We've updated our
Privacy Policy effective December 15. Please read our updated Privacy Policy and tap

Study Guides > Precalculus II

Right Triangle Trigonometry

Using Right Triangles to Evaluate Trigonometric Functions

In earlier sections, we used a unit circle to define the trigonometric functions. In this section, we will extend those definitions so that we can apply them to right triangles. The value of the sine or cosine function of tt is its value at tt radians. First, we need to create our right triangle. Figure 1 shows a point on a unit circle of radius 1. If we drop a vertical line segment from the point (x,y)\left(x,y\right)\\ to the x-axis, we have a right triangle whose vertical side has length yy and whose horizontal side has length xx. We can use this right triangle to redefine sine, cosine, and the other trigonometric functions as ratios of the sides of a right triangle.
Graph of quarter circle with radius of 1 and angle of t. Point of (x,y) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle. Figure 1
  We know
cos t=x1=x\cos \text{ }t=\frac{x}{1}=x\\
Likewise, we know
sin t=y1=y\sin \text{ }t=\frac{y}{1}=y\\
These ratios still apply to the sides of a right triangle when no unit circle is involved and when the triangle is not in standard position and is not being graphed using (x,y)\left(x,y\right)\\ coordinates. To be able to use these ratios freely, we will give the sides more general names: Instead of xx, we will call the side between the given angle and the right angle the adjacent side to angle tt. (Adjacent means "next to.") Instead of yy, we will call the side most distant from the given angle the opposite side from angle t\text{}t. And instead of 11, we will call the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle the hypotenuse. These sides are labeled in Figure 2. A right triangle with hypotenuse, opposite, and adjacent sides labeled.

Figure 2. The sides of a right triangle in relation to angle tt.

Understanding Right Triangle Relationships

Given a right triangle with an acute angle of tt,
sin(t)=oppositehypotenusecos(t)=adjacenthypotenusetan(t)=oppositeadjacent\begin{array}{l}\sin \left(t\right)=\frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\hfill \\ \cos \left(t\right)=\frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\hfill \\ \tan \left(t\right)=\frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\hfill \end{array}\\
A common mnemonic for remembering these relationships is SohCahToa, formed from the first letters of "Sine is opposite over hypotenuse, Cosine is adjacent over hypotenuse, Tangent is opposite over adjacent."

How To: Given the side lengths of a right triangle and one of the acute angles, find the sine, cosine, and tangent of that angle.

  1. Find the sine as the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse.
  2. Find the cosine as the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse.
  3. Find the tangent is the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side.

Example 1: Evaluating a Trigonometric Function of a Right Triangle

Given the triangle shown in Figure 3, find the value of cosα\cos \alpha \\.
A right triangle with sid lengths of 8, 15, and 17. Angle alpha also labeled. Figure 3
 

Solution

The side adjacent to the angle is 15, and the hypotenuse of the triangle is 17, so:
cos(α)=adjacenthypotenuse=1517\begin{array}{l}\cos \left(\alpha \right)=\frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\hfill \\ =\frac{15}{17}\hfill \end{array}\\

Try It 1

Given the triangle shown in Figure 4, find the value of sint\text{sin}t.
A right triangle with sides of 7, 24, and 25. Also labeled is angle t. Figure 4
Solution

Relating Angles and Their Functions

When working with right triangles, the same rules apply regardless of the orientation of the triangle. In fact, we can evaluate the six trigonometric functions of either of the two acute angles in the triangle in Figure 5. The side opposite one acute angle is the side adjacent to the other acute angle, and vice versa.
Right triangle with angles alpha and beta. Sides are labeled hypotenuse, adjacent to alpha/opposite to beta, and adjacent to beta/opposite alpha. Figure 5. The side adjacent to one angle is opposite the other.
We will be asked to find all six trigonometric functions for a given angle in a triangle. Our strategy is to find the sine, cosine, and tangent of the angles first. Then, we can find the other trigonometric functions easily because we know that the reciprocal of sine is cosecant, the reciprocal of cosine is secant, and the reciprocal of tangent is cotangent.

How To: Given the side lengths of a right triangle, evaluate the six trigonometric functions of one of the acute angles.

