Module 2

1.2. Compute trigonometric and inverse

trigonometric function values.
 Trigonometric functions apply only to right triangles.
 If a given angle is more than 90°, use a reference
angle.
 Use the trigonometric function tables or calculator
for angles which are not considered special.
 Apply interpolation to find trigonometric function
values of an angle
 Inverse Trigonometric Functions
 Trigonometric functions sin(x) , cos(x) , and tan(x) can be
used to find an unknown side length of a right triangle, if one
side length and an angle measure are known.
 The inverse trigonometric functions, often called “arc
functions,” are used to find the unknown measure of an
angle of a right triangle when two side lengths are known.
 Can be written as either arcsin(x) or sin−1(x), arcos(x) or
cos−1(x), and arctan(x) of tan−1(x),
 In general, if you know the trig ratio but not the angle, you can
use the corresponding inverse trig function to find the angle.
This is expressed mathematically in the statements below.
 In general, if you know the trig ratio but not the angle, you can
use the corresponding inverse trig function to find the angle.
This is expressed mathematically in the statements below.

Misconception alert!
The expression sin-1 (x) is not the same
In other words, the -1 is not an exponent. Instead, it simply means
inverse function.
 Arcsin is found the same way as sin-1, Arctan is also tan-1,
and arccos = cos-1

tan-1 (-1) = -45º

 When you find the Arcsin (Arccos, Arctan, etc.) of a
number, your answer will be an angle (either in degrees
or radians).

 Example:

 What is Arccos(½) in degrees?

 Arccos(½) = 60º
 When you find the Arcsin (Arccos, Arctan, etc.) of a
number, your answer will be an angle (either in degrees
or radians).

 Example:

 What is cos 60º?

 Cos 60º = ½
 Example:

What is the cosine of an

angle whose sine is ½?

Same as: What is the cosine of π/6?

 Arcsin and sin are inverses of each other (also arccos and
cos, and arctan and tan.
 When your answer isn’t an angle measure (as in,
“sin(Arcsin x)”), then it should be written as an exact
ratio (not decimal)
The mathematical convention is to use
reference angle or angle closest to zero.
let's look at degrees for better understanding:
3π/4 radians = 135° an angle in quadrant II
so we would have arctan(tan(135°))= -45°
tan 135° = -1 and if we take arctan(-1)
our calculator we would get -45
What is the value of arcsin(sin 210°)

210° is in quadrant III with reference

angle of 30° below the –x axis where
sin is negative.

arcsin(sin 210°) = - 30°

The sign in trigonometric functions and angles given by our
calculator indicates the location of the reference angle in
reference to the x axis.

Cosine and arccos

values will be positive
since the reference
angle is taken from
the +x axis
The sign in trigonometric functions and angles given by our
calculator indicates the location of the reference angle in
reference to the x axis.

Cosine and arccos

values will be negative
since the reference
angle is taken from
the -x axis
The sign in trigonometric functions and angles given by our
calculator indicates the location of the reference angle in
reference to the x axis.

Sine and arcsin values

will be positive since
the reference angle is
found above the -x axis
The sign in trigonometric functions and angles given by our
calculator indicates the location of the reference angle in
reference to the x axis.

Sine and arcsin values

will be negative since
the reference angle is
found below the -x axis
The sign in trigonometric functions and angles given by our
calculator indicates the location of the reference angle in
reference to the x axis.

Tan and arctan values

will be positive
The sign in trigonometric functions and angles given by our
calculator indicates the location of the reference angle in
reference to the x axis.

Tan and arctan values

will be negative
 Inverse Trigonometric Functions

For example:
tan θ = opp/adj
If θ = 60o
tan 60o = √3
then, Arctan √3 = 60o
or tan−1(√3) = 60o
 Inverse Trigonometric Functions

For example:
sin θ = opp/hyp
If θ = 30o
sin 30o = ½
then, Arcsin ½ = 30o
or sin−1(½) = 30o
 Using Trigonometric Table
 Inverse Trigonometric Functions

For example:
sin θ = opp/hyp
If θ = 30o
sin 30o = 0.5000
then, Arcsin 0.5000 = 30o
or sin−1(0.5000) = 30o
1. Convert the cartesian coordinate (6, 2) to polar
coordinate (r, θ)

2√10 •
2
18º25.94’ Interpolation: 0.3333 – 0.3314 = x - 18ᴼ20’
6 0.3346 – 0.3314 18ᴼ30’ - 18ᴼ20’
hyp² = 6² + 2²
tan θ = 2/6 0.0019 = x - 18ᴼ20’
hyp² = 36 + 4 0.0032 10’
tan θ = 1/3
hyp = √40 θ = arctan 0.3333
hyp = 2√10 0.5938(10’) = x - 18ᴼ20’
θ = 18ᴼ25.94’
5.94’ + 18ᴼ20’ = x
2√10, 18ᴼ25.94’
2. A ladder leans against a brick
wall. The foot of the ladder is 5
feet from the wall. The ladder
reaches a height of 5 feet on the
wall.

Find to the nearest degree, the

angle the ladder makes with the
wall.
 2. A ladder leans against a brick
wall. The foot of the ladder is 5
feet from the wall. The ladder
reaches a height of 5 feet on the
wall.
(a) Find to the nearest degree,
tan θ = opp/adj
the angle the ladder makes
tan θ = 5/5
with= 1the wall.
θ = tan-1 (1)
(b) Find the length of the ladder.
θ = 45ᴼ
3. Apply interpolation to find trigonometric function value of csc
38°16’.
1.6183 - x = 38ᴼ10’ - 38ᴼ16’
1.6183 – 1.61 23 38ᴼ10’ - 38ᴼ20’
1.6183 - x = -6’
0.006 -10’
1.6183 - 0.006(0.6) = x
1.6183 - 0.0036 = x
1.6147 = x

Therefore, 38°16’ = 1.6147

4. Draw the triangle in the Cartesian
coordinates system and determine the value
of the angle β in (º) in standard position of
Sin β = -4/5 ; cos β is negative

Adjacent

β
Opposite
-4 5
 4. Draw the triangle in the Cartesian
coordinates system and determine the value
of the angle β in (º) in standard position of
Sin β = -4/5 ; cos β is negative
Reference angle
Sin β = opp/hyp = -4/5
Adjacent

β = sin-1 (4/5) θ
Opposite
β = sin-1 (0.8000) -4
5
 4. Draw the triangle in the Cartesian
coordinates system and determine the value
of the angle β in (º) in standard position of
Sin β = -4/5 ; cos β is negative
53ᴼ10’ – β = 0.8004 – 0.8000
53ᴼ10’ - 53ᴼ0’ 0.8004 – 0.7986
Adjacent
53ᴼ10’ – β = 0.0004
10’ 0.0018 θ
Opposite
53ᴼ10’ – β = 0.0004 (10’) -4
0.0018 5

53ᴼ10’ – β = 2.22’
53ᴼ10’ - 2.22’ = β
53ᴼ8’ = β
 4. Draw the triangle in the Cartesian
coordinates system and determine the value
of the angle β in (º) in standard position of
Sin β = -4/5 ; cos β is negative
53ᴼ10’ – β = 0.8004 – 0.8000
Adjacent
53ᴼ10’ - 53ᴼ0’ 0.8004 – 0.7986
53ᴼ8’ β
53ᴼ10’ – β = 0.0004 Opposite
10’ 0.0018 -4
5
53ᴼ10’ – β = 0.0004 (10’)
0.0018
53ᴼ10’ – β = 2.22’ β = 180ᴼ + 53ᴼ8’
53ᴼ10’ - 2.22’ = β β = 233ᴼ8 ’
53ᴼ8’ = β
5. Solve for the angle by using the trigonometric function table.

