How do I know which sides are the Adjacent, Opposite and Hypotenuse for trigonometry?

The hypotenuse is the easiest to spot - it's always the longest side, and it's across from the right angle in the triangle. This leaves two others: the adjacent side is the side that is next to the acute angle the question is concerned with, and the opposite side is the side that's literally opposite that angle.

TO
Answered by Ted O. Maths tutor

5129 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How would I simplify (3x^2 − 8x − 3)/(2x^2 −6x) fully?


​What's the difference between the mean, median and mode? Why are there so many different types of average?!


Work out the value 125^(-2/3) (A* Exam Q)


Solve this pair of simultaneous equations: 3x + 2y = 4 and 2x + y = 3


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning