MODULE 4

TRIGONOMETRY (PART 3)
Introduction:
This will discuss the following topics in Trigonometry:
1. Practice Problems from previous discussion (Trigonometric Identities and Relations)
2. Spherical Trigonometry

Objectives:
By the end of this module, you must be able to:
1. Be familiarized and memorize the different trigonometric identities and relations, and its
operations
2. Be able to memorize the different trigonometric identities.
4. Define what spherical trigonometry is and solve related problems.

Discussion:

Sample Problems:

1. Sin (B-A) is equal to _____, when B = 270 degrees and A is an acute angle.

Solution:

Using Subtraction Formula:

sin (α – β) = sin α cos β – cos α sin β

sin (270⁰-A) = sin270 cosA – cos270 sinA

sin (270⁰-A) = (-1)(cosA) – (0)sinA

sin (270⁰-A) = -cosA – 0

sin (270⁰-A) = - cos A

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2. If sec2A is 5/2, the quantity 1- sin2 θ is equivalent to?

Using Pythagorean Relations and Reciprocal Relations:

sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1

cos2 θ = 1 - sin2 θ
1
cos2 θ =
sec2 θ

1
sec2 θ
= 1 - sin2 θ

1
5 = 1 - sin2 θ
2

2
= 1 - sin2 θ
5

3. Angles are measured from the positive horizontal axis, and the positive direction is counter clockwise.
What are the values of sin B and cos B in the 4th quadrant?

Solution:

Quadrantal Trigo Functions

sin B = (-)

cos B = (+)

sin B < 0 < cos B

4. csc 520 is equal to?

Solution:

csc520 = csc (520-360)  1 revolution

csc520 = csc160

csc160 = csc(180-160)  half revolution

csc20

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5. Solve for θ in the following equation: sin2 θ = cos θ

Solution:

Using Double Angle Formula

Sin2 θ = 2sinθcosθ

2sinθcosθ = cos θ

cosθ
2sinθ = cosθ

2sinθ = 1
1
sin θ = 2

θ = 30⁰

6. The sine of a certain angle is 0.6. Calculate the cotangent of the angle.

Solution:
3
0.6 = 5

3 opposite
sinθ = =
5 hypotenuse

To get the adjacent side:

52 = (adjacent side)2+ 32

Adjacent side = √52 − 32

Adjacent side = 4
adjacent
cotθ = opposite

4
cotθ =
3

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 1
7. If sec2A = , determine the angle A in degrees.
sin13A

Using Reciprocal Relations:

1
sec2A = cos2A

1
sec2A =
sin13A

1 1
cos2A
= sin13A

sin13A = cos2A

Using Co-Function Relations:

cosθ = sin(90-θ)

sin 13A = sin(90-2A)

13A = 90-2A

13A + 2A = 90

15A = 90

A = 6⁰

8. Find the value of y in the given : y = (1 + cos2θ)tanθ.

Solution:

Using the Double Angle Formula:

cos2θ = 1 – 2sin2θ

y = [1 + (1 – 2sin2θ)] tan θ

y = (2 -2sin2θ)tanθ

y = 2(1-sin2θ) tanθ

Using Pythagorean and Tangent/Cotangent Relations:

cos2θ = 1-sin2θ

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 sinθ
tanθ = cosθ

sinθ
y = 2(cos2θ)( cosθ)

y = 2cosθsinθ

y = sin2θ (From the Double Angle Formula)

sinθ+cosθtanθ
9. Find the value of x = cosθ

Solution:

Using Tangent Relations:

sinθ cosθtanθ
X= +
cosθ cosθ

X = tanθ + tanθ

X = 2tanθ

10. Simplify the expression x = sin2θ (1 + cot2θ)

X = sin2θ (1 + cot2θ)

X= sin2θ + sin2θ cot2θ

Using Cotangent Relation:

cos2 θ
X = sin2θ + sin2θ( sin2θ )

Using Pythagorean Relation:

X = sin2θ + cos2θ

X=1

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SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY

 It is the branch of mathematics which focuses on the measurement of triangles on the spheres.
 It is principally used for navigation and astronomy

Right Spherical Triangle

 A triangle on the sphere having at least one interior angle equal to 90⁰. The formulas of right
spherical triangle can be derived from Napier’s Rules I and II.

