SOHCAHTOA

Here you will learn how to use the ratio of the sides of a right triangle, SOHCAHTOA, and right triangle trigonometry to find unknown sides and angles in right angled triangles. You will learn how to label the sides of right-angled triangles and understand what each of the side ratios, sin, cos and tan are, and what their inverses are (\sin^{-1}, \cos^{-1}, \tan^{-1}) in order to problem solve.

Students first learn about right triangle trigonometry in geometry and expand their knowledge as they learn about the unit circle in algebra 2 and precalculus.

What is SOHCAHTOA?

SOHCAHTOA is a mnemonic device that gives you an easy way to remember the three main trigonometric ratios of the sides of a right triangle. The trig ratios are used to find the missing sides of the triangle (right triangle) and the missing acute angles.

The names of the three ratios are:

  • Sine (Sin)
  • Cosine (Cos)
  • Tangent (Tan)

When writing the trigonometric ratios, you must write them with respect to one of the acute angles of the right triangle.

SOHCAHTOA 1 US

Let’s use angle at A as the acute angle by which to write the 3 main trigonometric ratios. Label this angle \theta. Since all the ratios will be written with respect to angle \theta, the side opposite \theta is called the β€˜opposite’ side

SOHCAHTOA 2 US

The side that is part of angle \theta or next to angle \theta is called the β€˜adjacent’ side.

SOHCAHTOA 3 US

The side across from the right angle is always the β€˜hypotenuse’.

SOHCAHTOA 4 US

What happens if you use the angle at C instead of the angle at A to write the trigonometric ratios?

SOHCAHTOA 5 US

Notice how the adjacent side and the opposite side switch since the angle being used is the angle at C, labelled \theta.

[FREE] Trigonometry Worksheet (Grade 9 to 12)

[FREE] Trigonometry Worksheet (Grade 9 to 12)

[FREE] Trigonometry Worksheet (Grade 9 to 12)

Use this quiz to check your grade 9 to 12 students’ understanding of Trigonometry. 15+ questions with answers covering a range of 9th to 12th grade trigonometry topics to identify areas of strength and support!

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[FREE] Trigonometry Worksheet (Grade 9 to 12)

[FREE] Trigonometry Worksheet (Grade 9 to 12)

[FREE] Trigonometry Worksheet (Grade 9 to 12)

Use this quiz to check your grade 9 to 12 students’ understanding of Trigonometry. 15+ questions with answers covering a range of 9th to 12th grade trigonometry topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

Now that you understand how to label the sides of the right triangle, let’s write the ratios.

SOHCAHTOA 4 US-1

  • The sine or sin ratio with respect to angle \theta is the opposite side length divided by the hypotenuse side length.

    \sin(\theta)=\cfrac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}~(\mathrm{SOH})

  • The cosine or cos ratio with respect to angle \theta is the adjacent side length divided by the hypotenuse side length.

    \cos(\theta)=\cfrac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}~(\mathrm{CAH})

  • The tangent or tan ratio with respect to angle \theta is the opposite side length divided by the adjacent side length.

    \tan(\theta)=\cfrac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adiacent}}~(\mathrm{TOA})

    SOHCAHTOA 7 US

You can also remember the abbreviation for SOHCAHTOA using triangles.

SOHCAHTOA 8 US

Sine, Cosine and Tangent are therefore trigonometric functions as the sine, cosine, or tangent of an angle \theta is equal to the division of the two respective sides O\div{H}, A\div{H} or O\div{A}.

Each SOHCAHTOA triangle can be used to determine the missing side, or missing angle of a right-angled triangle. Cover up the letter you want to find and calculate the product or division of the other two letters using one of the three formulae highlighted in the table.

SOHCAHTOA 9 US

What is SOHCAHTOA?

What is SOHCAHTOA?

Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to high school math?

  • High School Geometry – Similarity, Right Triangles, and Trigonometry HSG-SRT.C.6
    Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles are properties of the angles in the triangle, leading to definitions of trigonometric ratios for acute angles.

  • High School Geometry – Similarity, Right Triangles, and Trigonometry HSG-SRT.C.8
    Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems.

How to use SOHCAHTOA to find the missing side of a right triangle

In order to use SOHCAHTOA to find the missing side length of a right triangle:

  1. Label the sides of the right triangle with respect to one of the acute angles.
  2. Determine the trigonometric ratio to use and write the formula with the correct subject.
  3. Substitute known values into the trig ratio to find the missing side.
  4. Calculate the unknown side.

SOHCAHTOA – missing side examples

Example 1: find a missing side (sine function)

Calculate the side of the right triangle labeled x.

SOHCAHTOA 10 US

  1. Label the sides of the right triangle with respect to one of the acute angles.

Using the 40^{\circ} angle, the side marked x is the opposite side and the side marked 8\mathrm{~cm} is the length of the hypotenuse because it is across from the right angle.

SOHCAHTOA 11 US

2Determine the trigonometric ratio to use and write the formula with the correct subject.

The hypotenuse (H) is known, and the opposite side (O) is what you want to find.

The adjacent side (A) is unknown and so not useful for this problem.

