12: TRIGONOMETRY I

Measure of angles The relationship between radians and degrees

An angle is a measure of the turn of a straight line We can convert from radians to degrees or degrees to
about a fixed point. Angles are usually measured in radians using the following relationship.
degrees or in radians. The difference between these
two measures is illustrated below. One whole turn = 3600 = 2π radians

1. Degrees Radians to degrees Degrees to radians

2p radians º 360° 3600 = 2p radians
p radians º 1800 2p

m
0
A whole turn = 360 . If we were to rotate the 10 = radians
radius of a circle about its 180 0
360
1 radian º
center so as to form a p p

co
10 = radians
complete revolution, the q 180
angle formed is 3600. q radians = ´180°
p a
10
One degree is a measure a° = ´ p radians

.
180°

hs
1
of turn equal to of a
360 It should be noted that 1 radian is approximately
whole revolution. 57.30.

2. Radians
at Arc length and area of the sector in radians
Using the relationship between radians and degrees
m
we can develop new formulae
s
A whole turn = 2π radians. The angle subtended at
the center of a circle by The length of an arc, s ,
as

an arc equal in length of a circle whose

to r, where r is the circumference is 2p𝑟
radius of the circle, is when q is measured in
sp

one radian. q
degrees is
q0
Since, circumference, s= ´ 2p r
.fa

C = 2𝜋𝑟, The number 3600

of arcs of length r that When θ is in radians,
make up the 3600 = 2p
q
w

circumference of a s= ´ 2p r
'()
circle is = 2𝜋 2p
)
w

s = rq
w

Arc length, s=rq If an arc of length s The area, A, of a sector

subtends an angle θ at of a circle, whose area
the center of a circle, is 𝜋𝑟 ' when q is
then the measure of the measured in degrees is
angle, θ, in radians is q , '
𝑟 𝜃
'

𝜃=𝑠
𝑟
When s = r , θ = 1 rad

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Example 1 Example 3
(a) Convert 60° to radians The following diagram (not drawn to scale) shows
3p two sectors, AOB and DOC.
(b) Convert radians to degrees. OB and OC are x cm and (𝑥 + 2) cm respectively
2
and angle AOB = q .
Solution
Part (a) Part (b)
180° º p radians p radians º 180°
p 180°
\1° º radians \1 radian º
180 p
p 3p 180° 3p
So, 60° º ´ 60° radians º ´

m
180° 2 p 2
p = 270°
= radians

co
3

.
Example 2 2p

hs
If q= radians, calculate the area of the
9
shaded region in terms of x

at
m
Solution

The area of the sector

s
1 2 æ 2p ö
( x ) ç ÷ cm2
as

AOB =
The diagram shows a sector of a circle with radius 2 è 9 ø
8.6 cm. If the angle of the sector measures 42.1°, 2p x 2
= cm 2
sp

determine the 2 (9)

i. length of the arc AB
p x2
ii. area of the sector AOB. = cm 2
.fa

9
The area of the sector
1 2 æ 2p ö
Solution DOC = ( x + 2 ) ç ÷ cm
2
w

p 2 è 9 ø
i. 42.1° º 42.10 ´ = 0.735 radians
p ( x + 2)
2
1800
w

= cm2
Length of arc = rq , where r = radius and q = 9
w

angle in radians Hence, the area of the shaded region

Length of arc AB = (8.6 ´ 0.735) cm p ( x + 2)
2
p x2
= -
= 6.32 cm (to 2 decimal places) 9 9

ii.
1
The area of a sector is r 2q .
=
p
9
(( x + 2) 2
)
- x 2 cm 2
2 p
1 = ( 4 x + 4 ) cm2
The area of AOB = (8.6) ( 0.735)
2 9
2
= 27.18 cm 2

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Trigonometric ratios Trigonometric ratios for angles less than 900
In the diagram shown below, triangle ABC is right-
angled, with an acute angle A = q ° . The side Consider the right-angled triangle drawn in the first
opposite the right angle, AB is called the hypotenuse. quadrant of the Cartesian plane.
Relative to the angle, θ, the side opposite the angle θ, Angles in this quadrant have measures that range
BC is called the opposite side and the third side, AC, from 00 to 900 and are acute. Using a calculator, we
is called the adjacent side. For any given right-angled can obtain the values of these ratios for a given angle.
triangle, the ratio of the sides is constant. These ratios
are called trigonometric ratios. The three most
commonly used ratios are defined below.

m
Note that
opposite and

co
adjacent sides are
defined in
relation to the
given angle, q.

