Cambridge International Mathematics

314 Trigonometry (Chapter 15)

For the right angled triangle with angleμ:

² thehypotenuse (HYP)is the longest side

² theopposite (OPP)side is oppositeμ

² theadjacent (ADJ)side is adjacent toμ.

Given a right angled triangle ABC with angles ofμandÁ:

For angleμ, BC is theopposite side

AB is theadjacent side.

For angleÁ, AB is theopposite side

BC is theadjacent side.

Example 1 Self Tutor

For the triangle shown, name:

a the hypotenuse

b the side oppositeμ

c the side adjacent toμ:

a The hypotenuse is QR.

(the longest side, opposite the right angle)

b PQ

c PR

Example 2 Self Tutor

For this triangle name the:

a hypotenuse b side opposite angle®

c side adjacent® d side opposite ̄

e side adjacent ̄

a QR (opposite the right angle)

b PR

c PQ

d PQ

e PR

LABELLING SIDES OF A RIGHT ANGLED

TRIANGLE [8.1]

A

In any right angled triangle,

locate the hypotenuse first. Then

locate the opposite side for the

angle you are working with.

μ

Á

®

̄

is theta

is phi

is alpha

is beta

q

OPP

ADJ

HYP

AB

C

q

f

hypotenuse

q

P

Q R

a

b

R

P Q

q

P

Q R

OPP ADJ

a

R

P Q

OPP

ADJ

b

R

P Q

OPP

ADJ

IGCSE01

cyan magenta yellow black

(^05255075950525507595)
100 100
(^05255075950525507595)
100 100
Y:\HAESE\IGCSE01\IG01_15\314IGCSE01_15.CDR Friday, 26 September 2008 2:20:50 PM PETER