Trigonometric Identities

(Math | Trig | Identities)

sin(theta) = a / c csc(theta) = 1 / sin(theta) = c / a
cos(theta) = b / c sec(theta) = 1 / cos(theta) = c / b
tan(theta) = sin(theta) / cos(theta) = a / b cot(theta) = 1/ tan(theta) = b / a
sin(-x) = -sin(x)
csc(-x) = -csc(x)
cos(-x) = cos(x)
sec(-x) = sec(x)
tan(-x) = -tan(x)
cot(-x) = -cot(x)
sin
^2
(x) + cos
^2
(x) = 1 tan
^2
(x) + 1 = sec
^2
(x) cot
^2
(x) + 1 = csc
^2
(x)
sin(x y) = sin x cos y cos x sin y
cos(x y) = cos x cosy sin x sin y
tan(x y) = (tan x tan y) / (1 tan x tan y)
sin(2x) = 2 sin x cos x
cos(2x) = cos
^2
(x) - sin
^2
(x) = 2 cos
^2
(x) - 1 = 1 - 2 sin
^2
(x)
tan(2x) = 2 tan(x) / (1 - tan
^2
(x))
sin
^2
(x) = 1/2 - 1/2 cos(2x)
cos
^2
(x) = 1/2 + 1/2 cos(2x)
sin x - sin y = 2 sin( (x - y)/2 ) cos( (x + y)/2 )
cos x - cos y = -2 sin( (x - y)/2 ) sin( (x + y)/2 )
Trig Table of Common Angles
angle 0 30 45 60 90
sin
^2
(a) 0/4 1/4 2/4 /4 4/4
cos
^2
(a) 4/4 /4 2/4 1/4 0/4
tan
^2
(a) 0/4 1/ 2/2 /1 4/0
Given Triangle abc, with angles A,B,C; a is opposite to A, b
opposite B, c opposite C
a/sin(A) = b/sin(B) = c/sin(C) (!aw o" #ines)
c
^2
= a
^2
+ b
^2
! 2ab cos(C)
b
^2
= a
^2
+ c
^2
! 2ac cos(")
a
^2
= b
^2
+ c
^2
! 2bc cos(A)
(Law of Cosines)
(a - b)/(a + b) = tan [(A-B)/2] / tan [(A+B)/2] (!aw o" Tangents)
sin(theta) = a / c
csc(theta) = 1 / sin(theta) = c / a
cos(theta) = b / c
sec(theta) = 1 / cos(theta) = c / b
tan(theta) = sin(theta) / cos(theta) = a / b
cot(theta) = 1/ tan(theta) = b / a
sin(-) = -sin()
csc(-) = csc()
cos(-) = cos()
sec(-) = sec()
tan(-) = -tan()
cot(-) = -cot()
sin
^2
() ! cos
^2
() = 1
tan
^2
() ! 1 = sec
^2
()
cot
^2
() ! 1 = csc
^2
()
sin( ") = sin cos " cos sin "
cos( ") = cos cos " sin sin "
tan( ") = (tan tan ") / (1 tan tan ")
sin(2) = 2 sin cos
cos(2) = cos
^2
() - sin
^2
() = 2 cos
^2
() - 1 = 1 - 2 sin
^2
()
tan(2) = 2 tan() / (1 - tan
^2
())
sin
^2
() = 1/2 - 1/2 cos(2)
cos
^2
() = 1/2 ! 1/2 cos(2)
sin - sin " = 2 sin( ( - ")/2 ) cos( ( ! ")/2 )
cos - cos " = -2 sin( ( - ")/2 ) sin( ( ! ")/2 )
#$ig #able %f Co&&on 'ngles
'ngle 0 30 45 60 90
sin
^2
(a) 0/4 1/4 2/4 3/4 4/4
cos
^2
(a) 4/4 3/4 2/4 1/4 0/4
tan
^2
(a) 0/4 1/3 2/2 3/1 4/0
(i)es a*b*c - 'ngles '*+*C
a %,,osite '* b %,,osite +* c %,,osite C
Law %f (ines
a/sin(') = b/sin(+) = c/sin(C)
Law %f Cosines
c
^2
= a
^2
! b
^2
- 2ab cos(C)
b
^2
= a
^2
! c
^2
- 2ac cos(+)
a
^2
= b
^2
! c
^2
- 2bc cos(')
Law %f #angents
(a - b)/(a ! b) = tan -('-+)/2. / tan -('!+)/2.
Basic angles
Since the trigonometric ratios for most angles cannot be calculated exactly
in closed algebraic form, a few well-known angles that can be calculated
often comprise the bulk of textbook exercises involving trigonometry.
The basic angles are given in Table 1.
#able 1/ "asic angles enco#ntere$ in trigonometry
sin cos tan
0 0 1 0
0 1/2
2 1
4%
2 2 2 2
1
&0
2
1/2

'0 1 0
Other angles by addition and halving
These basic angles can be easily extended to obtain more angles of
interest. Adding multiples of '0 merely rotates these angles into other
uadrants! the appropriate values ofsin and cos can be obtained through
symmetry.
The values for 1% can be obtained by using the formula for the difference
of angles"




#ikewise, we can find that



$ore exact angles can be obtained by solving the double angle identity"
sin2 = 21(cos cos2 = 21+cos
So for example, sin) % = (4( &( 2) * . These angles can be further
added and subdivided to obtain a dense subset of exactly known angles.
%owever, such effort is not generally useful. &omputers and calculators use a
combination of lookup-tables and numeric iteration to obtain their values.
The angles 1* , & , %4 , )2
The 1* -& -%4 -)2 series of angles cannot be obtained by halving,
doubling, adding or subtracting the previous angles. 'evertheless, they are
constructible, and their exact values can be derived by the following
elementary procedure"
&onsider an isosceles triangle with the angles )2 , %4 and %4 . (rom the
triangle we derive the relation"
sin2)2 =cos%4
+otice that )2=4 1* an$ %4= 1* , so if x=1* , then




