Angles and Their Measures

In Plane Geometry, we define an angle as a figure formed by two rays having a common
endpoint.

Trigonometry defines an angle in terms of rotation. An angle is a figure formed by the

rotation of a ray about its endpoint from an initial position to a terminal position as illustrated in

the figure below.

The amount of rotation is the measure of the angle. The end point of rotation is the vertex
of the angle. The initial position of the ray is the initial side of the angle. The terminal position of
the ray is the terminal side of the angle.

To draw a trigonometric angle, it is important to include an arrow curved from the initial
side in order to show the direction of rotation. The direction indicates whether the angle is
positive or negative. We call an angle drawn in a counterclockwise direction as a positive angle.
An angle drawn in a clockwise direction is a negative angle.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 1 shows an angle in counterclockwise direction. Thus, it shows a positive angle.

While Figure 2 shows an angle in clockwise direction and therefore it shows a negative angle.

1.1 Angles in Standard Position

An angle is in standard position when it is drawn in the rectangular coordinate system

with its vertex at the origin and its initial side along the positive x – axis.

Example 1
Example 2

Example 3

Example 4
2.3 Quadrantal Angles

A quadrantal angle is an angle in standard position whose terminal side coincide

with either x or y – axis. Angles measuring 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 360° are examples of
quadrantal angles.

2.4 Coterminal Angles

Coterminal angles are two or more angles in standard position having the same terminal
sides. Their difference is 360° 𝑜𝑟 a multiple of 360°.
Example 1

This figure shows that 30° 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 330° are coterminal angles. Their difference is a
multiple of 360°.

30° – (-330°) = 360°

-330° – 30° = - 360°

Example 2

This illustration shows that -315°, 45°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 405° are coterminal angles.

45° – (-315°) = 360°

405° – 45° = 360°
405° – (-315°) = 720°

Example 3
 30°, −330°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 390° are coterminal angles.

30° – (-330°) = 360°

-330 – 30 = - 360
390° − (−330) = 720°

Example 4

60°, −300°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 780° are coterminal angles.

780° – 60° = 720°

780° – (-300°) = 1,080°
-300° - 60° = -360°

Example 5

Give an angle coterminal with 70°.

Solution: 70° + 360° = 430°

Answer: 430°

Example 6

Give 3 angles coterminal with 100°.

Solution: 100° + 360° = 460°

100° + (−360°) = -260°
100° + 720° = 820°

Answer: 460°, −260°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 820°