You are on page 1of 26

Solution of

Right-Angled Triangle

Prior Knowledge

Standard nomenclature of a Rt-Angled Triangle


Pythagoras Theorem
Six Trigonometric Ratios

The Aim
To teach students the concept and procedure of solving
a Rt-Angled Triangle

INTRODUCTION
Some questions will be asked to check the prior knowledge of the
students.

Evolving Nomenclature:

Q1.How do we represent the vertices of a


rt-angled triangle?
c

Q2.What is the standard way of representing


the sides of a rt-angled triangle?
Q3.Name the elements / components of a
rt-angled triangle.
Q4. Which side of the rt-angled triangle is
always taken as hypotenuse?

Reviewing Pythagoras Theorem:


Q1. Find the side a from the rt-angled triangle.
A.

c2 = a2 + b2
a2 = c 2 - b2

A
b=4

a=?

a = c 2 b2

a = (5) (4)
2

c=5

a=3

Recap of Trigonometric Ratios:

Q1. Find the following trigonometric ratios


(i) sin Z (ii) cosec X (iii) cot X
A. (i) sin Z =

5
13

(ii) cosec X =
(iii) cot X =

5
12

13
5

13
12
Y

12

Explaining the Aim


Now we are quite confident to say that Pythagoras Theorem and
Trigonometric Ratios in combination can be used effectively to find
any unknown element of a rt-angled triangle.
The process of finding unknown elements of a rt-angled
triangle is termed as its solution.
Now, we will discuss in detail the steps involved in solving a
rt-angled triangle.

DEVELOPMENT
Concept :

Solution of Right-Angled Triangle

DLO
:
The students will be able to find out
the unknown elements of a right
angled triangle.

Procedure and Treatment


There are three component / elements involved in the Pythagoras
Theorem: Three sides of a triangle.
Similarly, each of the six trigonometric ratios involves three
components / elements of a triangle, namely, one of its three angles
and two sides out of three.

So, Pythagoras theorem or Trigonometric Ratios are applicable


only when at least two component / elements of a triangle are
given.

Eliciting Possible Scenarios / Cases


Q. What are the possible scenarios / cases in respect of finding
the unknown elements / components of a rt-angled triangle
when two of its elements / components are given?

Four Possible Scenarios / Cases Are:


Case-1:
When measure of one
side and one angle
are known.
Case-2:
When measure of
hypotenuse and one
angle are known.
Case-3:
When measure of two
sides are known.
Case-4:
When measure of one
side and hypotenuse
are known.

Case-1:
Given
A rt-angled triangle ABC with = 90o , = 37 20 and a = 243
Unknowns
B
= ? , b = ? and c = ?
o

The solution of the triangle ABC will


a = 243
be found through following questions:
Q. Can we use Pythagoras Theorem
with the given data?
Q. How should we then proceed to find
any of the unknown elements?
Q. Which Trigonometric Ratio do you
think is suitable with given elements?

=?

c=?
o

37 20 =

b=?

Step-by-Step Solution
o

A. sin 37 20

Q. How can we find the angle ?

= sin 37.33o

c
243

c
c

A. Sum of three angles of a triangle


is always equal to 180o.

180o
243
400.99 401
0.606

52.67o 52o 40
B

Q. How can we find the side b:

=
37

A. Using Pythagoras theorem :

c = 401

a = 243

b (401) (243)
2

b 318.99 319

b c a
2

20

c2 = a2 + b2

37 20 =

b = 319 A

Case-2:
Given
A rt-angled triangle ABC with = 90o , c = 5 and
B
Unknowns
= ? , b = ? and a = ?

= 60o

=?
The solution of the triangle ABC will
be found through following questions:
Q. Can we use Pythagoras Theorem
with the given data?
Q. How should we then proceed to find
any of the unknown elements?
Q. Which Trigonometric Ratio do you
think is suitable with given elements?

a=?

c=5
o

60 =

b=?

Step-by-Step Solution
A. cos 60o b
c

Q. How can we find the angle ?


A. Sum of three angles of a triangle

1 b

2 5

is always equal to 180o.

180o

2b 5
5
b 2.5
2

180o 150o 30o


B

Q. How can we find the side a:

a c b

a = 4.33

a (5) (2.5)
2

a 4.33

30

c2 = a2 + b2
2

A. Using Pythagoras theorem :

c=5
o

60 =

b = 2.5

Case-3:
Given
A rt-angled triangle ABC with
Unknowns
=? ,

= 90

, a = 1 and b 3

= ? and c = ?