The last euation is a uadratic euation that can be solved for sin1* .
&arrying out the calculations, we obtain the values in Table ).
#able 2/ -ther constr#ctible angles in trigonometry
sin cos
1*
4 %(1
2 2 %+ %
&
2 2 %( %
4 %+1
%4
4 %+1
2 2 %( %
)2
2 2 %+ %
4 %(1
(irst, you need a protractor. &reate a right triangle A*& with & as the right triangle. #et angle * be your
angle. $ake rough measurements of the three sides of the triangle. now"
sin * + A&,A*
-nce you know its sine, use these formulae for the other trigonometric functions"
cos * + srt.1 - sin/ *0
tan * + sin *,cos *
Special cases are"
sin 1 + 1
sin 21 + 1
sin 31 + 1,)
sin 41 + srt3,)
sin 56 + srt),)
(rom these, you can compute all angles.
remember,
sin * + sin .* - 341n0 where n is an integer
sin * + cos .21 - *0
cos * + sin .21 - *0
cos .-*0 + cos *
sin .-*0 + -sin *
example"
calculate sin, cos and tan of -161.
first, sin -161 + -sin 161
-sin 161 + -cos.21 - 1610
+ -cos .-410
+ - cos 41 + -sin.21 - 410 + - sin 31
+ -1,)
sin -161 + -1,)
cos -161 + cos 161 + sin.21 - 1610
+ sin .-410 + -sin 41
+ -srt3,)
tan -161 + sin -161,cos -161
+ .-1,)0,.-srt3,)0
+ srt3,3
7ust use these sign rules"
if angle is in 81 + sin cos and tan are 9
if angle is in 8) + sin is 9,cos is -,tan is -
if angle is in 83 + sin is -,cos is -,tan is 9
is angle is in 85 + sin is -,cos is 9,tan is :
TRIGONOMETRY(i)

Contents
Right !ngled Triangles
"or#$lae
One !ngle % One &ide
E'a#(les
T)o &ides % No !ngle E'a#(les
!((lied E'a#(les Obt$se !ngles

Right !ngled Triangles Trigonometry euations interconnect the angles and
sides of right angled triangles.
The longest side is always called the hypotenuse and is always opposite the
right angle. The other two sides of the triangle are named in relation to the
sub;ect angle. The first triangle in the diagram above shows the sub;ect angle
in blue. These other sides make up the right angle and are named as opposite
to the sub;ect angle, and ad;acent to the sub;ect angle. The second triangle
above shows the names of the sides when the sub;ect angle is changed.
Top of <age
"or#$lae where is the sub;ect angle"
The ratios between the sides are functions of the sub;ect angle.
sin + opposite hypotenuse.
cos + ad;acent hypotenuse.
tan + opposite ad;acent.
These are useful where an angle and the length of one side is given, then all
the other lengths can be found.
+ sin opposite hypotenuse.
+ cos ad;acent hypotenuse.
+ tan opposite ad;acent.
.The means the inverse, usually a shift key on the calculator0. These are
useful where the lenght of at least two sides are known, but no angles given
.other than the right angle0.
Top of <age
One !ngle % One &ide E'a#(les .A calculator is reuired to follow these
examples0. The names of the sides are given after the sub;ect angle is known.
%ere the sub;ect angle is drawn in blue in the diagram below.
opp + opposite, ad; + ad;acent, hyp + hypotenuse
(i) -ne angle and the hypotenuse is given, find the other two sides"
(ormula" sin )= + opp hyp. >earrange" opp + sin )= x hyp. Therefore o(( +
34.
(ormula" cos )= + ad; hyp. >earrange" ad; + cos )= x hyp. Therefore ad* + =
1.
(ii) -ne angle and the opposite side is given, find the other two sides"
(ormula" sin )= + opp hyp. >earrange" hyp + opp sin )= . Therefore hy( +
13).
(ormula" tan )= + opp ad;. >earrange" ad; + opp tan )= . Therefore ad* + 11
?.
(iii) -ne angle and the ad;acent side is given, find the other two sides"
(ormula" cos )= + ad; hyp. >earrange" hyp + ad; cos )= . Therefore hy( + =
2.
(ormula" tan )= + opp ad;. >earrange" opp + ad; x tan )= . Therefore o(( +
34.
Top of <age *ack to -ne Angle -ne Side @xamples
@xercise .a0"
@xercise .b0"
Top of <age *ack to -ne Angle -ne Side @xamples *ack to (ormulae
T)o &ides % No !ngles E'a#(les .A calculator is reuired to follow these
examples0. The names of the sides are given with respect to the reuired
angle. %ere the reuired angle is drawn in blue in the diagram below.
opp + opposite, ad; + ad;acent, hyp + hypotenuse.
(iv) Two sides are given, find the angle AaA"
The known sides are opposite and hypotenuse, therefore use sin function.
(ormula" a + sin x opp hyp. + 31 .
.The other angle is therefore 41 .all angles sum to 1?1 0. -r to calculate the
other angle using trigonometry, look at the sides in relation to this angle. The
known lengths are now the hypotenuse and the ad;acent sides. (ormula"
angle + cos x ad; hyp. + 41 .0
(v) Two sides are given, find the angle AbA"
The known sides are the ad;acent and the hypotenuse, therefore use the cos
function. (ormula" b + cos x ad; hyp. + 3?2 .
.The other angle is therefore 611 .all angles sum to 1?1 0. -r to calculate the
other angle using trigonometry, look at the sides in relation to this angle. The
known lengths are now the hypotenuse and the opposite sides. (ormula"
angle + sin x opp hyp. + 611 .0
(vi) Two sides are given, find the angle AcA"
The known sides are the opposite and the ad;acent, therefore use the tan
function. (ormula" c + tan x opp ad;. + 6=6 .
.The other angle is therefore 3)6 .all angles sum to 1?1 0. -r to calculate the
other angle using trigonometry, look at the sides in relation to this angle. The
known lengths still the opposite and the ad;acent sides but reversed. (ormula"
angle + tan x opp ad;. + 3)6 .0
Top of <age *ack to Two Sides B 'o Angles @xamples
@xercise .c0"
@xercise .d0"
Top of <age *ack to Two Sides B 'o Angles @xamples *ack to (ormulae
!((lied E'a#(les
(vii)
A church tower stands 36 metres high, its shadow is measured at 61 metres.
(ind the angle of elevation of the sun C


