Write the ratios for sin x and cos x. given that sin is opposite over hypotenuse and
cosine is adjacent over hypotenuse.

find the angle that it's talking about, identify which side is opposite from that angle, which side is adjacent to that angle, and which side is the hypotenuse.

The trigonometric ratios are used for right angle triangle.The basic rule to followed is SOH CAH TOA

SOH means Sinx=opposite/Hyp.
CAH means Cosx = adj./Hyp.
TOA means Tanx = Opp./Adj.

Opposite is the side opposite to the acute angle of the right triangle.

Adjacent is the side Adjacent to the acute angle of the right triangle.

The longest side in a right triangle is the hypotenuse.