TRIGONOMETRY
I. What is Trigonometry?
● from the Greek words “trigonon” (triangle) and “metron” (measure), Trigonometry is a branch of
mathematics pthat studies triangles and its relationship with its sides and angles.
● Very important in Physics and Engineering
II. Degree and Radian Measures
● since we are dealing with angles in Trigonometry, how to convert angles in their different forms is important
● for degrees, 1 revolution = 360 degrees (360o)
● for radians, 1 revolution = 2π radians
III. Trigonometric Functions
● Trigonometric functions express ratios between the sides of a triangle and its internal angles. They
are fundamental in understanding Trigonometry
● Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle of a Right Triangle:
> opp: side of triangle opposite of Θ (A)
> adj: side of triangle adjacent to Θ (B)
> hyp: hypotenuse of right triangle ©
IV. Signs of Trigonometric Functions in the Four Quadrants
● The xy-plane is divided into four quadrants
● Angles in Trigonometry start from the positive x-axis (0 degrees) and rotate
counter-clockwise
Commonly used Trigonometric Functions
Tip:
One way to look at this is the SOHCAHTOA method. Sine represents the opposite side of the angle or the y-component. Similarly
the cosine which represents the adjacent of the angle thus the x-component. By following the sign conventions of the four
quadrants represented earlier, you can easily find which trigonometric function yields the positive/negative value.
Trigonometric Functions of Special Angles (30o, 45o, 60o)
− notice patterns for sin Θ and cos Θ
− both have a denominator of 2
− as Θ increase, the numerator of sine increase while the numerator of cosine decreases
− remember: tan Θ= sin Θ/ cos Θ
− sec Θ = 1/ cos Θ, csc Θ = 1/ sin Θ, cot Θ = 1/ tan Θ
Trigonometric Functions of Multiples of 90o
Trigonometric Identities:
More Trigonometric Identities
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Graphs of Trigonometric Functions
Law of Cosines
*Note: Be careful! The sine law only works on acute angles.
Law of Sines
Applications:
− Angle of elevation: angle made by the line of sight and a horizontal ray below the line of sight (example:
Horizontal ray = x-axis; line of sight = any ray lying on the 1st quadrant)
− Angle of depression: angle made by line of sight and horizontal ray above the line of sight (example: Horizontal ray
= x-axis; line of sight = any ray lying on the 4th quadrant)
Review Problems:
1) A tower is 150 ft high and from its top, the angle of depression of an object is 36.4 o
a) Determine the distance from the base of the tower to the object.
b) How far is the object from the top of the tower?
2) Prove the identity:
w
cos t – cos 5t = 4 sin 3t
cos t sin t
3) A building is 1250 ft tall. What is the angle of elevation of the top from a point on the ground 1 mile (5280 ft) from the base of
the building?
4) Determine the quadrant containing the angle Θ:
a) cos Θ > 0 and tan Θ< 0
b) sin Θ< 0 and cot Θ> 0
c) cos Θ< 0 and tan Θ> 0
d) sin Θ> 0 and cot Θ< 0
5) Express the trigonometric function value in terms of a function of the associated reference angle; then determine the exact value:
a) sin(135o)
b) cos(210o)
c) tan(- 240o)
d) cot(330o)
e) csc(- 120o)
