ACT Math : Trigonometry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find Positive Sine

In a right triangle, cos(A) = \(\displaystyle \frac{11}{14}\). What is sin(A)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5\sqrt{3}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{11}{75}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5\sqrt{3}}{11}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5\sqrt{3}}{14}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{75}{14}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{5\sqrt{3}}{14}\)

Explanation:

In a right triangle, for sides a and b, with c being the hypotenuse, \(\displaystyle a^{2} + b ^{2} = c^{2}\). Thus if cos(A) is \(\displaystyle \frac{11}{14}\), then c = 14, and the side adjacent to A is 11. Therefore, the side opposite of angle A is the square root of \(\displaystyle 14^{2} - 11^{2}\), which is \(\displaystyle \sqrt{75} = 5\sqrt{3}.\) Since sin is \(\displaystyle \frac{opposite}{hypotenuse}\), sin(A) is \(\displaystyle \frac{5\sqrt{3}}{14}\).

Example Question #2985 : Act Math

51213

What is the value of \(\displaystyle cos(x)(\frac{cos(x)}{\sin(x)})+sin(x)\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{12}{13}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{15}{7}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{13}{12}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{13}{12}\)

Explanation:

As with all trigonometry problems, begin by considering how you could rearrange the question. They often have hidden easy ways out. So begin by noticing:

\(\displaystyle cos(x)(\frac{cos(x)}{\sin(x)})+sin(x)=(\frac{cos^2(x)}{\sin(x)})+sin(x)\)

Now, you can treat \(\displaystyle sin(x)\) like it is any standard denominator. Therefore:

\(\displaystyle (\frac{cos^2(x)}{\sin(x)})+sin(x)=(\frac{cos^2(x)}{\sin(x)})+\frac{sin^2(x)}{sin(x)}\)

Combine your fractions and get:

\(\displaystyle \frac{cos^2(x)+ sin^2(x)}{sin(x)}\)

Now, from our trig identities, we know that \(\displaystyle cos^2(x)+ sin^2(x)=1\), so we can say:

\(\displaystyle \frac{cos^2(x)+ sin^2(x)}{sin(x)}=\frac{1}{sin(x)}\)

Now, for our triangle, the \(\displaystyle sin(x)\) is \(\displaystyle \frac{12}{13}\). Therefore,

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{sin(x)} = \frac{1}{\frac{12}{13}}=\frac{13}{12}\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find Positive Sine

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\):

\(\displaystyle sin(3x)=0.5\) if \(\displaystyle \frac{-\pi}{2} \le 3x \le \frac{\pi}{2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{\pi}{18}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{\pi}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle 3\pi\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3\pi}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{\pi}{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{\pi}{18}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle sin(3x)=0.5\)

Recall that the standard \(\displaystyle 30-60-90\) triangle, in radians, looks like:

Rt1

Since \(\displaystyle sin(x) = \frac{opposite}{hypotenuse}\), you can tell that \(\displaystyle sin(\frac{\pi}{6}) = \frac{1}{2}\).

Therefore, you can say that \(\displaystyle 3x\) must equal \(\displaystyle \frac{\pi}{6}\):

\(\displaystyle 3x = \frac{\pi}{6}\)

Solving for \(\displaystyle x\), you get:

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{\pi}{18}\)

 

Example Question #1 : How To Find A Missing Side With Sine

You have a 30-60-90 triangle. If the hypotenuse length is 8, what is the length of the side opposite the 30 degree angle?

Possible Answers:

3√3

3

4√2

4

4√3

Correct answer:

4

Explanation:

sin(30º) = ½

sine = opposite / hypotenuse

½ = opposite / 8

Opposite = 8 * ½ = 4

Example Question #21 : Sine

If a right triangle has a 30 degree angle, and the opposite leg of the 30 degree angle has a measure of 12, what is the value of the hypotenuse?

Possible Answers:

24

12 * 31/2

12 * 21/2

18

15

Correct answer:

24

Explanation:

Use SOHCAHTOA. Sin(30) = 12/x, then 12/sin(30) = x = 24.

You can also determine the side with a measure of 12 is the smallest side in a 30:60:90 triangle. The hypotenuse would be twice the length of the smallest leg.

Example Question #1 : How To Find A Missing Side With Sine

Circle_chord_2

The radius of the above circle is \(\displaystyle 5\)\(\displaystyle A\) is the center of the circle. \(\displaystyle \angle A = 110^{\circ}\). Find the length of chord \(\displaystyle \overline{BC}\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 7.1\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 8.2\)

\(\displaystyle 9.4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8.2\)

Explanation:

We can solve for the length of the chord by drawing a line the bisects the angle and the chord, shown below as \(\displaystyle \overline{AD}\).

Circle_chord_4

In this circle, we can see the triangle \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ADC\) has a hypotenuse equal to the radius of the circle (\(\displaystyle \overline{AC}\)), an angle \(\displaystyle \theta\) equal to half the angle made by the chord, and a side \(\displaystyle \overline{CD}\) that is half the length of the chord.  By using the sine function, we can solve for \(\displaystyle \overline{CD}\).

