Special Right Triangles Terms

• The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem says if a triangle has side lengths a, b, and c, and a^2 + b^2 = c^2, then it's a right triangle
• To find if a triangle is acute, a^2 + b^2 > c^2 must be true; GA is for Greater Acute
• To find if a triangle is obtuse, a^2 + b^2 < c^2 must be true; LO is for Less Obtuse
• 45-45-90 Theorem says that the hypotenuse = leg x root (2)
• 30-60-90 Theorem says the hypotenuse = 2 x the shorter leg; the longer leg = shorter leg x root (3)
• If you don't know which leg is longer/shorter use Angle Opposite Longer Side Theorem
• The hypotenuse is the LONGEST side of a right triangle
• Sine is opposite (leg) over hypotenuse. Tangent is opposite over adjacent (leg). Cosine is adjacent over hypotenuse. Use SOHCAHTOA to remember.
• Inverse trigonometry is finding the measures of angles in triangles.
• Solving a right triangle is finding the measures of all its sides and angles. You can solve one if you know two side lengths or one side length and the measure of one acute angle.
• The angle of elevation is the angle when you look up an object and your line of sight makes a horizontal line. The angle of depression is the angle when you look down at an object and your line of sight makes a horizontal line.