The trigonometric ratios, as in:
sin = opposite/hypotenuse
cos = adjacent/hypotenuse
tan = opposite/adjacent = sin/cos
cannot not still be used as there is no hypotenuse.
However, other trigonometric formulae can still be used:
for example in a triangle where side a is opposite angle A, etc, the sine rule:
sin A/a = sin B/b = sin C/c = 1/2R
or the cosine rule:
a2 = b2 + c2 - 2 b c cos A
(which becomes Pythagoras when angle A is a right angle since COS 90o = 0) are always valid.
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To find an angle without using a calculator, you will need to use a trig identity. Determine which angle it is and use its corresponding trig identity.
You have to use trig. If the base angle is a and base b, the height is b tan(a).
use right triangle trig... sin (angle) = opposite side/hypotunese, cos (angle) = adjacent side/hypotunese, and tan (angle) = opposite side/ adjacent side
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(the side opposite the angle) divided by (the side adjacent to the angle) = tangent of the angle (the side opposite the angle) divided by (the hypotenuse of the triangle) = sine of the angle (the side adjacent to the angle) divided by (the hypotenuse of the triangle) = cosine of the angle Once you have the sine OR the cosine OR the tangent of the angle, you can get the measurement of the angle on a scientific calculator, or look it up in a table of trig functions in a book. Check out these articles for a simple free tool and tutorial that will make trig simple enough for ANYBODY to understand! http://www.ehow.com/how_5520340_memorize-trig-functions-losing-mind.html http://www.ehow.com/how_5227490_pass-mind-part-unknown-sides.html http://www.ehow.com/how_5428511_pass-part-ii-unknown-angles.html