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This geometry math tutorial from NutshellMath offers homework help in introductory trigonometry and trigonometric ratios. Trigonometry is the realm of geometry that deals with angles and triangles. Trigonometric ratios are functions which relate angles of a right triangle to ratios of the sides of the triangle. Trigonometric ratios are simple to calculate, but are also very unique functions studied in many fields of mathematics.


The three main trigonometric ratios are sine, cosine and tangent. Each is a function which operates on an angle of a right triangle. The sine of an angle is equal to the quotient of the length of the side opposite the angle in the triangle and the hypotenuse of the triangle, or the longest side of the right triangle. The cosine of an angle will be the quotient of the side adjacent, or next to the angle and the hypotenuse of the triangle. The tangent of an angle will be the quotient of the side opposite the angle and the adjacent side. As mentioned in the tutorial, these formulas are easily remembered by the acronym SOHCAHTOA.

The most basic practical geometric uses of the trigonometric ratios would be to use the function to find unknown dimensions of a right triangle. Given a side length and an angle measurement, it is possible to use the trigonometric functions such as sine, cosine or tangent to determine the remaining side lengths and angle measurements of the right triangle.

The ability to relate the measurement of angles of a right triangle to the length of the sides is a powerful tool for problem solving in geometry.