Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

cosine

noun

/ˈkɒs.aɪn/

Definition

The cosine of an angle is a trigonometric function that relates the angle to the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle.

Examples

The cosine of 0 degrees is 1.
In a right triangle, if one angle is 30 degrees, then the cosine of that angle is approximately 0.866.

Meaning

In the context of a right triangle, cosine helps to determine the angle based on the lengths of the sides involved. It is often used in geometry, physics, and engineering to solve problems involving angles and distances.