TRIGONOMETRY
Trigonometry is a branch of Mathematics that deals with the study of the
relationships between the angles and sides of a triangle. Trigonometry is
based on the ratios of the sides of right-angled triangles and involves three
primary trigonometric functions: sine(sin), cosine(cos) and tangent(tan) as
well as their reciprocal functions: cosecant(cosec), secant(sec) and
cotangent(cot).
Basic Trigonometric functions and their definitions in a right-angled
triangle
Measurement of Angles
Angles are generally measured in degrees or radians. The degrees are
commonly used in elementary mathematics. However, radians in many
mathematical formulas and trigonometric functions are more naturally
expressed in radians particularly in Calculus and Advanced Mathematics. The
radian measure is based on radius of a circle.
In radian, one full circle (360 0) is equivalent to 2 π radians . This is because the
circumference of a circle is 2 π times its radius. Hence 1800 = π radians (This
is half of a complete revolution. Now,
2π π
3600 = 2 π radian. ∴10 = radians. That is, 10 = radians.
360 180
xπ
∴ x0 = radians
180
xπ
That is, x degree = ( ) radians
180
This formula is used to convert degree to radian
Example
Express the following angles in radians.
(i) 2350 (ii) 180 36’
Solution
xπ 235× π 47 π
(i) x0 = radians ∴ 2350 = radians = radians = 1. 3056 π
180 180 36
radians
That is, 2350 = 1.3056 × 3.142 radians = 4.102 radians = 4.1 radian
36
(ii) 36’ = degree = 0.6degree 180 36’ = 18.60
60
xπ 18.6 × π 93 π
x0 = radians ∴ 180 36’ = radians = radians = 0.103 π
180 180 900
radians
That is, 180 36’ = 0.1 π radian
Similarly, we have
0 0
360 180
2 π radian = 3600 ∴ 1 radian = ∴ 1 radian =
2π π
0
180
∴ x radians = x . That is,
π
180 x
x radians = ( ) degrees
π
This formula is used for converting radians to degrees.
Example
Express the following angles in degrees and minutes correct to nearest
minutes
π
(i) -2.58 radians (ii) radians
12
Solution
(i) – 2.58radians in degree
180 x
x radians = ( ) degrees
π
−2.58 ×180
-2.58radians = degrees =-147.7630
π
Now, .7630 = .763 × 60’ = 45.78’ = 46’
Therefore, - 258radians = 147.7630 = 1470 46’
π
(ii) radians
12
180 x
x radians = ( ) degrees
π
( ) degrees=15
❑
π 180 π 0
radians = ×
12 π 12
NOTE: Students are advised to as much as possible encourage working
using principles (proportion in this case) instead of formula
Examples
1. Express the following angles in radians
(i) 2350 (ii) 18036’
Solution
(i) 2350 = ( 235
180 )
π=1.3 π radians=4.1rad
(ii) 18036’ = 18.60
=
180( )
18.6
π=0.1 π=0.325 rad
2. Express the following angles in degrees and minutes correct to nearest
minutes
π
(i) -2.58 radians (ii) radians
12
Solution
−2.58 ×180
(i) -2.58 radians = degrees =-147.7630
π
= -1470 46’ correct to nearest
minutes
( )
0
π π 180 0
(ii) radians = × =15
12 12 π
Exercises
1. Express the following angles in radians (i) 37 0 (ii) -1430 10’ (iii)
1290
11 π
2. Express in degrees (i) radians (ii) 3.2 radians (iii) radians
5 5
Trigonometric Ratios of Acute Angles
For an acute angle θ , the trigonometric ratios are defined as:
Opposite side
1. Sine (sin θ ¿= ¿
Hypotenuse side
adjacent side
2. Cosine (cos θ ¿= ¿
Hypotenuse side
sin θ Opposite side
3. Tangent ( tanθ ¿= = ¿
cos θ adjacent side
P(x,y)
r
y
θ
0 x
y x y
sin θ= cos θ= tanθ=
r r x
r r x
cosec θ= sec θ= cot θ=
y x y
We have the following relationships between the six ratios:
1 1 1
cosec θ= sec θ= cotθ=
sin θ cosθ tan θ
y
y r sin θ
Also tanθ= = =
x x cos θ
r
x
x r cos θ
cot θ= = =
y y sin θ
r
By Pythagoras Theorem
2 2 2
x + y =r
2 2
x y
2
+ 2 =1
r r
()()
2 2
x y
i .e . + =1
t r
2 2
∴ cos θ+sin θ=1
This may be written as
2 2 2 2
sin θ=1−cos θ or cos θ=1−¿ sin θ
In addition, we have
2 2 2 2
2 y x +y r r 2
1+ tan θ=1+ = = 2 =( ) = sec 2 θ
x
2
x
2
x x
2 2
∴ 1+tan θ=sec θ
2 2 2 2
2 x y +x r r 2
And 1+cot θ=1+ = = 2
2 = ( ) = cosec θ
y
2
y
2
y y
2 2
∴ 1+cot θ=cosec θ
The above relationships which are true generally for any acute angle enable
us to calculate all the trigonometric ratios if one is known
Examples
1
1. If sin θ = and 00 < θ < 900, find the values of other trigonometric
3
ratios.
