EnggMath1 (Pre-Calculus)

Module 2 – Trigonometry
 Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the student should
be able to:
• (TLO5) Analyze and solve problems
involving right triangles.
• (TLO6) Analyze and solve problems
involving trigonometric Identities.
• (TLO7) Analyze and solve problems on
the applications of Trigonometry.
 What is Trigonometry?

• Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics

that studies relationships involving sides
and angles of triangles.
• Derived from the Greek words “trigonon”
(triangle) and “metrein”(to measure).
 Why study Trigonometry?

• Real-world problems involving

trigonometry are common in engineering,
physics, construction and design.
• A wide range of nonmathematical fields
rely on trigonometric functions, even if
members of those fields are not aware that
trigonometry is involved.
 Why study Trigonometry?
• Trigonometry has contributed to advances
in the fields of acoustics, architecture,
cartography, civil engineering, geophysics,
crystallography, electronics, medical
imaging and pharmacology. Modern
applications of Trigonometry include its
use in satellite navigation, naval and
aviation industries, the composition of
music, and all types of digital imaging.
 Review of Basic Terminologies
in Trigonometry
• An angle is the union of two rays (sides) that share a
common endpoint (vertex).
• The measure of an angle is the measure of the space
between the rays and often defined in terms of rotation.
• Positive angles are generated by counterclockwise
rotation, and negative angles by clockwise rotation.
• Angles with the same initial and terminal sides are called
coterminal angles.
 Review of Basic Terminologies
in Trigonometry
• An angle which measures 90° is called right angle.
• An angle which measures more than 0° but less than 90°
is called acute angle.
• An angle which measures more than 90° but less than
the straight angle is called obtuse angle.
• A triangle is a closed-plane figure that consists of three
sides, three vertices, and three angles.
 Review of Basic Terminologies
in Trigonometry
Triangles can be classified by their angles:
• A triangle with one angle measuring 90° is called right
triangle.
• A triangle with no right angle is called oblique triangle,
which can either be acute triangle or obtuse triangle.
• A triangle with an interior angle of 180°, collinear vertices,
and zero area is called degenerate triangle.
Triangles can also be classified by their sides:
• A triangle that has three equal sides is called equilateral (or
equiangular) triangle.
• A triangle with two equal sides is called isosceles triangle.
• A triangle that has no equal sides is called scalene triangle.
 Review of Basic Terminologies
in Trigonometry
• The Pythagorean Theorem states that for any right
triangle, the square of the longest side equals the sum of
the squares of the remaining sides.
 Important Properties of
Triangles
1. For any triangle, the sum of the lengths of any two sides
must be greater than or equal to the length of the
remaining side. If these inequalities are not true then we
do not have a triangle. (Triangle Inequality)
2. The perpendicular bisectors of the sides and the bisectors
of the angles of a triangle, meet in points which are the
center of the circumscribed circle and the inscribed circle,
respectively.
3. The altitudes of a triangle meet in a point.
4. The medians of a triangle are concurrent at a point which
2
is 3 of the distance from any vertex to the midpoint of the
opposite sides.
5. The sum of the 3 angles of any given triangle is 180°.
 Units of Angle Measure
Angles are commonly measured in two
methods:
• sexagecimal system (in degrees, or
degrees, minutes and seconds), and
• circular system (in radians).
 Degree Measure
• A degree, usually denoted by °, is a
measurement of an angle so that a
complete rotation, counterclockwise, about
the vertex is 360°.
1 rotation = 360°
1° = 60′ (minutes)
1′ = 60" (seconds)
 Radian Measure
• One radian is the measure of a central angle that
intercepts an arc equal in length to the radius of the
circle.
• Algebraically, this means that
𝑠
𝜃=
𝑟
where 𝜃 is measured in radians.
• The circumference of a circle is 2𝜋𝑟,
so the radian measure of a positive angle formed by one
complete rotation is:
2𝜋𝑟
𝜃= = 2𝜋 rad
𝑟
• This type of measure of an angle is especially useful in
Calculus.
 Conversion Between
Degrees and Radians
• One complete rotation about a vertex of
angle corresponds to 360° (in degrees) or
2𝜋 (in radians). Hence,
2𝜋 rad = 360°
𝜋 rad = 180°
• Use this relationship when converting
degrees to radians or vice versa.
• When no units of angle measure are
specified, radian measure is implied.
Trigonometric Functions of
Acute Angles
 Trigonometric Functions of
Acute Angles

Let 𝜃 be an acute angle of a right triangle.

