Are Trigonometric functions only for right triangles?
2 Answers
Yes it is but for other triangles you can create right triangles to use them.
Explanation:
For Trigonometric functions to work you need a hypotenuse, which you can only get in right triangles.
When you are dealing with triangles other than right triangles, the solution is to draw a perpendicular line to create right triangles. For more information just visit the source below.
Source: Math-Prof
Not only. see explanation.
Explanation:
Although most often trigonometric functions are used with right triangles there are some situations when they can be used for any type of triangle.
Examples:
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If you have two sides given and an angle between them you can use the trigonometric functions the Law of Cosines to calculate the third side.
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You can calculate the triangle's area using
#A=1/2xxaxxbxxsin alpha # . You do not need to calculate the height, only two sides and the angle between them.