 10.78 cm
3. The Cosine Rule
The Cosine Rule is used to solve non-right-angled triangles when you know:
All three sides (SSS).
Two sides and the included angle (SAS).
Formula to find a side: a² = b² + c² - 2bc Cos(A)
Formula to find an angle: Cos(A) = (b² + c² - a²) / 2bc
Example 4: In triangle ABC, side b = 5 cm, side c = 7 cm, and angle A = 50°. Find side
a.
1. a² = b² + c² - 2bc Cos(A)
2. a² = 5² + 7² - 2 * 5 * 7 * Cos(50°)
3. a² = 25 + 49 - 70 * Cos(50°)
4. a² = 74 - 70 * 0.6428
5. a² = 74 - 44.996 = 29.004
6. a = √29.004 ≈ 5.39 cm
Example 5: In triangle ABC, side a = 6 cm, side b = 8 cm, and side c = 10 cm. Find
angle A.
1. Cos(A) = (b² + c² - a²) / 2bc
2. Cos(A) = (8² + 10² - 6²) / (2 * 8 * 10)
3. Cos(A) = (64 + 100 - 36) / 160
4. Cos(A) = 128 / 160 = 0.8
5. A = Cos⁻¹(0.8) ≈ 36.87°
4. Area of a Non-Right-Angled Triangle
The area of a non-right-angled triangle can be found using the formula:
Formula: Area = (1/2)ab Sin(C)
Where a and b are two sides and C is the included angle between them.
Example 6: Find the area of a triangle with sides 6 cm and 9 cm, and the included
angle is 70°.
1. Area = (1/2) * 6 * 9 * Sin(70°)
2. Area = 27 * Sin(70°)
3. Area ≈ 27 * 0.9397 ≈ 25.37 cm²
Practice Problems
1. In a right-angled triangle, the angle is 45°, the adjacent side is 7 cm. Find the
hypotenuse.
2. In triangle PQR, angle P = 75°, angle Q = 45°, and side p = 12 cm. Find side q .
3. In triangle XYZ, side x = 10 cm, side y = 15 cm, and side z = 12 cm. Find angle X.
4. Find the area of a triangle with sides 8 cm and 10 cm, and the included angle is
60°.
References
[1] BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). Trigonometry. Retrieved from
[Link] [2] Khan Academy. (n.d.).
Trigonometry. Retrieved from [Link]