Circular Functions

We define the six trigonometric functions in such a way that the

domain of each function is the set of angles in standard position. The angles
are measured either in degrees or radians. In this lesson, we will modify
these trigonometric functions so that the domain will be real numbers
rather than set of angles.
Circular Functions on Real Numbers
Recall that the sine and cosine functions (and four others: tangent,
cosecant, secant, and cotangent) of angles measuring between 00 and 900
were defined in the last quarter of Grade 9 as ratios of sides of a right
triangle. It can be verified that these definitions are special cases of the
following definition.
Find the values of 𝑐𝑜𝑠1350 , 𝑡𝑎𝑛 1350 , 𝑠𝑖𝑛(−600 ), 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑐(−600 ).

−600
Find the values of 𝑐𝑜𝑠1350 , 𝑡𝑎𝑛 1350 , 𝑠𝑖𝑛(−600 ), 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑐(−600 ).

−600

From properties of 450 − 450 and 300 − 600 right triangles (with hypotenuse 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡),
we obtain the lengths of the legs as in Figure b. Thus, the coordinates
of A and B are
2 2 1 3
𝐴= − , and 𝐵 = ,− 2
2 2 2
 2 2 1 3
𝐴= − , , 𝐵= ,−
2 2 2 2

Find the values of 𝑐𝑜𝑠1350 , 𝑡𝑎𝑛 1350 , 𝑠𝑖𝑛(−600 ), 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑐(−600 ).

Therefore, we get

0
2 0
3
𝑐𝑜𝑠135 = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(−60 ) = −
2 2

2 0
1
𝑠𝑒𝑐(−60 ) =
1
𝑡𝑎𝑛 1350 = 2
2 2
− 2 2
=1∙
2 2 1
= ∙− 0
𝑠𝑒𝑐(−60 ) = 2
2 2
𝑡𝑎𝑛 1350 = −1
Image Source:
Trigonometric Functions and the Unit Circle. Retrieved on November 27, 2021 at https://courses.lumenlearning.
com/boundless-algebra/chapter/trigonometric-functions-and-the-unit-circle/
The coordinates of A and B are
From the last example, we
2 2 1 3 may then also say that
𝐴= − , ,𝐵 = ,−
2 2 2 2
𝜋 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑑 =
4 2
−600
𝜋 3
𝑠𝑖𝑛 − 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = −
3 2

and so on.
ACTIVITY 1: Use the reference chart.
Find the coordinates (x, y) given the following angles. Show your solution.
1. 4500 2. 2400 3. 5400

Solve for the following trigonometric functions. Use the formula and solve
manually.
1. csc 4050
2. tan 2100
3. sec 1350
 From the previous definitions, we define the same six functions on real
numbers. These functions are called trigonometric functions.
From the last example, we then have

𝜋 𝜋 0
2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠45 =
4 4 2
and
𝜋 𝜋 0
3
𝑠𝑖𝑛 − = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 − 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = sin −60 = −
3 3 2

In the same way, we have

𝑡𝑎𝑛0 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 0𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛00 = 0.
Example 1:
3𝜋
Find the exact values of 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 ,
3𝜋 3𝜋
cos 2 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑛 2 .
3𝜋
Solution. Let 𝑃 be the point on the unit
2
circle and on the terminal side of the angle in the
3𝜋
standard position with measure 𝑟𝑎𝑑. Then
2
3𝜋
𝑃 2
= 0, −1 , and so
3𝜋 3𝜋
𝑠𝑖𝑛 = −1, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 =0
2 2

