Cosine Ratio (CAH)

Master the cosine ratio and learn how to find missing sides and angles using adjacent and hypotenuse.

Advanced25 minLesson

Printable worksheet

Definition

The cosine of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse.

The mnemonic CAH helps you remember:

C = Cosine
A = Adjacent
H = Hypotenuse

For example, in a right triangle where the angle is :

This means the adjacent side is exactly half the length of the hypotenuse.

Try it now

In a right triangle, the cosine of an angle equals:

Worked Examples

A support cable is meters long and makes a angle with the ground. How far from the base of the pole does it anchor into the ground?

Identify the known values

Angle = , Hypotenuse (cable) = m, Unknown = Adjacent (ground distance) → Set up the problem

Write the cosine formula

→ Formula ready

Find

→

Solve for the adjacent side

m → meters

Answer: The cable anchors approximately meters from the base of the pole.

Common Mistakes

Confusing adjacent and opposite sides

Why it's wrong: The adjacent and opposite sides depend on which angle you're working with. The adjacent side is always next to your angle (not the hypotenuse).

Correct: Always identify your reference angle first. Adjacent is the side that forms the angle with the hypotenuse (touches the angle but isn't the hypotenuse).

Using cosine when you should use a different ratio

Why it's wrong: Cosine only involves the adjacent and hypotenuse. If you know the opposite side, you need sine or tangent.

Correct: Check which sides you know: Adjacent + Hypotenuse → Cosine, Opposite + Hypotenuse → Sine, Opposite + Adjacent → Tangent.

Forgetting that and

Why it's wrong: At 0°, the adjacent side equals the hypotenuse (ratio = 1). At 90°, the adjacent side has length 0.

Correct: Remember: as the angle increases from 0° to 90°, cosine decreases from 1 to 0. This is opposite to sine!

Mixing up sine and cosine values for complementary angles

Why it's wrong: and because they are complementary angles.

Correct: For complementary angles: . This is called the cofunction identity.

Interactive Visual

Right Triangle Trigonometry

θ =30°

5°45°85°

sin(θ)

0.5

Opp / Hyp

cos(θ)

√3/2

Adj / Hyp

tan(θ)

√3/3

Opp / Adj

Explore how the cosine ratio (adjacent/hypotenuse) changes with the angle.

Interactive Sandbox

Expression Calculator

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Practice Problems

15 problems

Problem 1 of 15

Easy

In a right triangle, the cosine of an angle equals:

Why It Matters

The cosine ratio is essential for solving problems involving horizontal distances and angles:

Architecture: Calculating horizontal spans of roofs and bridges
Navigation: Finding horizontal distances when given an angle and total distance
Physics: Analyzing horizontal components of forces and motion
Engineering: Designing support structures and calculating load distributions
Surveying: Measuring horizontal distances across terrain

Whenever you need to find the horizontal component or work with the adjacent side in a right triangle, cosine is your key tool.

Real World Applications

Shadow Length Calculations

Architects and solar engineers use the cosine ratio to calculate shadow lengths cast by buildings and structures.

Example:

When the sun is at a angle of elevation, a meter tall building casts a shadow. The horizontal distance from the building to the shadow tip involves the cosine ratio.

1Try It Yourself

A tree is meters tall. The sun is at a angle of elevation. A line from the treetop to the tip of its shadow is meters long.

What is the length of the shadow?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Use cosine: shadow =

Navigation and Distance

Pilots and ship captains use cosine to calculate horizontal distances when traveling at an angle.

Example:

When a helicopter travels km at a climb angle, the horizontal distance covered is calculated using cosine.

2Try It Yourself

A hiker walks km up a hill that slopes at to the horizontal. How much horizontal distance has the hiker covered?

What is the horizontal distance?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Horizontal distance =

Key Takeaways

1Cosine equals adjacent divided by hypotenuse:
2Remember CAH: Cosine = Adjacent / Hypotenuse
3To find the adjacent: multiply hypotenuse by
4To find the hypotenuse: divide adjacent by
5To find the angle: use inverse cosine
6Special values: , , , ,

Frequently Asked Questions

The word 'cosine' is short for 'complementary sine.' It was named because . The cosine of an angle equals the sine of its complement.

Glossary

Cosine: The ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle:
Adjacent side: The side of a right triangle that is next to the reference angle (not the hypotenuse)
Hypotenuse: The longest side of a right triangle, always opposite the right angle
Inverse cosine: The function (arccos) that finds an angle when you know its cosine value
Cofunction identity: The relationship , showing that cosine and sine are complementary functions

Formula Card

Cosine definition

The ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse

Find adjacent

Multiply hypotenuse by cosine to find the adjacent side

Find hypotenuse

Divide adjacent by cosine to find the hypotenuse

Find angle

Use inverse cosine (arccos) to find the angle

Special value: cos(0)

Cosine of 0 degrees equals 1

Special value: cos(30)

Cosine of 30 degrees equals square root of 3 over 2

Special value: cos(45)

Cosine of 45 degrees equals square root of 2 over 2

Special value: cos(60)

Cosine of 60 degrees equals one-half