Trig Ratios: Dynamic Right Triangle Side Ratios and Angles

Trig Ratios: Dynamic Right Triangle Side Ratios and Angles
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2016-05-01 07:33
This GeoGebra example dynamically demonstrates the trigonometric ratios (sine, cosine, tangent) in a right triangle, showing how the ratios of side lengths change as the angle varies. It visualizes the fundamental definitions of trigonometric functions using similar triangles and angle-side relationships. The construction uses commands such as Line, OrthogonalLine, Point, Polygon, Dilate, Angle, and Distance to build the triangle, measure sides, and label angles. Text objects display real-time values of ratios like opposite/hypotenuse, adjacent/hypotenuse, and opposite/adjacent. Suitable for middle school or high school students learning introductory trigonometry, and useful for teachers to illustrate the connection between geometric ratios and trigonometric functions.

GeoGebra Commands & Parameters

  1. Line(A, B) → f
  2. OrthogonalLine(A, f) → g
  3. Point(g) → C
  4. Polygon(A, B, C) → poly1, AB, BC, AC
  5. Dilate(A, 0.5, D) → A'
  6. Dilate(B, 0.5, D) → B'
  7. Dilate(C, 0.5, D) → C'
  8. Polygon(A', B', C') → poly1', A'B', B'C', A'C'
  9. Angle(poly1) → α, β, γ
  10. Angle(poly1') → δ, ε, ζ
  11. Distance(C', B') → C'B'