Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Pre - Calculus
SY 2021 – 2022

Unit II: Trigonometry

Lesson 2: Circular Functions

Introduction

Hi students! Are you the type person who loves

listening to music? What genre of music you love
most? What was your favorite attractions? I think
most of us love soft-hearing music. Did you ever
wonder how the specific tone of the sound affects
the rhythm? It is because of the waves produce when
making sounds. For this module, we will learn about
the basic concepts you need to know before the
waves are formed, and those are the circular
functions.

Learning Objectives

After studying this completing this module with 80% to 100% accuracy, you are expected to:

a) illustrate the different circular functions; and

b) use reference angle to find the exact values of a circular functions.

Pre-requisite Skills

To be successful in this module, you’ll need to master these skills and be able to apply in problem
solving situations.

Trigonometric Functions of an Angle

Figure 2.1

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Pre - Calculus
SY 2021 – 2022

Six Trigonometric Functions of Acute Angle A

Consider a right triangle with 𝜃 as one of its acute angles. The trigonometric ratios are defined as follows:

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
sin 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒

𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
cos 𝜃 = sec 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
tan 𝜃 = cot 𝜃 =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒

Figure 2.2

Circular Functions
Circular functions are defined such that their domains are sets of numbers that correspond
to the measures (in radian units) of the angles of analogous trigonometric functions. The ranges of these
circular functions, like their analogous trigonometric functions, are sets of real numbers. These functions
are called circular functions because radian measures of angles are determined by the lengths of arcs of
circles.

Circular Functions on Real Numbers

Let 𝜃 be an angle in standard position and 𝑃(𝜃) = 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) any point on the terminal side of 𝜃, and 𝑟 =
√𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 > 0. Then
𝑦 𝑟
sin 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 = 𝑦 , 𝑦 ≠ 0
𝑟

𝑥 𝑟
cos 𝜃 = 𝑟 sec 𝜃 = 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≠ 0

𝑦 𝑥
tan θ = 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≠ 0 cot 𝜃 = 𝑦 , 𝑦 ≠ 0

Practice Problem #1

Find the six trigonometric ratios of an angle in standard position formed by point 𝑃(−4,3).

𝑦 3 𝑟 5 Note: Solution for r

sin 𝜃 = = csc 𝜃 = =
𝑟 5 𝑦 3 𝑥 = −4 and 𝑦 = 3
𝑥 −4 4 So that,
𝑟 5 5
cos 𝜃 = = =− sec 𝜃 = = =−
𝑟 5 5 𝑥 −4 4 𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
𝑦 3 3 𝑥 −4 4 𝑟 = √(−4)2 + (3)2
tan 𝜃 = = =− cot 𝜃 = = =−
𝑥 −4 4 𝑦 3 3 𝑟 = √16 + 9
𝑟 = √25
𝑟=5

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Pre - Calculus
SY 2021 – 2022

Sign of Trigonometric Ratios in Rectangular Plane

Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4

Figure 2.5

Figure 2.6

Practice Problem #2

Find the other functions of an angle 𝜃 given that if 𝜃 lies in quadrant III.

𝑦 −3
tan 𝜃 = 3 = =
𝑥 −1

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
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Solution. The other functions of 𝜃 are

𝑦 −3 3√10
sin 𝜃 = = =−
𝑟 √10 10

𝑥 −1 √10
cos 𝜃 = = =−
𝑟 √10 10

𝑟 √10 √10
csc 𝜃 = = =−
𝑦 −3 3

𝑟 √10
sec 𝜃 = = = −√10
𝑥 −1

𝑥 −1 1
cot 𝜃 = = =
𝑦 −3 3

Practice Problem #3

Find the other functions of an angle 𝜃 given that if 𝜃 lies in quadrant IV.

