PLANE TRIGONOMETRY

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CHAPTER 4: Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle
Direct Trigonometric Function of any angle
Let 𝜃 be an angle in standard position and (x, y) be any point (except the
origin) on the terminal side of 𝜃. The six trigonometric functions of 𝜃 are
defined as follows.
𝑦 𝑟
sin 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 = , 𝑦 ≠ 0
𝑟 𝑦

𝑥 𝑟
cos 𝜃 = sec 𝜃 = , 𝑥 ≠ 0
𝑟 𝑥

𝑦 𝑥
tan 𝜃 = , 𝑥 ≠ 0 cot 𝜃 = , 𝑦 ≠ 0
𝑥 𝑦

EXAMPLE 1. Evaluating Trigonometric Functions Given a Point

Let (3, -4) be a point on the terminal side of an angle

𝜃 in standard position. Evaluate the six trigonometric
functions of 𝜃.

Solution
Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the value of r.
𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
𝑟 = √32 + (−4)2
𝑟 = √25
𝑟=5

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If the terminal side of 𝜃 lies on an axis, then 𝜃 is a quadrantal angle.
The diagrams below show the values of x and y for the quadrantal
angles 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°.

EXAMPLE 2. Trigonometric Functions of a Quadrantal Angle

Evaluate the six trigonometric functions of 𝜃 = 180°.

Solution
𝑦 0 𝑟 𝑟
sin 𝜃 = =𝑟=0 csc 𝜃 = 𝑦 = 0 = undefined
𝑟

𝑥 −𝑟 𝑟 −𝑟
cos 𝜃 = 𝑟 = = −1 sec 𝜃 = 𝑥 = = −1
𝑟 𝑟

𝑦 0 𝑥 −𝑟
tan 𝜃 = = =0 cot 𝜃 = = = undefined
𝑥 𝑟 𝑦 0

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The values of trigonometric functions of angles greater than 90° (or less
than 0°) can be found using corresponding acute angles called reference
angles. Let 𝜃 be an angle in standard position. Its reference angle is the
acute angle 𝜃′ (read theta prime) formed by the terminal side of 𝜃 and the
x-axis. The relationship between 𝜃 and 𝜃′ is given below for
π
nonquadrantal angles 𝜃 such that 90° < 𝜃 < 360° ( 2 < 𝜃 < 2 π).

EXAMPLE 3. Finding Reference Angles

Find the reference angle 𝜃′ for each angle 𝜃.

5π
a. 𝜃 = 320° b. 𝜃 = − 6

Solution
a. Because 270° < 𝜃 < 360°, the reference angle is 𝜃′ = 360° − 320°
= 40°.
7π 7π 3π
b. Because 𝜃 is coterminal with and π < < , the reference
6 6 2
7π π
angle is 𝜃′ = − π = 6.
6

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The signs of the trigonometric function values in the four quadrants can
be determined from the function definitions. For instance, because cos 𝜃
x
= 𝑟 and r is always positive, it follows that cos 𝜃 is positive wherever x >
0, which is in Quadrants I and IV.

EXAMPLE 4. Using Reference Angles to Evaluate Trigonometric

Functions
11π
Evaluate (a) tan (-210°) and (b) csc .
4

Solution
a. The angle -210° is coterminal with
150°. The reference angle is 𝜃′ = 180°
- 150° = 30°. The tangent function is
negative in Quadrant II, so you can
write:
√3
tan (−210°) = −tan 30° =− 3

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11π 3π
b. The angle is coterminal with .
4 4
3π π
The reference angle is 𝜃′ = π − .=4
4
. The cosecant function is positive in
Quadrant II, so you can write:
11π π
csc ( ) = −csc ( 4 ) =√2
4

EVALUATION:
USING A POINT Use the given point on the terminal side of an angle 𝜃 in
standard position. Evaluate the six trigonometric functions of 𝜃.

1.) 2.) 3.)

QUADRANTAL ANGLES Evaluate the six trigonometric functions of 𝜃.

4.) 𝜃 = 90° 5.) 𝜃 = 270° 6.) 𝜃 = 0°

FINDING REFERENCE ANGLES Sketch the angle. Then find its reference
angle.

7.) 240° 8.) -515° 9.) -170° 10.) 315°

3π 25π 11π
11.) -440° 12.) − 13.) 14.) −
4 4 3

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CHAPTER 5: Solution of Oblique Triangle
THE LAW OF SINES

THE LAW OF SINES allows us to solve triangles that are not right-angled,
and are called oblique triangles. It states the following:

The sides of a triangle are to one another

in the same ratio as the sines of their opposite angles.

Specifically, side a is to side b as the sine of angle A is to the sine of angle

B.

𝑎 sin 𝐴 𝑏 sin 𝐵
= 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦, =
𝑏 sin 𝐵 𝑐 sin 𝐶

And so on, for any pair of sides and their opposite angles.

The law of sines is a theorem about the geometry of any triangle. As any
theorem of geometry, it can be enunciated. The algebraic statement of the
law –

sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶

= =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
-- cannot be verbalized. sin A moreover, which is a number, does not have
a ratio to a, which is a length.