sin A = -0.4848 ; possible A

A = sin -1 (-0.4848) = -29°

A = 180° + 29° = 209°

A = 360° - 29° = 331°

29o 29o
6. Use the trigonometric function table to solve for the required
angle
a. α = arccos (0.9272 )

22°
22°

α = 22°
α = -22°(clockwise)
α = 338°
6. Use the trigonometric function table to solve for the required
angle
b. β = arccos(-0.9272)

22°
22°

β = 180° - 22° = 158°

α = 180° + 22° = 202°
7. Find the exact value of
a. sin [arccos(- 3/4)]
4
3² + opp² = 4² √7
9 + opp² = 16
opp² = 16 - 9 -3
opp = √7

sin [arccos(- 3/4)] = sin θ = √7

4
7. Find the exact value of
b. tan [arcsin(- 3/4 )]

3² + adj² = 4² √7
9 + adj² = 16
adj² = 16 - 9
4 -3
adj = √7

tan [arcsin(- 3/4 )] = tan θ = - 3

√7
tan [arcsin(- 3/4 )] = tan θ = - 3 = -3 √7
√7 7
8. Find the exact value for sin(arccos 4/5)

First quadrant and the opposite side is 3 5

3

Hence, cos θ = 4/5, then sin θ = 3/5 4

add² + opp² = hyp²

sin(arccos 4/5) = sin θ = 3/5 4² + opp² = 5²
opp² = 25 - 16
opp² = √9
opp = 3
9. Evaluate cos(arctan 5/12)

It’s in first quadrant and hypotenuse

will be 13
5

12
cos(arctan 5/12) = cos θ = 12/13 add² + opp² = hyp²
12² + 5² = hyp²
12² + 5² = hyp²
144 + 25 = hyp²
169 = hyp²
√169 = hyp
13 = hyp
10.

if θ ∈ [0, π]

Since θ is an element of 0 and π,

11. Evaluate

Looking into the unit circle, the angle

pertaining to is π/3. Hence,

Cosine of π/3 is ½. The expression becomes

The angle of sin ½ is π/6. Therefore,

12. Evaluate

Angle -π/2 rotates clockwise. Then it

becomes
12. Evaluate

Angle -π/2 rotates clockwise. Then it

becomes
12. Evaluate

Angle -π/2 rotates clockwise. Then it

becomes

The sin of angle -π/2 is -1. So it becomes

12. Evaluate

Angle -π/2 rotates clockwise. Then it

becomes

The sin of angle -π/2 is -1. So it becomes

12. Evaluate

Angle -π/2 rotates clockwise. Then it

becomes

The sin of angle -π/2 is -1. So it becomes

The angle of tan (-1), - π/4. Therefore,

12. Evaluate

Angle -π/2 rotates clockwise. Then it

becomes

The sin of angle -π/2 is -1. So it becomes

The angle of tan (-1), - π/4. Therefore,

13. Evaluate
13. Evaluate

The angle 13π/6 one complete revolution

plus π/6. Hence
13. Evaluate

The angle 13π/6 one complete revolution

plus π/6. Hence
13. Evaluate

The angle 13π/6 one complete revolution

plus π/6. Hence

The reference angle is π/6. Then it becomes

13. Evaluate

The angle 13π/6 one complete revolution

plus π/6. Hence

The reference angle is π/6. Then it becomes

13. Evaluate

The angle 13π/6 one complete revolution

plus π/6. Hence

The reference angle is π/6. Then it becomes

The measurement of the angle is π/6.

Therefore
13. Evaluate

The angle 13π/6 one complete revolution

plus π/6. Hence

The reference angle is π/6. Then it becomes

The measurement of the angle is π/6.

Therefore
14. Find the exact value of
arcsin [sin 210°]
14. Find the exact value of
arcsin [sin 210°]

210°

30°
14. Find the exact value of
arcsin [sin 210°]

210°

30°
14. Find the exact value of
arcsin [sin 210°]

210°

30°

arcsin [sin 210°] = arcsin [- ½ ] = -30°