TRIGONOMETRY

Trigonometry is derived from Greek words trigonon (three angles) and metron (measure). Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics which deal with triangles, particularly triangles in a plane where one angle of the triangle is 90 degrees. Triangles on a sphere are also studied, in spherical trigonometry. Trigonometry specifically deals with the relationships between the sides and the angles of triangles, that is, on the trigonometric functions, and with calculation based on these functions.

HISTORY
The origins of trigonometry can be traced to the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, more than 4000 years ago. Some experts believe that trigonometry was originally invented to calculate sundials, a traditional exercise in the oldest books. The first recorded use trigonometry came from the Hellenistic mathematician Hipparchus circa 150 BC, who compiled a trigonometric table using the sine for solving triangles. The Sulba Sutras written in India, between 800 BC and 500 BC, correctly compute the sine of (45o) as

in a procedure for circling the square (the opposite of

squaring the circle) Many ancient mathematics like Aryabhata, Brahmagupa, Ibn Yunus and Al-Kashi made significant contributions mad in this field (trigonometry)

Trigonometric Ratios in Right-Angled Triangles.

A triangle in which one angle is equal to 90o is called rightangled. Figure 0.1 shows a right-angled triangle ABC with as one of its angles. The longest side (opposite to the right angle) is its hypotenuse or slanted side, whereas the other two sides (with respect to are the right-angled side opposite to and the rightangled side adjacent to ). Trigonometric ratios are ratios between the sides of right-angled triangles. For example, between the right-angled side adjacent to and the hypotenuse, between the right-angled side opposite to and the hypotenuse, between the right-angled side opposite to and the right-angled side adjacent to , and so on. The measurement of trigonometric ratios depend on the measurement of the angle and not on the length of the side of the right-angled triangle. Consider the following discussion. Figure 0.2 show line OM that forms an angle of = 26.3o with the X axis and passes through B, D and F. Whereas point A, C and E lies on the X axis such that BA, DC and

FE are perpendicular to the X axis. Then OAB, OCD and triangles that have the same angles (similar triangles).

OEF are right-angled

The ratios of sides of those triangle (with respect to ):

Therefore, it can be concluded that trigonometric do not depend on the side lengths. Those ratios are sine, cosine, and tangent. There are six trigonometric ratios, the other three are secant, cosecant, and cotangent.

Sine, Cosine, Tangent, Cotangent, Secant, and Cosecant of an Angle.

1. Sine and Cosecant On a right-angled triangle, the sine of an angle is the ratio between the side opposite to the angle and the hypotenuse. And cosecant is the reverse of sine. The sine of an angle is written as sin . The cosecant of an angle is written as csc . In Figure 0.3 sin = and csc =

, sin

and csc

2. Cosine and Secant On a right-angled triangle, the cosine of an angle is the ratio between the side adjacent to the angle and the hypotenuse. And secant is the reverse of cosine. The cosine of an angle The secant of an angle In Figure 0.3 cos = and sec = is written as cos . is written as sec . = and sec =

, cos

3. Tangent and Cotangent On a right-angled triangle, the tangent of an angle is the ratio between the side opposite to the angle and the side adjacent to the angle. And cotangent is the reverse of tangent The tangen of an angle is written as tan . The cotangent of an angle is written as cot . In Figure 0.3 tan = and cot =

, tan

and cot

Example: If sin =

, determine the values of the other trigonometry ratios.

Solution Given sin =

Make a sketch drawing what is

represented in this information. = = =

Observe a new sketch drawing. cos tan cot csc sec = = = = =

= =1 =1 = =

Trigonometric Ratios of Special Angles.

The values of trigonometric ratios can be calculated by using isosceles right triangle and equilateral triangles. Special angles referred to are 0o, 30o, 45o, 60o, and 90o. Consider Figure 0.4(a). ABC has a right angle at C and BAC= 45o. Because BAC = 45o, then ABC = 45o. Hence ABC is an isosceles right triangle ( ).

We obtain: sin 45o = = = cos 45o = = = tan 45o = = =1

Next consider Figure 0.5(a). ABC has a right angle at C, 60o. ADC is the reflection of ABC with respect to AC.

BAC = 30o, and ABC =

Because every angle on ABC = 60o, then ABC is an equilateral triangle, hence AB = AD = BD or . We obtain: sin 30o = = sin 60o = =

cos 30o = = = cos 60o = = = =

tan 30o = = = tan 60o = =

in order to determine trigonometric ratios of 0o and 90o we can use a unit circle in Cartesian coordinates.

Consider Figure 0.6. Suppose P( ) is the point on the unit circle. Line OP forms an angle with the X axis. Length ON is units, length PN is units and length OP is 1 unit (because OP is the circles radius). ONP is a right-angled triangle. Trigonometric ratios for angle are as follow: sin = = , cos = = , tan =

Now, if = 0o, then line OP coincides with the X axis, therefore the position of P is (1,0), then: sin 0o = cos 0o = tan 0o = = 0, = 1, = = 0.

Next, if = 90o, then OP coincides with the Y axis, which means that the position of P is (0, 1), therefore: sin 90o = cos 90o = tan 90o = = 1, = 0, = = undefined. Table Trigonometry A 0o 30o 45o 60o 90o 1 0 sin A 0 cos A 1 tan A 0 1 Undefined cosec A Undefined 2 1 sec A 1 2 Undefined cot A Undefined 1 0

Examples If = 40 cm and A = 60o , determine the lenght of and

Solution sin 60o = =

because sin 60o =

, then c =

cm.

Now we determine the value of . b2 = c2 a2

1600 =

b=