Using SOH-CAH-TOA for trigonometric ratios can be really helpful, but there are some mistakes that Year 12 students should avoid. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

1. Mixing Up Ratios:

   • It’s easy to get sine, cosine, and tangent mixed up. Here’s a quick reminder:
     • SOH:
       • $\sin(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}$
     • CAH:
       • $\cos(\theta) = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}$
     • TOA:
       • $\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}$

2. Ignoring Angle Measure:

   • Always check if you’re using degrees or radians. Using the wrong one can mess up your answers.

3. Overlooking the Triangle Type:

   • Remember, SOH-CAH-TOA works only with right-angled triangles. Don’t try to use it for other types of triangles without knowing the rules first.

4. Forgetting the Unit Circle:

   • While SOH-CAH-TOA is important, don’t forget about the unit circle. It helps you understand trigonometry better, especially when you get into harder topics.

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll do great in trigonometry!