Introduction to Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Ratios

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video serves as a comprehensive introduction to the foundational concepts of trigonometry, specifically focusing on the sine, cosine, and tangent ratios within right triangles. The narrator guides viewers through the process of identifying the key components of a right triangle—the hypotenuse, opposite side, and adjacent side—and emphasizes how these labels change depending on which acute angle is being referenced. This distinction is critical for students beginning their study of trigonometry and is demonstrated clearly with visual animations. The video introduces the mnemonic "SOH CAH TOA" as a memory aid for the three primary trigonometric ratios. Step-by-step examples demonstrate how to calculate these ratios using specific side lengths (3-4-5 and 8-15-17 triangles). The content covers the definitions of sine (opposite/hypotenuse), cosine (adjacent/hypotenuse), and tangent (opposite/adjacent), and introduces the Greek letter theta as a symbol for an unknown angle. For educators, this video is an excellent resource for introducing high school geometry or trigonometry units. It addresses common student misconceptions about side labeling and provides structured practice opportunities where students can pause and test their understanding. The visual clarity of the animations helps demystify the abstract relationships between angles and sides, making it a valuable tool for flipped classrooms or review sessions.