QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY

DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

SELF-PACED LEARNING MODULE

in
Math 104c (Trigonometry)

Prepared by

NELSON D. GURAY, MOM

Associate Professor IV
 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Module 1 Cartesian Coordinate Plane

Competencies The student is expected to be able to:
1. find the distance between two points;
2. determine midpoint of a line segment.
Discussion Introduction

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships

between the parts of triangles, i.e. the sides and angles. It further includes
mathematical investigations by means of the six trigonometric functions. It is used
mainly to ease computation by minimizing the amount of measurement to be used.

The term trigonometry comes from the Greek trigonon, which means “triangle”
and -metria or “measure.” (Furthermore, tri- corresponds to “three” and -gon to
“angle” as in polygon, pentagon, etc.). From this translation and etymology, it is
easy to understand that trigonometry deals with measurements involving
triangles.

This science of mathematics is very useful in navigation, surveying,

astronomy, engineering projects and allied scientific fields. Navigators use
trigonometry to compute latitude, longitude, and course at sea; surveyors use it
constantly to find all sorts of heights, distances, and directions; astronomers use
it to determine the time by which clocks are regulated; and engineers use it in
constructing buildings, bridges, and roads.

The Cartesian Coordinate Plane

Each ordered pair in a relation is associated with

exactly one point on the coordinate plane. The
set of all points (𝑥, 𝑦) associated with a relation
can be graphed on a rectangular coordinate
system, as shown at the right.

The horizontal number line is called the 𝒙-

axis (sometimes called the axis of abscissas),
where 𝑥 represents the first number in the
ordered pair. The vertical number line is called
the 𝒚-axis (sometimes called the axis of
ordinates), where 𝑦 represents the second
number in the ordered pair. The point of
intersection of the axes is called the origin. The Figure 1
axes divide the plane into four regions, called quadrants. Every point on the plane
can be represented by an ordered pair (𝑥, 𝑦). When you plot ordered pairs, or
points, it is important to label the axes. Although it is often convenient to choose
the same scale for both axes, it is not necessary to do so.

Distance Between Two Points

The distance between two points 𝑃1 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑃2 (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) is the number of
units measured along the line between the two points.
If the line is parallel to the 𝑥-axis, then 𝑦1 = 𝑦2 and the distance 𝑑 is given by

𝑑 = 𝑃1 𝑃2 = |𝑥2 − 𝑥1 |.

If the line is parallel to the 𝑦-axis, then 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 and the distance 𝑑 is given by

𝑑 = 𝑃1 𝑃2 = |𝑦2 − 𝑦1 |

If a line is not parallel to either axes, then the distance can be found by
application of the Pythagorean Theorem.
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DIFFUN CAMPUS
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COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

The distance formula is based on the Pythagorean theorem, which states that:
if 𝑎 and 𝑏 are the lengths of the legs of a right triangle and 𝑐 is the length of its
hypotenuse, then
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 .

Consider the points 𝐴 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and

𝐵(𝑦1 , 𝑦2 ). The distance (𝑑) between 𝐴
and 𝐵 is found by applying the
Pythagorean theorem to the triangle at
the right.

𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 Figure 3
𝑑 2 = (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 + (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 where: 𝑎 = 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 ; 𝑏 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1; 𝑐 = 𝑑
The distance formula is found by taking the square root of each side.

Distance Formula The distance between two points 𝐴 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and

𝐵(𝑦1 , 𝑦2 ) is
𝑑 = √(𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 + (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2

Example 1. Find the distance between the points 𝑃(−2, −6) and 𝑄 (−5, 3).
Solution: Let 𝑥1 = −2, 𝑦1 = −6; 𝑥2 = −5, 𝑦2 = 3

𝑑 = √(𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 + (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2

= √[3 − (−6)]2 + [−5 − (−2)]2

= √92 + (−3)2
= √90 = 3√10

Example 2. Find 𝑥 if the distance between (1, 3) and (𝑥, 9) is 10.

Solution: Let 𝑥1 = 1, 𝑦1 = 3; 𝑥2 = 𝑥, 𝑦2 = 9; 𝑑 = 10

𝑑 = √(𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 + (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2
10 = √[9 − 3]2 + [𝑥 − 1]2

10 = √36 + (𝑥 − 1)2 square both sides

100 = 36 + (𝑥 − 1)2 combine like terms

2
64 = (𝑥 − 1) take the square root of both sides
±8 = 𝑥 − 1
𝑥 = ±8 + 1 ⇒ 𝑥1 = 8 + 1 = 9
𝑥2 = −8 + 1 = −7
Therefore, the value of 𝑥 is 9 or −7.

The distance formula can be used to find the

equation of a circle of radius 𝑟 with center at 𝐶 (ℎ, 𝑘),
any point on the Cartesian plane. If 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) represents
any point on the circle, then the distance between 𝑃
and 𝐶 is 𝑟.

√(𝑦 − 𝑘)2 + (𝑥 − ℎ)2 = 𝑟

2 2
(𝑥 − ℎ) + (𝑦 − 𝑘) = 𝑟2 square both sides
Figure 4
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DIFFUN CAMPUS
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COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

If the center is at the origin, i.e. (ℎ, 𝑘) = (0, 0), then the above equation becomes
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟2.
If the radius of a circle is one, the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 is called a unit circle.

Example 3. Find the equation of the circle whose center is at (4, −5) and radius 3.
Solution: Let ℎ = 4, 𝑘 = 5, 𝑟 = 3
2 2
(𝑥 − ℎ) + (𝑦 − 𝑘) = 𝑟2
2 2 2
(𝑥 − 4) + (𝑦 − (−5)) = 3
2 2
(𝑥 − 4) + (𝑦 + 5) = 9 or
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8𝑥 + 10𝑦 + 32 = 0 by expanding binomials

Example 4. Determine the coordinates of the center and length of the radius of the
circle 𝑥 2 − (𝑦 − 3)2 = 10.

