Question bank / Right triangles and trigonometry

Math · Geometry and TrigonometryEasy

A right triangle has legs of length 55 and 1212. What is the sine of the angle opposite the side of length 55?

A

512\frac{5}{12}

B

513\frac{5}{13}

C

1213\frac{12}{13}

D

135\frac{13}{5}

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B

The hypotenuse is 52+122=169=13\sqrt{5^2 + 12^2} = \sqrt{169} = 13. Sine is the opposite side over the hypotenuse, so the sine of the angle opposite the side of length 55 is 513\frac{5}{13}.

Choice A is the tangent of the angle (opposite over adjacent), not the sine.

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