Rule I. Sin-Tan-Ad Rule: The sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the tangents of the two
adjacent parts.

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Rule II. Sin-Cos-Op Rule: The sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the cosines of the two
opposite parts.

Oblique Spherical Triangle

 A triangle having no right angle.

There are six cases arising for these triangles:

CASE 1: Given three angles

CASE 2: Given three sides

CASE 3: Given two angles and included sides

CASE 4: Given two sides and included angles

CASE 5: Given two angles and a side opposite to one of them

CASE 6: Given two sides and an angle opposite to one of them

These cases can be solved using Sine Law, Cosine Law, and Tangent Law.

Note:

Sum of Interior Angles: 180⁰ < A + B + C < 540⁰

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Sine Law:

Cosine Law for the Angles:

Cosine Law for the Sides:

Tangent Law:

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Napier’s Analogies:

Area of Spherical Triangle:

Spherical Defect:

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THE TERRESTRIAL SPHERE (EARTH)

Latitude or Parallel – small circles parallel to the equator; this will serve as the angular elevation above
or below the equator. North Pole is 90⁰ above the equator and South pole is 90⁰ below the equator.

Longitude or Meridians – semi-circles that run from the north and south poles, and used to locate how
far east or west from Greenwich, England

Prime Meridian – semi-circle running from north to south pole through Greenwich, London. Opposite
the Prime Meridian is the International Date Line (IDL)

International Date Line – arbitrary line established at about 180⁰ meridian or exactly opposite of the
Prime Meridian. The IDL does not necessarily follow the meridian (semi-circle) precisely because it is
actually zigzags in order to avoid land masses and archipelagos.

Bearings – measurements from the north or south, clockwise or counterclockwise. It is quadrantal in

nature such that a bearing should never exceed 90⁰.

Azimuths – clockwise angles usually measured from a meridian line thus azimuths used either north or
south as their reference.

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Right Spherical Triangle

 The angle formed by the intersection of latitude and longitude is 90⁰.

The Latitude and Longitude

 East Longitude: Starts from prime meridian at 0⁰ eastward to 180⁰

 West Longitude: Starts from prime meridian at 0⁰ westward to 180⁰
 North Latitude: Starts from equator at 0⁰ upward to 90⁰
 South Latitude: Starts from equator at 0⁰ downward to 90⁰

In some cases, North Latitude and South Latitudes will be expressed in positive and negative angles
respectively.

EXAMPLES:

1. An engineer left a point (point A) walking at 6.5kph in a direction E 20⁰ N. A cyclist leaves the same
point at the time in a direction E 40⁰ S travelling at a constant speed. Find the average speed of the
cyclist if the engineer and the cyclist are 80km apart after 5 hours.

Solution:

After 5 hours:

Distance of engineer: 6.5 kph x 5 hours = 32km

Using Sine Law:

C B
=
sinC sin B

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32.5 60
=
sinC sin(80⁰)

C = 20.60⁰

Then: B = 180⁰ - (60⁰ + 20.60⁰)

B = 99.4⁰

To get the rate of the biker:

Distance = Velocity x Time = Vx5hrs = 5V

Using Sine Law:

5V 80
0
=
sin(99.4 ) sin(60⁰)

5V = 91.14km
91.14 𝑘𝑚
V= 5 ℎ𝑟𝑠
= 18.23 kph

2. A spherical triangle ABC has an angle C = 90⁰ and sides a = 50⁰ and c = 80⁰. Find the value of “b” in
degrees.

Solution:

Use Co-op Rule (Rule 2)

sin cc = cos a cos b

cos c = cos 50⁰ cos 80⁰

c = 74.33⁰
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3. Solve for side b of a right spherical triangle whose parts a = 46⁰, c = 75⁰, and C = 90⁰.

Solution:

Use Co-op Rule (Rule 2)

sin cc = cos a cos b

cos 75 = cos 46⁰ cos b⁰

b = 68.12⁰

Sources:
1. Capote, Roger S. and Mandawe, Joel A. Solved Problems Mathematics and Basic Engineering Sciences
Updated Version, JAM Publisher, 2007
2. Excel Academic Council. 1001 Solved Problems in Engineering Mathematics Third edition. First
Benchmark Publisher, Inc. 2008

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