MCQsLearnSAT

Geometry And Trigonometry · Right Triangle Trigonometry Sine Cosine Tangent

SAT Right Triangle Trigonometry Sine Cosine Tangent Practice Questions (Free + Explanations) | Quiz 2

Question 12345 of 5

Question 1 of 5

The table shows measurements for a right triangle.

What is the length of the side opposite ?

Explanation

Use the sine ratio for a right triangle: . Since and the hypotenuse is 10,

Because ,

Multiply both sides by 10:

So the correct answer is 5.

Concept summary

In a right triangle, . When the angle and hypotenuse are known, multiply the hypotenuse by the sine of the angle to find the opposite side.

Question 2 of 5

A ladder leans against a vertical wall, forming a right triangle with the ground. The ladder is 10 feet long, and the angle between the ladder and the ground is . Which statement must be true?

Explanation

The ladder, wall, and ground form a right triangle. Since the ladder makes a angle with the ground, the ladder is the hypotenuse and the height up the wall is the side opposite the angle. Using sine,

Multiplying both sides by 10 gives

Therefore, the statement that must be true is choice A.

Concept summary

In a right triangle, , , and . Identify which side is opposite, adjacent, or the hypotenuse relative to the given angle.

Question 3 of 5

A tree casts a shadow that is 24 feet long. At the same time of day, the angle of elevation from the tip of the shadow to the top of the tree is . Approximately how tall is the tree?

Explanation

The height of the tree and the shadow form a right triangle. From the tip of the shadow, the angle of elevation to the top of the tree is . In this triangle, the height of the tree is opposite the angle, and the shadow length of 24 feet is adjacent to the angle. Use tangent: . Since , we get , so . The tree is 24 feet tall.

Concept summary

In a right triangle, . For a angle, , so the opposite side equals the adjacent side.

Question 4 of 5

A hiking trail rises at a constant angle of above the horizontal. If a hiker walks 200 feet along the trail, about how many feet of vertical elevation does the hiker gain?

Explanation

The 200 feet is the distance along the trail, so it represents the hypotenuse of a right triangle. The vertical elevation gain is the side opposite the angle. Using sine,

So,

Since ,

This is about 62 feet, so the correct answer is .

Concept summary

Use sine when you know an angle and the hypotenuse and need the opposite side: .

Question 5 of 5

In right triangle , angle is . If and side , what is the length of side ?

Explanation

Since angle is , the legs of the triangle are and . Relative to angle , the opposite side is and the adjacent side is . Therefore,

Substitute the given values:

Cross-multiply:

Then divide by 5:

So the correct answer is .

Concept summary

Use tangent in a right triangle as , then solve the resulting proportion for the unknown side.

Your results

0of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

500-550

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

1of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

500-550

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

2of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

600-650

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

3of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

600-650

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

4of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

700+

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

5of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

700+

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice