Plane Trigonometry Submitted by 

Romel Verterra on April 26, 2009 - 12:11pm

From the right triangle shown below,
Plane trigonometry is the study of plane triangles.  

10 Solving for angle A in triangle ABC

Problem 10
In a triangle ABC, if

,   find the value

of angle  .
  the trigonometric functions of angle θ are defined as
follows:
Solution:

Given:

From Cosine law:

  The above relationships can be written into

acronym soh-cah-toa-cho-sha-cao.
Substitute to the given equation:
1. soh = sine of theta is equal to opposite side
over the hypotenuse.
2. cah = cosine of theta is equal to adjacent side
over the hypotenuse.
3. toa = tangent of theta is equal to opposite side
over the adjacent side.
4. cho = cosecant of theta is equal to hypotenuse
over the opposite side.
5. sha = secant of theta is equal to hypotenuse
over the adjacent side.
6. cao = cotangent of theta is equal to adjacent
side over the opposite side.

See how these relationships were used to derive

the Pythagorean identities.
   →   Equation (1)
 resulting

Equation (1) satisfies the Pythagorean theorem for a

right triangle whose perpendicular sides are   and   and
hypotenuse  . Thus, angle  .       answer Summary of Trigonometric Identities
Basic Identities
Click here for the derivation of basic identities.

Functions of a Right Triangle

 Go to the derivation of sum and difference of two
1.  angles if you want information on where these formulas
came from.
2. 
1. 
3.  2. 
3. 
4.  4. 
 
5. 
Pythagorean Identities
Click here for the derivation of Pythagorean identities.
6. 
 
1. 
2. 
3.  Example 001 | Sum and Difference of Two Angles
  Submitted by Romel Verterra on March 28, 2010 - 4:46pm

Problem
Sum and Difference of Two Angles If tan x = 1/3 and tan y = 1/2, what is the value of tan (x +
Click here for the derivation of sum and difference of two
y) and tan (x - y)?
angles.  
1.  Solution:
2. 
3. 
4. 

5. 

6. 
 

Double Angle Formulas

Click here for the derivation of double angle formulas.            answer
 
1. 
2. 

3. 
 

Half Angle Formulas

Click here for the derivation of half angle formulas.

           answer
1. 
Another Solution (by calculator):
2. 

3. 

 
Sum and Difference of Two Angles
Submitted by Romel Verterra on March 28, 2010 - 4:16pm
 

           answer
 

           answer