Mathematics Resources

Grade 8

Chapter 05:
Trigonometric Ratios

Trigonometry, derived from the Greek words for triangle (trigönon) and measure (metron), is a
branch of mathematics that studies relationships between the sides and angles of triangles.
Trigonometry enables us to measure unknown heights and distances indirectly. As we have seen,
triangles are often used to model real-world problems and have been studied throughout history,
by ancient Egyptians for instance.

Today, trigonometry is still widely applied in various fields. For example, surveyors use an
instrument called a theodolite to measure angles in horizontal planes and vertical planes during the
construction of buildings and infrastructure, land surveying, and rocket launching.

In this chapter, we will begin our study of trigonometry by exploring the idea of trigonometric
ratios and how it can be applied to solve real-world problems.

Learning Outcomes
What will we learn in this chapter?

• What trigonometric ratios of acute angles are

• How to find the unknown sides and angles in right-angled triangles
• Why trigonometry has useful applications in real life
5.1 Trigonometric ratios
A. Introduction to trigonometric ratios
• These three ratios of one length
to another are known as
trigonometric ratios. Since they
are ratios, they are numbers
without any units.
• Additionally, the definitions
of trigonometric ratios only
apply to acute angles in a
right-angled triangle, where
00 < A < 900.
B. Finding trigonometric ratios given angles
In following Fig. shows a right-angled triangle where ∠𝐴 = 250 and ∠𝐶 = 900 .

𝐵𝐶
If we measure the length of AB and of BC in above Fig and find the ratio 𝐴𝐵 , the value that we
obtain is approximately 0.423.
𝐵𝐶
We know that the ratio 𝐴𝐵 is equal to the trigonometric ratio sin A. Therefore, sin 250=0.423.
Let us vary the size of angle A. Fig. shows a right-angled triangle where ∠𝐴 = 260 .

𝐵𝐶
If we measure the length of AB and of BC in above Fig and find the ratio 𝐴𝐵 , the value that we
obtain is approximately 0.438. This means sin 260=0.438.
Like above, trigonometric ratios were computed manually and presented in tables in the past. The
table given below shows the trigonometric ratios of the angles 250 , 260 , and 270 .
Angles Sine Cosine Tangent
0
25 0.423 0.906 0.466
260 0.438 0.899 0.488
270 0.454 0.891 0.510

It is tedious to have to draw different right-angled triangles to measure the lengths of the sides and
find the trigonometric ratios. This method is also prone to large errors. use of calculators can help
us to compute the trigonometric ratios of any angle.
Using calculator to evaluate trigonometric ratios
Worked Example 1
Use a calculator to evaluate

Sequence of calculator keys:

 Exercise 5A
1. For each of the following right-angled triangles,
Name.
(i) The hypotenuse,
(ii) The side opposite ∠𝑎,
(iii) The side adjacent to ∠𝑎.

2. For each of the following right-angled triangles,

state the value of
(i) sin 𝐴,
(ii) cos 𝐴,
(iii)tan 𝐴,
(iv) sin 𝐵,
(v) cos 𝐵,
(vi) tan 𝐵,

3. In ∆PQR, PR= 𝒙 𝒄𝒎, QR = 𝒚 𝒄𝒎, PQ = 𝒛 𝒄𝒎 and ∠R = 𝟗𝟎°. Write down an expression

for
(i) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑃,
(ii) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑃
(iii)𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑃,
(iv) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑄,
(v) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑄 ,
(vi) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑄,
in terms of 𝑥, 𝑦 and/or 𝑧.
4. Use a calculator to evaluate each of the following.
(a) tan 47°
(b) sin 75.3°
(c) cos 30.19°
(d) sin 35° + cos 49°
(e) 2 cos 42.3° + 3 sin 16.8°
(f) sin 71.6° × tan 16.7°
5. In ∆MNO, 𝑴𝑵 = 𝒂 𝒎, 𝑶𝑴 = 𝒃 𝒎, 𝑶𝑵 = 𝒄 𝒎 and
∠LO = 𝟗𝟎°.
(a) Write down an expression for
(i) sin 𝑀,
(ii) cos 𝑀,
(iii)tan 𝑀,
(iv) sin 𝑁,
(v) cos 𝑁,
(vi) tan 𝑁,
in terms of 𝑎, 𝑏 and or 𝑐.

(b) If tan M = tan N, write down a possible set of values of a, b and c.