Secondly, to prove that algebraic form, it is necessary to state and prove it

correctly geometrically, and then transform it algebraically.

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Example 1.
a) The three angles of a triangle are 40°, 75°, and 65°. In what ratio are
the three sides? Sketch the figure and place the ratio numbers.
Solution. To find the ratios of the sides, we must evaluate the sines of
their opposite angles.

Sin 40° = .643

Sin 75° = .966
Sin 65° = .906
These are the ratios of the sides opposite those angles:

Notice that we may express the ratios as ratios of whole numbers; we

may ignore the decimal points. Why? Because we have multiplied
each side by the same number, namely 1000.

b) When the side opposite the 75° angle is 10 cm, how long is the side
opposite the 40° angle?

Solution. Let us call that side x. Now, according to the Law of Sines, in
every triangle with those angles, the sides are in the ratio
643 : 966 : 906. Therefore,

𝑥 643 643
= , 𝑥 = 10.
10 966 966

With the aid of a calculator, x 6.656 cm.

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LAW OF COSINE
WE USE THE LAW OF COSINES AND THE LAW OF SINES to solve
triangles that are not right-angled. Such triangles are
called oblique triangles. The Law of Cosines is used much more widely
than the Law of Sines. Specifically, when we know two sides of a triangle
and their included angle, then the Law of Cosines enables us to find the
third side.

Thus if we know sides a and b and their included angle θ, then the Law
of Cosines states:
c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos θ

(The Law of Cosines is a extension of the Pythagorean theorem,

because if θ were a right angle, we would have c2 = a2 + b2.)

c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C
b2 = a2 + c2 − 2ac cos B
a2 = b2 + b2 − 2bc cos A

Example 1. In triangle DEF, side e = 8 cm, f = 10 cm, and the angle at D

is 60°. Find side d.

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Solution.. We know two sides and their included angle. Therefore,
according to the Law of Cosines:

d2 = e2 + f2 − 2ef cos 60°

d2 = 82 + 102 − 2· 8· 10· ½, since cos 60° = ½,
d2 = 164 − 80
d2 = 84.
d = √84.

AREA OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLE

To “solve the triangle” means to find all angle and side lengths. You
must have enough information to define a unique triangle. This will
take us back to investigating what information was needed to
prove triangle congruencies in Geometry.

The formula for the area of a triangle from Geometry is as follows:

where b = base length and h = height.

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When the base = c and the height = (a sin B):

When the base = c and the height = (b sin A):

By tilting the original triangle so that side b is used as a base,

the height would equal (a sin C):

In each of these area equations, each of the variables is used; one as

an angle measure, the other two as side lengths. Any of these forms is a
correct equation that can be used to calculate the area of an oblique
triangle.

Examples
1.) (a.) Solve the following triangle for all
unknown side and angle measurements. Givens: J = 73°, K = 39°,
and l = 14, (b.) Find its area

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Solution:

(a.) All three angles of a triangle sum to 180º.

We have been given ASA. Since we know side l is 14 and we

know angle L is 68°, the Law of Sines does apply in this case and we can
set up one complete ratio:

Cross multiply each ratio to solve for the unknown. Then divide by the
appropriate term to solve for each side measurement.

The final solution is:

L = 68°, k = 9.50, and j = 14.44.

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1
(b.) Using 𝐴 = 2 𝑖𝑘 sin(𝐽)
1
A = 2 (14)(9.50) sin(73°)
A = 63.59 sq. units

2.) (a.) Solve the following triangle DEF where E = 35°, e = 25, F =
102°.(b.) Find its area.

Solution:

(a.) All three angles of a triangle sum to 180º.

We have been given AAS. Since we know side e is 25 and we

know angle E is 35° the Law of Sines does apply in this case and we can
set up one complete ratio.

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Cross multiply each ratio to solve for the unknown. Then divide by the
appropriate term to solve for each side measurement.

The final solution is:

D = 43°, d = 29.73, f = 42.63.

1
(b.) Using 𝐴 = 2 𝑑𝑓 sin(𝐸)
1
A = 2 (29.73)(42.63) sin(35°)
A = 363.47 sq. units

Heron's Area Formula:

Once all three sides of a triangle are known, Heron's area formula can
be used to calculate its area.

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = √𝒔(𝒔 − 𝒂)(𝒔 − 𝒃)(𝒔 − 𝒄)

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𝒂+𝒃+𝒄
where 𝒔 = 𝟐

Examples.

1.) Given triangle ABC with sides: a = 8, b = 3, c = 9. (a) Find the

measures of the three missing angles. (b) Find the area.

Solution:

(a) Remember to solve for the largest angle first!

C = 99.6º
Angle B can be found using Law of Sines:

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B = 19.2º

Angle A can be found by remembering that the sum of the angles in

a triangle equals 180º.

