Triangle trigonometry, the kind featured on the SAT/ACT, is concerned only with solving right triangles (i.e. finding unknown side lengths and angle measures).
A tiny number of basic trig facts and processes are tested in a relatively small number of SAT/ACT math questions. Nevertheless, students aiming for top scores must master each of these elements.
Following is what you need to know.
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Three primary trig ratios
Definition: SOH CAH TOA (sin, cos, tan).
Solving right triangles using SOH CAH TOA
A tiny number of basic trig facts and processes are tested in a relatively small number of SAT/ACT math questions. Nevertheless, students aiming for top scores must master each of these elements.
Following is what you need to know.
-
Three primary trig ratios
Definition: SOH CAH TOA (sin, cos, tan).
Solving right triangles using SOH CAH TOA
Converting radians to/from degrees
1rad = 180/pi.
1deg = pi/180.
Sinusoidal curves
Amplitude: vertical distance between midline and upper/lower bound.
1rad = 180/pi.
1deg = pi/180.
Sinusoidal curves
Amplitude: vertical distance between midline and upper/lower bound.
Period: horizontal distance between repeating points on the curve (e.g. peaks).
Cofunctions of compliments are equal
For example: sin(50 degrees) = cos(40 degrees).
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For practice, search Google for worksheets covering any or all of the above, pick a worksheet that provides answers, complete the worksheet, analyze any mistakes, and redo it until you can complete that worksheet with no errors. Then repeat, with additional worksheets, as needed, until you’ve mastered this important material.
Cofunctions of compliments are equal
For example: sin(50 degrees) = cos(40 degrees).
-
For practice, search Google for worksheets covering any or all of the above, pick a worksheet that provides answers, complete the worksheet, analyze any mistakes, and redo it until you can complete that worksheet with no errors. Then repeat, with additional worksheets, as needed, until you’ve mastered this important material.
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