.
hs
However, the
hypotenuse is
For example, for q = 60° .
always fixed.

The sine ratio (abbreviated sin)

opp a
atsin 60° =
opp a
= » 0.866
hyp c
m
sin q = = adj b
hyp c cos 60° = = = 0.5
hyp c
s
The cosine ratio (abbreviated cos)
opp a
adj b tan 60° = = » 1.732
as

cos q = = adj b
hyp c
The tangent ratio (abbreviated tan)
Trigonometric ratios for angles greater than 900
sp

opp a To determine the trigonometric ratios for angles

tan q = =
adj b greater than 900, we must first establish to which
.fa

quadrant the angle belongs. Every angle, q,

Angles on the Cartesian Plane regardless of its measure, is associated with a given
Angles can be positive or negative, depending on the quadrant, as shown below.
w

direction of turn on the Cartesian plane, measured

from the positive x-axis. 900
w

A positive angle is defined as an anticlockwise turn,

about the origin of a ray, starting on the positive x-axis. Second Quadrant First Quadrant
w

A negative angle is defined as a clockwise turn, about 903 < 𝜃 < 1803 03 < 𝜃 < 903
the origin of a ray, starting on the positive x-axis.
1800 00
2700 3600

Third Quadrant Fourth Quadrant

1803 < 𝜃 < 2703 2703 < 𝜃 < 3603

2700

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Basic Acute angle
In order to determine the trigonometric ratios for
angles in the second, third, and fourth quadrant, we
must define the basic acute angle associated with
each angle.

Basic Acute Angle

For any angle between 0 and 360 degrees, we define
its basic acute angle as the acute angle formed
between the x-axis and the terminal arm of the angle
when rotated about the origin, in an anticlockwise
direction.
The terminal arm of the angle lies in the first
quadrant. Hence, the basic acute angle, 𝛽 is the

m
same as is 𝜃.
For a given angle,q, whose ratio we wish to +
sin q = = +

co
determine, the basic acute angle, β is shown for the +
angle in each quadrant. +
cos q = = +
+

.
First quadrant- the basic acute angle, β = θ. +

hs
tan q = = +
Second quadrant- the basic acute angle, β=1800 – θ. +
Third quadrant- the basic acute angle, β = θ -1800 All trigonometric ratios are positive in Quadrant 1.
Fourth quadrant- the basic acute angle, β=3600 – θ.
at
s m
as
sp
.fa
w

The terminal arm of the angle lies in the second

quadrant. Hence, the basic acute angle, 𝛽 is
w

The signs of trigonometric ratios in each quadrant 𝛽 = 180 − 𝜃.

The signs of the trigonometric ratio can be positive or
w

negative depending on the quadrant in which the +

sin θ = sin β = =+
angle belongs. When determining the ratios, we +
consider the sign of the vertical and horizontal in the −
cosθ = cos β = = −
right-angled triangle. +
We may think of the hypotenuse as the radius of a +
circle, equal to one unit in length. In this sense, the tan θ = tan β = = −
−
hypotenuse is always positive. Only the sine ratio is positive in Quadrant 2.

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 Quadrant 3 Summary

All trigonometric ratios are positive in the first

quadrant.
In the second quadrant, only the sine ratio is positive.
The terminal arm of the angle lies in the third In the third quadrant, only the tangent ratio is
quadrant. Hence, the basic acute angle, 𝛽 is positive.

m
𝛽 = 𝜃 − 180 In the fourth quadrant, only the cosine ratio is
positive.
−

co
sin θ = sin β = = −
+ Example 3
+ Determine the following trigonometric ratios
cosθ = cos β = = −
−

.
(i) sin 1740 (ii) cos 2360 (iii) tan 3120

hs
−
tan θ = tan β = = +
− Solution
Only the tangent ratio is positive in Quadrant 3. (i) sin 1740

at 1. First, determine the quadrant in which the

angle lies.
m
1740 is an obtuse angle and lies in the second
Quadrant 4
quadrant.
s
2. Determine the sign of the trigonometric ratio
as

in this quadrant
The sine ratio is positive in the second
quadrant.
sp

3. Calculate the basic acute angle for this

quadrant
In the second quadrant, the basic acute angle,
.fa

b = 180 - q
β = 1800 – 1740= 60
w

4. Use the basic acute angle to evaluate the

The terminal arm of the angle lies in the fourth trigonometric ratio.
quadrant. Hence, the basic acute angle, 𝛽 is
w

In this case, we use 6 degrees as our input.