Answer" Draw the right angled triangle" Ese the formula
where two sides are known but no angle" (rom the
angle in uestion the two sides known are the opposite
and the ad;acent. Therefore the formula is" + tan x
36 61 + 36 .
(viii) A plane is flying at 11,111 metres altitude directly above, 1) seconds
later the angle of elevation is =6 , find the speed of the plane.
Answer" Draw the right angled triangle" Ese the formula
where one side is known and one angle is known" The
side that is needed is the side ! B. Esing rules
from Feometry.i0 the angle within the triangle next to the
angle of elevation is 16 also the angle at B is =6 . Esing
this angle at Bthe formula is tan =6 + 11111 ad;.
>earranging ad; or ! B + 11111 tan =6 + )4?1 metres. The speed is )4?1
metres in 1) seconds or .x 3110 ?15111 metres in an hour . ?15 kmh0.
Top of <age
Obt$se !ngles

The trigonometric ratios of sin, cos and tan are
defined as follows"
sin .1?1 - 0 + opp hyp.
-cos .1?1 - 0 + ad; hyp.
-tan .1?1 - 0 + opp ad;.
@xample" if + 141 ! sin + sin )1 ! cos + - cos )1 ! tan + - tan )1 .
@xample" find the obtuse angle when sin + 14.
Answer" sin 14 + 342. Therefore" 1?1 - 342 + 1531 .
Top of <age
01athst2to$3co& 2001-2005
Sine, Cosine and Tangent
Three Functions, but same idea.
Right Triangle
Sine, Cosine and Tangent ae a!! based on a "ig#t-Ang!ed Tiang!e
Be$oe getting st%c& into t#e $%nctions, it #e!'s to gi(e a name to eac# side o$ a ig#t
tiang!e)
*+''osite* is o''osite to t#e ang!e ,
*Ad-acent* is ad-acent (next to) to t#e ang!e ,
*.y'oten%se* is t#e !ong one
')4acent is al.ays next to the
angle
An$ %,,osite is o//osite the angle
Sine, Cosine and Tangent
#ine, Cosine and Tangent ae t#e t#ee /ain $%nctions in tigono/ety0
T#ey ae o$ten s#otened to sin, cos and tan0
To ca!c%!ate t#e/)
$ivide the length o" one side b% another side
000 b%t yo% /%st &no1 1#ic# sides2
3o a tiang!e 1it# an ang!e , t#e $%nctions ae ca!c%!ated t#is 1ay)
Sine Function: sin() = Opposite / Hypotenuse
Cosine Function: cos() = Adjacent / Hypotenuse
Tangent Function: tan() = Opposite / Adjacent
&'ample (hat is the sine o" )*+,

0sing this triangle (lengths are only to one $ecimal /lace)1
sin(456) = +''osite / .y'oten%se = 207 / 809 = -.*/...

:ood ca!c%!atos #a(e sin, cos and tan on t#e/, to /a&e it easy $o
yo%0 ;%st '%t in t#e ang!e and 'ess t#e b%tton0
B%t yo% sti!! need to e/e/be 1#at t#ey /ean2
"Why didn't sin and tan go to the party?"
"... just cos!"
Examples
&'ample what are the sine, cosine and tangent o" )-+ ,
T#e c!assic 4<6 tiang!e #as a #y'oten%se o$ !engt# 2, an o''osite side o$ !engt# 1 and an
ad-acent side o$ =(4))
>o1 1e &no1 t#e !engt#s, 1e can ca!c%!ate t#e $%nctions)
Sine sin(30) = 1 / 2 = 0.5
Cosine cos(30) = 1.732 / 2 = 0.866...
Tangent tan(30) = 1 / 1.732 = 0.577...
(get yo% ca!c%!ato o%t and c#ec& t#e/2)

&'ample what are the sine, cosine and tangent o" 0*+ ,
T#e c!assic 856 tiang!e #as t1o sides o$ 1 and a #y'oten%se o$ =(2))
Sine sin(45) = 1 / 1.414 = 0.707...
Cosine cos(45) = 1 / 1.414 = 0.707...
Tangent tan(45) = 1 / 1 = 1
ie! "a#ge#
Try It!
.a(e a ty2 $rag the
corner ao%nd to see
#o1 di$$eent ang!es
(inadians o degees)
a$$ect sine, cosine and
tangent0
?n t#is ani/ation t#e
#y'oten%se is 1,
/a&ing t#e @nit
Cic!e0
>otice t#at t#e
ad-acent side and
o''osite side can be
'ositi(e o negati(e,
1#ic# /a&es t#e sine,
cosine and tangent
c#ange bet1een
'ositi(e and negati(e
(a!%es a!so0


Sohcahtoa
So#ca000what? ;%st an easy 1ay to e/e/be 1#ic# side to di(ide by 1#ic#2 Ai&e t#is)
Soh... #ine = 1''osite / 2y'oten%se
...cah... Cosine = Ad-acent / 2y'oten%se
...toa Tangent = 1''osite / Ad-acent
Bo% can ead /oe abo%t so#ca#toa 000
000 b%t '!ease e/e/be *so#ca#toa* - it co%!d #e!' in an exa/ 2

