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Trigonometric Functions
In trigonometry
1
, the functions sine, cosine and tangent are defined as ratios of the lengths of
sides in a right-angled triangle. However, sine, cosine and tangent extend to be functions, as do
the reciprocal functions of secant, cosecant and cotangent. Since the basic functions of sine,
cosine and tangent crop up so often in mathematics, science and engineering, it is useful to be
able to sketch graphs of the functions to assist with their interpretation. The trigonometric
functions
2
are periodic and the natural unit for the x-axis is the radian
3
.
Sine (sin)
sin () has the following graph

Points to note include that sin(0) = 0 or more generally sin() = 0 for any integer , the
period is 2, the amplitude is 1 and the graph oscillates between -1 and +1.
Cosine (cos)
cos() has the following graph


1
Trigonometry
2
Mathcentre Trigonometric Functions Guide : Video (24 min) : Exercises
3
Radian
x 2 -
x

2

2
-

2

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Points to note include that cos (0) = 1 or more generally cos() = (1)

for any integer , the

period is 2, the amplitude is 1 and the graph oscillates between -1 and +1.
cos() = sin ( +

2
); the graphs for cos and sin are the same except for a phase shift of

2
.
Tangent or tan
tan has the following graph

Points to note include that tan = 0 or more generally tan() = 0 for any integer , the period
is the graph is at

2
,

2
,
3
2
.
Reciprocal functions: Secant (sec), Cosecant (cosec) and Cotangent (cot)
The reciprocal functions are defined as follows:
4

sec() =
1
cos ()
, cosec() =
1
sin ()
, cot() =
1
tan ()
.
Further Trigonometric Functions and Formulae
The inverse trigonometric functions (sin
-1
, cos
-1
or tan
-1
)
5
are initially useful in finding the
angles within right-angled triangles with known sides.
There are many formulae connecting the trigonometric functions. For example the
addition formulae for determining the sin, cos and tan of a sum or difference of angles
6
,
the sine cosine and area rules
7
, trigonometric identities
8
and the addition of two
trigonometric functions
9
.

4
Mathcentre Cosecant, Secant and Cotangent Gui de : Vi deo (16 mi n) : Exerci ses
5
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
6
Sine, cosine and tangent of a sum
7
Sine, Cosine and Area rules
8
Mathcentre - Trigonometric Identities
9
Mathcentre The form r cos x - alpha
2 -