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Maths•SHS Core Mathematics

Trigonometry

Senior High 5 questions
AI-drafted from platform data — specialist review scheduledBy DigiTransact Mastermind editorial teamLast updated
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What trigonometry means

You use the ratios of opposite, adjacent and hypotenuse to find missing sides or angles in right-angled triangles. This helps you solve geometry questions and supports later work on exam-style problems.

What you will practise

  • Identify opposite, adjacent and hypotenuse sides correctly
  • Choose sine, cosine or tangent for each question
  • Work out missing side lengths from given measurements
  • Find simple angle values from trigonometric ratios
  • Check answers using a calculator in degree mode

Before you start

You should already be able to recognise parts of a right-angled triangle and measure angles in degrees. Basic calculator use is also important.

Not confident yet? Work through Quadratic equations first.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

In a right-angled triangle, sine of an angle equals:

  • adjacent over hypotenuse
  • opposite over hypotenuse
  • opposite over adjacent
  • hypotenuse over opposite
Answer: opposite over hypotenuse

Working: SOH: Sine equals Opposite divided by Hypotenuse.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Mixing up opposite and adjacent sides. Label the triangle from the chosen angle before using a ratio.
  • Using the wrong trigonometric ratio. Match sine, cosine or tangent to the sides needed.
  • Forgetting the triangle must be right-angled. Check for the 90 degree angle first.
  • Leaving the calculator in radian mode. Set it to degrees for school triangle questions.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES SHS syllabusWASSCE

This topic normally appears in SHS mathematics work on triangle ratios and right-angled triangle problems. It is also useful for WASSCE preparation, where clear use of sine, cosine and tangent often appears in structured questions.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.

Related skills

Other SHS Core Mathematics skills in Maths, at the same point in the course.

Other Maths topics

Picture Addition & SubtractionEarly NumeracyNumber BasicsUniversity MathematicsAlgebraGeometry

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Exams that assess trigonometry

Senior High work on this skill feeds directly into these exam papers. Each page lists the Maths topics that appear on it.

WASSCEWASSCE practice questionsFree WASSCE practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.GESGES practice questionsFree GES practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.BECEBECE practice questionsListed as a related subject on the BECE practice page.

How this page was produced

This text was drafted with AI assistance from the questions and topics already stored on the platform. A subject-specialist review is scheduled but has not yet been recorded, so we do not claim it here.

Written by
DigiTransact Mastermind editorial team
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5 questions with a worked answer after every attempt, and a SmartScore that tracks how close you are to mastery.

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