Why?
C#y ae t#ese $%nctions i/'otantD
Beca%se t#ey !et yo% 1o& o%t ang!es 1#en yo% &no1 sides
And t#ey !et yo% 1o& o%t sides 1#en yo% &no1 ang!es

&'ample 3se the sine "4nction to "ind 5d5
Ce &no1
E T#e ang!e t#e cab!e /a&es 1it# t#e seabed is 496
E T#e cab!eFs !engt# is 4< /0
And 1e 1ant to &no1 *d* (t#e distance do1n)0


Sta#t !it$:
sin 3% = o&&osite/$'&otenuse =
(/30
S!a& Si(es: (/30 = sin 3%
)se a ca*cu*ato# to +n(
sin 3%:
(/30 = 0.62%3,
-u*ti&*' .ot$ si(es .'
30:

( = 0.62%3, / 30 = 18.88 to 2
(eci0a* &*aces.
T#e de't# *d* is 67.77 m

Exercise
Ty t#is 'a'e-based execise 1#ee yo% can ca!c%!ate t#e sine $%nction $o a!! ang!es $o/
<6 to 4G<6, and t#en ga'# t#e es%!t0 ?t 1i!! #e!' yo% to %ndestand t#ese e!ati(e!y si/'!e
$%nctions0
Bo% can a!so see :a'#s o$ Sine, Cosine and Tangent0
Less Common Functions
To co/'!ete t#e 'ict%e, t#ee ae 4 ot#e $%nctions 1#ee yo% di(ide one side by anot#e,
b%t t#ey ae not so co//on!y %sed0
T#ey ae eH%a! to 6 divided b% cos, 6 divided b% sin, and 6 divided b% tan)
Secant 3%nction) sec() 8 2%poten4se 9 Ad:acent (=!cos"
Cosecant 3%nction) csc() 8 2%poten4se 9 1pposite (=!sin"
Cotangent 3%nction) cot() 8 Ad:acent 9 1pposite (=!tan"
Formuas !or Sine and Cosine
Date: 1/24/96 at 21:23:51
Subject: What are the definitions of sin, cos, and tan in terms of theta?
rom: !ichae" #""man
Dr$ !ath,
% ha&e been searchin' for an ans(er for se&era" da)s and
am rea"") stuc*$ +&en m) ,reca"c$ teacher doesn-t *no( .b) the
(a) / % am a hi'h schoo" junior$0 What are the definitions of sin,
cos, and tan in terms of theta? So far, % ha&e come u,on a definition
that "oo*s somethin' "i*e:
sin 1 2 1 3 143/35 / 145/55 3 146/65 $ $ $
but % do not *no( ho( to hand"e this series$ #"so, because of the
ambi'uous use of the &ariab"e 1, % do not e&en *no( if this series is
the ans(er %-m "oo*in' for$ So, is there a nice neat ans(er?
% a"so ha&e a 7uestion about the notation of the tri'$ functions$
%f sin is a function and f.10 describes a function of 1 .e$'$ f.10 2
210, (h) is sin theta defined b) ) and r in m) te1tboo*? %t seems to me
that sin theta shou"d be defined b) theta and that sin .),r0 shou"d be
defined b) ) and r$
%n a nutshe"":
1$ What is the definition of sin, cos, and tan in terms of the
an'"e .not in terms of 1, ), or r?0
2$ Wh) is the function sin theta defined b) ) and r, and not b)
theta?
8han* )ou for )our he",5
!ichae" #""man
Date: 1/26/96 at 16:3:42
rom: Doctor 9en
Subject: :e: What are the definitions of sin, cos, and tan in terms$$$
;e""o5
8he (a) Sine and <osine are defined is usua"") in terms of the unit
circ"e$ What )ou do is dra( a circ"e of radius 1, (hose center is at
the ,oint .=,=0$ 8hen )ou dra( a ra) comin' out from the ori'in that
ma*es an an'"e of theta (ith the 1/a1is$ >ote that the (a) )ou measure
this an'"e is b) startin' at the 1/a1is, and tra&e""in' <?@>8+:/
<A?<9W%S+ unti" )ou hit the ra) in 7uestion$ 8hus this is about 6=
de'rees:

