basic trigonometry question

Question

In the khan academy problems for basic trigonometry, there is a triamgle with a 90 degree angle and numbers for a,b, and c but it doesn't tell you which angle is the angle in the problem so it is impossible to figure out which side is the hypotenuse, opposite, and adjecant sides of the triangle. Is there a way to figure out which corner is the angle in the problem or is it done randomly in the problems made?

Answer 1

The hypotenuse, c,  is always the longest side of the right triangle (a triangle with one angle being 90 degrees).   The hypotenuse is the only side that is opposite to the 90 degree angle of the right triangle.  This makes the other sides of the right triangle a and b.  The smallest side of the triangle is always opposite to the smallest angle.  Since you now know the location of the hypotenuse and the smallest side, you should be able to map out where the second smallest side is located.