Complete Study Guide & Notes On

TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
A Formulae Guide By OP Gupta (Indira Award Winner)
Mathematics is a great motivator for the entire human beings!
Its career starts with zero and goes to infinity!!
IMPORTANT TERMS, DEFINITIONS & RESULTS
01. Angle in geometry: An angle is a figure formed by two rays having common vertex called as origin.
The rays are called sides of the angle. The measure of the angle is the amount of rotation from the
direction of one ray of the angle to the other. The initial and final positions of the revolving ray are
respectively called the initial side and terminal side and the revolving line is called the generating line
or the radius vector.
In the adjacent figure, the ray OA is the initial side and ray OB is the
B Terminal Side
terminal side. And they form angle AOB at the vertex O.
This angle is denoted by AOB .
With each angle a number is associated and this number is called
measure of the angle. There are several units for measuring this angle
and we shall study about them.

O Vertex

Initial Side
A

In geometry an angle always lies between 0o and 360 o and negative angle has no meaning.
02. Angle in trigonometry: The idea of angle is more general in trigonometry. It may be positive or
negative and of any magnitude. We know that angles in geometry are confined only till 360 o which
corresponds to one complete revolution by a wheel say. So it is quite obvious that the angle covered in
two complete revolutions is of 720 o measure and in a quarter of revolution it is of 90 o and so on.
03. Units of measurement of angles: In geometry angles are measured in terms of right angle. In order to
measure smaller angles we introduce smaller units of angle. These are Sexagesimal or British System
(Degree Measure), Centesimal or French System (Grade Measure) and Radian or Circular System.
Here we shall confine ourselves only to Degree measure and Radian measure. Though you can expect a
discussion about the Grade measure too in the class!
Degree Measure: In this system of
Radian Measure: The angle subtended at the centre
measurement a right angle is divided into
of circle by an arc whose length is equal to its radius
90 equal parts which are called as degrees.
is called a radian and is denoted by 1C .
Each part is equal to one degree. Each
As shown in adjacent Fif
figure
degree is then divided in 60 equal parts
fig.A, the centre of circle is O
called minutes and each minute is further
and its radius is of l units. So
divided into 60 equal parts called seconds.
if the length of arc AB=l units
A degree, a minute and a second are
then, by the definition of
denoted by the symbols 1o , 1 and 1
radian given above,
respectively.
we have,
Thus,
1 Right angle 90o ,
AOB 1Radian .
fig.A
1o 60 and 1 60 .
Radian is a constant angle Consider the fig.A shown on the previous page. Let ABC be a semi-circle
whose centre is at O and radius l. Let length of arc AB be equal to l. Then by definition, AOB 1 C .
Now produce AO and let it meet the circle at C. Then AC is a diameter of circle and arc ABC is equal to
half the circumference of the circle and AOC 2 Right angles 180o .
By our geometrical knowledge, we know that the angles subtended at the centre of a circle are
proportional to the length of arc which subtends them.
i.e.,

AOB arc AB

AOC arc ABC

(i)

For all your educational needs, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Trigonometric Functions By OP Gupta (INDIRA AWARD Winner, Elect. & Comm. Engineering)

1C
l

o
180
l
180o
C
1

[As arc ABC is a semicircle

(ii)

1C

2 Right angles

Constant .

Understanding the :
The is not a whole number, nor it can be expressed in the form of a
fraction, and hence not in the form of a decimal fraction, terminating
or recurring. The number has a value which cant be exactly
expressed as the ratio of two whole numbers. Its value correct to 8
places of decimals, is 3.14159265...
22
3.14285... gives the value of correct to
In fact, the fraction
7
the 2 places of decimals.
Consequently we deduce that, C 180o i.e., Radians 180 o .
l
Also by (i) it can be easily deduced that , if length of any arbitrary arc AC = l which subtends
r
an angle of radians at the centre O of the circle of radius r. So, (in radian measure)

l
.
r

Relations in Different Measures of Angle

Angle in Radian Measure = Angle in Degree Measure
Angle in Degree Measure = Angle in Radian Measure

180
180

, where 22/7 .

