Trigonometric Functions Project

Class 11 Mathematics Project

Submitted by: Your name

Date: May 24, 2025

Contents

1 Introduction 2
1.1 Definition and Significance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 History of Trigonometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Practical Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Fundamental Concepts 2
2.1 Trigonometric Ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Trigonometric Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Angles and Their Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.4 Sign of Trigonometric Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.5 Domain and Range of Trigonometric Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 Applications of Trigonometric Functions 4

3.1 Solving Triangles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.2 Applications in Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.3 Applications in Physics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4 Graphs of Trigonometric Functions 5

4.1 Visualizing Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4.2 Amplitude, Period, and Phase Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4.3 Graphing Other Trigonometric Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5 Historical Development and Famous Trigonometric Formulas 6

5.1 Early Trigonometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.2 Important Formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

6 Conclusion 6

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1 Introduction
1.1 Definition and Significance
Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies relationships between the angles
and sides of triangles, particularly right-angled triangles. The word “trigonometry” comes
from Greek words: trigonon (triangle) and metron (measure). It is significant because
it provides tools to solve problems involving angles, distances, and heights, which are
essential in various scientific and practical applications.

1.2 History of Trigonometry

Trigonometry has ancient roots. Around 150 BCE, the Greek astronomer Hipparchus
developed early trigonometric tables to study celestial movements, earning him the title
“father of trigonometry.” Later, mathematicians like Ptolemy (100–170 CE) refined these
tables, and Indian mathematicians, such as Aryabhata (476–550 CE), introduced sine
and cosine concepts. In the modern era, trigonometry evolved with contributions from
European mathematicians like Leonhard Euler, who connected trigonometry to complex
numbers.

1.3 Practical Applications

Trigonometry is vital in:
• Navigation: Calculating distances and angles for ship or airplane routes.
• Astronomy: Determining positions and distances of celestial bodies.
• Engineering: Designing structures like bridges and buildings.
• Physics: Modeling wave motion and oscillations.
• Computer Graphics: Creating realistic animations and 3D models.

2 Fundamental Concepts
2.1 Trigonometric Ratios
Trigonometric ratios relate the angles of a right-angled triangle to the ratios of its sides.
For a right-angled triangle with angle θ, the ratios are defined as:
Opposite
• Sine: sin θ = Hypotenuse
Adjacent
• Cosine: cos θ = Hypotenuse
Opposite
• Tangent: tan θ = Adjacent
Adjacent 1
• Cotangent: cot θ = Opposite
= tan θ
Hypotenuse 1
• Secant: sec θ = Adjacent
= cos θ
Hypotenuse 1
• Cosecant: csc θ = Opposite
= sin θ

On the unit circle (a circle with radius 1 centered at the origin), these ratios are:

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 • sin θ = y-coordinate
• cos θ = x-coordinate
• tan θ = xy , and so on.
Visual Aid: Include a labeled right-angled triangle and a unit circle diagram showing
these ratios. For example:

Hypotenuse
Opposite

θ Adjacent

2.2 Trigonometric Identities

Key identities include:
• Pythagorean Identities:

sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1
1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ
1 + cot2 θ = csc2 θ

• Sum and Difference Formulas:

sin(A ± B) = sin A cos B ± cos A sin B

cos(A ± B) = cos A cos B ∓ sin A sin B

• Double and Half-Angle Formulas:

sin(2θ) = 2 sin θ cos θ

cos(2θ) = cos2 θ − sin2 θ
( ) √
θ 1 − cos θ
sin =±
2 2

Visual Aid: Create a table summarizing these identities:

Identity Type Formula

Pythagorean sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1
Sum Formula sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
Double Angle sin(2θ) = 2 sin θ cos θ

2.3 Angles and Their Measurement

Angles are measured in:
• Degrees: A full circle is 360◦ .

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 180
• Radians: A full circle is 2π radians. Conversion: 1 radian = π
degrees, 1 degree =
π
180
radians.
Example: 30◦ = π
6
radians, 90◦ = π
2
radians.