6. Use a calculator to evaluate each of the following.

𝟓 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟔𝟏.𝟒°
(a)
𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟏𝟎.𝟑°

𝟒(𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟐.𝟓°)𝟐
(b)
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟔𝟕.𝟓°

𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟓°+𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑𝟑°

(c)
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟕𝟖.𝟒°

𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟒𝟕.𝟗°
(d)
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟖𝟒°−𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟔𝟑°

𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟔𝟕°+𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟖𝟗°

(e)
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟔𝟑.𝟒°×𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟏𝟓.𝟓°

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟒.𝟔°÷𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟔𝟐.𝟏°

(f)
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟐𝟏°+𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟏𝟒°

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟕°−𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟕𝟑°

(g)
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟓.𝟑°×𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟖𝟑.𝟒°

𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝟒.𝟕°×𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟑𝟓.𝟏°

(h)
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟓𝟕°−𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟏𝟓°
5.2 Applications of trigonometric ratios to find unknown sides of right-angled
triangles
Worked Examples 2 and 3 illustrate how trigonometric ratios are used to find the lengths of the
unknown sides of right-angled triangles.

Using sine, cosine and tangent ratios

Worked Example 2
Calculate the value of the unknown in the following right-angled triangles.

Finding the lengths of unknown sides of a right-angled triangle

Worked Example 3
In ΔABC, ∠𝐶 = 900. Given that ∠𝐵 = 320 and AB = 24 m, calculate the length of
(i) AC
(ii) BC.
 Exercise 5B
1. Find the value of the unknown in each of the following right-angled triangles.

2. Find the value of the unknown in each of the following right-angled triangles.

3. Find the value of the unknown in each of the following right-angled triangles.
4. Find the values of the unknown in each of the following right-angled triangles.

5. In ∆ABC, AB = 8.9 m, ∠BAC= 𝟗𝟎° and ∠ABC = 𝟓𝟔°. H lies on BC such that AH is
perpendicular to BC. Find the length of
(i) 𝐴𝐻,
(ii) 𝐻𝐶,
6. In the figure, QS = 25 cm, ∠QSR = 𝟒𝟓° and ∠QST=
𝟔𝟎°.
Find the length of
(i) TQ,
(ii) PT,
(iii)PR,

7. A figure 𝑉𝑊𝑋𝑌𝑍 is made up of three right-angled triangles. Given that 𝑉𝑊 = 154 m,

V𝑌 = 88 m, ∠𝑉𝑋𝑊 = ∠𝑉𝑌𝑍 = 90°, ∠𝑉𝑊𝑋 = 63°, ∠𝑉𝑍𝑌 = 46°, find
(i) the perimeter,
(ii) the area, Of the figure.

8. If 𝑦 is inversely proportional to (𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥)2 and 𝑦 = 2 when 𝑥 = 30°, find the value of 𝑦
when this value of 𝑥 is doubled.
5.3 Applications of trigonometric ratios to find unknown angles in right-
angled triangles
In Section 5.2, we have learnt how to use trigonometric ratios to find the lengths of the unknown
sides of right-angled triangles. Let us now use trigonometric ratios to find the unknown angles in
right-angled triangles.

Finding unknown angles in right-angled triangles

Worked Example 4
Calculate the value of the unknown of the following right-angled triangle.

Solution:
Solution:
Worked Example 5
 Exercise 5C
1. Use a calculator to find each of the following angles, given its trigonometric ratio.
(a) sin A = 0.527
(b) cos B = 0.725
(c) tan C = 2.56
2. Find the value of the unknown in each of the following right-angled triangles.
3. The figure shows a quadrilateral ABCD where ∠ABC = ∠BCD = 90o. Given that AB = 4 m
and DA = DC = 7 m, find
(i) ∠𝐴𝐷𝐶,
(ii) The length of BC.

4. In ∆𝐿𝑀𝑁, 𝐿𝑀 = 15.5 cm and ∠𝐿𝑁𝑀 = 900. H lies on NL such that 𝐻𝑀 = 92 cm and

∠𝐻𝑀𝑁 = 380.

Find

(i) ∠𝑀𝐿𝑁,
(ii) the length of HL

5. In ∆𝑃𝑂𝑅. 𝑃𝑂 = 17.4 m and 𝑃𝑅 7.6 m. K lies on QR such that LPKQ= 1370. Find
(i) ∠QPK,
(ii) the length of QK.
6. The figure shows a triangle 𝑆𝑇𝑈 where 𝑇𝑈 = 11 cm. 𝐻 lies on 𝑇𝑈 such that the length of
𝑇𝐻 is 120% of the length of HU and angle SHU = 900. Given that the area of triangle STH is
21 cm2, find angle TSU.

