Terminal Sides of Angles

Positive Angles: Positive angles are angles such that their initial side is the positive x-axis and their
“terminal” side is determined by turning in a counterclockwise direction.

Negative Angles: Negative angles are angles such that their initial side is the positive x-axis and their
“terminal” side is determined by turning in a clockwise direction.

Co-Terminal Angles: are angles whose terminal sides fall on the same line.
How To:

Determine the coordinates of a point that lies on a terminal side: draw a right triangle to the x-axis and
use Pythagorean Theorem and/or SOHCAHTOA relationships to determine missing side lengths.

Determine which quadrant the terminal side on an angle will fall:

0 < angle < 90  Quadrant I angle = 90  positive y-axis

90 < angle < 180  Quadrant II angle = 180  negative x-axis

180 < angle < 270  Quadrant III angle = 270  negative y-axis

270 < angle < 360  Quadrant IV angle = 360  positive x-axis

* For angles greater than 360, you must subtract 360(or multiple) from the angle until the result is
between 0 and 360.

Find Co-Terminal Angles:

Positive Co-terminal: angle + 360

Negative Co-terminal angle: angle - 360

Special angles:

A positive 90o angle’s terminal side falls on the positive y-axis (same as a negative 270o)

A positive 180o angle’s terminal side falls on the negative x-axis (same as a negative 180o)

A positive 270o angle’s terminal side falls on the negative y-axis (same as a negative 90o)