UNIT 12- FUNCTIONS OF SPECIAL ANGLES, THE REDUCTION FORMULA

AND TABLE OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

CONTENTS
12-0 Aims and Objectives
12-1 Introduction
12-2 Functions of Special Angles
12-3 Reduction Formula and Trigonometric Table
12-4 Summary
12-5 Answers to Check Your Progress Questions
12-6 Model Examination Questions

12-0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this unit is to introduce special functions whose values of trigonometric
functions can be found with out using trigonometric table or calculator. In addition to this
the unit aims at the usage of trigonometric table to evaluate the trigonometric functions of
any angle.
At the end of the unit you will be able to: -
 give some examples of special angles
 write the general form of special angles
 find the trigonometric values of special functions
 state and use the reduction formula to find the trigonometric value of any angle
from the table of trigonometric functions

12-1 INTRODUCTION

Under the preceding two units we saw that trigonometric functions are defined based on
right angled triangle and the values of the trigonometric functions can be determined in
case the sides of the triangle are known or using the relations ship between the functions.
Besides this, we observed that the sign of the values depend on the quadrant to which the
angle belongs. Under the current unit we are going to generalize what we already started.
Here, we will determine the trigonometric values of special angles using the concepts of a
unit circle centered at the origin of the coordinate axes, equilateral isosceles triangle, and
right-angled isosceles triangle. After having done this the reduction formula will be
developed to help us find the value of trigonometric function of any angle from
trigonometric table.

12-2 FUNCTIONS OF SPECIAL ANGLES

Quadrantal angles and angles whose reference angles are 30 0, 450 and 600 are called
Special Angles. To find the trigonometric functions of special angles we don’t need to
refer to trigonometric table or use calculator.

12-2-1 Quadrantal Angles

As it is explained under unit 10, Quadrantal angles are those whose terminal sides lie on
the coordinate axes. Hence, the points P1 (1,0) or P2 (-1,0), P3 (0,1) or P4 (0, -1) can be one
of the infinitely many points on the terminal side of a quadrantal angle.

We can evaluate the six trigonometric functions using these points. Let us think of these
points being on a circle with center at the origin of the coordinate axes and radius 1 unit
(unit circle).

1
1
-1 1

-1

Hence

undefined denoted by 
In general, by using the definition of each of the six trigonometric functions we obtain the
following.

Angles Measures The six Trigonometric Functions

Radian Degree Cos Sin Tan Cot Sec Cosec
0 0 1 0 0  1 
/2 90 0 1  0  1
 180 -1 0 0  -1 1
3/2 270 0 -1  0  -1
2 360 1 0 0  1 

If  is a quadrantal angle then  and 2n + , for any integer n, are Co-terminal angle,
Co-terminal angles have the same value of a trigonometric function.

Example 1 8100

Solution:
Solution: 900 and 8100 are Co-terminal
Since 8100 = 90 + 2 x 360
Hence
(i) cos 8100 = 0 ii) tan 8100 =  iv) sec 8100 = 
ii) sin 8100 = 1 iii) cot 8100 = 0 v) cosec 8100 = 1

2- rad

Solution:
Solution: - are Co-terminal

Since

 i)

ii)
 iii)

iv)

v)

vi)

CYP1 Determine the values of the six trigonometric functions of

A) –6  B) -9900

12-2-2 Function Values of 300, 600 and 450

You may recall from geometry lessons that the bisectors of the angles of an equilateral
triangle are the perpendicular bisector of the opposite sides. The triangles then formed are
two congruent triangles with angle measures 300, 600 and 900. Let the side of the
equilateral triangle be r units long.

r 300 300 r

600 600
A r/2 D r/2 B

 ADC   BDC
AC2 = DC2 + AD2 by Pythagoras theorem
r2 = DC2 + r/22
DC2 = r2 -

DC =

 sin 600 = by definition of sin

cos 300 = by definition of cos 

We can follow this method and find the remaining trigonometric functions for 60 0 and
300.
Suppose we consider an isosceles right-angled triangle with the two congruent sides 1
unit each.
Y
B
450
450 X
O 1 A

OAB is a right angled triangle

OA = AB = 1 unit
OB2 = OA2 + AB2
OB2 = 12 + 12  OB =

Hence sin 450 = by definition of sin 

cos 450 = by definition of cos 

In the same manner we can find the trigonometric values of the remaining functions.
Accordingly the trigonometric values of 300, 600 and 450 are summarized as follows.
 Angle Measures Trigonometric Functions
Radians Degree Cos  Sin  Tan  Cot  Sec  Cosec 
300 2

