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Trigonometric Hand Trick Guide

This document provides a memorization trick for trigonometric functions using a person's hand. It assigns common angle values to fingers and uses the number of fingers above and below the held-down finger to determine the value of sine, cosine, and tangent for that angle using simple formulas. For example, holding down the ring finger for π/6 calculates cosine as the square root of 3 over 2. This trick allows quick recall of trig values for all four quadrants.

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rheena espiritu
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1K views1 page

Trigonometric Hand Trick Guide

This document provides a memorization trick for trigonometric functions using a person's hand. It assigns common angle values to fingers and uses the number of fingers above and below the held-down finger to determine the value of sine, cosine, and tangent for that angle using simple formulas. For example, holding down the ring finger for π/6 calculates cosine as the square root of 3 over 2. This trick allows quick recall of trig values for all four quadrants.

Uploaded by

rheena espiritu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Trigonometric Hand Trick: Explains a mnemonic technique using hand positions to easily remember trigonometric values in the first quadrant.

Memorization Trick!

Trigonometric Hand Trick


This is an easy way to remember the values of common values of trigonometric functions in the
first quadrant. Its a lengthy explanation, but once you know this by heart, you can use this trick
for all four quadrants. All you need is your non-dominant hand.
Step 1: Hold out your non-dominant hand.
Step 2: Assign the following values to your fingers.
If your non-dominant hand is your left If your non-dominant hand is your right
hand hand

/3 /3
/2 /4 /2
/4

/6 /6

0 0

Step 3: Find a trig problem.


For example: cos (/6)
Step 4: Hold down the finger assigned for that angle.
For example: Hold down your ring finger for /6.
Step 5: Know the following formulas.


sin = cos = tan =
2 2
Bottom fingers refer to how many fingers are below the finger youve held down. Top
fingers refer to how many fingers above the finger youve held down. Your thumb counts.
Step 6: Calculate the values for your trig expression using the appropriate formula.
For example: When you hold down your ring finger, there is 1 finger below your ring finder
(your pinkie), and there are 3 fingers above your ring finger (your thumb, your index finger, and
3 1 1
your middle finger.) Therefore, cos (/6) = . If you need sine, sin (/6) = = .
2 2 2

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