Which side is hypotenuse

In these lessons, we will learn the names of the sides of a right triangle hypotenuse, adjacent, opposite and how they are used in trigonometry. Example: Identify the hypotenuse, adjacent side and opposite side in the following triangle: a for angle x b for angle y. The first part of this video will explain the difference between the hypotenuse, adjacent and opposite sides of a right triangle. The Pythagorean Theorem helps us calculate the hypotenuse of a right triangle if we know the sides of the triangle.

There are more advanced trigonometric functions that allow us to calculate the third side of a triangle, even non-right triangles, given a particular degree angle and side length. But either way, practice applying the Pythagorean Theorem until you feel confident with right triangles. Then, you can learn how to find the third side of any triangle.

To use the site, please enable JavaScript in your browser and reload the page. Enable contrast version. TutorMe Blog. It defines the relationship among the three sides of a right triangle.

It states that the square of the hypotenuse the side opposite the right angle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Although it is often said that the knowledge of the theorem predates him, [2] the theorem is named after the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras c.

He is credited with its first recorded proof. Find the other side length. Find the length of the hypotenuse. Recognize how trigonometric functions are used for solving problems about right triangles, and identify their inputs and outputs. The adjacent side is the side closest to the angle. The hypotenuse is the side of the triangle opposite the right angle, and it is the longest. When solving for a missing side of a right triangle, but the only given information is an acute angle measurement and a side length, use the trigonometric functions listed below:.

The trigonometric functions are equal to ratios that relate certain side lengths of a right triangle. When solving for a missing side, the first step is to identify what sides and what angle are given, and then select the appropriate function to use to solve the problem. Sometimes you know the length of one side of a triangle and an angle, and need to find other measurements. The ratio of the sides would be the opposite side and the hypotenuse.