ClipArt ETC
Illustration of acute angle theta as part of a right triangle.

Acute Angle Theta

Illustration of acute angle theta as part of a right triangle.

Coordinate axis with angle XOP equal to theta, Θ, and angle XOQ=180 - Θ. From any point in the terminal side of XOP, as B, a perpendicular can be drawn, AB, to the x-axis; and from D, any point in the terminal side o f XOQ, perpendicular CD can be drawn to the x-axis. The right triangles OAB and OCD are similar. Also, OA, AB, OB, CD, and OD are positive, while OC is negative.

Coordinate Axis With Angles, Lines, and Perpendiculars Drawn

Coordinate axis with angle XOP equal to theta, Θ, and angle XOQ=180 - Θ. From any point in the terminal…

Angle XOP=Θ and angle XOQ=- Θ. From a point in the terminal side of each a perpendicular line is drawn to the x-axis. The right triangles OAB and OAC thus formed are similar, and have all their sides positive except AC, which is negative.

Coordinate Axis With Perpendiculars Drawn To Form Similar Right Triangles From Positive and Negative Theta, Θ

Angle XOP=Θ and angle XOQ=- Θ. From a point in the terminal side of each a perpendicular line is drawn…

Angle XOP=Θ and angle XOQ=90+Θ. From a point in the terminal side of each a perpendicular line is drawn to the x-axis. The right triangles AOB and OCD thus formed are similar, and have all their sides positive except OC

Coordinate Axis With Perpendiculars Drawn To Form Similar Right Triangles

Angle XOP=Θ and angle XOQ=90+Θ. From a point in the terminal side of each a perpendicular line is…

Right triangle OCB that can be used to show the relationships between x, y, r, and Θ.

Right Triangle OCB With, x, y, and r shown

Right triangle OCB that can be used to show the relationships between x, y, r, and Θ.