Sin θ √2 √3/2

Cos θ √3/2 √2
Tan θ √3 √3

θ √2 √3

Sec θ √3 √2

Cot θ √3 √3
• In mathematics, tables of trigonometric functions are useful in a
number of areas. Before the existence of pocket calculators,
trigonometric tables were essential
for navigation, science and engineering. The calculation
of mathematical tables was an important area of study, which led to
the development of the first mechanical computing devices.

• Modern computers and pocket calculators now generate

trigonometric function values on demand, using special libraries of
mathematical code. Often, these libraries use pre-calculated tables
internally, and compute the required value by using an appropriate
interpolation method. Interpolation of simple look-up tables of
trigonometric functions is still used in computer graphics, where
only modest accuracy may be required and speed is often
paramount.
Create a table. In the first row, write down the
trigonometric ratios (sin, cos, tan, cot). In the first column,
write down the angles (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°). Leave other
entries blank.
• Fill in the sine column. We will fill in the blank entries in the sin column
using the expression √x/2. Once the sine column is filled, we'll be able to
fill all other columns effortlessly! For the 1st entry in the sine column (that
is, sin 0°), set x = 0 and plug it in the expression √x/2. Thus, sin 0° = √0/2 =
0/2 = 0
• For the 2nd entry in the sine column (that is, sin 30°), set x = 1 and plug it in
the expression √x/2. Thus, sin 30° = √1/2 = ½
• For the 3rd entry in the sine column (that is, sin 45°), set x = 2 and plug it in
the expression √x/2. Thus, sin 45° = √2/2 = 1/√2
• For the 4th entry in the sine column (that is, sin 60°), set x = 3 and plug it in
the expression √x/2. Thus, sin 60° = √3/2.
• For the 5th entry in the sin column (that is, sin 90°), set x = 4 and plug it in
the expression √x/2. Thus, sin 90° = √4/2 = 2/2 = 1.
• Fill in the cosine column. Simply copy the
entries in the sine column in reverse order
into the cosine column. This is valid because
sin x° = cos (90-x)° for any x.
• Fill in the tangent column. We know that tan
= sin / cos. So, for every angle take its sin value
and divide it by the cos value to get the
corresponding tan value. For example, tan 30°
= sin 30° / cos 30° = (√1/2) / (√3/2) = 1/√3
•
Fill in the cotangent column. Simply copy the
entries in tangent column in reverse order into
the cot column. This is valid because tan x° =
sin x° / cos x° = cos (90-x)° / sin (90-x)° = cot
(90-x)° for any x.