\(\displaystyle \sin = \frac{\textup{opposite}}{\textup{hypotenuse}}\)

\(\displaystyle \sin \left ( \theta\right ) = \frac{\overline{CD}}{\overline{AC}}\)

\(\displaystyle \sin \left ( 55^{\circ}\right ) = \frac{\overline{CD}}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle 5\sin \left ( 55^{\circ}\right ) = \overline{CD}\)

\(\displaystyle 4.1 = \overline{CD}\)

The length of the entire chord is twice the length of \(\displaystyle \overline{CD}\), so the entire chord length is \(\displaystyle 8.2\).

Example Question #21 : Sine

Circle_chord_2

The above circle has a radius of \(\displaystyle 8\) and a center at \(\displaystyle A\). \(\displaystyle \angle A = 127^{\circ}\). Find the length of chord \(\displaystyle \overline{BC}\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 7.1\)

\(\displaystyle 16\)

\(\displaystyle 12.8\)

\(\displaystyle 14.3\)

\(\displaystyle 11.3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 14.3\)

Explanation:

We can solve for the length of the chord by drawing a line the bisects the angle and the chord, shown below as \(\displaystyle \overline{AD}\).

Circle_chord_4

In this circle, we can see the triangle \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ADC\) has a hypotenuse equal to the radius of the circle (\(\displaystyle \overline{AC}\)), an angle \(\displaystyle \theta\) equal to half the angle made by the chord, and a side \(\displaystyle \overline{CD}\) that is half the length of the chord.  By using the sine function, we can solve for \(\displaystyle \overline{CD}\).

\(\displaystyle \sin = \frac{\textup{opposite}}{\textup{hypotenuse}}\)

\(\displaystyle \sin \left (\theta\right ) = \frac{\overline{CD}}{\overline{AC}}\)

\(\displaystyle \sin \left ( 63.5^{\circ}\right ) = \frac{\overline{CD}}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle 8\sin \left ( 63.5^{\circ}\right ) = \overline{CD}\)

\(\displaystyle 7.16 = \overline{CD}\)

The length of the entire chord is twice the length of \(\displaystyle \overline{CD}\), so the entire chord length is \(\displaystyle 14.3\).

Example Question #1 : How To Find A Missing Side With Sine

Sin47

What is \(\displaystyle x\) in the right triangle above? Round to the nearest hundredth.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \small 24.54\)

\(\displaystyle \small 21.78\)

\(\displaystyle \small 38.52\)

\(\displaystyle \small 41.93\)

\(\displaystyle \small 31.31\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \small 21.78\)

Explanation:

Recall that the sine of an angle is the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse of that triangle. Thus, for this triangle, we can say:

\(\displaystyle \small sin(27.45)=\frac{x}{47.25}\)

Solving for \(\displaystyle \small x\), we get:

\(\displaystyle \small 47.25*sin(27.45)=x\)

\(\displaystyle \small x=21.7810391968006\) or \(\displaystyle \small 21.78\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find A Missing Side With Sine

A man has set up a ground-level sensor to look from the ground to the top of a \(\displaystyle 30\textup{ foot}\) tall building. The sensor must have an angle of \(\displaystyle 25 . 5$^{\circ}$\) upward to the top of the building. How far is the sensor from the top of the building? Round to the nearest inch.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 69\textup{ feet and 8 inches}\)

\(\displaystyle 33\textup{ feet and 9 inches}\)

\(\displaystyle 10\textup{ feet and }9\textup{ inches}\)

\(\displaystyle 62\textup{ feet and 11 inches}\)

\(\displaystyle 69\textup{ feet and 4 inches}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 69\textup{ feet and 8 inches}\)

Explanation:

Begin by drawing out this scenario using a little right triangle:

Sin30

Note importantly: We are looking for \(\displaystyle \small x\) as the the distance to the top of the building. We know that the sine of an angle is equal to the ratio of the side opposite to that angle to the hypotenuse of the triangle. Thus, for our triangle, we know:

\(\displaystyle \small sin(25.5) =\frac{30}{x}\)

Using your calculator, solve for \(\displaystyle x\):

\(\displaystyle \small \small x=\frac{30}{sin(25.5)}\)

This is \(\displaystyle \small 69.6846149202954\). Now, take the decimal portion in order to find the number of inches involved.

\(\displaystyle \small 0.6846149202954 * 12 = 8.2153790435448\)

 Thus, rounded, your answer is \(\displaystyle \small 69\) feet and \(\displaystyle \small 8\) inches.

Example Question #1 : How To Find A Missing Side With Sine

Below is right triangle \(\displaystyle ABC\) with sides \(\displaystyle a, \: b, \:c\). What is \(\displaystyle \sin(A)\)?

 

Right triangle

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{a}{b}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{c}{a}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{b}{c}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{a}{c}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{b}{a}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{a}{c}\)

Explanation:

Right triangle

To find the sine of an angle, remember the mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA. 
This means that 

\(\displaystyle \textup{sin} = \frac{\textup{opposite}}{\textup{hypotenuse}}\)
\(\displaystyle \cos = \frac{\textup{adjacent}}{\textup{hypotenuse}}\)

\(\displaystyle \tan = \frac{\textup{opposite}}{\textup{adjacent}}\).

We are asked to find the \(\displaystyle \sin(A)\). So at point \(\displaystyle A\) we see that side \(\displaystyle a\) is opposite, and the hypotenuse never changes, so it is always \(\displaystyle c\). Thus we see that 
\(\displaystyle \sin(A) = \frac{a}{c}\)

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