𝛽 = 360 − 𝜃
sin 1740 = sin 60 = 0.1045 (by calculator).
w

− (ii) cos 2360

sin θ = sin β = =−
+ Using the four steps outlined above:
+ 1. 2360 lies in the third quadrant.
cosθ = cos β = = +
+ 2. The cosine ratio is negative in the third
− quadrant.
tan θ = tan β = = −
+ 3. In the third quadrant, the basic acute angle,
Only the cosine ratio is positive in Quadrant 4. b = q - 180
β = 2360 − 1800 = 560
4. Therefore cos 2360 = − cos 560 = − 0.5592 (by
calculator)

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(iii) tan 3120 𝑂𝑝𝑝 −5
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 = =
𝐴𝑑𝑗 −12
Using the four steps outlined above:
1. 3120 lies in the fourth quadrant.
2. The tangent ratio is negative in the fourth
quadrant. b
3. In the fourth quadrant, the basic acute angle,
b = 360 - q
β = 3600 − 3120 = 480
4. Therefore tan 3120 = − tan 480 = − 1.1106
(by calculator)

m
Example 4 Using Pythagoras’ theorem, the hypotenuse
3

co
Given that sin q = and q is obtuse, find the = F(−12)' + (−5)' = 13
5 −5 −12 17
exact value of cos q . sin θ + cosθ = sin β + cos β = + =−
13 13 13

.
hs
Solution Example 6
12 p
Given that sin q = and < q < p . Show that

at cos q = -
5
13 2
m
.
13
s
Solution
as

b Since q lies in the second quadrant, we can sketch a

diagram as shown.
sp

Since θ is obtuse, it is in Quadrant 2.

By Pythagoras’ Theorem
.fa

( 5 ) - ( 3)
2 2
adj =
= ±4
In Quadrant 2, adj = -4
w

−4 4 b
∴cosθ = cos β = =−
w

+5 5
w

Example 5 12 p
sin θ = sin β = , <q <p
5 13 2
Given that tan q = and q is reflex, calculate
12 Using Pythagoras’ theorem
the exact value of sin q + cos q .
(13) - (12 )
2 2
adj =

Solution = ±5
Since tan q is positive, and q is reflex, it is in In Quadrant 2, adj = -5
quadrant 3. In this quadrant, the opposite side and the -5 5
adjacent side are negative. \ cos q = =-
+13 13

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Example 7 180° - 90°
Aˆ = Bˆ = = 45° and
-6 2
Given that tan q = and q is reflex, find the
8 AB = (1)
2
+ (1) = 2
2

exact value of:

(i) sin q (ii) cos q
Trigonometric ratios for 450

Solution
tan q is negative and q is reflex. Hence, q lies in
quadrant 4.

m
b

co
The ratios are as follows;
1 1 1
sin 45° = cos 45° = tan 45° = = 1

.
2 2 1

hs
−6
tan θ = tan β =
8
Using Pythagoras’ theorem
at Trigonometric ratios for θ = 600 and θ = 300
Consider the equilateral triangle ABC, shown below,
m
of side 2 units and M the midpoint of BC. In the
( 8 ) - ( -6 )
2 2
hyp =
right-angled triangle, ABM.
s
= +10 Angle ABM = 600, angle BAM = 300. BM = 1 unit
as

−6 3 and by Pythagoras’ Theorem

i. sin θ = sin β = =-
10 ( 2) - (1)
2 2
5 AM = = 3 We can now use triangle
sp

+8 4 ABM to state the values of the trigonometric ratios

ii. cosθ = cos β = =
+10 5 for both q = 60° and q = 300
.fa

Trigonometric ratios for special angles Trigonometric ratios for 300 and 600
Sometimes we are required to express trigonometric
ratios in an exact form. We know that many of these
w

ratios are irrational numbers and when we use a

w

calculator, we usually obtain the result as a decimal.

