Question

can someone try and explain cos, sin, and tan to me please?

Answer 1

Yeah.

Answer 2

Cos, Sin, and Tan are all ratios. So, you know about Pythagorean theroem, that's fine. You know that it only applies to triangles that have a right angle (90°). So, pick any of the other angles.

For that angle:
There are going to be two sides of the triangle attached to it. One will be the hypothenuse, the longest side of the triangle. The other will be called the adjacent leg. Therefore, the side that is not part of the angle will be the opposite leg.

Sin is equal to the ratio of the opposite leg divided by the hypothenuse
Cos is the ratio of the adjacent leg divided by the hypothenuse
Tan is the ratio of the opposite leg divided by the adjacent leg

This ratios will always hold for angles in right triangles that have the same measure.

Example:
Think about a right triangle whose legs measure 1 and (sqrt)3. Therefore, by the pythagorean theorem, the hypothenuse will be 2. Let's pick the angle that is formed with the hypothenuse and the leg that measures 1. This angle will measure 60° (pi/3 radians) Then:
Sin 60° = Sin (pi/3) = opp/hyp = (sqrt)3/2.
Cos 60° = Cos (pi/3) = adj/hyp = 1/2.
Tan 60° = Tan (pi/3) = opp/adj = (sqrt)3/1.

Answer 3

Cos, Sin, and Tan are all ratios. So, you know about Pythagorean theroem, that's fine. You know that it only applies to triangles that have a right angle (90°). So, pick any of the other angles.

For that angle:
There are going to be two sides of the triangle attached to it. One will be the hypothenuse, the longest side of the triangle. The other will be called the adjacent leg. Therefore, the side that is not part of the angle will be the opposite leg.

Sin is equal to the ratio of the opposite leg divided by the hypothenuse
Cos is the ratio of the adjacent leg divided by the hypothenuse
Tan is the ratio of the opposite leg divided by the adjacent leg

This ratios will always hold for angles in right triangles that have the same measure.

Example:
Think about a right triangle whose legs measure 1 and (sqrt)3. Therefore, by the pythagorean theorem, the hypothenuse will be 2. Let's pick the angle that is formed with the hypothenuse and the leg that measures 1. This angle will measure 60° (pi/3 radians) Then:
Sin 60° = Sin (pi/3) = opp/hyp = (sqrt)3/2.
Cos 60° = Cos (pi/3) = adj/hyp = 1/2.
Tan 60° = Tan (pi/3) = opp/adj = (sqrt)3/1.

Answer 4

Never gets old..

Answer 5

Hahaha

Answer 6

e_e they're the same explanations. but thanks.

Answer 7

Massage me!

Answer 8

Np.

Answer 9

How weird we have the same smart score also..

Answer 10

haaha. Best responce?

Answer 11

massage you?

Answer 12

YEs!

Answer 13

i wanted to give it to both of you :c

Answer 14

Remember: sin^2(x)+cos^2(x)=1

All based on Pythagorean Theorem of right triangles and the other angles beside the 90 degree one.....

Tan = sin/cos

Remember: SOH-CAH-TOA given a right triangle sin=opp/hyp, cos=adj/hyp, and tan=opp/adj

etc, etc

Google trig functions

Answer 15

" stares blankly " ....lol

Answer 16

fdoverto. said that :P!

Answer 17

i like the soh cah toa part

Answer 18

Yeah Soh cah toa...that is how I learned it..

Answer 19

He only got 2 like my answer got 4 :P

Answer 20

likes*

Answer 21

lol

Answer 22

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080901061454AAEtqLA

Answer 23

hey everyone

Answer 24

Hello.

Answer 25

is the person that asked the question even here anymore

Answer 26

Got to the top of the page and do you see her? right top corner.