/
/
/
/
/ theta
/BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBC 1/a1is
#nd this is about /6= de'rees:
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBC 1/a1is
D theta
D
D
D
D
D
8his ra) (i"" intersect (ith the unit circ"e at a ,oint .1,)0$
<os.theta0 is defined as 1, the first coordinate of this intersection
,oint, and Sin.theta0 is defined as ), the second coordinate$
8hen 8an'ent is defined as Sin/<os, and so on$
C2$ Wh) is the function sin theta defined b) ) and r, and not b) theta?
We"", %-m not rea"") sure (hat )ou mean b) ) and r$ What are )our ) and
r?
/Doctor 9en, 8he Eeometr) orum
Date: 1/29/96 at 15:1:2
Subject: :e: What are the definitions of sin, cos, and tan in terms of
rom: !ichae" #""man
Dr$ !ath,
Fou misunderstood m) t(o 7uestions$ 8he first one as*ed for the
definitions of the tri'onometric functions in terms of theta, theta
bein' the an'"e in 7uestion$ So if % needed to *no( the &a"ue of sin
54$2 de'rees and % did not ha&e a ca"cu"ator, ho( (ou"d % ca"cu"ate
this? When )ou (rote G<os.theta0 is defined as 1, the first coordinate
of this intersection ,oint, and Sin.theta0 is defined as ),$$$G, )ou
defined cos and sin in terms of the coordinates 1 and )$
#s for m) second 7uestion, ) stands for the ) coordinate of a
,oint in a ,"ane, and r stands for the "en'th of the se'ment bet(een
that same ,oint and the ori'in of the coordinate s)stem$ See be"o($
)/a1is .1,)0
H /
H /
H r /
H /
H /
H /
H /
H /
BBBBBH/BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB 1/a1is
ori'in H
H
H
So, since sin theta is a function of theta, (h) is it defined b)
.)/r0 and not b) theta itse"f? 8his seems to be an incon'ruit) in
function notation$
% ho,e this is c"earer$ 8han* )ou$
An 2ntro$#ction to Trigonometry 333 by "ran$on 4illiams
5ain 2n$ex333
5nt$o)2ction
4ell it is nearly one in the morning an$ 2 ha6e tons of .or7 to $o an$ a fab#lo#s i$ea
/o/s into my hea$1 8o. abo#t .riting an intro$#ctory t#torial to trigonometry9 2 am
going to fall so far behin$3 An$ once again 2 $i$ not ha6e the chance to /roof rea$ this
or chec7 my .or7 so if yo# fin$ any mista7es e!mail me3
2:m going to try my best to .rite this as if the rea$er has no /re6io#s 7no.le$ge of
math (o#tsi$e of some basic Algebra at least) an$ 2:ll $o my best to 7ee/ it consistent3
There may be fla.s or ga/s in my logic at .hich /oint yo# can e!mail me an$ 2 .ill
$o my best to go bac7 o6er something more s/ecific3 ;o let:s begin .ith a stan$ar$
$efinition of trigonometry1
trig ! o ! nom ! e ! try n3 ! a branch of mathematics .hich $eals .ith relations bet.een
si$es an$ angles of triangles
+asics
4ell that may not so#n$ 6ery interesting at the moment b#t trigonometry is the most
interesting forms of math 2 ha6e come across<an$ =#st to let yo# 7no. 2 $o not ha6e
an extensi6e bac7gro#n$ in math3 4ell since trigonometry has a lot to $o .ith angles
an$ triangles let:s familiari>e o#rsel6es .ith some f#n$amentals3 ?irst a right triangle1

A right triangle is a triangle that has one '0!$egree angle3 The '0!$egree angle is
$enote$ .ith a little s@#are $ra.n in the corner3 The t.o si$es that are a$=acent to the
'0!$egree angle, :a: an$ :b:, are calle$ the legs3 The longer si$e o//osite of the '0!
$egree angle, :c:, is calle$ the hy/oten#se3 The hy/oten#se is al.ays longer than the
legs3 4hile .e are on the s#b=ect lets br#sh #/ on the Aythagorean Theorem3 The
Aythagorean Theorem states that the s#m of the t.o legs s@#are$ is e@#al to the
hy/oten#se s@#are$3 An e@#ation yo# can #se is1
c^2 = a^2 + b^2
;o lets say .e 7ne. that :a: e@#ale$ an$ :b: e@#ale$ 4 ho. .o#l$ .e fin$ the length
of :c:<ass#ming this is in fact a right triangle3 Al#g!in the 6al#es that yo# 7no. into
yo#r form#la1
c^2 = ^2 + 4^2
Three s@#are$ /l#s fo#r s@#are$ is t.enty!fi6e so .e no. ha6e this1
c^2 = 2% ! ! ! B Ta7e the s@#are root of both si$es an$ yo# no. 7no. that c = %
;o no. .e are /asse$ some of the relati6ely boring /arts3 Cet:s tal7 abo#t certain
ty/es of right triangles3 There is the 4%!4%!'0 triangle an$ the 0!&0!'0 triangle3 4e
might as .ell learn these beca#se .e:ll nee$ them later .hen .e get to the #nit circle3
Coo7 at this /ict#re an$ obser6e a fe. of the things going on for a 4%!4%!'0 triangle1
2n a 4%!4%!'0 triangle yo# ha6e a '0!$egree angle an$ t.o 4%!$egree angles ($#h) b#t
also the t.o legs are e@#al3 Also if yo# 7no. the 6al#e of :c: then the legs are sim/ly
:c: m#lti/lie$ by the s@#are root of t.o $i6i$e$ by t.o3 2 rather not ex/lain that
beca#se 2 .o#l$ ha6e to $ra. more /ict#res<ho/ef#lly yo# .ill be able to /ro6e it
thro#gh yo#r o.n #n$erstan$ing3 The 0!&0!'0 triangle is a little b#t har$er to get b#t
2 am not going into to $etail .ith it<here is a /ict#re1

Do# no. ha6e one 0!$egree angle, a &0!$egree angle, an$ a '0!$egree angle3 This
time the relationshi/ bet.een the si$es is a little $ifferent3 The shorter si$e is half of
the hy/oten#se3 The longer si$e is the hy/oten#se times the s@#are root of all
$i6i$e$ by t.o3 That:s all 2:m really going to say on this s#b=ect b#t ma7e s#re yo# get
this before yo# go on beca#se it is cr#cial in #n$erstan$ing the #nit circle<.hich in
t#rn is cr#cial for #n$erstan$ing trigonometry3
#$igono&et$ic 62nctions
The entire s#b=ect of trigonometry is mostly base$ on these f#nctions .e are abo#t to
learn3 The three basic ones are sine, cosine, an$ tangent3 ?irst to clear #/ any
conf#sion that some might ha6e1 these f#nctions mean nothing .ith o#t a n#mber .ith
them i3e3 sin (20) is something<sin is nothing3 5a7e s#re yo# 7no. that3 +o. for
some @#ic7 $efinitions (these are my o.n $efinitions<if yo# $o not get .hat 2 am
saying loo7 them #/ on some other .ebsite)1
;ine ! the ratio of the si$e o//osite of an angle in a right triangle o6er the hy/oten#se3
Cosine ! the ratio of the si$e a$=acent of an angle in a right triangle o6er the
hy/oten#se3
Tangent ! the ratio of the si$e o//osite of an angle in a right triangle o6er the a$=acent
si$e3
+o. before 2 go on 2 sho#l$ also say that those f#nctions only fin$ ratios an$ nothing
more3 2t may seem 7in$ of #seless no. b#t they are 6ery /o.erf#l f#nctions3 Also 2
am only going to ex/lain the things that 2 thin7 are #sef#l in ?lash<2 co#l$ go off on
some tangent (no /#n inten$e$) on other areas of Trigonometry b#t 2:ll try to 7ee/ it
=#st to the #sef#l st#ff3 -E lets loo7 at a fe. /ict#res1