Following table can be consulted for a few frequently used standard angles:
Angles in Degree

0o

Angles in Radian

30 o


6

45o
c

60 o
c

90 o
c

180 o

270 o

3

2

360 o
c

In actual practice, we omit the exponent c and instead of writing c we simply write and
similarly for other angle!

1 Radian=57o1745 or 206265 seconds

1o =

=0.01745 radians approximately

180

04. Sign of angles and Quadrants: An angle formed by anticlockwise rotation of the radius vector is taken
as positive whereas the angle formed by clockwise rotation of the radius vector is taken as negative. For the
clarification, have a look at the figures given below:
Terminal Side
O Vertex
Initial Side
Negative Angle
(Clockwise direction)
Positive Angle
(Anti-Clockwise direction)
Terminal Side
O Vertex
Initial Side
Consider XOX and YOY be two mutually perpendicular lines in a plane and OX be the initial half
line. The whole plane is divided into four different regions namely XOY, YOX , XOY and XOY .
These regions are called quadrants and are respectively called 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quadrants. The angle is

For all your educational needs, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

A Complete Formulae Guide Compiled By OP Gupta (M.+91-9650350480 | +91-9718240480)

said to be in any of these quadrants according as the terminal side lies in whichever quadrants. If the
terminal side coincides with one of the axes then the angle is said to be a quadrant angle.

90 o
2
II Quadrant

I Quadrant

sin
ve
cosec
Others: ve

All T-Ratios: + ve

180o

0 0o

2 360 o X

cos
ve
sec
Others: ve

tan
ve
cot
Others: ve
Y

III Quadrant

IV Quadrant

3
270o
2

If there is any angle which is not a quadrant angle and radius vector rotates in the
anticlockwise direction in such a way that number of revolution doesnt exceed one, we have:

0o 90o

If lies in I quadrant

90o 180o

If lies in II quadrant

180o 270o

If lies in III quadrant

If lies in IV quadrant

270 o 360o

Also when terminal side coincides with OY, 90o

when terminal side coincides with OX , 180o
when terminal side coincides with OY , 270o
when terminal side coincides with OX , 360o .
Following table will be sufficient to give you an idea about the discussion we just have had:
Angles

2 OR

sin

cos

cos

sin

sin

cos

cos

sin

sin

cos

sin

sin

cos

cos

sin

sin

cos

cos

tan

cot

cot

tan

tan

cot

cot

tan

tan

cot

tan

tan

cot

cot

tan

tan

cot

cot

sec

cosec

cosec

sec

sec

cosec

cosec

sec

sec

cosec

sec

sec

cosec

cosec

sec

sec

cosec

cosec

T- Ratios

05. Recapitulation of previous class: Following is a list of those relations which you have studied in your
last class.
Please note that their proof has not been mentioned here. Though you can anytime discuss it with me
again in case you have forgotten.

For all your educational needs, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Trigonometric Functions By OP Gupta (INDIRA AWARD Winner, Elect. & Comm. Engineering)
Trigonometric ratios and sides of a right angled triangle:

sin

p
h

cosec

h
p

cos

b
h

tan

p
b

sec

h
b

cot

b
p

Trigonometric Identities:

sin 2 cos 2 1

1 tan 2 sec 2

1 cot 2 cosec 2

Relation between trigonometric ratios:

tan

sin
cos

tan

1
cot

cot

cos
sin

cosec

tan .cot 1

1
sin

sec

1
.
cos

Following table includes trigonometric ratio of standard angles:

Degree / Radian

T Ratios

0o
0

30 o

45o

60 o

90 o

6
1
2

4
1
2
1
2

3
3
2
1
2

2
1

sin

cos

tan

cosec

2
3

sec

2
3

cot

1
3

3
2
1
3

Following table demonstrates the domain and range of trigonometric functions:

T- Functions

Domain

Range

sin x

[ 1, 1]

cos x

[ 1, 1]

tan x

{x R : x (2n 1) 2, n Z}

cot x

{x R : x n , n Z}

cosec x

{x R : x n , n Z}

R ( 1, 1)

sec x

{x R : x (2n 1) 2, n Z}

R ( 1, 1)

For all your educational needs, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

A Complete Formulae Guide Compiled By OP Gupta (M.+91-9650350480 | +91-9718240480)

