Question

A right triangle has side lengths 5, 12, and 13 as shown below.

Use these lengths to find sin M, tan M, and cos M.

Answer 1

sin M =
`(12)/(13)`, tan M =
`(12)/(5)`, cos M =
`(5)/(13)`

Explanation:

The sine of an angle is equal to
`(opposite)/(hypotenuse)`. The opposite (opposite from the angle) side is 12 and the hypotenuse is 13.

The tangent of an angle is equal to
`(opposite)/(adjacent)`. The opposite side is 12 and the adjacent (next to the angle) side is 5.

The cosine of an angle is equal to
`(adjacent)/(hypotenuse)`. The adjacent (next to the angle) side is 5 and the hypotenuse is 13.