How to Compute Sine, Cosine and Tangent

Before he would cosine the loan, the tan gent asked the bank officer her sine.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Calculators
• Erasers
• Graph Papers
• Notebook Papers
• Pens And Pencils
• Computers
• Rulers
• Calculators

1. Find the property (sine, cosine or tangent) in question using the trigonometric mnemonic SOHCAHTOA. For instance, if the problem asks for the sin of the angle, jot down the S part of the mnemonic: SOHcahtoa. If it asks for the cosine, use the middle section of the mnemonic, which begins with C: sohCAHtoa. If you must find the tangent, use the last part of the mnemonic: sohcahTOA.

2. To find the sin of an angle, divide the length of the side opposite the angle by the length of the hypotenuse (SOH). The side opposite to the angle is the side that is directly across from the center of the angle.

3. To find the cosine of an angle, divide the length of the side adjacent to the angle by the length of the hypotenuse (CAH). The side adjacent to the angle is the side that forms the angle with the hypotenuse.

4. To find the tangent of an angle, divide the length of the angle's opposite side by the length of the angle's adjacent side (TOA).

[bloss95]

on 1/6/2009 In response to Shivaree89's comment...i think they made a mistake there. i m an 8th grade algebra student and i believe Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse. I just started the Lesson so i m not sure.

[shivaree89]

on 10/21/2007 SOH CAH TOA!
Sin = Opposite/hypotenuse
Cos = Opposite/hypotenuse
Tan = Opposite/adjacent

on 8/22/2006 I was taught to remember:
s=o/h, c=a/h, t=o/a,
by remembering the great Indian Chief (SOHCAHTOA)

on 6/30/2006 I sometimes use this to remember, but you have to remember that it goes Sine, Cosine, Tangent:
Oh, Hell (Opposite over Hypotenuse)
Another Hour (Adjacent over Hypotenuse)
Of Algebra (Opposite over Adjacent)

on 12/16/2005 Some Of Her (sine=o/h) Children Are Having (cosine=a/h) Trouble Over Algebra (tangent=o/a).