- A1
- B
- C2
- D
Step-by-Step Solution
Equal legs make both acute angles 45°, so sin θ = cos θ = . Their sum is (about 1.41), not 1.
Answer: D)
A right triangle has its two legs equal in length. For one of its acute angles θ, what is the value of sin θ + cos θ?
Class 10Introduction to TrigonometryTrigonometry
Key idea: Why ratios — and not lengths
Two right triangles with the same acute angle θ are SIMILAR (Class 10 ch. 6 — AA criterion: both have a right angle and the angle θ).
Similar triangles → corresponding sides in fixed ratio.
So the ratio (opposite / hypotenuse) takes the SAME value in any right triangle with angle θ — regardless of how big the triangle is.
That's why sin θ, cos θ, tan θ are FUNCTIONS of the angle alone — they're well-defined.
This is the fundamental reason trigonometry works as a clean theory.
Similar triangles → corresponding sides in fixed ratio.
So the ratio (opposite / hypotenuse) takes the SAME value in any right triangle with angle θ — regardless of how big the triangle is.
That's why sin θ, cos θ, tan θ are FUNCTIONS of the angle alone — they're well-defined.
This is the fundamental reason trigonometry works as a clean theory.
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