Trigonometric

Applications and Models

Trigonometric Functions on a Calculator

Example 1: Calculate sin 40 .

Set the calculator in degree mode.
Calculator keystrokes: sin 40 =
Display: 0.6427876

Example 2: Calculate sec 40 .

Calculator keystrokes: 1 cos 40 =
Display: 1.3054072
Solving Right Triangles
Solving a right triangle means to find the lengths of the
sides and the measures of the angles of a right triangle.
Some information is usually given.
a
a
θ θ θ
a
• an angle θ and a side a,
a a
b b
a b
• or two sides, a and b.
Solving A Right Triangle Given an Angle and a Side
Solve the right triangle.
The third angle is 60 , the complement 5
30○
of 30 . Use the values of the
trigonometric functions of 30o.
1 op
Since = sin 30 = = 5 , it follows that hyp = 10.
2 phyp hyp
To get the last side, note that 10 60○
3 adj 5
= cos 30 = ; 30○
2 10
therefore, adj = 5 3 5 3
Example 1:
A bridge is to be constructed across a small river from post A
to post B. A surveyor walks 100 feet due south of post A. She
sights on both posts from this location and finds that the angle
between the posts is 73 . Find the distance across the river from
post A to post B.
Post A x Post B
Use a calculator to find
tan 73o = 3.27. 100 ft.
opp x 73 ○
3.27 = tan 73 = =
adj 100
It follows that x = 327.

The distance across the river from post A to post B is 327 feet.
Inverse Trigonometric Functions on a Calculator
Labels for sin−1, cos−1, and tan−1 are usually written
above the sin, cos, and tan keys.
Inverse functions are often accessed by using a key
that maybe be labeled SHIFT, INV, or 2nd. Check the
manual for your calculator.

Example:
Find the acute angle θ for which cos θ = 0.25.
Calculator keystrokes: (SHIFT) cos−1 0.25 =
Display: 75.22487
Solving a Right Triangle Given Two Sides
Solve the right triangle shown. 5
Solve for the hypotenuse: θ
hyp2 = 62 + 52 = 61 6
hyp = 61 = 7.8102496
61 50.2○
Solve for θ : 5
opp 5 5
tan θ = = and θ = tan ( ).
-1 39.8○
adj 6 6
6
Calculator Keystrokes: (SHIFT) tan−1 ( 5 6)
Display: 39.805571
Subtract to calculate the third angle:
90 − 39.805571 = 50.194428 .
Angle of Elevation and Angle of Depression
When an observer is looking upward, the angle formed
by a horizontal line and the line of sight is called the:

angle of elevation. line of sight object

observer angle of elevation
horizontal

When an observer is looking downward, the angle formed

by a horizontal line and the line of sight is called the:

observer horizontal
angle of depression. angle of depression
line of sight
object
 Example 2:
A ship at sea is sighted by an observer at the edge of a cliff
42 m high. The angle of depression to the ship is 16 . What
is the distance from the ship to the base of the cliff?

observer horizontal
cliff 16○ angle of depression
42 m line of sight

16○
ship
d
42
d= = 146.47.
tan 16°
The ship is 146 m from the base of the cliff.
Example 3:
A house painter plans to use a 16 foot ladder to reach a spot
14 feet up on the side of a house. A warning sticker on the
ladder says it cannot be used safely at more than a 60 angle
of inclination. Does the painter’s plan satisfy the safety
requirements for the use of the ladder?
ladder
14 16 house
sin θ = = 0.875 14
16
θ
Next use the inverse sine function to find θ.
θ = sin−1(0.875) = 61.044975

The angle formed by the ladder and the ground is about 61 .

The painter’s plan is unsafe!