600 2

450 1 1

In general special angles are angles of the form 1800n or n  rad where n is

an integer and = , 30 , 450, 600, 900 or = 0, , , , rad. The

trigonometric values of all special angles 1800n take the trigonometric values of
their reference angles (300, 450, 600). The sign is being the sign of the function in the
quadrant of the specified special angle,

Example: - Determine the values of the six trigonometric functions for

A) 5850 B)

Solution : 5850 = 3 x 1800 + 450

5850 is in the third quadrant

The reference angle is 450

Hence, we take the corresponding value of 450 for each
Function and insert the sign of each function in the quad-
450 rant (third quadrant)

i) Cos 5850 =- Cos 450 = -

ii) Sin 5850 = - Sin 450 = -

iii) tan 5850 = tan 450 = 1

iv) Cotan 5850 = Cot 450 = 1
v) Sec 5850 = - Sec 450 = -
 vi) Cosec 5850 = - Cosec 450 = -

Solution:- B) = 2 -

is a fourth quadrant angle.

The reference angle is

Hence, we take the corresponding value of for each function and insert the sign of

each function in the quadrant.

i) Cos Since cosine is +ve in 4th quad.

ii) Sin Since sine is –ve in 4th quad.

iii) tan Since tan is –ve in 4th quad.

iv) Cot

v) Sec 2

vi) Cosec

CYP2 Evaluate the following for the six trigonometric function with out using table
or calculator

A) 3000 B) -

12.3 REDUCTION FORMULA AND TRIGONOMETRIC TABLE

12.3.1 Reduction Formula.

In the previous sub topic we concluded that the trigonometric values of special angles of
the form 1800n can be completed by using their reference angles, . Next we are
 going to generalize this for any angle and its reference angle . It is this
generalization, which is called the Reduction formula.
If P (x, y) is a point on the terminal side of a non-quadrantal angle with reference
angle then the following are the possible locations of .
P (x,y) Y
p (x,y)

Y Y

X
X

P (x, y)
P (x , y)

TRIGONOMETRIC Q U A D R A N T S
FUCTIONS I II III IV
Cosine
Sine
Tangent
Cotangent
Secant

If  is a quadrant angle then Cos = Cos 0, Sin = Sin 900 and the other
trigonometric functions can be evaluated in the same manner.
Here, we in general observed that
-Knowing the trigonometric value of the reference angle, and
-Knowing the quadrant to which the given angle
 i.e. n  , 0    are sufficient to determine the value of the six

trigonometric functions. In fact we are able to conclude that being the

reference angle of and any of the six trigonometric functions.

Reduction Formula

If then for any of the six

trigonometric functions and n an integer.

Example:- Evaluate the six trigonometric functions for

A) –8700 B)

Solution:- A) –8700
Dividing – 8700 by 1800 we obtain
-8700 = -5 x 1800 + 300

Hence i) Cos (-8700) = - Cos 300 = - Since – 8700 in the IIIrd quad.

ii) Sin (-8700) = - Sin 300 = - Since –8700 in the IIIrd quad.

iii) tan (-8700) = tan 300 =

iv) Cot (-8700) = Cot 300 =

v) Sec (-8700) = -Sec 300 = -

vi)Cosec (-8700) = -Cosec 300= -2

Solution:- B)

Hence is a IVth quadrant angle.

i) Cos =
 ii) Sin

iii) tan

iv) Cot

v) Sec

vi) Cosec

12.3.2 Trigonometric Table

A trigonometric Table is a table which consists of values of trigonometric functions of
angles between 00 and 900 i.e. 00 . This table is usually a four figure (decimal
place) table.