For example, the value of sin 600 obtained from a
w

calculator is sin 600 = 0.866025403… This is an

irrational number and when expressed in decimal
form, it is not exact. To obtain an exact value, we
leave it in surd form. 1 3 1
sin 30° = cos 30° = tan 30° =
2 2 3
Trigonometric ratios for q = 45°
Consider the right-angled isosceles triangle with 3 1
sin 60° = cos 60° = tan 60° = 3
equal sides of unit length. (Any other chosen length 2 2
would have produced the same results). Triangle
ABC is an isosceles right-angled triangle, therefore

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Summary
The table below presents the ratios for special angles. Example 9
Find the exact value of tan15° , expressing the
Angle
0° 30° 45° 60° 90° result in its simplest form.
Ratio
1 1 3
sine 0 1 Solution
2 2 2 tan15° º tan ( 45° - 30° )
3 1 1 tan 45° - tan 30°
cosine 1 0 tan15° =
2 2 2 1 + tan 45° tan 30°
1 1 3 -1
tangent 0 1 ±¥ 1-
3 3 = 3 = 3 -1
3 tan15° =

m
1 3 +1 3 +1
1 + 1.
3 3
The compound angle formula

co
When we combine two angles using the operations of 3 -1 3 -1
tan15° = ´ [Rationalising]
addition or subtraction, we refer to their sum or 3 +1 3 -1
( )( ) = 3-2

.
difference as a compound angle. The compound 3 -1 3 -1 3 +1

hs
angle formulae are shown below. tan15° = = 2- 3
3 -1 2
Compound Angle Formulae OR
sin ( A + B ) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
sin ( A - B ) = sin A cos B - cos A sin B at tan15° º tan ( 60° - 45° )

=
tan 60° - tan 45°
m
1 + tan 60° tan 45°
cos ( A + B ) = cos A cos B - sin A sin B
3 -1 3 -1
cos ( A - B ) = cos A cos B + sin A sin B = =
s
1 + (1) 3( ) 1+ 3
as

tan A + tan B
tan ( A + B ) = 3 -1 3 -1
1 - tan A tan B = ´ [Rationalising]
tan A - tan B 3 +1 3 -1
tan ( A - B ) =
sp

1 + tan A tan B 3 - 2 3 +1 4 - 2 3
= = = 2- 3
3 -1 2
.fa

We use the compound angle formulae to evaluate the Trigonometric identities

exact value of certain angles. If an angle can be Trigonometric identities are equalities that involve
trigonometric functions and are true for any value of
w

expressed as a sum of or difference between two

special angles, we can state its value in surd form the variable. They are extremely useful when solving
problems in trigonometry.
w

which is exact.
In mathematics, identities are defined as an equality
w

Example 8 that is true for all values of the variable. An equation,

Find the exact value of cos 750. on the other hand, is true for only a few values of the
variable.
For example, the equation 𝑥 + 5 = 7 is true for x = 2,
Solution while the equation 𝑥 ' − 4 = 0 is true for x = 2 and
cos 750 = cos(300 + 450 ) for x = -2.
Recall: The compound angle formula
On the other hand, the identity x 2 - 4 = ( x + 2)( x - 2)
cos ( 30° + 45° ) = cos 30° cos 45° - sin 30° sin 45°
is true for any value of x.
3 1 1 1 3 1 3 -1
= . - . = - = (exact)
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

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We will now examine two trigonometric identities. Recall cos ( A + B ) = cos A cos B - sin Asin B .
The proof of these identities will be derived by
considering a right-angled triangle with sides a, b and If A = B, then cos ( A + A) = cos A cos A - sin Asin A
c and an acute angle, 𝜃
cos 2 A = cos 2 A - sin 2 A
Identity 1 Since sin 2 A + cos 2 A = 1 , we can express cos 2A in
sin q two other forms:
tan q =
cos q cos 2 A = cos 2 A - sin 2 A
= (1 - sin 2 A) - sin 2 A
a b = 1 - 2sin 2 A
sin q = and cos q =
c c cos 2 A = cos 2 A - sin 2 A

m
= cos 2 A - (1 - cos 2 A)
a
sin q c a c a = 2 cos 2 A - 1
= = ´ = = tan q

co
cos q b c b b tan A + tan B
Recall tan ( A + B ) = and A = B, then
c 1 - tan A tan B
tan A + tan A

