ELI5: solving right triangles using trigonometric ratios

What is solving a right triangle?

Solving a right triangle means finding all the missing sides and angles when you know some of them [1][3]. It's like a puzzle where you use special shortcuts called trigonometric ratios to figure out the hidden measurements.

What is SOHCAHTOA?

SOHCAHTOA is a silly memory trick that helps you remember three special ratios: Sine (opposite over hypotenuse), Cosine (adjacent over hypotenuse), and Tangent (opposite over adjacent) [1][5]. Think of it like a code that connects the angles to the sides of your triangle.

How do you use these ratios?

Once you know one angle and one side, you can plug them into the SOH, CAH, or TOA formula to find another side [3]. It's like using a magic formula where the triangle tells you its secrets if you ask it the right way.

What if you need to find an angle?

You can use the inverse (backwards) versions of these ratios to find missing angles [2][5]. If you know two sides, the inverse ratios will tell you what angle is hiding between them.