Angles are #s#ally $enote$ .ith ca/ital case letters so that is .hat 2 #se$3 +o. lets
fin$ all of the trigonometry ratios for angle A1
sin A = 4/%
cos A = /%
tan A = 4/
+o. it .o#l$ be har$ for me to ex/lain more than .hat 2 ha6e $one, for this at least,
so yo# are =#st going to ha6e to loo7 at the n#mbers an$ see .here 2 got them from3
8ere are the ratios for angle "1
sin " = /%
cos " = 4/%
tan " = /4
-nce again =#st loo7 at the n#mbers an$ rerea$ the $efinitions to see .here 2 came #/
.ith that st#ff3 "#t no. that 2 tol$ yo# a .ay of thin7ing of the ratios li7e o//osite
o6er hy/oten#se there is one more .ay .hich sho#l$ be easier an$ .ill also be
$isc#sse$ more later on3 8ere is a /ict#re<notice ho. 2 am only $ealing .ith one
angle1

The little symbol in the corner of the triangle is a Free7 letter calle$ GthetaG<its
#s#ally #se$ to re/resent an #n7no.n angle3 +o. .ith that /ict#re .e can thin7 of
sine, cosine an$ tangent in a $ifferent .ay1
sin (theta) = x/r
cos (theta)= y/r
tan (theta)= y/x !! an$ x HB 0
4e .ill be #sing that form most of the time3 +o. altho#gh 2 may ha6e s7i//e$ some
7in$ of f#n$amentally im/ortant ste/ (2:m ho/ing 2 $i$ not) 2 can only thin7 of one
/lace to go from here1 the #nit circle3 "ecoming familiar .ith the #nit circle .ill
/robably ta7e the most .or7 b#t ma7e s#re yo# $o beca#se it is 6ery im/ortant3 ?irst
let me tell yo# abo#t ra$ians =#st in case yo# $o not 7no.3 Ia$ians are =#st another
.ay of meas#ring angles 6ery similar to $egrees3 Do# 7no. that there are '0 $egrees
in one!@#arter of a circle, 1*0 $egrees in one!half of a circle, an$ &0 $egrees in a
.hole circle rightJ 4ell if yo# are $ealing .ith ra$ians there are 2/ ra$ians in a .hole
circle instea$ of &0 $egrees3 The reason that there are 2/ ra$ians in a f#ll circle really
is not all that im/ortant an$ .o#l$ only cl#tter this Gt#torialG more<=#st 7no. that it
is an$ it .ill stay that .ay3 +o. if there are 2/ ra$ians in a .hole circle there are also
/ ra$ians in a half, an$ //2 ra$ians in a @#arter3 +o. its time to thin7 abo#t s/litting
the circle into more s#b$i6isions than =#st a half or @#arter3 8ere is a /ict#re to hel/
yo# o#t1

2f at all /ossible memori>e those 6al#es3 Do# can al.ays ha6e a /ict#re to loo7 at li7e
this one b#t it .ill $o yo# .ell .hen yo# get into the more a$6ance$ things later on if
yo# ha6e it memori>e$3 8o.e6er that is not the only thing yo# nee$ to memori>e3
+o. yo# nee$ to 7no. (from memory if yo# ha6e the .ill /o.er) the sine an$ cosine
6al#es for e6ery angle meas#re on that chart3
-E 2 thin7 2 c#t myself short on ex/laining .hat the #nit circle is .hen 2 mo6e$ on to
ex/laining ra$ians3 ?or no. the only thing .e nee$ to 7no. is that it is a circle .ith a
ra$i#s of one centere$ at (0,0)3 +o. the really cool thing abo#t the #nit circle is .hat
.e are abo#t to $isc#ss3 2:m going to =#st /ic7 some ran$om angle #/ there on the
gra/h<let:s say<4% $egrees3 Ko yo# see that line going from the center of the circle
(on the chart abo6e) to the e$ge of the circleJ That /oint at .hich the line intersects
the e$ge of the circle is 6ery im/ortant3 The GxG coor$inate of that /oint on the e$ge is
the cosine of the angle an$ the GyG coor$inate is the sine of the angle3 Lery interesting
h#hJ ;o lets fin$ the sine an$ cosine of 4% $egrees o#rsel6es .itho#t any calc#lator or
loo7#/ tables3
4ell if yo# remember anything that 2 sai$ at the beginning of this t#torial then yo#
no. 7no. .hy 2 e6en mentione$ it3 2n a right triangle if there is an angle .ith a
meas#re of 4% $egrees the thir$ angle is also 4% $egrees3 An$ not only that b#t the t.o
legs of the triangle ha6e the same length3 ;o if .e thin7 of that line coming from the
center of the circle at a 4%!$egree angle as a right triangle .e can fin$ the x! an$ y!
/osition of .here the line intersects<loo7 at this /ict#re1
2f .e a//ly some of the r#les .e learne$ abo#t 4%!4%!'0 triangles earlier .e can
acc#rately say that1
s7rt .20
sin 45 2 ////////
2
s7rt .20
cos 45 2 //////////
2
Another .ay to thin7 of sine is it:s the $istance from the x!axis to the /oint on the
e$ge of the circle<yo# can only thin7 of it that .ay if yo# are $ealing .ith a #nit
circle3 Do# co#l$ also thin7 of cosine the same .ay exce/t it:s the $istance from the y!
axis to the /oint on the bor$er of the circle3 2f yo# still $o not 7no. .here 2 came #/
.ith those n#mbers loo7 at the beginning of this t#torial for an ex/lanation of 4%!4%!
'0 triangles<an$ .hy yo# are there refresh yo#rself on 0!&0!'0 triangles beca#se
.e nee$ to 7no. those next3
+o. lets /ic7 an angle from the #nit circle chart li7e 0 $egrees3 2:m not going to
$ra. another /ict#re b#t yo# sho#l$ 7no. ho. to form a right triangle .ith a line
coming from the center of the circle to one of its e$ges3 +o. remember the r#les that
go6erne$ the lengths of the si$es of a 0!&0!'0 triangle<if yo# $o then yo# can once
again acc#rately say that1
1
sin 3= 2 ////
2
s7rt .30
cos 3= 2 /////////
2
2 .as =#st abo#t to ty/e o#t another ex/lanation of .hy 2 $i$ this b#t it:s basically the
same as .hat 2 $i$ for sine =#st abo6e3 Also no. that 2 am rerea$ing this 2 am seeing
some things that may ca#se conf#sion so 2 tho#ght 2 .o#l$ try to clear #/ a fe.
things3 2f yo# loo7 at this /ict#re (it:s the same as the one 2 #se$ a the beginning of all
this) 2 .ill ex/lain .ith a little bit more $etail on ho. 2 arri6e$ at those 6al#es for sine
an$ cosine of 4%!$egrees1