Solution
2 2
cos θ=1−¿ sin θ
()
2
1 8
=1- =
3 9
8
cos θ = √ ( )
9
2 √2
cos θ=
3
1
=√
y sin θ 3 1 2
tanθ= = = =
x cos θ 2 √ 2 2 √2 4
3
1
cosec θ=¿ =3
sin θ
= √
1 3 3 2
sec θ= =
cosθ 2 √ 2 4
1
cot θ= =2 √ 2
tan θ
ALITER
P(x,y)
3
1
θ
0 x
x2 + 12 = 32 ∴ x2 = 9 – 1 ∴ x2 = 8 ∴ x = √ 8, ∴ x = √ (4 ×2) ∴ x = 2√ 2
adjacent side x 2√2
cos θ= ¿ =¿
Hypotenuse side r 3
sin θ Opposite side y 1 √2
tanθ= = =¿ = =
cos θ adjacent side x 2√2 4
1 Hypotenuse side 3
cosec θ=¿ = = =3
sin θ Opposite side 1
= = √
1 Hypotenuse side 3×√2 3 2
sec θ= =
cosθ Adjacent side 2 √ 2 ×√ 2 4
1 Adjacent side 2 √ 2
cot θ= = = =2 √ 2
tan θ Opposite side 1
sin θ 1+ cos θ 2
2. Show that + =
1+ cos θ sin θ sin θ
Solution
2
sin θ+¿ ¿
2+ 2 cos θ
= = 2¿¿
sin θ ¿ ¿ ¿
2
=
sin θ
3. Show that ( 1+cos θ 1+ cosecθ )
1+sin θ
)( 1+sec θ
=tan θ
Solution
( ) ( )( )
1 cos θ+1
1+
L.H.S. = ( 1+cos θ)
1+sin θ
1+
c 0sθ
1
=
1+sin θ
1+cos θ
cos θ
sin θ+1
sin θ sin θ
= ( 1+cos θ )(
1+sin θ 1+ cos θ
cosθ )( sin θ
)=
sin θ
1+sin θ cos θ
=tan θ = R.H.S
sinθ 1+cos θ
4. Show that =
1−cos θ sinθ
Solution
L.H . S
This can either be shown by L.H.S – R.H.S = 0 Or =1
R .H .S
sinθ 1+cos θ sin2 θ−( 1−cos2 θ )
− = =0
1−cos θ sinθ sinθ ¿ ¿ ¿
sin θ 1+ cos θ
Hence L.H.S. = R.H.S i .e . =
1−cos θ sinθ
OR
2
L.H . S sin θ sin θ
=( )¿) = =1
R . H . S 1−cos θ 2
sin θ
sinθ 1+cos θ
∴ L. H . S=R . H . S i. e . =
1−cos θ sinθ
Exercises
12
1. If cos x= and 00 < θ < 900, evaluate sin x , tan x, cot x , sec x , cosec x
13
3
2. If tan x= and 00 < θ < 900, evaluate sin x and cos x
2
3. If x=a cos θ , simplify a 2−x 2
2 1
4. If 6 cos 2 x +2 sin2 x =5show that tan x=
2
5. Show that 4−3 cos 2 x =3 sin2 x +1
6. Show that ( 1−sin2 θ ) sec 2 θ=1
7. Show that tan x +cot x=sec xcosec x
5 cos x−2 sin x
8. Given that sin x= for 0 ° <θ<90 ° . Find
13 2 tan x
9. Show that ( )(
1+cosθ secθ−1
1−cosθ secθ+ 1 ) =1
2 1+sin θ
10. Show that ( sec θ+ tan θ ) =
1−sinθ
