How do you find 2 missing sides of a right triangle?

Answer 1

Two methods to try .

#1 Use pythagoras h^ = a^2 + a^2 NB THis is only good if you know that the two unknown sides are the same length.

#2

Use trigonometry (trig.) This is good if you know the hypotenuse and one of the angles.

Sine(angle) = opposite/ hypotenuse

Hence

opposite side = hypotenuse X sine(angle)

Similarly

Cosine(angle) = adjacent / hypotenuse.

adjacent side = hypotenuse X Cosine(angle)

Here is an example

If you known the hypotenuse is a length of '6' and the angle is 30 degrees.

Then

opposite = 6 X Sin(30)

opposite = 6 x 0.5 = 3

So the length of the oppisute sides is '3' units.

NB DO NOT make the mistakes of saying Sin(6 X 30) = Sin(180) Nor 6 x 30 , nor Sin(6) X 30 , nor any other combination.

You MUST find the SINE of the angle , then multiply it to the given length.

Similarly for Cosine and Tangent.

Answer 2

You can use the sine, cosine, or tangent. The sine is if the angle has the opposite or hypotenuse. The Cosine is opposite and hypotenuse and Tangent is adjacent and opposite.