In a right triangle, the side adjacent to angle θ is 12 and the hypotenuse is 13. Find cos(θ).
Solution
Problem
In a right triangle, the side adjacent to angle θ is 12 and the hypotenuse is 13. Find cos(θ).
For a right triangle, cosine compares the length of the side adjacent to the angle to the length of the hypotenuse.
Use the cosine ratio:
cos(θ) = adjacent / hypotenuse
The adjacent side is 12 and the hypotenuse is 13, so:
cos(θ) = 12 / 13
The fraction cannot be simplified further.
Therefore, cos(θ) = 12/13.
Result
cos(θ) = 12/13