Hey everybody, I've been kinda brushing up on my math skills for the SATs. I came across some trig stuff and there's something called a 30 degree angle triangle. Anyone know if this is a common example in SAT Math? Do I need to understand it well? Thanks in advance.
Yes, 30-60-90 triangles are indeed prevalent in the SATs, particularly in the Math section. This special triangle is often featured in geometry and trigonometry questions. As such, understanding how 30-60-90 triangles work can be beneficial for your SATs preparation.
Here are some crucial points you should remember about 30-60-90 triangles:
1. The angles in a 30-60-90 triangle, as the name suggests, are 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees.
2. The sides of a 30-60-90 triangle have a unique ratio. If the shortest side (opposite the 30-degree angle) is of length x, then the length of the hypotenuse (opposite the 90-degree angle) will be 2x, and the length of the other leg (opposite the 60-degree angle) will be x√3.
In essence, mastering the characteristics of the 30-60-90 triangle (and other commonly appearing geometric properties) can help you in solving problems more quickly and effectively on the SAT Math section. It's not only practical for trigonometry questions but is also relevant when it comes to the geometry-based ones.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.