  1. If needed, draw the right triangle and label the angle provided.
  2. Identify the angle, the adjacent side, the side opposite the angle, and the hypotenuse of the right triangle.
  3. Find the required function:
    • sine as the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse
    • cosine as the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse
    • tangent as the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side
    • secant as the ratio of the hypotenuse to the adjacent side
    • cosecant as the ratio of the hypotenuse to the opposite side
    • cotangent as the ratio of the adjacent side to the opposite side

Example 2: Evaluating Trigonometric Functions of Angles Not in Standard Position

Using the triangle shown in Figure 6, evaluate sinα\sin \alpha \\, cosα\cos \alpha \\, tanα\tan \alpha \\, secα\sec \alpha\\ , cscα\csc \alpha , and cotα\cot \alpha\\ .
Right triangle with sides of 3, 4, and 5. Angle alpha is also labeled. Figure 6
 

Solution

sinα=opposite αhypotenuse=45cosα=adjacent to αhypotenuse=35tanα=opposite αadjacent to α=43secα=hypotenuseadjacent to α=53cscα=hypotenuseopposite α=54cotα=adjacent to αopposite α=34\begin{array}{l}\sin \alpha =\frac{\text{opposite }\alpha }{\text{hypotenuse}}=\frac{4}{5}\hfill \\ \cos \alpha =\frac{\text{adjacent to }\alpha }{\text{hypotenuse}}=\frac{3}{5}\hfill \\ \tan \alpha =\frac{\text{opposite }\alpha }{\text{adjacent to }\alpha }=\frac{4}{3}\hfill \\ \sec \alpha =\frac{\text{hypotenuse}}{\text{adjacent to }\alpha }=\frac{5}{3}\hfill \\ \csc \alpha =\frac{\text{hypotenuse}}{\text{opposite }\alpha }=\frac{5}{4}\hfill \\ \cot \alpha =\frac{\text{adjacent to }\alpha }{\text{opposite }\alpha }=\frac{3}{4}\hfill \end{array}\\

Try It 2

Using the triangle shown in Figure 7, evaluate sin t\sin \text{ }t\\, cos t\cos \text{ }t\\, tan t\tan \text{ }t\\, sec t\sec \text{ }t\\, csc t\csc \text{ }t\\, and cot t\cot \text{ }t\\.
Right triangle with sides 33, 56, and 65. Angle t is also labeled. Figure 7
Solution

Finding Trigonometric Functions of Special Angles Using Side Lengths

We have already discussed the trigonometric functions as they relate to the special angles on the unit circle. Now, we can use those relationships to evaluate triangles that contain those special angles. We do this because when we evaluate the special angles in trigonometric functions, they have relatively friendly values, values that contain either no or just one square root in the ratio. Therefore, these are the angles often used in math and science problems. We will use multiples of 3030^\circ , 6060^\circ , and 4545^\circ \\, however, remember that when dealing with right triangles, we are limited to angles between 0^\circ \text{ and 90^\circ }\text{.}\\ Suppose we have a 30,60,9030^\circ ,60^\circ ,90^\circ \\ triangle, which can also be described as a π6, π3,π2\frac{\pi }{6},\text{ } \frac{\pi }{3},\frac{\pi }{2}\\ triangle. The sides have lengths in the relation s,3s,2ss,\sqrt{3}s,2s\\. The sides of a 45,45,9045^\circ ,45^\circ ,90^\circ triangle, which can also be described as a π4,π4,π2\frac{\pi }{4},\frac{\pi }{4},\frac{\pi }{2}\\ triangle, have lengths in the relation s,s,2ss,s,\sqrt{2}s\\. These relations are shown in Figure 8.
Two side by side graphs of circles with inscribed angles. First circle has angle of pi/3 inscribed. Second circle has angle of pi/4 inscribed. Figure 8. Side lengths of special triangles
We can then use the ratios of the side lengths to evaluate trigonometric functions of special angles.

How To: Given trigonometric functions of a special angle, evaluate using side lengths.

  1. Use the side lengths shown in Figure 8 for the special angle you wish to evaluate.
  2. Use the ratio of side lengths appropriate to the function you wish to evaluate.

Example 3: Evaluating Trigonometric Functions of Special Angles Using Side Lengths

Find the exact value of the trigonometric functions of π3\frac{\pi }{3}\\, using side lengths.