-#r $efinition of sine states that the sine of an angle .o#l$ be the o//osite si$e of the
triangle $i6i$e$ by the hy/oten#se3 4ell .e 7no. o#r hy/oten#se is one since this a
#nit circle so .e can s#bstit#te a one in for GcG an$ get this1
/ 1Is7rt.20 D
H //////////// H
D 2 /
sin 45 2 ///////////////////
1
4hich e6en the most basic #n$erstan$ of Algebra .ill tell #s that the abo6e is the
same as1
s7rt .20
sin 45 2 ////////
2
+o. if yo# $o not get that loo7 at it really har$ #ntil it comes to yo#<2:m s#re it .ill
hit yo# sooner or later3 An$ instea$ of my .asting more time ma7ing a com/lete #nit
circle .ith e6erything on it 2 fo#n$ this great lin7 to
one1 htt/1//...3infomagic3net/Mbright/research/#ntcrcl3gif 3 Ke/en$ing on =#st ho.
far yo# .ant to go into this fiel$ of math as .ell as others li7e Calc#l#s yo# may .ant
to try an$ memori>e that entire thing3 4hate6er it ta7es =#st try yo#r best3 2 al.ays
hear /eo/le tal7ing abo#t $ifferent /atterns that they see .hich hel/s them to
memori>e the #nit circle, an$ that is fine b#t 2 thin7 it ma7es it m#ch easier to
remember if yo# 7no. ho. to come #/ .ith those n#mbers<that:s .hat this .hole
first /art of this t#torial .as mostly abo#t3
Also .hile on the s#b=ect 2 might as .ell tell yo# abo#t the reci/rocal trigonometric
f#nctions3 They are as follo.1
csc (theta) = r/y
sec (theta) = r/x
cot (theta) = x/y
Those are /rono#nce$ secant, cosecant, an$ cotangent3 N#st thin7 of them as the same
as their matching trigonometric f#nctions exce/t fli//e$<li7e this1
sin (theta) = y/r ! ! ! B csc (theta) = r/y
cos (theta) = x/r ! ! ! B sec (theta) = r/x
tan (theta) = y/x ! ! ! B cot (theta) = x/y
That ma7es it a little bit easier to #n$erstan$ $oesn:t itJ
4ell belie6e it or not that is it for an intro$#ction to trigonometry3 ?rom here .e can
start to go into m#ch more com/licate areas3 There are many other f#n$amentals that 2
.o#l$ ha6e li7e$ to go o6er b#t this has gotten long an$ boring eno#gh as it is3 2 g#ess
2 am ho/ing that yo# .ill ex/lore some of these conce/ts an$ i$eas on yo#r o.n<
yo# .ill gain m#ch more 7no.le$ge that .ay as o//ose$ to my slo//y .or$s3
+efo$e 5 go7
"efore 2 go 2 .ant to =#st gi6e yo# a taste of .hat is to come<this may act#ally t#rn
o#t to be =#st as long as the abo6e so go ahea$ an$ ma7e yo#rself comfortable3 ?irst 2
.ant to intro$#ce to yo# trigonometric i$entities, .hich are trigonometric e@#ations
that are tr#e for all 6al#es of the 6ariables for .hich the ex/ressions in the e@#ation
are $efine$3 +o. that:s /robably a little har$ to #n$erstan$ an$ monotono#s b#t 2:ll
ex/lain3 8ere is a list of .hat are 7no. as the Gf#n$amental i$entitiesG1