 Trigonometric Functions of
Acute Angles
Example 1
Find the values of the six trigonometric
functions of 𝜃 for the triangle given in the
figure below.
 Trigonometric Functions of
Acute Angles
Example 1

First, solve for the length of the hypotenuse,

𝑟, using the Pythagorean Theorem:
𝑟= 𝑥 2 + 𝑦2
𝑟 = 42 + 32 = 25 = 5
 Trigonometric Functions of
Acute Angles
Example 1
 Trigonometric Functions of
Acute Angles
Example 2
8
opp

5
Given that 𝜃 is an acute angle and cos 𝜃 = ,
8
find tan 𝜃.
 Trigonometric Functions of
Acute Angles
Example 2
8
opp

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for

the length of the opposite side, 𝑦.
52 + 𝑦 2 = 82
𝑦 = 82 − 52 = 39
 Trigonometric Functions of
Acute Angles
Example 2
8
opp

Therefore,
opp 𝑦 39
tan 𝜃 = = =
adj 𝑥 5
 Applications Involving
Right Triangles
The angle formed by the line of sight and the
horizontal plane for an object
• above the horizontal is called angle of
elevation.
• below the horizontal is called angle of
depression.
 Applications Involving
Right Triangles
Angle of Elevation Problem 1
From a point of 115 feet from the base of a
redwood tree, the angle of elevation to the
top of the tree is 64.3°. Find the height of the
tree to the nearest foot.