.
tan ( A + A) =

hs
Identity 2 1 - tan A tan A
sin 2 q + cos2 q = 1 2 tan A
And so tan 2 A =
1 - tan 2 A

at
m
Double angle formulae
sin 2 A = 2sin A cos A
s
cos 2 A = 2 cos 2 A - 1 = 1 - 2sin 2 A = cos 2 A - sin 2 A
as

a b
sin q = and cos q = 2 tan A
c c tan 2 A =
2 2
1 - tan 2 A
æaö æbö
sp

sin 2 q + cos 2 q = ç ÷ + ç ÷
ècø ècø Example 10
a 2 b2
sin 2 q + cos 2 q = 2 + 2 1
Express tan 22 ° in exact form.
.fa

c c
2
a 2 + b2 c 2
sin q + cos q =
2 2
= 2 =1
c2 c
Solution
w

2 tan A
Recall: tan 2 A = Let A = 45°
w

Trigonometric Identities- Summary 1 - tan 2 A

1
2 tan 22 °
w

sin q \ tan 45° = 2

tan q = sin 2 q + cos2 q = 1 1
cos q 1 - tan 22 °
2

2
,
Let 𝑡 = tan 22 ' and substitute tan 450 = 1
Double angle formulae
These are derived from the compound angle formulae 2t
\1 =
by substituting A = B. 1- t2
Recall sin ( A + B ) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B . 1 - t 2 = 2t
t 2 + 2t - 1 = 0
If A = B, then sin ( A + A) = sin A cos A + cos A sin A
sin 2 A = 2sin A cos A

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 Recall: sin 2 x + cos2 x = 1
( 2) - 4 (1)( -1)
2
-2 ±
t= 1 2 2
2 (1) L.H.S. = = = = R.H.S.
sin x cos x 2sin x cos x sin 2 x
-2 ± 8 -2 ± 2 2
t= =
2 2 Example 12
t = -1 ± 2 = -1 + 2, -1 - 2 Prove that
1 sin (q + a )
tan 22 ° is positive, so we reject - 1 - 2 º tan q + tan a
2 cos q cos a
1
\ tan 22 ° = 2 - 1 Solution
2
Consider the left-hand side (LHS)
sin (q + a ) sin q cos a + cos q sin a

m
Proofs in trigonometry =
Sometimes we are required to prove that a given cos q cos a cos q cos a

co
identity is true. In so doing, we can use any of the sin q cos a cos q sin a
= +
three basic identities or the compound/double cos q cos a cos q cos a
angle formulae. The following techniques are sin q sin a
= +

.
useful in solving problems on proofs: cos q cos a

hs
1. Choose one side (L.H.S or R.H.S.) and prove = tan q + tan a
it is the same as the other. = R.H.S.
2. Prove that the L.H.S and the R.H.S are equal
to the same expression.
at Example 13
m
√N √'
Given that 𝑐𝑜𝑠303 = '
and 𝑠𝑖𝑛453 = '
, without
Example 11 the use of a calculator, evaluate cos 1050, in surd
s
cos x sin x 2 form, giving your answer in the simplest terms.
Prove that + º .
as

sin x cos x sin 2 x

Solution
Solution By double angle formula:
sp

'
L.H.S √3 1
𝑐𝑜𝑠 603 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ' 303 − 1 = 2 P Q − 1 =
cos x sin x cos 2 x + sin 2 x 2 2
+ = √2
.fa

sin x cos x sin x cos x 𝑐𝑜𝑠453 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛453 =

[Sub sin 2 x + cos 2 x = 1] 2
1 2 2 cos105° = cos ( 60° + 45° )
= = =
w

sin x cos x 2sin x cos x sin 2 x

[Double angle formula] = cos 60° cos 45° - sin 60° sin 45°
w

æ 1 öæ 2 ö æ 3 öæ 2 ö
= ç ÷ç ÷-ç ÷ç ÷
Example 12 è 2 øè 2 ø è 2 øè 2 ø
w

1 2
Prove that tan x + = . 2- 3 2
tan x sin 2 x =
4

Solution =
(
2 1- 3 )
sin x 4
Take the L.H.S and substitute tan x =
cos x
=
(
2 1- 3 )
1 sin x cos x 2 2 2
L.H.S. = tan x + = +
tan x cos x sin x 1- 3
=
sin 2 x + cos 2 x 2 2
=
sin x cos x

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