Using the acronym CAH, which trigonometric ratio does it represent?

Using the acronym CAH, which trigonometric ratio does it represent?

• A. Opposite/Hypotenuse
• B. Adjacent/Hypotenuse
• C. Adjacent/Opposite
• D. Hypotenuse/Opposite

Answer: (B)

The acronym CAH stands for "Cosine = Adjacent over Hypotenuse." In trigonometry, particularly in the context of right triangles, the sides of the triangle have specific roles depending on the angle being considered. When you look at a right triangle, the side adjacent to the angle of interest is compared to the longest side of the triangle, which is the hypotenuse. The adjacent side is the one that forms the angle with the hypotenuse, while the opposite side is the one that does not touch that angle. Thus, in the context of the CAH acronym, it accurately describes the cosine ratio, which is defined as the length of the adjacent side divided by the length of the hypotenuse. Understanding this ratio is crucial for solving problems in trigonometry involving right triangles, as well as for applications that require calculating unknown sides or angles.

The acronym CAH stands for "Cosine = Adjacent over Hypotenuse." In trigonometry, particularly in the context of right triangles, the sides of the triangle have specific roles depending on the angle being considered.

When you look at a right triangle, the side adjacent to the angle of interest is compared to the longest side of the triangle, which is the hypotenuse. The adjacent side is the one that forms the angle with the hypotenuse, while the opposite side is the one that does not touch that angle.

Thus, in the context of the CAH acronym, it accurately describes the cosine ratio, which is defined as the length of the adjacent side divided by the length of the hypotenuse. Understanding this ratio is crucial for solving problems in trigonometry involving right triangles, as well as for applications that require calculating unknown sides or angles.