Right Triangle Trig

 

sin\theta=\frac{opp}{hyp}\rightarrow csc\theta=\frac{hyp}{opp}

cos\theta=\frac{adj}{hyp}\rightarrow sec\theta=\frac{hyp}{adj}

tan\theta=\frac{opp}{adj}\rightarrow cot\theta=\frac{adj}{opp}

 

 

Example: A ground crew worker who is 6 feet tall is directing a plane on a runway. If the worker sights the plane at an angle of elevation of 32° when the plane is 150 feet in the air, what is the horizontal distance from the worker to the plane?

 

 

 

 

 

 

tan\theta=\frac{opp}{adj}

tan32\degree =\frac{144}{x}

x\cdot tan32\degree =144

x=\frac{144}{tan32\degree}

x\approx 230.4\ ft