3𝜋
But 𝑡𝑎𝑛 is undefined.
2
Example 2:
3
Suppose s is a real number such that sin 𝑠 = −4 and cos 𝑠 > 0. Find cos 𝑠.
Solution. We may consider s as the angle with measure 𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑑. Let 𝑃(𝑠) = (𝑥, 𝑦)
be the point on the unit circle and on the terminal side of angle 𝑠.
2 2 3
Since P(s) is on the unit circle, we know that 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1. Since 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑠 = 𝑦 = − ,
4
we get
2
2 2
3 7 7
𝑥 =1−𝑦 =1− − = →𝑥=± .
4 16 4
7
Since cos 𝑠 = 𝑥 > 0, we have cos 𝑠 = .
4
 Let 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥, 𝑦) be points on the terminal side of an angle 𝜃
in standard position, where 𝑃 is on the unit circle and 𝑄 on the circle of
radius 𝑟 (not necessarily 1) with center also at the origin, as shown above.
Observe that we can use similar triangles to obtain
𝑥1 𝑥 𝑦1 𝑦
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑥1 = = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑦1 = =
1 𝑟 1 𝑟
We may then further generalize the definitions of the six circular functions.
 We then have a second solution for Example 2 as follows. With
3 𝑦
sin 𝑠 = − and sin 𝑠 = , we may choose 𝑦 = −3 and 𝑟 = 4 (which is
4 𝑟
always positive). In this case, we can solve for 𝑥, which is positive since
𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 4 is given to be positive.
2 2
7
4 = 𝑥 + −3 → 𝑥 = 7 → 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑠 =
4
ACTIVITY 2: Use the reference chart.
Find the exact values of the following:
4𝜋 4𝜋 4𝜋
1. 𝑠𝑖𝑛 , cos , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑛
3 3 3
3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋
2. 𝑐𝑠𝑐 4 , sec 4 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑡 4
7𝜋 7𝜋 7𝜋
3. 𝑡𝑎𝑛 4 , cot 4 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑐 4
7𝜋 7𝜋 7𝜋
4. 𝑡𝑎𝑛 6 , 𝑠𝑖𝑛 6 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑐 6
5𝜋 5𝜋 5𝜋
5. 𝑠𝑒𝑐 3 , cot 3 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3
 One of the real-life applications of trigonometric function is about angle of
elevation and angle of depression. Let us study the given scenario.
From a point on the ground 55 𝑚 away from the base of a building, the angle of elevation
to the top of the building is 60°. How high is the building?

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑂𝐻𝐶𝐴𝐻𝑇𝑂𝐴
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
Let o be the height of the building. Then, 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
0
𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 =
𝑡𝑎𝑛60 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
55
0 𝑜 = 55 𝑡𝑎𝑛600 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
60 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
𝑜 = 55 3 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
55 𝑚
𝑜 ≈ 95.26

Thus, the height of the building is approximately 95.26 𝑚.

Reference Angle
We observe that if 𝜃1 and 𝜃2 are coterminal angles, the values of the six circular or
trigonometric functions at 𝜃1 agree with the values at 𝜃2 . Therefore, in finding the value
of a circular function at a number 𝜃, we can always reduce 𝜃 to a number between 0 and
14𝜋 14𝜋 2𝜋
2π. For example, 𝑠𝑖𝑛 3 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 3 − 4𝜋 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 3 . Also, observe from the figure below
2𝜋 𝜋
that 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 .
3 3
 In general, if 𝜃1 , 𝜃2 , 𝜃3 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜃4 are as shown in the figure below with 𝑃(𝜃1 ) =
(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ), then each of the 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 of P(𝜃2 ), P(𝜃3 ), and P(𝜃4 ) is ±𝑥1 , while the
𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 is ±𝑦1 . The correct sign is determined by the location of the angle.
Therefore, together with the correct sign, the value of a particular circular function at an
angle 𝜃 can be determined by its value at an angle 𝜃1 with radian measure between 0 and
𝜋
. The angle 𝜃1 is called the reference angle of 𝜃.
2
 The signs of the coordinates of P(𝜃), depends on the quadrant or axis where it
terminates. It is important to know the sign of each circular function in each quadrant.
See the figure below. It is not necessary to memorize the table, since the sign of each
function for each quadrant is easily determined from its definition. We note that the signs
of cosecant, secant, and cotangent are the same as sine, cosine, and tangent, respectively.
Reference Angles

𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐼𝐼 𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐼

𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 1800 − 𝜃2 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 𝜃1

𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐼𝑉

𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 𝜃3 − 1800 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 3600 − 𝜃4

Examples:
Find the quadrant where the given angle lies and determine its reference angle, as well.
5𝜋 15𝜋
1. 2.
6 4

5𝜋 180 15𝜋 180

∙ = 150 ∙ = 675
6 𝜋 4 𝜋
5𝜋 15𝜋
𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 1500 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 6750
6 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 1800 − 𝜃2 4
0 0 675 + (−1)3600 = 3150 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 3600 − 𝜃4
0
𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 180 − 150
0
𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 3600 − 3150
𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 30
𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 450
𝜋 𝜋
45 ∙ =
180 4
𝜋
450 =
4
Examples:
Find the quadrant where the given angle lies and determine its reference angle, as well.
3. −1700 4. 3450
−1700 + 3600 = 1900

𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 𝜃3 − 1800 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 3600 − 𝜃4

𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 1900 − 1800 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 3600 − 3450
𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 100 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 150
Example:
−19𝜋
Evaluate 𝑡𝑎𝑛 .
4
−19𝜋 180
∙ = −855
4 𝜋

−19𝜋
𝑟𝑎𝑑 = −8550 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 𝜃3 − 1800
4
𝜋 𝜋
−8550 + (3)3600 = 2250 𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 2250 − 1800 45 ∙ =
180 4
𝜃𝑟𝑒𝑓. = 450 𝜋
450 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑
2 2 4
− ,−
2 2
𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
𝑥
2
−19𝜋 −
𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 2
4 2
− 2
−19𝜋 2 2
𝑡𝑎𝑛 =− ∙−
4 2 2
−19𝜋
𝑡𝑎𝑛 =1
4
ACTIVITY 3: Use the reference chart.
Find the reference angles and quadrant where the angle lies. Show your
solution.
10𝜋
1. 6
13𝜋
2.
4
17𝜋
3.
3
4. −5120
5. −7180
References:
Bacani, J. B. (2016). Precalculus. Commission on Higher Education: Quezon City.
Converse of Pythagorean Theorem Special Right Triangles. Retrieved on November 20,
2021 https://www.krktz-m9pwrf3k.top/products.aspx?cname=converse+
of+pythagorean+theorem+special+right+triangles&cid=37
Songco, S.M. (n.d.). Pre-Calculus Quarter 2–Module 3: Circular Functions. Department
of Education – Schools Division of Bataan: Balanga City.

Image Source:
Trigonometric Functions and the Unit Circle. Retrieved on November 27, 2021 at
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-algebra/chapter/trigonometric-
functions-and-the-unit-circle/

Thank you for watching! ☺

Image Source:
Trigonometric Functions and the Unit Circle. Retrieved on November 27, 2021 at https://courses.lumenlearning.
com/boundless-algebra/chapter/trigonometric-functions-and-the-unit-circle/
 Circular function is sometimes called Trigonometric Function. It is
because Circular function uses Sine function and Cosine function to define
the points around the unit circle. The function is about the relationship
between the given angle and its coordinates. As the point moves around the
unit circle, the coordinates of the point will depend on the arc length of a
unit circle.
Find the values of 𝑐𝑜𝑠1350 , 𝑡𝑎𝑛 1350 , 𝑐𝑜𝑠(−60)0 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 sec(−60)0
𝑆𝑂𝐻𝐶𝐴𝐻𝑇𝑂𝐴

𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
Examples:
Use reference angle and appropriate sign to find the exact value of each expression.
5𝜋 15𝜋
1. 𝑡𝑎𝑛 1. 𝑠𝑖𝑛
6 4

5𝜋 180 15𝜋 180

∙ = 150 ∙ = 675
6 𝜋 4 𝜋
5𝜋 15𝜋
𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 1500 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 6750
6 4