Solution: Looking at the form (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 𝑟2 , we can say that ℎ = 0;

𝑘 = 3. Thus, the center of the circle is at (0, 3) and its radius is
𝑟 2 = 10 or 𝑟 = √10.

Midpoint

Another formula that is of great importance in the study of trigonometry is

the midpoint formula. Midpoint is defined as the middle point of a line segment. It
is equidistant from both endpoints, and it is the centroid both of the segment and
of the endpoints. It bisects the segment into two equal lengths.

Let 𝐴 (𝑥1 , 0) and 𝐵 (𝑥2 , 0) be any two

points on the 𝑥-axis as shown in Fig. 5. Figure 5
Then the directed distance from 𝐴 to 𝐵 is
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 , and from B to A is −(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ) or
𝑥1 − 𝑥2 , that is 𝐴𝐵 = −𝐵𝐴. Similarly, if 𝐶 (𝑦1 , 0) and 𝐷 (𝑦2 , 0)
are any two points on the 𝑦-axis, then the directed distance
from 𝐶 to 𝐷 is 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 , and this is shown in Fig. 6.

Figure 6
Remarks

If 𝑑 denotes the distance between any two distinct points 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 then 𝑑 > 0.
If 𝑃1 is the same as 𝑃2 , 𝑑 = 0, while ordinary distance between any two points is
always positive, note that directed distance may be positive or negative.

Midpoint Formula

The midpoint, denoted by 𝑀(𝑥̅ , 𝑦̅), of a line segment joining 𝑃1 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )

and 𝑃2 (𝑦1 , 𝑦2 ) is

1 1
𝑥̅ = 2 (𝑥1 + 𝑥2 ), and 𝑦̅ = 2 (𝑦1 + 𝑦2 ).
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DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Proof: Let 𝑀(𝑥̅ , 𝑦̅) be the midpoint of the

line segment joining 𝑃1 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and
𝑃2 (𝑦1 , 𝑦2 ). In Figure 7, triangles
𝑃1 𝑅𝑀 and 𝑀𝑇𝑃2 are similar.
Therefore, the sides are
proportional, i.e.

𝑃1 𝑅 𝑃1 𝑀
= =1
𝑀𝑇 𝑀𝑃2
or
𝑥̅ − 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥̅
Figure 7
1
Solving for 𝑥̅ , we get ̅𝑥 = 2 (𝑥1 + 𝑥2 ).
Similarly, 𝑦̅ − 𝑦1 = 𝑦2 − 𝑦̅. Solving for 𝑦̅, we
1
have ̅𝑦 = (𝑦1 + 𝑦2 ). Thus, the midpoint of
2
the segment joining 𝑃1 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑃2 (𝑦1 , 𝑦2 ) is

1 1
(𝑥̅ , 𝑦̅) = ( (𝑥1 + 𝑥2 ), (𝑦 + 𝑦2 ))
2 2 1

Example 5. What is the point midway 𝑃1 (−6, −3) and 𝑃2 (4, −7)?

Solution: Let 𝑥1 = −6, 𝑦1 = −3; 𝑥2 = 4, 𝑦2 = −7

1 1
𝑥̅ = 2 (𝑥1 + 𝑥2 ) 𝑦̅ = 2 (𝑦1 + 𝑦2 )
1 1
= 2 (−6 + 4) = 2 (−3 + (−7))

= −1 = −5
Thus, the point midway 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 is (−1, −5).

Example 6. Determine the other endpoint of the diameter of a circle if its center is
at (3, −2) and one of the endpoints is at (−8, −5).

Solution. The diameter of a circle is a line segment (chord) that passes through
the center of the circle. With this, the center serves as the bisector
of the diameter. Therefore, the center is the midpoint of the
endpoints of the diameter. So, we let 𝑥̅ = 3, 𝑦̅ = −2 ; 𝑥1 = −8,
𝑦1 = −5. We want to find 𝑥2 and 𝑦2 .

1 1
𝑥̅ = 2 (𝑥1 + 𝑥2 ) 𝑦̅ = 2 (𝑦1 + 𝑦2 )
1 1
3 = 2 (−8 + 𝑥2 ) −2 = 2 (−5 + 𝑦2 ) multiply both sides by 2

6 = −8 + 𝑥2 −4 = −5 + 𝑦2
𝑥2 = 6 + 8 = 14 𝑦2 = −4 + 5 = 1
Thus, the other endpoint of the diameter is at (14, 1).

Enrichment Try This!

Activity
A. Find the distance between each pair of points.

1. (2, 4) and (−2, 6)

2. (√2, −3) and (2√2, 1)
1 1
3. (− , 1) and ( , 4)
2 2
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COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

B. Find the coordinates of the center and length of the radius of each circle.
1. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 12
2. (𝑥 − 3)2 + (𝑦 + 4)2 = 81
C. Find 𝑦 if the distance between (2, 𝑦) and (7, 8) is 13.
D. What the midpoint of the line segment whose endpoints are (−12, 5) and
(7, −2)?

References Hayden, J. and Hall, B. (1993). Trigonometry. Prentice Hall

Leithold, L. (1989). College Algebra and Trigonometry. Addison Wesley.
Malaborbor, P. et.al. (2003). Functions. Educational Resources Corp.
Moyer, R. & Ayres, F. (2012). Schaum’s Outline of Trigonometry, 5th
Edition, McGraw Hill.
Sullivan, Michael (2008). Algebra & Trigonometry 8th Edition. Prentice Hall