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4.2 Right Triangles & Trigonometry - Trig ratios (sin, cos, tan) in right triangles
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  • Angle upper C is a right angle.
  • The length of side upper A upper B is 171.
  • The length of side upper B upper C is 35.
  • A note indies the figure is not drawn to scale.

In the right triangle shown, what is the value of sinA?

A.

1 171

B.

35 171

C.

171 35

D.

171

Angle upper C is a right angle. The length of side upper A upper B is

Medium-difficulty · SAT Math · Right Triangles & Trigonometry — Trig ratios (sin, cos, tan) in right triangles. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice B is correct. The sine of an acute angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the side opposite that angle to the length of the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is the side opposite the right angle. In right triangle A B C , side B C is the side opposite angle A and side A B is the hypotenuse. It's given that the length of side B C is 35 units and the length of side A B is 171 units. Therefore, the value of sinA is 35 171 .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the ratio of the length of the hypotenuse to the length of the side opposite angle A rather than the ratio of the length of the side opposite angle A to the length of the hypotenuse.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the length of the hypotenuse rather than sinA.

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