A = 180 - 19.2 - 99.6

A = 61.2º

(b) Using Herons Formula,

𝒂+𝒃+𝒄 𝟖+𝟑+𝟗
𝒔= = = 𝟏𝟎
𝟐 𝟐

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = √𝒔(𝒔 − 𝒂)(𝒔 − 𝒃)(𝒔 − 𝒄)

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = √𝟏𝟎(𝟏𝟎 − 𝟖)(𝟏𝟎 − 𝟑)(𝟏𝟎 − 𝟗)

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = √𝟏𝟎(𝟐)(𝟕)(𝟏) = √𝟏𝟒𝟎 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟑 sq. units

2.) Find area of triangle JKL given: j = 31, k = 52, l = 28.

Solution: Use Heron’s area formula.

𝒂 + 𝒃 + 𝒄 𝟑𝟏 + 𝟓𝟐 + 𝟐𝟖
𝒔= = = 𝟓𝟓. 𝟓
𝟐 𝟐

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = √𝟓𝟓. 𝟓(𝟓𝟓. 𝟓 − 𝟑𝟏)(𝟓𝟓. 𝟓 − 𝟓𝟐)(𝟓𝟓. 𝟓 − 𝟐𝟖)

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝟑𝟔𝟏. 𝟕𝟕 𝒔𝒒 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔

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EVALUATION

1.) In the oblique triangle ABC, find

side b if side a = 5 cm, c = √2 cm, and
they include and angle of 45°

2.) In the oblique triangle PQR, find

side r if side p = 5 in, q = 10 in, and
they include and angle of 14°

3.) The three angles of a triangle are A = 30°, B = 70°, and C = 80°, If
side a = 5 cm, find sides b and c.

4.) In the oblique triangle ABC, find angle a and angle b if side A =
766 in, B = 423 in, C = 966 in, and c = 105°

5.) Given triangle ABC with sides: a = 10,

b = 4.5, C = 105º. Find the measures
of the two missing angles and the
third side. Find the area.

6.) Find the area of an oblique triangle with sides 10 cm, 12 cm,
and 14 cm.

7.) Find the area of the triangle.

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LOGARITHMS
Logarithms are used mainly to reduce the labor of computations. They
are exponents and obey the laws of exponents. Thus, the process of
multiplication, division and finding the roots and powers of numbers are
replaced by simpler process based on the laws of exponents. In this
chapter, we study logarithms as an aid in computation of complex
expression.

(read, ”x is equal to the logarithm of y to the base b”. Here y and b are
positive numbers. Also, y is called the antilogarithm of x (or the number
whose logarithm is x) to the base a.

 Convert "63 = 216" to the equivalent logarithmic expression.

To convert, the base (that is, the 6) remains the same, but
the 3 and the 216 switch sides. This gives me: log6(216) = 3
∴ 𝟔𝟑 = 𝟐𝟏𝟔 → log6(216) = 3

 Convert "log4(1024) = 5" to the equivalent exponential

expression.
To convert, the base (that is, the 4) remains the same, but
the 1024 and the 5 switch sides. This gives me: 45 = 1024
∴ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟒(𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟒) = 𝟓 → 45 = 1024

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The following diagrams gives the definition of Logarithm, Common

Log, and Natural Log.

Common Logarithms

Logarithms to base 10 are called common logarithms. We often write

“log10” as “log” or “lg”. Common logarithms can be evaluated using a
scientific calculator.

Recall that by the definition of logarithm.

log Y = X ↔ Y = 10𝑥

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Natural Logarithms

Besides base 10, another important base is e. Log to base e are

called natural logarithms. “loge” are often abbreviated as “ln”. Natural
logarithms can also be evaluated using a scientific calculator.

By definition

ln Y = X ↔ Y = 𝑒 𝑥

Using a calculator, we can use common and natural logarithms to solve

equations of the form ax = b, especially when b cannot be expressed as
an.

Example:

Solve the equations

a) 6𝑥+2 = 21 b) 𝑒 2𝑥 = 9

Solution:

a) 6𝑥+2 = 21 b) 𝑒 2𝑥 = 9
log 6𝑥+2 = log 21 ln 𝑒 2𝑥 = ln 9
(x + 2) log 6 = log 21 3x ln e = ln
9
3x = ln
9

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EVALUATION:
Solve the following. Show your solutions.

1. 9𝑥+3 = 30
2. 53𝑥+4 = 149
3. Log(50) + Log(3)
4. Log(29) - Log(4)
5. 5𝐿𝑜𝑔(3) + 𝐿𝑜𝑔 5
6. 4𝐿𝑜𝑔(9) − 5𝐿𝑜𝑔 3
7. 21+3𝑥 = 278
8. 𝑒 3𝑥 = 12
9. 𝑒 5𝑥 = 20
10. 𝑒 6𝑥 = 29

References:
https://www.onlinemath4all.com/trigonometric-functions-of-any-angle.html
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minal+Angle&cvid=bbb30ab457e7417a86a73e06abd38b12&FORM=ANAB01&PC=U531
http://www.algebralab.org/studyaids/studyaid.aspx?file=Trigonometry_LawSines.xml
https://themathpage.com/aTrig/law-of-cosines.htm
https://themathpage.com/aTrig/law-of-sines.htm
https://www.google.com/search?q=systems+of+logarithms&rlz=1C1GCEA_enPH862PH862&oq
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https://www.matesfacil.com/english/high/logarithms-resolved-equations-systems-
demonstrations.html

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