How To Use Sohcahtoa

SOHCAHTOA is strictly for right angle (90 degrees) triangles

It works as a memorisation tool, how it works is:

• 1st letter = function that you would type into calculator
• 2nd letter over the 3rd letter (like a fraction)

SOH

sin (x) = opposite / hypotenuse

CAH

cos (x) = adjacent/ hypotenuse

TOA

tan (x) = opposite / adjacent

Now you have to determine what actually is the opposite, adjacent and hypotenuse sides of the right angle triangle.

Rule of thumb is that

• hypotenuse = the longest side of the triangle
• opposite = the opposite side to the angle that is used as x
• adjacent= the one that aligns with the triangle.