MCR 3U – Unit 5 1

Trigonometric Ratios

5.1 Trigonometric Ratios of Acute Angles

Learning Goal:
I can evaluate reciprocal trigonometric ratios.

RECALL: What do we know about right angle triangles?

Primary Trigonometric Ratios – for any right triangle, the three ratios for ∠𝐶 are:

To use the primary trigonometric ratios, you must _____________ the sides in terms of
the ____________ you are given or are trying to solve for.

To solve for an angle, you must be given ____________________. An angle is found

by using the ______________ function.

To solve for a side length, you must be given

__________________________________.

Sometimes, Greek letters are used to represent an angle measure. For example:
𝜃 = Theta 𝛽 = Beta 𝛼 = Alpha
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Trigonometric Ratios
Example 1
Solve for x to one-decimal place.

Example 2
Determine the measure of the unknown angle measure to the nearest degree.

We can also define the reciprocal trigonometric ratios for the primary ratios:
The reciprocal ratios are defined by dividing 1 by each of the primary trigonometric
ratios

Note: some calculators do not have buttons to evaluate reciprocal ratios, so to

evaluate:
𝑐𝑠𝑐20°, 𝑢𝑠𝑒 1 ÷ 𝑠𝑖𝑛20° 𝑠𝑒𝑐20°, 𝑢𝑠𝑒 1 ÷ 𝑐𝑜𝑠20° 𝑐𝑜𝑡20°, 𝑢𝑠𝑒 1 ÷ 𝑡𝑎𝑛20°

Example 3
Evaluate to the nearest hundredth.
a. 𝑐𝑠𝑐25° b. 𝑐𝑜𝑡80°
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Trigonometric Ratios
Example 4
Solve using one of the reciprocal trig ratios.

Example 5
For the triangle,

a. Calculate 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃, 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃, 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃

b. Use one of the reciprocal ratios to determine 𝜃 to the nearest

degree

Example 6
Mario is repairing the wires on a radio broadcast tower. He is in the basket of a repair
truck 40𝑚 from the tower. When he looks up, he estimates the angle of elevation to the
top of the tower as 42°. When he looks down, he estimates the angle of depression to
the bottom of the tower as 32°. How high is the tower to the nearest metre?
MCR 3U – Unit 5 4
Trigonometric Ratios

5.2 Evaluating Trigonometric Ratios for Special Angles

Learning Goal:
I can evaluate exact values of sine, cosine, and tangent for special angles.

*NOTE: When writing a final solution, we remove any _________________ from the
________________________. This process is called _______________________ the
denominator.

Recall: √𝑎 × √𝑎 = 𝑎
1 1 2
Ex: a) b. c.
√2 √3 √3

Investigation:
The diagonal of a square of side length 1 unit creates two congruent right isosceles
triangles. The height of an equilateral triangle of side length 2 units creates two
congruent right scalene triangles.

Write the primary trig ratios for the following angles:

Trig ratios for 30° Trig ratios for 45° Trig ratios for 60°
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Trigonometric Ratios
The exact values (NO DECIMALS!) of the primary trigonometric ratios for 30°, 45° and
60° angles can be found by using the appropriate ratios of sides in isosceles right
triangles and half-equilateral triangles with right angles. These are often referred to as
“__________________ ______________________”

Example 1
Determine the exact value of 𝑠𝑒𝑐45°.

Example 2
Determine the exact value of (𝑠𝑖𝑛45°)(𝑐𝑜𝑠45°) + (𝑠𝑖𝑛30°)(𝑠𝑖𝑛60°).

Example 3
Prove the following.
5
sin 45° cos 45° + sin 60° cos 30° =
4
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Trigonometric Ratios
Example 4
Find the value of sin2 45° + 2 sin 30° sec 30°

Example 5
Find the exact value of x.

5
sin 45° =
𝑥
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5.3 – 5.4 (PART A)
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Trigonometric Ratios
5.3 – 5.4 (PART B)
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Trigonometric Ratios
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5.5 Trigonometric Identities

Learning Goal:
I can prove trigonometric identities.

An identity is a mathematical statement that is true for all ______________ of the

variables. If the identity involves fractions, the denominators cannot be zero. Any
restrictions on variables must be stated. For example, 2(𝑥 + 5) = ___________. This is
an identity since the left side (LS) is equal to the right side (RS).

Proper form:

Recall for any angle 𝜃 in standard position, where 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) is a point on the terminal arm
of the angle, the primary trig ratios are:

sin 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 = tan 𝜃 =

In terms of 𝒙, 𝒚, and 𝒓 examine the given ratios and write an equivalent trig expression.