64 3°
°
115 ft
 Applications Involving
Right Triangles
Angle of Elevation Problem 1
Let ℎ be the height of the tree, or the length
of the opposite side of the given angle in the
right triangle.
ℎ
tan 64 3° =
115
ℎ = 115 tan 64 3°
ℎ = 238 952 ft
Hence, the tree is about 239 feet tall.
 Applications Involving
Right Triangles
Angle of Elevation Problem 2
Find the shadow cast by a 10-foot lamp post
when the angle of elevation of the sun is
58º. Find the length of the shadow to the
nearest tenth of a foot.
 Applications Involving
Right Triangles
Angle of Elevation Problem 2
Let 𝑥 be the length of the shadow.
10
tan 58° =
𝑥
10
𝑥=
tan 58°
𝑥 = 6 2 ft
 Applications Involving
Right Triangles
Angle of Depression Problem 1
DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) is standard avionic
equipment on a commercial airplane. This equipment
measures the distance from a plane to a radar station. If
the distance from a plane to a radar station is 160 miles
and the angle of depression is 33°, find the number of
ground miles from a point directly below the plane to the
radar station.
 Applications Involving
Right Triangles
Angle of Depression Problem 1
Let 𝑥 be the distance from a point directly
below the plane to the radar station.
𝑥
sin 57° =
160
𝑥 = 160 sin 57°
𝑥 = 130 1873 miles
Problem Applications
(Please refer to the module provided.)
 The Eight (8) Fundamental
Trigonometric Identities
Reciprocal Relations
1
• csc 𝜃 =
sin 𝜃
1
• sec 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃
1
• cot 𝜃 =
tan 𝜃
Quotient Identities
sin 𝜃
• tan 𝜃 = ; 𝜃 ≠ 2𝑛 − 1 90° for all integers 𝑛
cos 𝜃
cos 𝜃
• cot 𝜃 = ; 𝜃 ≠ 2𝑛 90° for all integers 𝑛
sin 𝜃
 The Eight (8) Fundamental
Trigonometric Identities
Pythagorean Relations
• cos 2 𝜃 + sin2 𝜃 = 1
• 1 + tan2 𝜃 = sec 2 𝜃
• cot 2 𝜃 + 1 = csc 2 𝜃
 Guidelines for Proving
Trigonometric Identities
• If one side of the identity is more complex than the other,
then it is generally best to try first to simplify the more
complex side until it becomes identical to the other side.
• Perform indicated operations such as adding fractions or
squaring a binomial. Also be aware of any factorization
that may help you to achieve your goal of producing the
expression on the other side.
• Make use of previously established identities that enable
you to rewrite one side of the identity in the equivalent
form.
• Rewrite one side of the identity so that it involves only
sines and/or cosines.
 Guidelines for Proving
Trigonometric Identities
• Rewrite one side of the identity in terms of a single
trigonometric function.
• Multiplying both the numerator and the denominator of a
fraction by the same factor (such as the conjugate of the
denominator or the conjugate of the numerator) may get
you closer to your goal.
• Keep your goal in mind. Does it involve products,
quotients, sums, radicals, or powers? Knowing exactly
what your goal is may provide the insight you need to
verify the identity.
 Let’s try to prove!
cot2 𝑥
1. NTS: csc 𝑥
= csc 𝑥 − sin 𝑥
Proof:
cot2 𝑥
csc 𝑥
cos2 𝑥
sin2 𝑥
= 1
sin 𝑥
cos2 𝑥
= ∙ sin 𝑥
sin2 𝑥
1−sin2 𝑥
= sin 𝑥
1
= sin 𝑥
− sin 𝑥
= csc 𝑥 − sin 𝑥
∎
 Let’s try to prove!
sin 𝑥 1+cos 𝑥
2. NTS: 1−cos 𝑥 = sin 𝑥
Proof:
sin 𝑥
1−cos 𝑥
sin 𝑥 1+cos 𝑥
= 1−cos 𝑥 ∙ 1+cos 𝑥
sin 𝑥 1+cos 𝑥
= 1−cos2 𝑥
sin 𝑥 1+cos 𝑥
=
sin2 𝑥
1+cos 𝑥
= sin 𝑥
∎
 Let’s try to prove!
sin2 𝑥
3. NTS: tan2 𝑥
= 1 − sin2 𝑥
Proof:
sin2 𝑥
tan2 𝑥
sin2 𝑥
= sin2 𝑥
cos2 𝑥
2 cos2 𝑥
= sin 𝑥 ∙ sin2 𝑥
= cos2 𝑥
= 1 − sin2 𝑥
∎
 Let’s try to prove!
4. NTS: cos 𝑥 sec 𝑥 = 1
Proof:
cos 𝑥 sec 𝑥
1
= cos 𝑥 ∙
cos 𝑥
=1
∎
5. NTS: 2 − sec 2 𝑥 = 1 − tan2 𝑥
Proof:
2 − sec 2 𝑥
= 2 − 1 + tan2 𝑥
= 1 − tan2 𝑥
∎
Homework 9
(Please refer to the module provided.)
 Functions of the Sum and
Difference of Two Angles
• sin 𝜃 + 𝜙 = sin 𝜃 cos 𝜙 + cos 𝜃 sin 𝜙
• sin 𝜃 − 𝜙 = sin 𝜃 cos 𝜙 − cos 𝜃 sin 𝜙
• cos 𝜃 + 𝜙 = cos 𝜃 cos 𝜙 − sin 𝜃 sin 𝜙
• cos 𝜃 − 𝜙 = cos 𝜃 cos 𝜙 + sin 𝜃 sin 𝜙
tan 𝜃+tan 𝜙
• tan 𝜃 + 𝜙 =
1−tan 𝜃 tan 𝜙
tan 𝜃−tan 𝜙
• tan 𝜃 − 𝜙 =
1+tan 𝜃 tan 𝜙
cot 𝜃 cot 𝜙−1
• cot 𝜃 + 𝜙 =
cot 𝜙+cot 𝜃
cot 𝜃 cot 𝜙+1
• cot 𝜃 − 𝜙 =
cot 𝜙−cot 𝜃
 Functions of Twice an Angle
• sin 2𝜃 = 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
• cos 2𝜃 = cos2 𝜃 − sin2 𝜃; or
• cos 2𝜃 = 2 cos2 𝜃 − 1; or
• cos 2𝜃 = 1 − 2 sin2 𝜃
2 tan 𝜃
• tan 2𝜃 =
1−tan2 𝜃
cot2 𝜃−1
• cot 2𝜃 =
2 cot 𝜃
 Functions of Half an Angle
1 1−cos 𝜃
• sin 𝜃 = ±
2 2

1 1+cos 𝜃
• cos 𝜃 = ±
2 2
1 1−cos 𝜃
• tan 𝜃 = ; or
2 sin 𝜃
1 sin 𝜃
• tan 𝜃 =
2 1+cos 𝜃
1 sin 𝜃
• cot 𝜃 = ; or
2 1−cos 𝜃
1 1+cos 𝜃
• cot 𝜃 =
2 sin 𝜃
 Sum and Difference of
Functions
1 1
• sin 𝜃 + sin 𝜙 = 2 sin 𝜃 + 𝜙 cos 𝜃−𝜙
2 2
1 1
• sin 𝜃 − sin 𝜙 = 2 cos 𝜃 + 𝜙 sin 𝜃−𝜙
2 2
1 1
• cos 𝜃 + cos 𝜙 = 2 cos 𝜃 + 𝜙 cos 𝜃−𝜙
2 2
1 1
• cos 𝜃 − cos 𝜙 = −2 sin 𝜃 + 𝜙 sin 𝜃−𝜙
2 2
 Product-to-Sum Identities
1
• cos 𝜃 cos 𝜙 = cos 𝜃 + 𝜙 + cos 𝜃 − 𝜙
2
1
• sin 𝜃 sin 𝜙 = cos 𝜃 − 𝜙 − cos 𝜃 + 𝜙
2
1
• sin 𝜃 cos 𝜙 = sin 𝜃 + 𝜙 + sin 𝜃 − 𝜙
2
Homework 10
(Please refer to the module provided.)
 Solution of
Trigonometric Equations
Example 1
Solve the equation cos2 𝜃 = 1 − cos2 𝜃.
Note:
If the equation contains a single function of
the same angle, we solve for the function by
an appropriate method of algebra then find
the angles by trigonometry. From these
angles, we determine the correct roots.
 Solution of
Trigonometric Equations
Example 1
cos2 𝜃 = 1 − cos 2 𝜃
2 cos 2 𝜃 = 1
2 1
cos 𝜃 = 2