SOHCAHTOA 11.1 US

Looking at SOHCAHTOA, the sine function (S) is the ratio of the opposite side (O) and the hypotenuse (H).

SOHCAHTOA 12 US

You therefore use the sine function:

\sin(\theta)= \cfrac{O}{H}

SOHCAHTOA 13 US

Using the formula triangle, cover up the opposite side (O) as you want to calculate this length. This gives the formula:

O=H\times\sin(\theta)

3Substitute known values into the formula to find the missing side.

As the opposite side O=x\mathrm{~cm}, the hypotenuse H=8\mathrm{~cm}, and \theta=40^{\circ},

x=8\times\sin(40)

4Calculate the unknown side.

Use your calculator to find the solution

x=8\times\sin(40)=5.14\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (2dp)}

Always check that the answer is reasonable:

SOHCAHTOA 14 US

As 5.14\mathrm{~cm} is shorter than the length of the hypotenuse (8\mathrm{~cm}), the answer is reasonable.

Example 2: find a missing side (cosine)

Calculate the side of the right triangle labeled x.

SOHCAHTOA 15 US

Label the sides of the right triangle with respect to one of the acute angles.

Determine the trigonometric ratio to use and write the formula with the correct subject.

Substitute known values into the trig ratio to find the missing side.

Calculate the unknown side.

Example 3: find a missing side (tangent)

Calculate the side labeled x .

SOHCAHTOA 20 US

Label the sides of the right triangle with respect to one of the acute angles.

Determine the trigonometric ratio to use and write the formula with the correct subject.

Substitute known values into the trig ratio to find the missing side.

Calculate the unknown side.

How to use SOHCAHTOA to find the unknown angles of right triangles

In order to find missing angles using SOHCAHTOA:

  1. Label the sides of the right triangle with respect to one of the acute angles.
  2. Determine the trigonometric ratio to use and write the inverse trig formula with \bf{\theta} as the subject.
  3. Substitute the two known side lengths into the formula.
  4. Calculate the unknown angle.

SOHCAHTOA – unknown angle examples

Example 4: find a missing angle

Calculate the angle labeled \theta.

SOHCAHTOA 25 US

Label the sides of the right triangle with respect to one of the acute angles.

Determine the trigonometric ratio to use and write the inverse trig formula with \bf{\theta} as the subject.

Substitute the two known side lengths into the formula.

Calculate the unknown angle.

Example 5: find a missing angle

Calculate the angle labeled \theta .

SOHCAHTOA 29 US

Label the sides of the right triangle with respect to one of the acute angles.

Determine the trigonometric ratio to use and write the inverse trig formula with \bf{\theta} as the subject.

Substitute the two known side lengths into the formula.

Calculate the unknown angle.

Example 6: find a missing angle

Calculate the angle labeled \theta .

SOHCAHTOA 32 US

Label the sides of the right triangle with respect to one of the acute angles.

Determine the trigonometric ratio to use and write the inverse trig formula with \bf{\theta} as the subject.

Substitute the two known side lengths into the formula.

Calculate the unknown angle.

Teaching tips for SOHCAHTOA

  • Spend time looking at different right-angle triangles and labeling sides in relation to the angle so that students practice working out which trigonometric function to use sine, cosine or tangent.

  • Use revision cards and practice questions including real life word problems.

  • Solve real life problems that require them to apply the trig ratios out of the classroom: find the height of a tree / building, estimate the length of a football pitch, work out the angle of elevation from a horizontal distance to a window / sign etc.

Easy mistakes to make

  • Using the incorrect mode on the calculator
    When calculating the side lengths or angle measurements using one of the trig ratios, be sure the calculator is in β€˜degree’ mode, not β€˜radian’ mode. Radians are a different unit of angle measurement which will be explored in a precalculus class.

  • Thinking the hypotenuse is the opposite side
    When working with a right triangle, the hypotenuse is always the side across from the right angle. The opposite side is across from the acute angle being used to write the ratio.

    SOHCAHTOA 36 US

  • Using the right angle when writing a trig ratio
    To calculate side lengths or angle measurements using the trig ratios, the angle being used to write the ratio must be one of the acute angles.

    For example, if trying to calculate the adjacent side:

    \tan(90)=\cfrac{24}{\text{adjacent}} \rightarrow This is an incorrect ratio.

    You cannot use the 90^{\circ} angle when writing the ratio and 24 is NOT the opposite side.

    The hypotenuse is always the side across from the right angle and the longest side.

    The correct ratio is: \cos(57)=\cfrac{\text{adjacent}}{24} OR \sin(57)=\cfrac{\text{opposite}}{24}

    SOHCAHTOA 37 US

Practice SOHCAHTOA questions

1. Calculate the length of the side labeled x. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

SOHCAHTOA 38 US

7.8\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz True

18.4\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

60.4\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

16.9\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

Label the triangle with respect to the angle marked as 23^{\circ}

 

SOHCAHTOA 39 US

 

Looking at SOHCAHTOA, the sine function (S) is the ratio of the opposite side (O) and the hypotenuse (H).