The value of any trigonometric function of a given angle, , can be found.

a) directly from the table if
b) by using the reduction formula if > 900
c) there are also other relations which make the determination of the values from the
table simpler among them are
i) Sin (- ) = - sin
ii) Cos (- = Cos
iii) tan (- = -tan
iv) Cot (- = - cot
v) Cosec -   = - Cosec
vi) Sec -   = Sec

Examples: - Determine the values of the trigonometric functions required, use table
When necessary.
A) sin 1370 B) cosec 2200 C) cos 3460
 D) tan (- 530) E) cos

Solution: - A) sin 1370

1370 = (180 – 43)0
 sin 1370 = sin (180 – 43)0
= sin 430 by reduction formula
 0.6820 from Trig. Table
B) cosec 2200
220 = 180 + 40
cosec 220 = cosec (180 + 40)
= - cosec 400, since 2200 is III rd quadrant angle
 - 1.5557 from table
C) cos 3460
Solution: - 3460 = 2 x1800 – 140
 cos (3460) = cos ( 2 x 1800 – 140)
= cos 140 since 3460 is a IV th quad. Angle.
 0.9703 from table
D) tan ( -530)

Solution: - tan (- 530) = - tan 530 since tan (-) = - tan 

 - 1.3270 from table

E) cos

Solution:
Solution: -

is a I st quad. Angle

=
It is possible to find the value of trigonometric functions when the angle measure is given
in degree, minute and second. This can be done by computing the value for the given
additional minute or second from the difference of the values of degree measure
associated to the minute or second and the degree measure one more than the given
degree measure. Other than this method we need to understand that as angle  increases
from 00 to 900 the values of cosine, cotangent and cosecant functions decrease and the
values of sine, tangent and secant increase.

Example: - Compute trigonometric values of the following

A) B)
Solution: - Sin 200 = 0.3420 from trigonometric table
Sin 210 = 0.3584 “ “ “

Find the difference of sine 210 and sin 200, which is a difference of 10
0.3584 – 0.3420 = 0.0164
difference of 10 = 0.0164

“ “ = ?

B)
Solution: - cot 840 = 0.1051 from table
cot 850 = 0.0875

The difference of cotan 850 and cotan 840

0.0875 – 0.1051 = - 0.0176
difference of 10 = - 0.0176
 CYP3
3-1- Find the reference angle to – 28620 and identify the quadrant to which the angle
measure belongs.

3-2- Given cos 240 = 0.4 find the value of the other trigonometric functions for the angle
measure (- 5640)
Hint: - use the Pythagoras relation sin2  + cos2  = 1 together with reduction
formula.

3-3- Using the trigonometric table find cot(-1000)

3-4- Evaluate A)
B)

12-4 SUMMARY

Under this unit we discussed angles of the form 180 0n   where n is an integer and  =
00, 300, 450, 600 and 900. Such angles are named special angles. To determine the
trigonometric values of special angles, it is enough to know the trigonometric values of 
and the quadrant to which 1800n   belongs. The concept of special angles is further
developed and a general formula, the reduction formula, is obtained. This formula is
given as f () =  f () where f is a trigonometric function,  = 1800 n   and 00   
900. Finally it is concluded that the value of a trigonometric function of any angle can be
determined using the reduction formula and other relations of the trigonometric functions
by referring to trigonometric table.

12-5 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS QUESTIONS

 CYP 1
A) (i) =1 (iv)
(ii) (v)
(iii) (vi)

B) i) iv)
ii) v)
iii) vi)

CYP 2

A) 3000

i) iv)

ii) v)

iii) vi)

B)

i) iv)

ii) v)

iii) vi)

CYP 1
1- 180, Quadrant I

2- (i) sin (- 5640) = 0.92 (ii) tan (- 564) = - 2.29

(iii) cot (-5460) = - 0.44 (iv) sec (-564) = 2.5
 (v) cosec (-5640) = 1.09

3- cot (-1000) = cot (-1800 + 200)

= cot 20 = 2.7475

4- A) 3.3261 B) 4.2064

12-6 MODEL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

1- Determine the value of the six trigonometric functions of the following with out
using table. Identify the quadrant to which each of them belongs.

A) 19800 B) rad C) - 15300

D) - 5 rad E) 9450 F) 5700 G)

H)

2- Given that sin 370 = 0.6 find the values of the other five trigonometric functions if
 is
A)  = 12970 B)  = -14030
3- Using trigonometric table find the values of the six trigonometric functions for
A)  = 50190 B)  = - 8740 C)  = 6270
D)  = - 44800 E)  = 1390 F)  = 5090
4- Evaluate
A) B) C)
D) E) F) cosec
5- Find angle  to nearest minute if
A) sin  = 0.7133 B) cot = 1.6863
C) cosec  = 1.4019 D) cos  = 0.4950