Question

Explain the difference between using the cosine ratio to solve for a missing angle in a right triangle versus using the secant ratio. You must use complete sentences and any evidence needed (such as an example) to prove your point of view.

Answer 1

Explanation:

In trigonometry, secant in a right triangle, is the reciprocal of the cosine of an angle symbol: sec while cosine is in a right triangle, is the ratio of the length of the side adjacent to an acute angle to the length of the hypotenuse.

The cosine of an angle is the ratio of the length of the side adjacent to the angle divided by the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle. The cosine of ∠A will be abbreviated as cos ∠A

The secant of x is 1 divided by the cosine of x: sec x = 1 cos x , and the cosecant of x is defined to be 1 divided by the sine of x: csc x = 1 sin x .

Answer 2

Cosine is:

• cos x = adjacent leg / hypotenuse

Secant is:

• sec x = hypotenuse / adjacent leg

or

• sec x = 1/cos x

Both refer to the same (adjacent) angle therefore cosine is used more often than secant.