Solution

sin(π3)=opphyp=3s2s=32cos(π3)=adjhyp=s2s=12tan(π3)=oppadj=3ss=3sec(π3)=hypadj=2ss=2csc(π3)=hypopp=2s3s=23=233cot(π3)=adjopp=s3s=13=33\begin{array}{l}\sin \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right)=\frac{\text{opp}}{\text{hyp}}=\frac{\sqrt{3}s}{2s}=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\hfill \\ \cos \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right)=\frac{\text{adj}}{\text{hyp}}=\frac{s}{2s}=\frac{1}{2}\hfill \\ \tan \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right)=\frac{\text{opp}}{\text{adj}}=\frac{\sqrt{3}s}{s}=\sqrt{3}\hfill \\ \sec \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right)=\frac{\text{hyp}}{\text{adj}}=\frac{2s}{s}=2\hfill \\ \csc \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right)=\frac{\text{hyp}}{\text{opp}}=\frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}s}=\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{2\sqrt{3}}{3}\hfill \\ \cot \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right)=\frac{\text{adj}}{\text{opp}}=\frac{s}{\sqrt{3}s}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}\hfill \end{array}\\

Try It 3

Find the exact value of the trigonometric functions of π4\frac{\pi }{4}\\, using side lengths. Solution
https://youtu.be/Ujyl_zQw2zE

Using Equal Cofunction of Complements

If we look more closely at the relationship between the sine and cosine of the special angles relative to the unit circle, we will notice a pattern. In a right triangle with angles of π6\frac{\pi }{6} and π3\frac{\pi }{3}, we see that the sine of π3\frac{\pi }{3}, namely 32\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, is also the cosine of π6\frac{\pi }{6}, while the sine of π6\frac{\pi }{6}, namely 12\frac{1}{2}, is also the cosine of π3\frac{\pi }{3}.
sinπ3=cosπ6=3s2s=32sinπ6=cosπ3=s2s=12\begin{array}{l}\begin{array}{l}\hfill \\ \sin \frac{\pi }{3}=\cos \frac{\pi }{6}=\frac{\sqrt{3}s}{2s}=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\hfill \end{array}\hfill \\ \sin \frac{\pi }{6}=\cos \frac{\pi }{3}=\frac{s}{2s}=\frac{1}{2}\hfill \end{array} A graph of circle with angle pi/3 inscribed.

Figure 9. The sine of π3\frac{\pi }{3} equals the cosine of π6\frac{\pi }{6} and vice versa.

This result should not be surprising because, as we see from Figure 9, the side opposite the angle of π3\frac{\pi }{3} is also the side adjacent to π6\frac{\pi }{6}, so sin(π3)\sin \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right) and cos(π6)\cos \left(\frac{\pi }{6}\right) are exactly the same ratio of the same two sides, 3s\sqrt{3}s and 2s2s. Similarly, cos(π3)\cos \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right) and sin(π6)\sin \left(\frac{\pi }{6}\right) are also the same ratio using the same two sides, ss and 2s2s. The interrelationship between the sines and cosines of π6\frac{\pi }{6} and π3\frac{\pi }{3} also holds for the two acute angles in any right triangle, since in every case, the ratio of the same two sides would constitute the sine of one angle and the cosine of the other. Since the three angles of a triangle add to π\pi , and the right angle is π2\frac{\pi }{2}, the remaining two angles must also add up to π2\frac{\pi }{2}. That means that a right triangle can be formed with any two angles that add to π2\frac{\pi }{2} —in other words, any two complementary angles. So we may state a cofunction identity: If any two angles are complementary, the sine of one is the cosine of the other, and vice versa. This identity is illustrated in Figure 10. Right triangle with angles alpha and beta. Equivalence between sin alpha and cos beta. Equivalence between sin beta and cos alpha.

Figure 10. Cofunction identity of sine and cosine of complementary angles

Using this identity, we can state without calculating, for instance, that the sine of π12\frac{\pi }{12} equals the cosine of 5π12\frac{5\pi }{12}, and that the sine of 5π12\frac{5\pi }{12} equals the cosine of π12\frac{\pi }{12}. We can also state that if, for a certain angle tt, cos t=513\cos \text{ }t=\frac{5}{13}, then sin(π2t)=513\sin \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)=\frac{5}{13} as well.

A General Note: Cofunction Identities

The cofunction identities in radians are listed in the table below.
cost=sin(π2t)\cos t=\sin \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right) sint=cos(π2t)\sin t=\cos \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)
tant=cot(π2t)\tan t=\cot \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right) cott=tan(π2t)\cot t=\tan \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)
sect=csc(π2t)\sec t=\csc \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right) csct=sec(π2t)\csc t=\sec \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)

How To: Given the sine and cosine of an angle, find the sine or cosine of its complement.

