CE543 | CE CORRELATION COURSE

CHAPTER 2
FUNDAMENTALS
OF TRIGONOMETRY

MODULE 4
SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY
This module serves as a review for the BSCE graduating students in the
fundamental principles of trigonometry aligned with the scope and provisions of
the civil engineering licensure examination to ensure that they will meet the
necessary technical and professional knowledge to face the board examination
with confidence and ease.

Objectives
• To provide a refresher course for the fundamental principles of
trigonometry.

4.1 General Parts of a Triangle

• Altitude of a General Triangle

2𝐴𝑇
ℎ𝑎 =
𝑎

• Median of a General Triangle

4𝑚𝑎 2 = 2𝑏2 + 2𝑐 2 − 𝑎2
• Angle Bisector of a General Triangle
2
𝑏𝑎 = 𝑏+𝑐 √𝑏𝑐𝑠(𝑠 − 𝑎)

Where: AT = Area
ha = Altitude of Triangle from side a
ma = Median of Triangle from side a
ba = Angel Bisector of Triangle from side a

4.2 Radius of Inscribed and Circumscribing Circle

• Triangle inscribed in a Circle

1 of 4
 CE543 | CE CORRELATION COURSE

𝑎𝑏𝑐
𝑅 = 4𝐴
𝑇

• Triangle circumscribing a Circle

𝐴𝑇
𝑟= 𝑠

• Triangle with Escribed Circle

𝐴
𝑇
𝑟 = 𝑠−𝑎 ; beside side a

E4-1 Given a triangle with sides: 70, 90, and 120, determine:
a) Altitude to the side measuring 90 units
b) Median of the longest side
c) Angle Bisector of the shortest side
d) Radius of the inscribed circle
e) Radius of the circumscribing circle
f) Radius of the circle escribed to the longest side

4.3 Other Trigonometric Functions

• 𝑒𝑥𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 = sec 𝜃 − 1
• 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃 = csc 𝜃 − 1
• 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 1 − cos 𝜃
• 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 1 − sin 𝜃
• 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 1 + cos 𝜃
• 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 1 + sin 𝜃
1−cos 𝜃
• ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2
sec 𝜃−1
• ℎ𝑎𝑒𝑥𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 =
2

4.4 Complex Numbers

• Algebraic or Rectangular Form

𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖
• Polar or Trigonometric Form
𝑧 = 𝑟∠𝜃
• Exponential Form

𝑧 = 𝑟𝑒 𝜃𝑖
• De Moivre’s Theorem

2 of 4
 CE543 | CE CORRELATION COURSE

[𝑟∠𝜃 ]𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 ∠𝑛𝜃

E4-2 Solve the following complex problems:

a) Simplify i2018
b) Convert (3-4i)11 to polar form
c) Find the roots of the equation 𝑥 3 − 4√2 + 4√2𝑖 = 0

4.5 Graphs of Circular Function

𝑦 = 𝐴 sin(𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 ) + 𝐷

Amplitude = A Period = 2π/B Frequency = 1/Period

Angular Frequency = B Phase Angle = C Phase Shift = -C/B
Vertical Shift = D Increment = Period/4

E4-3 Given the function 𝑦 = 5 cos(3𝑥 + 2𝜋) + 2, identify the following:

Amplitude Period
Frequency Phase Shift
Phase Angle Vertical Shift

4.6 Spherical Triangle

A Spherical Triangle is the triangle enclosed by arcs of great circles of a

sphere.
• Area of Spherical Triangle
𝜋𝑅2 𝐸
𝐴= 180°

• Volume of Spherical Triangle

𝜋𝑅3 𝐸
𝑉= 540°

• Spherical Excess
𝐸 = 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 − 180°

3 of 4
 CE543 | CE CORRELATION COURSE

4.7 Right and Oblique Spherical Triangle

• Law of Sines
sin 𝑎 sin 𝑏 sin 𝑐
= sin 𝐵 = sin 𝐶
sin 𝐴

• Law of Cosines for Sides

cos 𝑎 = cos 𝑏 cos 𝑐 + sin 𝑏 sin 𝑐 cos 𝐴
cos 𝑏 = cos 𝑎 cos 𝑐 + sin 𝑎 sin 𝑐 cos 𝐵
cos 𝑐 = cos 𝑎 cos 𝑏 + sin 𝑎 sin 𝑏 cos 𝐶
• Law of Cosines for Angles
cos 𝐴 = − cos 𝐵 cos 𝐶 + sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶 cos 𝑎
cos 𝐵 = − cos 𝐴 cos 𝐶 + sin 𝐴 sin 𝐶 cos 𝑏
cos 𝐶 = − cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 cos 𝑐
E4-4 Given the parts of a spherical triangle A=120°, B=135°, and c=30°;
a) Determine the surface angle C, and the other two terrestrial angle;
b) Area and Volume if the radius of the sphere is 4m.

4.8 Important Propositions of a Spherical Triangle

1. 𝑎 + 𝑏 > 𝑐
2. 0° < 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 < 360°
3. 180° < 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 < 540°

4 of 4