What is the sine ratio in a right-angled triangle?

The sine ratio in a right-angled triangle is the length of the opposite side divided by the hypotenuse.

In a right-angled triangle, the sine ratio is a fundamental concept in trigonometry. It is used to relate the angles of the triangle to the lengths of its sides. Specifically, for any given angle (other than the right angle), the sine of that angle is defined as the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse, which is the longest side of the triangle.

To put it into a formula, if we have a right-angled triangle with an angle \( \theta \), the sine ratio is written as:
\[ \sin(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}} \]

For example, if you have a right-angled triangle where the side opposite the angle \( \theta \) is 3 units long and the hypotenuse is 5 units long, then:
\[ \sin(\theta) = \frac{3}{5} = 0.6 \]

Understanding the sine ratio is crucial for solving problems involving right-angled triangles, such as finding missing side lengths or angles. It is also a stepping stone to more advanced topics in trigonometry, such as the sine rule and the study of sine waves. Remember, the sine ratio only applies to right-angled triangles, and it is one of the three primary trigonometric ratios, the others being cosine and tangent.

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