An abbreviation which stands for the trigonometric function, "cosine." In its native mathematical context, cosine is used in solving for side lengths or angle measurements in right-triangles, exclusively.
In regards to its place within the acronym: SOHCAHTOA, cosine occupies the "CAH," wherein the series forms: Cosine (equals) Adjacent (over) Hypotenuse.
When dealing with an angle measurement,
x ("theta"), the side "touching" the angle is referred to as the Adjacent side; the side furthest away from the angle is referred to as the Opposite side; and, in a right triangle, the hypotenuse always remains and, simplistically, may be recognized as the diagonal side.
Note:
UrbanDictionary entries do not support Entity, Hex or Decimal browser rendering. This
definition of "cos" uses an "
x" in place of the Greek small letter, "theta".
However, in reality, theta appears as an "o" or a "
zero" with a
line going horizontally through the center.