7. The figure shows a trapezium 𝑊𝑋𝑌𝑍 in which WX is parallel to ZY. It is given that WX = 4.7
m, ZY = 7.8 m and ∠WZY = 620. Klies on zy such that the ratio of the length of WK to the
length of ZY is 6: 13. Find
(i) ∠XYZ,
(ii) the perimeter of the trapezium WXYZ

8. The figure shows a triangle ABC where angle ABC = 350. H lies on BC such that the length of HC is twice that
of BH. Find angle ACB.
5.4 Applications of trigonometric ratios in real-world contexts
Trigonometry is commonly used to find the heights of buildings and mountains, the distance of the shore from a point
in the sea and the distance between celestial bodies, etc. In this section, we will learn how to apply trigonometric ratios
to solve problems in real-world contexts.

Worked Example 6
Finding the height of the building
A point A on level ground is 38 m away from the foot F of a building TF. Given that AT makes
an angle of 330 with the horizontal, calculates the height of the building.

Worked Example 7
Finding angle from ground
A light house HL is 72 m tall. Given that a point G on level ground is 125 m away from the foot
L of the lighthouse, calculate ∠HGL.
Worked Example 8
Worked Example 9
 Exercise 5D
1. A point A on level ground is 34 m away from the foot B of a Christmas tree TB. Given that
AT makes an angle of 320 with the horizontal, find the height of the Christmas tree.

2. Joyce stands at B and flies a kite. The kite is vertically above A. The string BK of length 120
m, attached to the kite, makes an angle of 530 to the horizontal. Assuming the string is taut,
find the distance AB.

3. Joyce stands at B and flies a kite. The kite is vertically above A. The string BK of 120 m,
attached to the kite, makes an angle of 530 to the horizontal. Assuming the string is taut, find
the distance AB.
4. At a certain time in a day, a clock tower PQ, 82 m high, casts a shadow RQ, 62 m long. Find
∠PRQ.

5. A ladder of length 5 m leans against a nail on a vertical wall. It forms an angle of 600 with the
ground. Find
(i) The height of the nail above the ground,
(ii) The distance of the foot of the ladder from the base of the wall.

6. A boat is tied to a rope of length 12 m which is attached to a ring that is 3.5 m above the water.
Assuming that the rope is taut, find the angle it makes with the water. ring

7. Sara is standing 7.05 m away from the statue of the Merlion MP at Merlion Park, Singapore.
The height of her eyes from her feet is 1.55 m. Given that the angle of elevation of the top of
the statue from her eyes is 420 , find the height of the statue.
8. The height of a building WH is 8 m. PQR is a flagpole and WQ is a horizontal cable connected
to the top of the building and to the flagpole. Given that LPWQ = 35.40 and L WRH = 24.30,
find the height of the flagpole.

9. A plank of length 4 m rests against a wall 1.8 m high such that 1.2 m of the plank lies beyond
the wall. Find the angle the plank makes with the wall.
10. A pendulum of length 45 cm swings backwards and forwards from X to Z passing through Y,
the lowest point of oscillation. Given that ∠𝑋𝑂𝑍 = 300 , find the height, a cm, in which the
pendulum bob rises above Y.

11. When a ladder of length 2.5 m leans against the top edge of a window of a building, it forms
an angle of 550 with the ground. When the ladder leans against the lower edge of the same
window, it forms an angle of 380 with the ground. Find the height of the window, giving your
answer in centimetres.
 Summary

In ∆ABC, if ∠𝐶 =900, then

𝐵𝐶 𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝑜𝑝𝑝
• = ℎ𝑦𝑝 is called the sine of ∠𝐴, or 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴 = ℎ𝑦𝑝,
𝐴𝐵
𝐴𝐶 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝑎𝑑𝑗
• = ℎ𝑦𝑝 is called the cosine of ∠𝐴, or 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴 = ℎ𝑦𝑝,
𝐴𝐵
𝐵𝐶 𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝑜𝑝𝑝
• = is called the tangent of ∠𝐴, or 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐴 = .
𝐴𝐶 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝑎𝑑𝑗
• State the ratios 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐵, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵 and 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝐵 in terms of the lengths of the sides of ∆ABC.