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Why is "SohCahToa" useful in physics?

1. It helps you remember how to determine the relationship between the length of the two relevant sides and the angle

2. It helps you remember which letters of the alphabet are used in the Pythagorean theorem

3. It helps you remember how to calculate the mass of a moving object

4. It helps you remember how to pronounce the name of an important physicist

1 answer

The correct answer is:

  1. It helps you remember how to determine the relationship between the length of the two relevant sides and the angle.

"SohCahToa" is a mnemonic for remembering the definitions of the sine, cosine, and tangent trigonometric functions in relation to the sides of a right triangle. Specifically:

  • Soh: Sine = Opposite / Hypotenuse
  • Cah: Cosine = Adjacent / Hypotenuse
  • Toa: Tangent = Opposite / Adjacent

These relationships are useful in physics for solving problems involving right triangles, such as those found in mechanics, wave motion, and other areas where angles and distances are involved.