𝑟 5
sec 𝜃 = =
𝑥 3

From this, we can say that 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = −4 and 𝑟 = 5. Then, the other trigonometric values are as follows:

𝑦 −4 4
sin 𝜃 = = =−
𝑟 5 5

𝑥 3
cos 𝜃 = =
𝑟 5

𝑟 5 5
csc 𝜃 = = =−
𝑦 −4 4

𝑦 −4 4
tan 𝜃 = = =−
𝑥 3 3

𝑥 3 3
cot 𝜃 = = =−
𝑦 −4 4

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Pre - Calculus
SY 2021 – 2022

Unit Circle

A circle with center at (0,0) and radius 1 is called a unit circle

𝒙 𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏

So, points on this circle must satisfy this equation.

Figure 2.7

Practice Problem #4
1
Find the 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦), if 𝑥 = 2.

Solution:

𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 1

1 2
( ) + 𝑦2 = 1
2
3
𝑦2 =
4
√3
𝑦=±
2

Figure 2.8

𝟏 √𝟑
P(𝟐 , )
𝟐

Figure 2.9
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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Pre - Calculus
SY 2021 – 2022

Practice Problem #5

Find the values of cos 135° , tan 135° , sin −60° , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 sec −60° .

Solution. Refer to Figure 2.10.

Figure 2.10

From properties of 45° -45° and 30° -60° right triangles (with hypotenuse 1 unit), we obtain the lengths
of the legs as in Figure 2.1(b). Thus, the coordinates of A and B are

√2 √2 1 √3
𝐴 = (− , ) and 𝐵 = ( , − )
2 2 2 2
Therefore, we get
√2
cos 135° = − , tan 135° = −1,
2
√3
sin −60° = − , and sec −60° = 2.
2

Solving for 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) using the concepts of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1:

√2
cos 135° = − =𝑥
2

𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 1
2
√2
(− ) + 𝑦2 = 1
2

1
+ 𝑦2 = 1
2
1 1
𝑦2 = 1 − =
2 2

1 1 √2
𝑦=√ = =
2 √2 2

√2 √2
𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑃 (− , )
2 2

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Pre - Calculus
SY 2021 – 2022

√3
sin −60° = − =𝑦
2

𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 1
2
√3
𝑥 2 + (− ) =1
2

3
𝑥2 + =1
4
3 1
𝑥2 = 1 − =
4 4

1 1
𝑥=√ =
4 2

1 √3
𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑃( ,− )
2 2

From the last example, we may then also say that

3𝜋 √2 𝜋 √3
cos 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = − , sin − 3 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = − ,
4 2 2

and so on.

From the above definitions, we define the same six functions on real numbers. These functions are called
trigonometric functions.

Let s be any real number. Suppose 𝜃 is the angle in standard position with measure s rad. Then we define

sin 𝑠 = sin 𝜃 csc 𝑠 = csc 𝜃

cos 𝑠 = cos 𝜃 sec 𝑠 = sec 𝜃

tan 𝑠 = tan 𝜃 cot 𝑠 = cot 𝜃

3𝜋 3𝜋 √2
cos = cos 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = cos 135° = −
4 4 2

and

𝜋 𝜋 √3
sin − = sin − 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = sin −60° = − .
3 3 2

In the same way, we have

tan 0 = tan 0 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = tan 0° = 0.

Practice Problem #6
3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋
Find the exact values of sin , cos , tan .
2 2 2

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Pre - Calculus
SY 2021 – 2022
3𝜋
Solution. Let 𝑃 ( ) be the point on the unit circle and on the terminal side of the angle in the standard
2
3𝜋 3𝜋
position with measure rad. 𝑃 ( 2 ) = (0, −1), and so
2

3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋
sin = −1, cos = 0, but tan is undefined.
2 2 2

Practice Problem #7
3
Suppose s is a real number such that sin 𝑠 = 4 and cos 𝑠 > 0. Find cos s.

