Trigonometry Master Reviewer
1. Angle of Elevation and Depression
Definitions:
- Horizontal Line: A straight, flat line at the observers eye level. It is parallel to the ground.
- Line of Sight: A straight line from the observers eyes to the object being observed.
- Angle of Elevation: The angle formed when looking upward from the horizontal to an object above.
- Angle of Depression: The angle formed when looking downward from the horizontal to an object below.
Steps to Solve:
1. Draw a right triangle based on the problem scenario.
2. Identify given values (angle, height, distance).
3. Use right triangle trigonometric ratios:
- sin() = opposite / hypotenuse
- cos() = adjacent / hypotenuse
- tan() = opposite / adjacent
2. Unit Circle
Definition:
A unit circle is a circle with radius = 1, centered at the origin (0,0) of the coordinate plane.
Key Angles & Coordinates (cos, sin):
- 0 (0 rad): (1, 0)
- 30 (/6): (3/2, 1/2)
- 45 (/4): (2/2, 2/2)
- 60 (/3): (1/2, 3/2)
- 90 (/2): (0, 1)
Quadrants:
- I: All positive
- II: Sine positive
- III: Tangent positive
- IV: Cosine positive
3. Oblique Triangles
Definition:
An oblique triangle is a triangle with no right angle. We solve it using the Law of Sines or Law of Cosines.
4. Law of Sines
Main Formulas:
sin A / a = sin B / b = sin C / c
or
a / sin A = b / sin B = c / sin C
Use For:
- ASA (Angle-Side-Angle)
- AAS (Angle-Angle-Side)
- SSA (Ambiguous Case)
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Several Forms:
a = b * (sin A / sin B)
b = a * (sin B / sin A)
c = a * (sin C / sin A)
a = c * (sin A / sin C)
b = c * (sin B / sin C)
c = b * (sin C / sin B)
5. Law of Cosines
Main Formulas:
c2 = a2 + b2 - 2ab cos C
a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc cos A
b2 = a2 + c2 - 2ac cos B
Alternate Forms (for angle):
cos C = (a2 + b2 - c2) / (2ab)
cos A = (b2 + c2 - a2) / (2bc)
cos B = (a2 + c2 - b2) / (2ac)
Use For:
- SAS (Side-Angle-Side)
- SSS (Side-Side-Side)
6. Trigonometric Identities
Definition:
A trigonometric identity is an equation involving trigonometric functions that is always true.
Basic Identities:
Reciprocal:
- csc() = 1 / sin()
- sec() = 1 / cos()
- cot() = 1 / tan()
Quotient:
- tan() = sin() / cos()
- cot() = cos() / sin()
Pythagorean:
- sin2() + cos2() = 1
- 1 + tan2() = sec2()
- 1 + cot2() = csc2()
7. Identity vs Conditional Equation
Identity:
An equation that is true for all values of the variable.
Example: sin2 x + cos2 x = 1
Trigonometry Master Reviewer
Conditional Equation:
An equation true only for specific values of the variable.
Example: sin x = 1/2 is only true when x = 30, 150, etc.