06. Some useful trigonometric identities and formulae:
Trigonometric identities
2

Multiple angle formulae involving 2A and 3A

a) sin cos 1
2

a) sin2A 2sinAcos A

b) 1 tan sec
2

b) sin A 2sin

c) 1 cot cosec

A
2

cos

A
2

2
2
c) cos 2A cos A sin A

Addition / subtraction formulae & some related results

a) sin(A B) sin Acos B cos A sin B

d) cos A cos

b) cos(A B) cosA cos B sin Asin B

A
A
sin 2
2
2

2
e) cos 2A 2cos A 1

c) cos(A B) cos(A B) cos2 A sin2 B cos 2 B sin2 A

d) sin(A B)sin(A B) sin 2 A sin 2 B cos 2 B cos 2 A

f) 2 cos A 1 cos 2A

tan A tan B
1 tan A tan B

g) cos 2A 1 2sin 2 A

cot Bcot A 1
f) cot (A B)
cot B cot A

h) 2sin A 1 cos2A

Transformation of sums / differences into products & vice-versa

i) sin2A

2 tan A
1 tan 2 A

j) cos 2A

1 tan 2 A
1 tan 2 A

k) tan 2A

2 tan A
1 tan 2 A

e) tan(A B)

CD
C D
cos
2
2
C D
C

D
b) sin C sin D 2 cos
sin
2
2
CD
CD
c) cosC cos D 2cos
cos
2
2
C D CD
d) cosC cos D 2sin
sin
2
2
e) 2sin AcosB sin( A B) sin (A B)
f) 2 cosAsin B sin (A B) sin (A B)
g) 2cosAcosB cos (A B) cos(A B)
h) 2sin Asin B cos (A B) cos (A B)
a) sinC sin D 2sin

l) sin3A 3sin A 4sin 3 A

m) cos3A 4cos3 A 3cos A
n) tan 3A

3tan A tan 3 A
1 3tan 2 A

07. Trigonometric equations, General solutions and Principal solutions: An equation involving one or
more trigonometric ratios of unknown angle is called a trigonometric equation. It is important to note that
a trigonometric identity is satisfied for every value of the unknown angle where as trigonometric
equation is satisfied for some values (finite or infinite) of unknown angle.
Since trigonometric functions are periodic functions, therefore, solutions of trigonometric equations can
be generalized with the help of periodicity of trigonometric functions. The solution consisting of all
possible solutions of a trigonometric equation is called its general solution.
General solution of trigonometric equation of following types
a) sin x 0 gives x n , where n Z
b) cos x 0 gives x (2 n 1)

, where n Z

c) tan x 0 gives x n , where n Z

d) sin x sin y gives x n ( 1)n y, where n Z

e) cos x cos y gives x 2n y , where n Z
f) tan x tan y gives x n y , where n Z .

Principal solution: The solution of a trigonometric equation in x for which 0 x 2 are called the
principal solutions.

For all your educational needs, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Trigonometric Functions By OP Gupta (INDIRA AWARD Winner, Elect. & Comm. Engineering)
Did you know?

sin ( 1) n if (2n 1)

sin 0 if n , n Z

, n Z

cos ( 1) n if n , n Z

cos 0 if (2n 1)

, n Z .

08. Law of sines: The sine rule states that the lengths of the sides of a triangle are proportional to the sines
a
b
c
.
of angles opposite to them i.e., in ABC , we have

sin A sin B sin C

a
b
c

k say a k sin A, b k sin B , k c sin C .

sin A sin B sin C
sin A sin B sin C

say sin A a , sin B b , sin C c .

a
b
c

09. Law of cosines: In any ABC , we have

b2 c 2 a 2
or a 2 b2 c2 2bc cos A
2bc
2
c a2 b2
b) cos B
or b2 c2 a 2 2ca cos B
2ca
a) cos A

c) cos C

a 2 b2 c 2
or c2 a 2 b2 2ab cos C .
2ab

Any queries and/or suggestion(s), please write to me at

theopgupta@gmail.com
Please mention your details : Name, Student/Teacher/Tutor,
School/Institution, Place, Contact No. (if you wish)

For all your educational needs, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com