Triangle Trigonometry
1. Let's start by stating the problem: We want to understand and derive the fundamental trigonometric equations related to triangles.
2. Consider a right triangle with an angle $\theta$. The sides are labeled as follows: the side opposite $\theta$ is $a$, the adjacent side is $b$, and the hypotenuse is $c$.
3. The primary trigonometric functions are defined as ratios of these sides:
- Sine: $\sin(\theta) = \frac{a}{c}$
- Cosine: $\cos(\theta) = \frac{b}{c}$
- Tangent: $\tan(\theta) = \frac{a}{b}$
4. From these definitions, we can derive the Pythagorean identity. Since $c$ is the hypotenuse, by the Pythagorean theorem:
$$a^2 + b^2 = c^2$$
Dividing both sides by $c^2$ gives:
$$\left(\frac{a}{c}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{b}{c}\right)^2 = 1$$
Which means:
$$\sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1$$
5. Next, we derive the tangent identity using sine and cosine:
$$\tan(\theta) = \frac{\sin(\theta)}{\cos(\theta)}$$
6. For the other trigonometric functions:
- Cosecant: $\csc(\theta) = \frac{1}{\sin(\theta)} = \frac{c}{a}$
- Secant: $\sec(\theta) = \frac{1}{\cos(\theta)} = \frac{c}{b}$
- Cotangent: $\cot(\theta) = \frac{1}{\tan(\theta)} = \frac{b}{a}$
7. These identities are fundamental in solving problems involving triangles and oscillatory phenomena.
Final answer: The key triangle trigonometric equations are:
$$\sin(\theta) = \frac{a}{c}, \quad \cos(\theta) = \frac{b}{c}, \quad \tan(\theta) = \frac{a}{b}$$
and the Pythagorean identity:
$$\sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1$$