Gr.

11 – Gr12 Trigonometry Study Sheet

Trig Ratios
In any right-angled triangle:

C
C
opposite BC
sinθ = =
hypotenuse AC
adjacent AB
cosθ = =
hypotenuse AC
opposite BC
tanθ = =
A BB adjacent AB

The Quadrant rules and CAST Diagram

The cartesian plane is divided into 4 quadrants. The angle formed will determine the sign of
each trigonometric function.
▪ All trigonometric functions are positive in the 1st quadrant.
▪ sinθ is positive in the 2nd quadrant and tanθ and cosθ are negative.
▪ tanθ is positive in the 3rd quadrant and sinθ and cosθ are negative.
▪ cosθ is positive in the 4th quadrant and sinθ and tanθ are negative.
CAST Diagram with Reduction Formulae
The purpose of a reduction formulae is to reduce the function value of any angle to the
function value of an acute angle.

Top Tip: Always draw a

small CAST diagram (with
reduction formulas) at the
(180 − 𝜃) (360 + 𝜃) top of your page when
answering trig questions!

(180 + 𝜃) (360 − 𝜃)

Reduction Examples:
sin(180 − θ) = sin θ
1
sin(150) = sin(180 − 30) = sin30 =
2
cos(180 − θ) = −cosθ

√3
cos(150) = cos(180 − 30) = −cos30 = −
2

Whenever the angle is greater than 360°, keep subtracting 360° from the angle until you have
an angle in the interval [0°; 360°]. For example:

√2
sin765 = sin(765 − 360 − 360) = sin45 =
2

Negative Angles
The negative angle rule is used to rewrite the function value of a negative angle as a positive
angle. Only cosθ remains positive!
cos(−θ) = cosθ

sin(−θ) = −sinθ
tan(−θ) = −tanθ
Watch out for these types (Reduction with negative angles):
Top Tip: Pay attention to
tan(θ − 180) = tan[−(180 − θ)] = −tan (180 − θ) = −tanθ negative signs that are
inside the angle or outside
of the trig function – this is
a very big difference!
Co-functions (Name Change)

(90 + 𝜃) (90 − 𝜃)

Co-function rules:
Use the CAST diagram with co-function formulae to check the sign of the trig function. Write
down the sign and then make the name change. For example, cos (90 + θ) is negative in the
2nd quadrant, therefore put down a negative sign and then change cosθ to sinθ.
cos(90 + θ) = −sinθ
sin(90 + θ) = cosθ
sin(90 − θ) = cosθ
cos(90 − θ) = sinθ

Watch out for these types (Co-function with negative angles):

sin(θ − 90) = sin[−(90 − θ)] = − sin(90 − θ) = −cosθ

Identities
sinθ Top Tip: The identities can
Quotient Identity: tanθ = cosθ
be rearranged or can be
used from either side.
Square Identity: cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1 I.e., when you see “1” it
might help to change it to
cos2 θ = 1 − sin2 θ cos2 θ + sin2 θ

sin2 θ = 1 − cos2 θ
Special Angles

These two triangles can be easily described in terms of their trig function and corresponding
angles:

Triangle A Triangle B
From triangle A:

√3 1
sin60 = , cos60 = , tan60 = √3
2 2
1 √3 √3
sin30 = , cos30 = , tan30 =
2 2 3
From triangle B:

√2 √2
sin45 = , cos45 = , tan45 = 1
2 2

Double Angles
Top Tip: The second &
sin(2θ) = 2sinθcosθ third formula makes
use of the identity:

cos(2𝜃) = cos2 𝜃 − sin2 𝜃 cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1

1 − 2sin2 𝜃
Top Tip: These formulae can
2cos2 𝜃 − 1
be rearranged in any way –
watch out for this! E.g.,
cos(2𝜃)+1
cos2 𝜃 =
2
Compound Angles
sin(A + B) = sinAcosB + cosAsinB
sin(A − B) = sinAcosB − cosAsinB

cos(A + B) = cosAcosB − sinAsinB

cos (A − B) = cosAcosB + sinAsinB

Example: sin(75) = sin(45 + 30) = sin45cos30 + cos45sin30

Trigonometric Equations (Reference Angle Method)

When solving a trigonometric equation, you are finding angles that satisfy the equation. Due
to the periodic nature of trig functions, there will always be more than one angle which is a
solution to the equation.

1. Calculate the positive acute angle (reference angle). Work with the positive function
value (ignore negative signs).
2. Using the sign of the function value, determine the quadrants in which the function
value is positive / negative to find two solutions (angles).
3. Determine the angles by using the appropriate reduction formulae:
a. θ = ref angle (Any angle in quadrant 1)
b. θ = 180 − ref angle (Any angle in quadrant 2)
c. θ = 180 + ref angle (Any angle in quadrant 3)
d. θ = 360 − ref angle (Any angle in quadrant 4)
4. With equations of the form sinθ = n and cosθ = n, where −1 < n < 1, generate
solutions by adding k. 360° to the angles found in step 3.
5. With equations of the form tanθ = n, where −1 < n < 1, generate solutions by adding
k. 180° to the angles found in step 3.

Example: Top Tip: If your equation

does not resemble this
sinθ = −0.5 one, first simplify and
rearrange the equation
1. Ref angle = sin−1(0.5) = 30° (Use positive 0.5) to be in the form:
2. Using the CAST diagram, sinθ is negative in quadrant 3 and 4. trig function = n

3. Quad 3: θ = 180° + 30°

Quad 4: θ = 360° − 30°
4. Therefore, the two solutions are:
θ = 210° + k. 360°, where k ∈ ℤ

θ = 330° + k. 360°, where k ∈ ℤ

Top Tip: Once you’re

familiar with the steps
you can jump from step
1&2 to step 4!
Exam hints:

The most important aspects of trigs are the basics! Always keep the following in mind when
answering trig questions:

▪ CAST Diagram with Reduction formulae and Co-function formulae

▪ Trig Identities

Be mindful of signs and how to simplify if you are working with negatives.

Always have a plan and answer the question strategically – never just simply everything!

NB: Be mindful of follow-up questions – use the previous questions to help you solve the
next, they are designed to help you.

Have fun, trigs is the best!