Solution. We may consider s as the angle with measure rad. Let 𝑃(𝑠) = (𝑥, 𝑦) be the point on the unit
circle and on the terminal side of angle s.
3
Since 𝑃(𝑠) is on the unit circle, we know that 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1. Since sin 𝑠 = 𝑦 = − 4, we get

3 2 7 √7
𝑥 2 = 1 − 𝑦 2 = 1 − (− 4) = 16 ⇒ 𝑥=± .
4

√7
Since cos 𝑠 = 𝑥 > 0, we have cos 𝑠 = .
4

Let 𝑃(𝑥1, 𝑦1) and 𝑄(𝑥, 𝑦) be points on the terminal side of an angle 𝜃 in standard position, where P is on
the unit circle and Q on the circle of radius r (not necessarily 1) with center also at the origin, as shown
above. Observe that we can use similar triangles to obtain

𝑥1 𝑥 𝑦1 𝑦
cos 𝜃 = 𝑥1 = = 𝑟 and sin 𝜃 = 𝑦1 = =
1 1 𝑟

We may then further generalize the definitions of the six circular functions.

Let 𝜃 be an angle in standard position, 𝑄(𝑥, 𝑦) any point on the terminal side of 𝜃, and

𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 < 0. Then
𝑦 𝑟
sin 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 = 𝑦 , 𝑦 ≠ 0
𝑟

𝑥 𝑟
cos 𝜃 = 𝑟 sec 𝜃 = 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≠ 0

𝑦 𝑥
tan 𝜃 = 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≠ 0 cot 𝜃 = 𝑦 , 𝑦 ≠ 0

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Pre - Calculus
SY 2021 – 2022
3 𝑦
We can have a second solution for Example 2.3 as follows. With sin 𝑠 = and sin 𝑠 = ,we may choose
4 𝑟
𝑥
and r = 4 (which is always positive). In this case, we can solve for x, which is positive since cos s = 4

given to be positive.

√7
4 = √𝑥 2 + (−3)2 ⇒ 𝑥 = √7 ⇒ cos 𝑠 =
4

Key Concepts

✓ Circular functions are defined such that their domains are sets of numbers that correspond to the
measures (in radian units) of the angles of analogous trigonometric functions.
✓ Let 𝜃 be an angle in standard position and 𝑃(𝜃) = 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) any point on the terminal side of 𝜃,
and 𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 > 0. Then
𝑦 𝑟
sin 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 = 𝑦 , 𝑦 ≠ 0
𝑟
𝑥 𝑟
cos 𝜃 = 𝑟 sec 𝜃 = 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≠ 0
𝑦 𝑥
tan θ = 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≠ 0 cot 𝜃 = 𝑦 , 𝑦 ≠ 0

Learning Activity

I. Given 𝜃, find the exact values of the six circular functions.

1. 𝜃 = 30°
3𝜋
2. 𝜃 = 4
3. 𝜃 = −150°

II. Given a value of one circular function and sign of another function (or the quadrant where the
angle lies), find the value of the indicated function.

1
1. sin 𝜃 = , 𝜃 in QI; cos 𝜃
2
3
2. cos 𝜃 = , 𝜃 in QIV; csc 𝜃
5
3
3. sin 𝜃 = , sec 𝜃 < 0; tan 𝜃
7
2
4. cot 𝜃 = , cos 𝜃 > 0; csc 𝜃
9

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
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SY 2021 – 2022

Tutorial Videos

Here are some YouTube videos you can watch to help you to have a better understanding about
the lesson.

✓ Which are the Six Functions in Trigonometry?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnnDbEG0UyY
✓ Unit Circle Trigonometry - Sin Cos Tan - Radians & Degrees
https://youtu.be/V5ArB_GFGYQ
✓ How to Use Reference Angles to Evaluate Trigonometric Functions?
https://youtu.be/V8LEHEzdU2U

References

YouTube Videos

➢ Don’t Memorise (2014, December 19) Which are the Six Functions in Trigonometry?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnnDbEG0UyY
➢ The Organic Chemistry Tutor (2016, July 29) Unit Circle Trigonometry - Sin Cos Tan - Radians
& Degrees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5ArB_GFGYQ&feature=youtu.be
➢ The Organic Chemistry Tutor (2017, October 14) How To Use Reference Angles to Evaluate
Trigonometric Functions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5ArB_GFGYQ&feature=youtu.be

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inbox or MS Teams. Or you can
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