1. What is a Right Triangle Calculator Sides?

Definition: This calculator computes the lengths of the sides (a and b) of a right triangle when given the hypotenuse and one angle.

Purpose: It helps in geometry, trigonometry, and various engineering applications where right triangle calculations are needed.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the trigonometric formulas:

Where:

• \( a \) — Adjacent side to angle θ (meters)
• \( b \) — Opposite side to angle θ (meters)
• \( hyp \) — Hypotenuse (meters)
• \( \theta \) — Angle in degrees (between 0° and 90°)

Explanation: The hypotenuse is multiplied by the cosine of the angle to get the adjacent side, and by the sine to get the opposite side.

3. Importance of Right Triangle Calculations

Details: These calculations are fundamental in construction, navigation, physics, and computer graphics for determining distances and angles.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the hypotenuse length (must be > 0) and angle (must be between 0° and 90°). The calculator will compute both sides.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my angle is exactly 0° or 90°?
A: At 0°, side a equals the hypotenuse and side b equals 0. At 90°, side b equals the hypotenuse and side a equals 0.

Q2: Can I use this for non-right triangles?
A: No, this calculator is specifically for right triangles. For other triangles, use the Law of Sines or Cosines.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: The calculator works with any consistent units (meters, feet, etc.), but results will be in the same units as your input.

Q4: How precise are the results?
A: Results are precise to 3 decimal places, but remember that real-world measurements have their own limitations.

Q5: What if I know two sides but not the hypotenuse?
A: Use the Pythagorean theorem (\( hyp = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \)) to find the hypotenuse first.