  1. To find the sine of the complementary angle, find the cosine of the original angle.
  2. To find the cosine of the complementary angle, find the sine of the original angle.

Example 4: Using Cofunction Identities

If sint=512\sin t=\frac{5}{12}, find (cosπ2t)\left(\cos \frac{\pi }{2}-t\right).

Solution

According to the cofunction identities for sine and cosine,
sint=cos(π2t)\sin t=\cos \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right).
So
cos(π2t)=512\cos \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)=\frac{5}{12}.

Try It 4

If csc(π6)=2\csc \left(\frac{\pi }{6}\right)=2, find sec(π3)\sec \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right). Solution
https://youtu.be/_gkuml--4_Q

Using Trigonometric Functions

In previous examples, we evaluated the sine and cosine in triangles where we knew all three sides. But the real power of right-triangle trigonometry emerges when we look at triangles in which we know an angle but do not know all the sides.

How To: Given a right triangle, the length of one side, and the measure of one acute angle, find the remaining sides.

  1. For each side, select the trigonometric function that has the unknown side as either the numerator or the denominator. The known side will in turn be the denominator or the numerator.
  2. Write an equation setting the function value of the known angle equal to the ratio of the corresponding sides.
  3. Using the value of the trigonometric function and the known side length, solve for the missing side length.

Example 5: Finding Missing Side Lengths Using Trigonometric Ratios

Find the unknown sides of the triangle in Figure 11.
A right triangle with sides a, c, and 7. Angle of 30 degrees is also labeled. Figure 11

Solution

We know the angle and the opposite side, so we can use the tangent to find the adjacent side.
tan(30)=7a\tan \left(30^\circ \right)=\frac{7}{a}
We rearrange to solve for aa.
a=7tan(30)=12.1\begin{array}{l}a=\frac{7}{\tan \left(30^\circ \right)}\hfill \\ =12.1\hfill \end{array}
We can use the sine to find the hypotenuse.
sin(30)=7c\sin \left(30^\circ \right)=\frac{7}{c}
Again, we rearrange to solve for cc.
c=7sin(30)=14\begin{array}{l}c=\frac{7}{\sin \left(30^\circ \right)}\hfill \\ =14\hfill \end{array}

Try It 5

A right triangle has one angle of π3\frac{\pi }{3} and a hypotenuse of 20. Find the unknown sides and angle of the triangle. Solution
Right-triangle trigonometry has many practical applications. For example, the ability to compute the lengths of sides of a triangle makes it possible to find the height of a tall object without climbing to the top or having to extend a tape measure along its height. We do so by measuring a distance from the base of the object to a point on the ground some distance away, where we can look up to the top of the tall object at an angle. The angle of elevation of an object above an observer relative to the observer is the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer's eye. The right triangle this position creates has sides that represent the unknown height, the measured distance from the base, and the angled line of sight from the ground to the top of the object. Knowing the measured distance to the base of the object and the angle of the line of sight, we can use trigonometric functions to calculate the unknown height. Similarly, we can form a triangle from the top of a tall object by looking downward. The angle of depression of an object below an observer relative to the observer is the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer's eye.
Diagram of a radio tower with line segments extending from the top and base of the tower to a point on the ground some distance away. The two lines and the tower form a right triangle. The angle near the top of the tower is the angle of depression. The angle on the ground at a distance from the tower is the angle of elevation. Figure 12

How To: Given a tall object, measure its height indirectly.

  1. Make a sketch of the problem situation to keep track of known and unknown information.
  2. Lay out a measured distance from the base of the object to a point where the top of the object is clearly visible.
  3. At the other end of the measured distance, look up to the top of the object. Measure the angle the line of sight makes with the horizontal.
  4. Write an equation relating the unknown height, the measured distance, and the tangent of the angle of the line of sight.
  5. Solve the equation for the unknown height.

Example 6: Measuring a Distance Indirectly

To find the height of a tree, a person walks to a point 30 feet from the base of the tree. She measures an angle of 5757^\circ between a line of sight to the top of the tree and the ground, as shown in Figure 13. Find the height of the tree.
A tree with angle of 57 degrees from vantage point. Vantage point is 30 feet from tree. Figure 13

Solution

We know that the angle of elevation is 5757^\circ and the adjacent side is 30 ft long. The opposite side is the unknown height. The trigonometric function relating the side opposite to an angle and the side adjacent to the angle is the tangent. So we will state our information in terms of the tangent of 5757^\circ , letting hh be the unknown height.
tanθ=oppositeadjacenttan(57)=h30Solve for h.h=30tan(57)Multiply.h46.2Use a calculator.\begin{array}{ll}\tan \theta =\frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\hfill & \hfill \\ \text{tan}\left(57^\circ \right)=\frac{h}{30}\hfill & \text{Solve for }h.\hfill \\ h=30\tan \left(57^\circ \right)\hfill & \text{Multiply}.\hfill \\ h\approx 46.2\hfill & \text{Use a calculator}.\hfill \end{array}
The tree is approximately 46 feet tall.

Try It 6

How long a ladder is needed to reach a windowsill 50 feet above the ground if the ladder rests against the building making an angle of 5π12\frac{5\pi }{12} with the ground? Round to the nearest foot. Solution
https://youtu.be/8jU2R3BuR5E

Key Equations

Cofunction Identities cost=sin(π2t)sint=cos(π2t)tant=cot(π2t)cott=tan(π2t)sect=csc(π2t)csct=sec(π2t)\begin{array}{l}\begin{array}{l}\\ \cos t=\sin \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)\end{array}\hfill \\ \sin t=\cos \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)\hfill \\ \tan t=\cot \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)\hfill \\ \cot t=\tan \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)\hfill \\ \sec t=\csc \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)\hfill \\ \csc t=\sec \left(\frac{\pi }{2}-t\right)\hfill \end{array}

Key Concepts

  • We can define trigonometric functions as ratios of the side lengths of a right triangle.
  • The same side lengths can be used to evaluate the trigonometric functions of either acute angle in a right triangle.
  • We can evaluate the trigonometric functions of special angles, knowing the side lengths of the triangles in which they occur.
  • Any two complementary angles could be the two acute angles of a right triangle.
  • If two angles are complementary, the cofunction identities state that the sine of one equals the cosine of the other and vice versa.
  • We can use trigonometric functions of an angle to find unknown side lengths.
  • Select the trigonometric function representing the ratio of the unknown side to the known side.
  • Right-triangle trigonometry permits the measurement of inaccessible heights and distances.
  • The unknown height or distance can be found by creating a right triangle in which the unknown height or distance is one of the sides, and another side and angle are known.

Glossary

adjacent side
in a right triangle, the side between a given angle and the right angle
angle of depression
the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer’s eye, assuming the object is positioned lower than the observer
angle of elevation
the angle between the horizontal and the line from the object to the observer’s eye, assuming the object is positioned higher than the observer
opposite side
in a right triangle, the side most distant from a given angle
hypotenuse
the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle

Section Exercises

1. For the given right triangle, label the adjacent side, opposite side, and hypotenuse for the indicated angle. A right triangle. 2. When a right triangle with a hypotenuse of 1 is placed in the unit circle, which sides of the triangle correspond to the x- and y-coordinates? 3. The tangent of an angle compares which sides of the right triangle? 4. What is the relationship between the two acute angles in a right triangle? 5. Explain the cofunction identity. For the following exercises, use cofunctions of complementary angles. 6. \cos \left(\text{34^\circ }\right)=\sin \left(\text{__^\circ }\right) 7. \cos \left(\frac{\pi }{3}\right)=\sin \text{(___)} 8. \csc \left(\text{21^\circ }\right)=\sec \left(\text{___^\circ }\right) 9. \tan \left(\frac{\pi }{4}\right)=\cot \left(\text{__}\right) For the following exercises, find the lengths of the missing sides if side aa is opposite angle AA, side bb is opposite angle BB, and side cc is the hypotenuse. 10. cosB=45,a=10\cos B=\frac{4}{5},a=10 11. sinB=12,a=20\sin B=\frac{1}{2}, a=20 12. tanA=512,b=6\tan A=\frac{5}{12},b=6 13. tanA=100,b=100\tan A=100,b=100 14. sinB=13,a=2\sin B=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, a=2 15. a=5,A=60a=5,\measuredangle A={60}^{\circ } 16. c=12,A=45c=12,\measuredangle A={45}^{\circ } For the following exercises, use Figure 14 to evaluate each trigonometric function of angle AA.
A right triangle with sides 4 and 10 and angle of A labeled. Figure 14
17. sinA\sin A 18. cosA\cos A 19. tanA\tan A 20. cscA\csc A 21. secA\sec A 22. cotA\cot A For the following exercises, use Figure 15 to evaluate each trigonometric function of angle AA.
A right triangle with sides of 10 and 8 and angle of A labeled. Figure 15
23. sinA\sin A 24. cosA\cos A 25. tanA\tan A 26. cscA\csc A 27. secA\sec A 28. cotA\cot A For the following exercises, solve for the unknown sides of the given triangle. 29. A right triangle with sides of 7, b, and c labeled. Angles of B and 30 degrees also labeled. 30. A right triangle with sides of 10, a, and c. Angles of 60 degrees and A also labeled. 31. A right triangle with corners labeled A, B, and C. Hypotenuse has length of 15 times square root of 2. Angle B is 45 degrees. For the following exercises, use a calculator to find the length of each side to four decimal places. 32. A right triangle with sides of 10, a, and c. Angles of A and 62 degrees are also labeled. 33. A right triangle with sides of 7, b, and c. Angles of 35 degrees and B are also labeled. 34. A right triangle with sides of a, b, and 10 labeled. Angles of 65 degrees and B are also labeled. 35. A right triangle with sides a, b, and 12. Angles of 10 degrees and B are also labeled. 36. A right triangle with corners labeled A, B, and C. Sides labeled b, c, and 16.5. Angle of 81 degrees also labeled. 37. b=15,B=15b=15,\measuredangle B={15}^{\circ } 38. c=200,B=5c=200,\measuredangle B={5}^{\circ } 39. c=50,B=21c=50,\measuredangle B={21}^{\circ } 40. a=30,A=27a=30,\measuredangle A={27}^{\circ } 41. b=3.5,A=78b=3.5,\measuredangle A={78}^{\circ } 42. Find xx. A triangle with angles of 63 degrees and 39 degrees and side x. Bisector in triangle with length of 82. 43. Find xx. A triangle with angles of 36 degrees and 50 degrees and side x. Bisector in triangle with length of 85. 44. Find xx. A right triangle with side of 115 and angle of 35 degrees. Within right triangle there is another right triangle with angle of 56 degrees. Side length difference between two triangles is x. 45. Find xx. A right triangle with side of 119 and angle of 26 degrees. Within right triangle there is another right triangle with angle of 70 degrees instead of 26 degrees. Difference in side length between two triangles is x. 46. A radio tower is located 400 feet from a building. From a window in the building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the tower is 3636^\circ , and that the angle of depression to the bottom of the tower is 2323^\circ . How tall is the tower? 47. A radio tower is located 325 feet from a building. From a window in the building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the tower is 4343^\circ , and that the angle of depression to the bottom of the tower is 3131^\circ . How tall is the tower? 48. A 200-foot tall monument is located in the distance. From a window in a building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the monument is 1515^\circ , and that the angle of depression to the bottom of the tower is 22^\circ . How far is the person from the monument? 49. A 400-foot tall monument is located in the distance. From a window in a building, a person determines that the angle of elevation to the top of the monument is 1818^\circ , and that the angle of depression to the bottom of the tower is 33^\circ . How far is the person from the monument? 50. There is an antenna on the top of a building. From a location 300 feet from the base of the building, the angle of elevation to the top of the building is measured to be 4040^\circ . From the same location, the angle of elevation to the top of the antenna is measured to be 4343^\circ . Find the height of the antenna. 51. There is lightning rod on the top of a building. From a location 500 feet from the base of the building, the angle of elevation to the top of the building is measured to be 3636^\circ . From the same location, the angle of elevation to the top of the lightning rod is measured to be 3838^\circ . Find the height of the lightning rod. 52. A 33-ft ladder leans against a building so that the angle between the ground and the ladder is 8080^\circ . How high does the ladder reach up the side of the building? 53. A 23-ft ladder leans against a building so that the angle between the ground and the ladder is 8080^\circ . How high does the ladder reach up the side of the building? 54. The angle of elevation to the top of a building in New York is found to be 9 degrees from the ground at a distance of 1 mile from the base of the building. Using this information, find the height of the building. 55. The angle of elevation to the top of a building in Seattle is found to be 2 degrees from the ground at a distance of 2 miles from the base of the building. Using this information, find the height of the building. 56. Assuming that a 370-foot tall giant redwood grows vertically, if I walk a certain distance from the tree and measure the angle of elevation to the top of the tree to be 6060^\circ , how far from the base of the tree am I?

Licenses & Attributions