The solution of the triangle ABC will


be found through following questions:
Q. Can we use Pythagoras Theorem
with the given data?
Q. How should we proceed further to
find the unknown elements?
Q. Which Trigonometric Ratio do you
think is suitable with given elements?

=?
a=1

c=?
?=

b 3

Step-by-Step Solution
A. c2 = a2 + b2

Q. How can we find the angle ?

c a2 b2
c 12

A. Sum of three angles of a triangle


2

c 2

always

equal

to

180o.

180o
180o 120o 60o

Q. How can we find either or ?


A. sin

is

a
c

1
sin
2
1
sin1
2
30o

60

a=1

c=2
30o =

b 3

Case-4:
Given
A rt-angled triangle ABC with
Unknowns
=? ,

= 90

, a = 2 and c 2 2

= ? and b = ?

The solution of the triangle ABC will


be found through following questions:
Q. Can we use Pythagoras Theorem
with the given data?
Q. How should we proceed further to
find the unknown elements?
Q. Which Trigonometric Ratio do you
think is suitable with given elements?

=?
a=2

c2 2

?=

b?

Step-by-Step Solution
A. c2 = a2 + b2

Q. How can we find the angle ?

b c 2 a2
b

2 2

A. Sum of three angles of a triangle


2

b 2

always

equal

to

180o.

180o
180o 135o 45o

Q. How can we find either or ?


A. sin

is

a
c

sin
sin

45 o

2 2
1 1

45o

a=2

c2 2

45o =

b2

LESSON SUMMARY
Solution of a Right-Angled Triangle
1. What is meant by Solution of a Right-Angled Triangle?
2. Use of Pythagoras Theorem and Trigonometric Ratios in solving
the Right-Angled Triangle.
3. In view of the given information, possible scenarios / cases with
regard to finding unknown components / elements.
4. Four cases / scenarios regarding the solution or a right-angled
triangle
(a) When measure of one side and one angle are known.
(b) When measure of hypotenuse and one angle are known.
(c) When measure of two sides are known.
(d) When measure of one side and hypotenuse are known.
5. Step-by-Step Solution

RECAPITULATION
An oral recap covering the following points will be conducted:

We discussed the meaning of Solution of a Right-Angled


Triangle.

We discussed the emergence of four possible scenarios /


cases of right-angled triangle solution.

We discussed the basic techniques and rules governing the


use of Pythagoras Theorem and Trigonometric Ratios in
relation to finding Right-Angled Triangle Solutions.

Students will be asked if they have understood everything


that was discussed.

On a green signal from the class, next step of the lesson will be
taken up.

RECAPITULATION
An oral recap covering the following points will be conducted:

We discussed the meaning of Solution of a Right-Angled


Triangle.

We discussed the emergence of four possible scenarios /


cases of right-angled triangle solution.

We discussed the basic techniques and rules governing the


use of Pythagoras Theorem and Trigonometric Ratios in
relation to finding Right-Angled Triangle Solutions.

Students will be asked if they have understood everything


that was discussed.

On a green signal from the class, next step of the lesson will be
taken up.

CONSOLIDATION
Q1.What is meant by Right-Angled Triangle Solution?
(Knowledge)
Q2.What is the least number of elements of a right-angled triangle
to be known before it can be solved?
(Comprehension)
Q3.Solve

the

right-angled

triangle:

B
=
o

50

c 0.832

10

a=?

? =
C

b?

(Application)

CONCLUSION
Today we discussed in details the concept and procedure for
finding the solution of a right-angled triangle.
In the next lesson, we will discuss the measurements of heights
and distances.

Thanks for your patience

Concept Map
Solution of
Right Angled Triangle

Side opposite to right


angle is always
hypotenuse
Nomenclature
cos ec

1
H

sin P

1
H
s ec

cos B
cot

1
B

tan P

sin

Six
Trigonometric
Ratios

P
H

B
cos
H
tan

P
B

Pythagoras

(Hypotenuse)2 = (Perpendicular)2 +
(Base)2
H2 = P2 + B2

Background Knowledge
Definition : Finding six elements
of a right-angled namely three
sides and three angles.
When measures of
one side and one
angle are known

Solution of
Right-Angled Triangle

When measures of
hypotenuse and angle
are known

When measures of
two sides are known

Four Cases

When measures of
one side and
hypotenuse are known

You might also like