1. The Reciprocal Identities

1 1 1
sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 tan 𝜃

2. The Quotient Identities

sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃
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Trigonometric Ratios
3. The Pythagorean Identity
sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃

Example 1
State an equivalent expression for each of the following.
a. cos 𝑥 tan 𝑥 b. 1 − sin2 𝑥

1 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
c. sec2 𝜃 d. 1−cos2 𝑥

Strategies for Proving Identities:

1. Separate sides of the original _________________
Keep left side on the left side, right side on the right side – do not move
anything to other side of equals sign
2. Simplify more complicated side first. Or manipulate both sides to get the
same expression.
3. Express expressions in terms of ___________ and __________ as much as
possible.
4. Consider factoring and lowest common denominator skills where necessary.
Factoring strategies:
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Trigonometric Ratios
Example 2
Factor the following expressions.
a. 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 b. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 c. 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 4

Example 3
Prove the following identities.
1
a.sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 tan 𝑥 = 1 − cos 2 𝑥 b. cos 𝑥 = cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥 tan 𝑥

sin2 𝑥 csc2 𝜃
c. 1−cos 𝑥 = 1 + cos 𝑥 d. sec2 𝜃 = cot 2 𝜃

Identities
Based on Identities Derived From Relationships
1 1 2 tan 𝑥
e. 1−sin 𝑥 − 1+sin 𝑥 = Definitions
cos 𝑥
Reciprocal Quotient Pythagorean
Identities Identities Identities
1 sin 
csc  = tan  = sin 2  + cos2  = 1
sin  cos
1 cos
sec  = cot  =
cos sin 
1
cot  =
tan 
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Trigonometric Ratios

5.6/5.7 The Sine Law and The Cosine Law

Learning Goal:
I can solve for angles and side lengths in two-dimensional triangles by using the sine law
or cosine law.

In Grade 10 you solved acute triangles using Law of Sines or Law of Cosines. A triangle
without a right angle is called an Oblique Triangle.

Recall: For any given ABC

The Sine Law states: The Cosine Law states:

Use the Sine Law When Given: Use the Cosine Law When Given:
1. 1.
2. 2.

Example 1
Solve each triangle. Calculate angles to the nearest degree and sides to 1-decimal
place.
*Recall: to solve a triangle means to find all _____________ and _____________

a) ∆𝑀𝑁𝐿, ∠𝑁 = 135°, 𝑛 = 8.6𝑐𝑚, and ∠𝑀 = 28°

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Trigonometric Ratios
b) ∆𝑃𝑄𝑅, 𝑝 = 12.8𝑐𝑚, 𝑞 = 8.3𝑐𝑚, and ∠𝑅 = 101°

Example 2
For ∆𝑃𝑄𝑅, find the measure of the smallest angle if 𝑝 = 55𝑐𝑚, 𝑞 = 26𝑐𝑚, and
𝑟 = 32𝑐𝑚.
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Trigonometric Ratios
Example 3
John and Nathan are part of a scientific team studying thunderclouds. The team is
about to launch a weather balloon into an active part of a cloud. John’s rope is 7.8𝑚
long and makes an angle of 36° with the ground. Nathan’s rope is 5.9𝑚 long. How far to
the nearest tenth of a metre is John from Nathan?
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Trigonometric Ratios

5.8 SOLVING THREE DIMENSIONAL PROBLEMS USING TRIGONOMETRY

Learning Goal:
I can solve three-dimensional problems that deal with trigonometric functions.

Three-dimensional problems involving triangles can be solved using some combination

of:
• Primary trigonometric ratios (________________________)
• Pythagorean theorem (__________________)
• Sine law (AAS, SSA, ASA)
• Cosine law (SSS, SAS)

Example 1
From Point B, Kaitlin uses a clinometer to determine that the angle of elevation to the
top of a cliff is 38°. From Point D, 68.5m from Kaitlin, Jennifer estimates that the angle
between the foot of the cliff, herself, and Kaitlin is 42°. Kaitlin estimates that the angle
between the foot of the cliff, herself and Jennifer is 63°. What is the height of the cliff?
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Trigonometric Ratios
Example 2
A hockey player shot the puck at a distance of 2.5𝑚 from the left goal post, at an angle
of elevation of 38°. The width of the net is 3.66𝑚, and the height of the net is 1.7𝑚.
Unfortunately, he hit the top right corner of the net because his angle from the left goal
post was too wide. Between what angles could he have shot in order to score?