1 2
cos 𝜃 = ± 2
=± 2

2
• If cos 𝜃 = 2
, then 𝜃 = 45°, 315°.
2
• If cos 𝜃 = − 2
, then 𝜃 = 135°, 225°.
• Hence, 𝜃 = 45°, 135°, 225°, 315°.
 Solution of
Trigonometric Equations
Example 2
Solve the equation 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 + sin 𝜃 = 0.
Note:
If the equation is equal to zero, we factor the
left side if possible, equate each factor to
zero, then solve the resulting simple
equation. Their solutions may be the
solutions of the original equation.
 Solution of
Trigonometric Equations
Example 2
2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 + sin 𝜃 = 0
sin 𝜃 2 cos 𝜃 + 1 =0
• sin 𝜃 = 0
𝜃 = 0°, 180°
• 2 cos 𝜃 + 1 = 0
1
cos 𝜃 = − 2
𝜃 = 120°, 240°
• All these values of 𝜃 satisfy the given equation. Hence,
the solutions of the equation are
𝜃 = 0°, 120°, 180°, 240°
 Solution of
Trigonometric Equations
Example 3
Solve the equation cot 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 − 2 sin 𝜃.
Note:
If the equation contains several functions of
the same angle, we usually express the
equation in terms of a single function of the
angle by using the fundamental identities.
Then we solve the resulting equivalent
equation by the proper algebraic method.
 Solution of
Trigonometric Equations
Example 3
cot 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 − 2 sin 𝜃
cos 𝜃 1
= − 2 sin 𝜃
sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃
cos 𝜃 1
sin 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 − 2 sin 𝜃
sin 𝜃
2
cos 𝜃 = 1 − 2 sin 𝜃
cos 𝜃 = 1 − 2 1 − cos 2 𝜃
2 cos 2 𝜃 − cos 𝜃 − 1 = 0
2 cos 𝜃 + 1 cos 𝜃 − 1 = 0
 Solution of
Trigonometric Equations
Example 3
• 2 cos 𝜃 + 1 = 0
1
cos 𝜃 = − 2
𝜃 = 120°, 240°
• cos 𝜃 − 1 = 0
cos 𝜃 = 1
𝜃 = 0°
• 𝜃 = 120°, 240° satisfy the given equation, but 𝜃 = 0° is
an extraneous root because cot 0° and csc 0° are
undefined. Hence, the solutions of the given equation
are
𝜃 = 120°, 240°
 Oblique Triangles
• An oblique triangle is any triangle that is
neither a right triangle nor a degenerate
triangle.
• Nonetheless, any oblique triangle can be
always solved by means of right triangle.
• Oblique triangles can be further classified
as acute triangles or obtuse triangles.
 Oblique Triangles
In order to solve an oblique triangle, we
need to know the length of one side and any
of the following:
two angles
one angle and another side
the other two sides
This leads to four (4) possible cases to
consider.
 Cases of Oblique Triangles
Case 1. Two angles and a side are given. (AAS or ASA)
Case 2. Two sides and the angle opposite one of them are
given. (SSA)
Case 3. Two sides and the included angle are given. (SAS)
Case 4. Three sides are given. (SSS)

Note:
There is no AAA case because there are infinitely many
similar triangles which can have the same angle measures
but different side lengths.
 Solution of Oblique Triangles
A few things to note before we begin solving
oblique triangles:
 The angles and sides share the same progression of
magnitude; that is, the longest side of a triangle is
opposite the largest angle and the shortest side is
opposite the smallest angle.
 Draw the triangle and label the angles and sides.
 If two angles are known, start by determining the third
angle.
 Always use the given values rather than calculated
values for better accuracy.
 Law of Sines

Similarly, this can be written in the following form:

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
= =
sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽 sin 𝛾
Note:
The law of sines is used to solve cases 1 and 2 (AAS, ASA,
and SSA) of oblique triangles.
SSA Variations
 SSA Case
• It is unnecessary to memorize the SSA variations to
solve triangles in the SSA case. Instead, given sides 𝑎,
𝑏, and angle 𝛼, we use the law of sines to solve for the
angle 𝛽 opposite side 𝑏. The number of triangles is equal
to the number of solutions 𝛽, 0° < 𝛽 < 180°, of the law of
sines equation
sin 𝛽 sin 𝛼
=
𝑏 𝑎
that satisfy
𝛼 + 𝛽 < 180°
 Solution of Oblique Triangles
Case 1
Solve oblique triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, if 𝐴 = 48°20′, 𝐶 = 71°15′, and
𝑏 = 32.

First, solve for the unknown angle 𝐵:

𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 180°
𝐵 = 180° − 𝐴 − 𝐶
𝐵 = 60°25′
 Solution of Oblique Triangles
Case 1
Using law of sines to solve sides 𝑎 and 𝑐:
𝑎 𝑏
= sin 𝐵
sin 𝐴
𝑏 sin 𝐴
𝑎=
sin 𝐵
32 sin 48°20′
𝑎=
sin 60°25′
𝑎 = 27 49
𝑐 𝑏
= sin 𝐵
sin 𝐶
𝑏 sin 𝐶
𝑐=
sin 𝐵
32 sin 71°15′
c= sin 60°25′
𝑐 = 34 84
 Solution of Oblique Triangles
Case 2
Solve oblique triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, if 𝑎 = 25 7, 𝑏 = 18 3, and
𝐵 = 29°23′.

Using law of sines, we solve for 𝐴:

𝑎 𝑏
sin 𝐴
= sin 𝐵
𝑎 sin 𝐵
sin 𝐴 = 𝑏
−1 𝑎 sin 𝐵
𝐴 = sin
𝑏
25 7 sin 29°23′
𝐴 = sin−1 18 3
This has two solutions between 0° and 180°:
𝐴1 = 43°33′ 19“ and 𝐴2 = 180° − 𝐴1 = 136°26′ 41"
 Solution of Oblique Triangles
Case 2
Because 𝐴1 + 𝐵 < 180° and 𝐴2 + 𝐵 < 180°, there are two
triangles.
Solving for 𝐶:
𝐴1 + 𝐵 + 𝐶1 = 180°
𝐶1 = 107°3′ 41“
𝐴2 + 𝐵 + 𝐶2 = 180°
𝐶2 = 14°10′ 19“
Using law of sines again to solve for the unknown side 𝑐:
𝑏 𝑐 𝑏 sin 𝐶1
= 1 𝑐1 = = 35 66
sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶1 sin 𝐵
𝑏 𝑐2 𝑏 sin 𝐶2
= 𝑐2 = = 9 13
sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶2 sin 𝐵
 Law of Cosines

The law states that in an oblique triangle the square of any

side equals the sum of the other square of the other two
sides minus twice their product multiplied by the cosine of
their included angle.
Note:
The law of cosines is used to solve cases 3 and 4 (SAS
and SSS) of oblique triangles.
 Solution of Oblique Triangles
Case 3
Solve oblique triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, if 𝑎 = 30 3, 𝑏 = 21 5, and
𝐶 = 75°38′.

Using law of cosines to determine the unknown side 𝑐:

𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶
𝑐 = 30 32 + 21 52 − 2(30 3)(21 5) cos 75°38′
𝑐 = 32 51
Applying law of sines to solve for angles 𝐴 and 𝐵:
𝑎 𝑐 −1 𝑎 sin 𝐶 ′
= 𝐴 = sin = 64°31 47“
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐶 𝑐
𝑏 𝑐 𝑏 sin 𝐶
sin 𝐵
= sin 𝐶 𝐵 = sin−1 𝑐
= 39°50′ 13"
 Solution of Oblique Triangles
Case 4
Solve oblique triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, if 𝑎 = 18 7, 𝑏 = 33 4, and
𝑐 = 26 9.

Using law of cosines to solve for the unknown angles:

𝑏 2 +𝑐 2 −𝑎 2
cos 𝐴 = 2𝑏𝑐
𝐴 = 34°0′ 48“
𝑎 2 +𝑐 2 −𝑏 2
cos 𝐵 = 2𝑎𝑐
𝐵 = 92°24′ 27“
𝑎 2 +𝑏 2 −𝑐 2
cos 𝐶 = 2𝑎𝑏
𝐶 = 53°34′ 45"
Exercises and Homework
(Please refer to the module provided.)