 

SOHCAHTOA 40 US

 

Use the sine function:

 

\sin(\theta)=\cfrac{O}{H}

 

SOHCAHTOA 41 US

 

Using the formula triangle, cover up the opposite side (O) as you want to calculate this length. This gives the formula:

 

O=H\times\sin(\theta)

 

Substituting in known values,

 

O=H\times\sin(\theta)=20\times\sin(23)=7.8\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (1dp)}

2. Calculate the length of the side labeled x. Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.

 

SOHCAHTOA 42 US

22.42\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

37.50\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

20.18\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz True

11.15\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

Label the triangle:

 

SOHCAHTOA 43 US

 

The adjacent side (A) is known, and the hypotenuse (H) is what you want to find.

 

The opposite side (O) is unknown and so not useful for this problem.

 

Looking at SOHCAHTOA, the cosine function (C) is the ratio of the adjacent side (A) and the hypotenuse (H).

 

SOHCAHTOA 44 US

 

You therefore use the cosine function:

 

\cos(\theta)= \cfrac{A}{H}

 

SOHCAHTOA 45 US

 

Using the formula triangle, cover up the hypotenuse (H) as you want to calculate this length. This gives the formula:

 

H=\cfrac{A}{\cos(\theta)}

 

Substituting in known values,

 

H=\cfrac{A}{\cos(\theta)}=\cfrac{15}{\cos(42)}=20.18\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (2dp)}

3. Calculate the length of the side labeled x. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

SOHCAHTOA 46 US

6.0\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

4.8\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

11.0\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

2.8\mathrm{~cm}
GCSE Quiz True

Label the triangle:

 

SOHCAHTOA 47 US

 

The opposite side (O) is known, and the adjacent side (A) is what you want to find.

 

The hypotenuse (H) is unknown and so not useful for this problem.

 

Looking at SOHCAHTOA, the tangent function (T) is the ratio of the opposite side (O) and the adjacent side (A).

 

SOHCAHTOA 48 US

 

You therefore use the tangent function:

 

\tan(\theta)=\cfrac{O}{A}

 

SOHCAHTOA 49 US

 

Using the formula triangle, cover up the adjacent side (A) as you want to calculate this length. This gives the formula:

 

A=\cfrac{O}{\tan(\theta)}

 

Substituting in known values,

 

A=\cfrac{O}{\tan(\theta)}=\cfrac{5.3}{\tan(62)}=2.8\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (1dp)}

4. Calculate the size of the angle labeled \theta. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

 

SOHCAHTOA 50 US

43.3^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

46.7^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

36.0^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

0.0126^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

Label the triangle:

 

SOHCAHTOA 51 US

 

Looking at SOHCAHTOA, the sine function (S) is the ratio of the opposite side (O) and the hypotenuse (H).

 

SOHCAHTOA 52 US

 

As you are finding the angle, use the inverse sine function:

 

\theta=\sin^{-1}\left(\cfrac{O}{H}\right)

 

Substitute in the two known side lengths

 

\theta=\sin^{-1}\left(\cfrac{8}{11}\right)=46.7^{\circ}\text{ (1dp)}

5. Calculate the size of the angle labeled \theta. Round your answer to the nearest whole degree.

 

SOHCAHTOA 53 US

64^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

1^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

26^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

23^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

Label the triangle:

 

SOHCAHTOA 54 US

 

Looking at SOHCAHTOA, the cosine function (C) is the ratio of the adjacent side (A) and the hypotenuse (H).

 

SOHCAHTOA 55 US

 

As you are finding the angle, use the inverse cosine function:

 

\theta=\cos^{-1}\left(\cfrac{A}{H}\right)

 

Substitute in the two known side lengths.

 

\theta=\cos^{-1}\left(\cfrac{5.4}{12.3}\right)=64^{\circ}\text{ (0dp)}

6. Calculate the size of the angle labeled \theta. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

 

SOHCAHTOA 56 US

60.0^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

0.5^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

30.0^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

26.6^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

Label the triangle:

 

SOHCAHTOA 57 US

 

Looking at SOHCAHTOA, the tangent function (T) is the ratio of the opposite side (O) and the adjacent side (A).

 

SOHCAHTOA 58 US

 

As you are finding the angle, use the inverse tangent function:

 

\theta=\tan^{-1}\left(\cfrac{O}{A}\right)

 

Substitute in the two known side lengths

 

\theta=\tan^{-1}\left(\cfrac{12.6}{25.2}\right)=26.6^{\circ}\text{ (1dp)}

SOHCAHTOA FAQs

What are the other trigonometric ratios?

There are six trig ratios in total. The sine (sin), cosine (cos), tangent (tan), cosecant (csc), secant (sec), and cotangent (cot). The cosecant is the reciprocal of the sine ratio, the secant is the reciprocal of the cosine ratio, and the cotangent is the ratio of the tangent ratio.

Can you graph the trigonometric functions?

Yes, you will learn how to graph the trig functions in algebra 2 and precalculus. They are periodic cures.

What are trigonometric identities?

The trigonometric identities are based on the six trigonometric ratios. There are various distinct trigonometric identities that are used to solve equations and verify trigonometric proofs.

The next lessons are

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