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Foundation - Pythagoras' theorem and trigonometry
infoWhy this? We are teaching this unit so that pupils can use Pythagoras’ Theorem and trigonometric ratios to calculate unknown sides and angles, interpret right-angled triangles in different contexts, and solve geometric problems accurately
scheduleWhy now? We are teaching it now in Year 10 so that pupils can apply these skills across their current work on geometry, measures and bearings, and develop confidence with the right-angled trigonometry that underpins many real-life and examination problems
neurologyYou need to know
- Pythagoras' Theorem states that, in a right-angled triangle, the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides equals the square of the hypotenuse: `a^2 + b^2 = c^2`.
- The hypotenuse is the longest side of a right-angled triangle and is always opposite the right angle.
- Pythagoras' Theorem only applies to right-angled triangles.
- To find the hypotenuse, add the squares of the two shorter sides and take the square root: `c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}`.
- To find a shorter side, subtract the square of the other shorter side from the square of the hypotenuse and take the square root: `a = \sqrt{c^2 - b^2}`.
- The converse of Pythagoras' Theorem says that if the square of the longest side equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides, then the triangle is right-angled.
- If the square of the longest side is not equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides, then the triangle is not right-angled.
- On a coordinate grid, the horizontal distance between two points is the difference between their `x`-coordinates, and the vertical distance is the difference between their `y`-coordinates.
- The length of a line segment between two points on a coordinate grid can be found by using the horizontal and vertical distances as the shorter sides of a right-angled triangle.
- In a right-angled triangle, the side opposite an angle is directly across from that angle, and the adjacent side is next to that angle but is not the hypotenuse.
- The sine ratio is `\sin(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}`.
- The cosine ratio is `\cos(\theta) = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}`.
- The tangent ratio is `\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}`.
- Inverse trigonometric functions are used to find missing angles: `\sin^{-1}`, `\cos^{-1}` and `\tan^{-1}`.
- The exact values are `\sin 30^\circ = \frac{1}{2}`, `\cos 30^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}`, `\tan 30^\circ = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}`, `\sin 45^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}`, `\cos 45^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}`, `\tan 45^\circ = 1`, `\sin 60^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}`, `\cos 60^\circ = \frac{1}{2}` and `\tan 60^\circ = \sqrt{3}`.
- A bearing is an angle measured clockwise from north and is usually written as a three-figure angle, such as `047^\circ` or `125^\circ`.
rocket_launchYou must be able to
- Identify the hypotenuse in a right-angled triangle as the side opposite the right angle before substituting values into Pythagoras' Theorem.
- Calculate the hypotenuse by squaring both shorter sides, adding the results, and square rooting the total.
- Calculate a shorter side by squaring the hypotenuse and the known shorter side, subtracting the smaller square from the larger square, and square rooting the result.
- Determine whether a triangle is right-angled by identifying the longest side and checking whether its square equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
- Find the length of a line segment on a coordinate grid by forming a right-angled triangle from the horizontal and vertical differences and applying Pythagoras' Theorem.
- Label the opposite, adjacent and hypotenuse sides accurately in relation to the given angle in a right-angled triangle.
- Select and apply the correct trigonometric ratio to find a missing side length, rearranging the equation correctly and rounding only at the final step.
- Select and apply the correct inverse trigonometric function to find a missing angle, using the known pair of sides and giving the answer in degrees.
- Use exact trigonometric values for `30^\circ`, `45^\circ` and `60^\circ` to calculate missing sides or angles without rounding decimals.
- Model worded problems, including bearings, by drawing and labelling a right-angled triangle, then choosing Pythagoras' Theorem, a trigonometric ratio, or a combination of both to find the required measurement.
Revision Quiz
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