Reciprocal Identities
1
csc .theta0 2 ////////// , sin .theta0 JC =
sin .theta0
1
sec .theta0 2 ////////// , <?s .theta0 JC =
cos .theta0
1
cot .theta0 2 ////////// , tan .theta0 JC =
tan .theta0
Ratio Identities
sin .theta0
tan .theta0 2 //////////// , cos .theta0 JC =
cos .theta0
cos .theta0
cot .theta0 2 ///////////// , sin .theta0 JC =
sin .theta0
Pythagorean Identities
sin42.theta0 3 cos42.theta0 2 1
1 3 cot42.theta0 2 csc42.theta0
1 3 tan42.theta0 2 sec42.theta0
Odd-even Identities
sin ./theta0 2 /sin .theta0
cos ./theta0 2 cos .theta0
tan ./theta0 2 /tan .theta0
csc ./theta0 2 csc .theta0
sec ./theta0 2 sec .theta0
cot ./theta0 2 /cot .theta0
+o. /ro6ing them<.ell that:s gonna ta7e a lot of room b#t here it goes3 2:m only
going to /ro6e a fe. o#t of each category of i$entities so maybe yo# can fig#re o#t
the others3 Cets start .ith the reci/rocal3 4ell if the reci/rocal of a n#mber is sim/ly
one $i6i$e$ by that n#mber then .e can loo7 at cosecant (.hich is the reci/rocal of
sine) as1
1
csc .theta0 2 ///// ///////////////// CCC H %f )ou mu"ti,")
the numerator and the denominator b) GrG )ou 'et:
/ ) D H
H//// H J // % ho,e )ou *no( H csc .theta0 2
r/) J // Kust "i*e (e said before$ We just ,ro&ed
D r / that is sine .theta0 H an
identit)$$$%-"" "et )ou do the rest of them$$$
+o. the ratio i$entities3 2f yo# thin7 of tangent as y/x , sine as y/r , an$ cosine as x/r
then chec7 this o#t1
sin .theta0 /// C )/r
)
tan .theta0 2 ////////////// /// C ///// /// C !u"ti,") to, and
bottom b) GrG and )ou-re "eft (ith /// C ///
cos .theta0 /// C 1/r
1
2:m going to sa6e the /roof for the Aythagorean 2$entities for another time3 These
f#n$amental i$entities .ill hel/ #s /ro6e m#ch more com/lex i$entities later on3
Eno.ing trigonometric i$entities .ill hel/ #s #n$erstan$ some of the more abstract
things<at least they are abstract to me3 -nce 2 am finishe$ .ith this 2 am going to
.rite another t#torial that .ill go into the some.hat more com/lex areas that 2 7no.
of an$ these f#n$amental things 2 ha6e =#st tal7e$ abo#t are re@#ire$ rea$ing3
2 .as going to go o6er some la.s that can be 6ery #sef#l b#t my st#$y /lan tells me
that 2 may not ha6e /ro6i$e$ eno#gh information for yo# to #n$erstan$ it<therefore
that .ill be something coming in the next thing 2 .rite3
Closing tho2ghts
4ell this concl#$es all the things that yo# .ill nee$ to 7no. before yo# start to $o
more com/licate$ things3 2 .as a bit brief .ith some things so if yo# ha6e any
@#estions or if yo# .ant me to go bac7 an$ f#rther ex/lain something 2 im/lore yo# to
e!mail me an$ 2 .ill $o my best to clear #/ any conf#sion3 Also 2 .ant to reiterate that
this is a 6ery basic intro$#ction to trigonometry3 2 ho/e yo# .ere not ex/ecting to rea$
this an$ learn all there is to 7no.3 Act#ally 2 ha6e not really e6en mentione$ ?lash or
the /ossibilities yet<an$ @#ite honestly there is not really anything to .or7 .ith yet3
8o.e6er once 2 $o start to mention ?lash an$ the math that it .ill ta7e to create some
of these effects e6eryone sees it .ill almost be =#st li7e a re6ie.3 4hen yo# sit $o.n
an$ .ant to .rite o#t a scri/t it .ill be li7e merely translating e6erything yo# learne$
abo#t trigonometry from a /iece of /a/er into actionscri/t3
2f yo# .ant a little syno/sis of .hat 2 /lan on tal7ing abo#t in the next fe. things 2
.rite here yo# go1
! Trigonometry c#r6es
! 5ore a$6ance$ loo7 into trigonometry
! Arogrammatic mo6ement #sing trigonometry
! -rchestrating it all into /erfect harmony (/ar$on the clichO)
4ell that:s it for me<#ntil next time3
S U N D A Y , J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 0 6
The Definition of Cosine and Sine
In this post I'd just like to briefly give the definition of cosine and sine, and also show a simple property
involving both of them.
Consider a right triangle containing an angle . All such triangles are just scalar multiples of each other.
Therefore the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse is a fied value.
!e'll call this ratio the cosine of . "imilarly, we can define the sine of as the ratio of the opposite side
to the hypotenuse
#ow, we can show that
$irst we'll substitute
And by the %ythagorean Theorem
And so
POS TED BY PHI L AT 11: 40 PM
2 COMMENTS:
Anonymous said...
!here's The &efinition of Cosine and "ine'
()# (A* +,, -,. /+. -- A( %&T
%hil said...
It's there .. it says that cosine of theta is defined as the ratio a 0 c, and sine is defined as the ratio
of b 0 c
I guess it could've been a bit more eplicit .. possibly put those two statements in their own stand1
alone e2uations.
()# (A* +,, -,. 33. -- A( %&T
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Trigonometry Defnition Math Sheet
Trig Defnition Math Help
Right Triangle Defnition
Sine Defnition
Cosine Defnition
Tangent Defnition
Cosecant Defnition
Secant Defnition
Cotangent Defnition
Unit Circle Defnition
Properties of Trig Functions
Domain
Range
Period
Inverse Trig Functions
Defnition of Inverse Trig Functions
Domain of Inverse Trig Functions
Range of Inverse Trig Functions
Trig Defnition Math Help
Right Triangle Defnition
To defne the trigonometric functions of an angle theta assign one of the angles in a right triangle that
value. The functions sine, cosine, and tangent can all be defned by using properties of a right
triangle. A right triangle has one angle that is 90 degrees. The longest side of the triangle is the
hypotenuse. The side opposite theta will be referred to as opposite. The other side next to theta will
be referred to as adjacent. The following properties exist:
Sine Defnition
Cosine Defnition
Tangent Defnition
Cosecant Defnition
Secant Defnition
Cotangent Defnition
Unit Circle Defnition
Properties of Trig Functions
Domain
The possible angle input for each function is defned below:
Range
The ranges of values possible for each of these functions are:
Period
The periods for each of these trig functions are:
Inverse Trig Functions
Defnition of Inverse Trig Functions
The defnitions of the inverse trig functions are:
Inverse Trig functions are also notated as:
Domain of Inverse Trig Functions
Range of Inverse Trig Functions