2.4 Sign of Trigonometric Functions

The signs of trigonometric functions vary by quadrant:
• Quadrant I (0◦ –90◦ ): All functions (sin, cos, tan) are positive.
• Quadrant II (90◦ –180◦ ): sin and csc are positive; cos, tan, sec, cot are negative.
• Quadrant III (180◦ –270◦ ): tan and cot are positive; others are negative.
• Quadrant IV (270◦ –360◦ ): cos and sec are positive; others are negative.
Visual Aid: Include an ASTC (All, Sin, Tan, Cos) quadrant diagram:

II: Sin I: All

III: Tan IV: Cos

2.5 Domain and Range of Trigonometric Functions

• Sine and Cosine: Domain = all real numbers, Range = [−1, 1]
• Tangent and Cotangent: Domain = all real numbers except where undefined (e.g.,
tan θ undefined at θ = π2 + nπ), Range = all real numbers
• Secant: Domain = all real numbers except where cos θ = 0, Range = (−∞, −1] ∪
[1, ∞)
• Cosecant: Domain = all real numbers except where sin θ = 0, Range = (−∞, −1] ∪
[1, ∞)

3 Applications of Trigonometric Functions

3.1 Solving Triangles
Trigonometric ratios are used to find unknown sides or angles in triangles:
• Right Triangles: Use sin, cos, or tan. Example: If ∠A = 30◦ and hypotenuse = 10,
find the opposite side: sin 30◦ = opposite
10
=⇒ opposite = 10 × 0.5 = 5.
a b c
• Non-Right Triangles: Use the Law of Sines: sin A
= sin B
= sin C
, or Law of Cosines:
c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C.
Example: In a triangle with sides a = 5, b = 7, and ∠C = 60◦ , find side c using the Law
of Cosines.

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3.2 Applications in Geometry
Trigonometry helps calculate:
• Heights and Distances: Example: To find the height of a tree, measure the angle
height
of elevation and use tan θ = distance .
• Area of Triangles: Area = 12 ab sin C.
Real-World Example: Surveyors use trigonometry to measure land areas and angles for
construction projects.

3.3 Applications in Physics

Trigonometry models oscillatory motion (e.g., pendulums) and wave phenomena (e.g.,
sound waves). The equation y = A sin(ωt + ϕ) describes simple harmonic motion, where:
• A = amplitude
• ω = angular frequency
• ϕ = phase shift
Real-World Example: Engineers use trigonometric functions to analyze vibrations in
bridges to ensure structural stability.

4 Graphs of Trigonometric Functions

4.1 Visualizing Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Functions
• Sine: y = sin x oscillates between −1 and 1, period = 2π, symmetric about the
origin (odd function).
• Cosine: y = cos x oscillates between −1 and 1, period = 2π, symmetric about the
y-axis (even function).
π
• Tangent: y = tan x has a period of π, undefined at x = 2
+ nπ, range = all real
numbers.
Visual Aid: Include graphs of sin x, cos x, and tan x plotted on a coordinate plane.

4.2 Amplitude, Period, and Phase Shift

• Amplitude: The maximum height of the wave (e.g., for y = A sin x, amplitude =
|A|).
• Period: The length of the interval over which the function repeats (e.g., for y =
sin(bx), period = 2π
b
).
• Phase Shift: Horizontal shift of the graph (e.g., for y = sin(x − c), phase shift = c).
Example: For y = 2 sin(3x + π2 ), amplitude = 2, period = 2π
3
, phase shift = − π2 .

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4.3 Graphing Other Trigonometric Functions
• Cotangent: y = cot x has a period of π, undefined at x = nπ.
• Secant: y = sec x is undefined where cos x = 0, range = (−∞, −1] ∪ [1, ∞).
• Cosecant: y = csc x is undefined where sin x = 0, range = (−∞, −1] ∪ [1, ∞).
Visual Aid: Include graphs of cot x, sec x, and csc x.

5 Historical Development and Famous Trigonometric Formulas

5.1 Early Trigonometry
• Ancient Egypt and Babylonia: Used basic angle measurements for architecture and
astronomy.
• India: Aryabhata introduced the sine function, and Brahmagupta (598–668 CE)
developed formulas for triangles.
• Greece: Ptolemy’s Almagest included trigonometric tables for astronomical calcu-
lations.

5.2 Important Formulas

• Ptolemy’s Theorem: For a cyclic quadrilateral, the product of the diagonals equals
the sum of the products of opposite sides.
a b c
• Law of Sines: sin A
= sin B
= sin C
.
• Law of Cosines: c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C.
Example: Use the Law of Sines to find ∠B in a triangle with a = 5, ∠A = 30◦ , and
∠C = 45◦ .

6 Conclusion
This project explored the core concepts of trigonometry, including trigonometric ratios,
identities, angle measurements, and their applications in solving triangles, geometry, and
physics. The graphs of trigonometric functions highlight their periodic nature, while
historical developments show their evolution from ancient times to modern applications.
Trigonometry remains crucial in fields like navigation, engineering, and astronomy, mak-
ing it a cornerstone of mathematics.
Interactive Component: Include a link to an online simulation (e.g., GeoGebra or Desmos)
to explore trigonometric graphs interactively.
Presentation Tips:
• Use clear headings and bullet points.
• Include colorful diagrams and graphs.
• Ensure neat formatting with consistent fonts and spacing.