Trigonometric Ratios are defined as the values of all the trigonometric functions based on the value

of the ratio of sides in a right-angled triangle. The ratios of sides of a right-angled triangle with
respect to any of its acute angles are known as the trigonometric ratios of that particular angle.

The three sides of the right triangle are:

Hypotenuse (the longest side)

Perpendicular (opposite side to the angle)

Base (Adjacent side to the angle.

Trigonometric identities

Pythagorean idrntities

There are three Pythagorean trigonometric identities in trigonometry that are based on the right-
triangle theorem or Pythagoras theorem.

sin2 a + cos2 a = 1

1+tan2 a = sec2 a

cosec2 a = 1 + cot2 a

opposite angle trigonometric identities

Sin (-θ) = – Sin θ

Cos (-θ) = Cos θ

Tan (-θ) = – Tan θ

Cot (-θ) = – Cot θ

Sec (-θ) = Sec θ

Csc (-θ) = -Csc θ

Trigonometric Identities of Complementary Angles

In geometry, two angles are complementary if their sum is equal to 90 degrees. Similarly, when we
can learn here the trigonometric identities for complementary angles.

Sin (90 – θ) = Cos θ

Cos (90 – θ) = Sin θ

Tan (90 – θ) = Cot θ

Cot ( 90 – θ) = Tan θ

Sec (90 – θ) = Csc θ

Csc (90 – θ) = Sec θ

Trigonometric Identities of Supplementary Angles

Two angles are supplementary if their sum is equal to 90 degrees. Similarly, when we can learn here
the trigonometric identities for supplementary angles.

sin (180°- θ) = sinθ

cos (180°- θ) = -cos θ

cosec (180°- θ) = cosec θ

sec (180°- θ)= -sec θ

tan (180°- θ) = -tan θ

cot (180°- θ) = -cot θ

Sum and Difference of Angles Trigonometric Identities

Consider two angles , α and β, the trigonometric sum and difference identities are as follows:

sin(α+β)=sin(α).cos(β)+cos(α).sin(β)

sin(α–β)=sinα.cosβ–cosα.sinβ

cos(α+β)=cosα.cosβ–sinα.sinβ

cos(α–β)=cosα.cosβ+sinα.sinβ
 If the angles are doubled, then the trigonometric identities for sin, cos and tan are:

sin 2θ = 2 sinθ cosθ

cos 2θ = cos2θ – sin2 θ = 2 cos2θ – 1 = 1 – 2sin2 θ

tan 2θ = (2tanθ)/(1 – tan2θ)

Half Angle Identities

If the angles are halved, then the trigonometric identities for sin, cos and tan are:

sin (θ/2) = ±√[(1 – cosθ)/2]

cos (θ/2) = ±√(1 + cosθ)/2

tan (θ/2) = ±√[(1 – cosθ)(1 + cosθ)]

Product-Sum Trigonometric Identities

The product-sum trigonometric identities change the sum or difference of sines or cosines into a
product of sines and cosines.

Sin A + Sin B = 2 Sin(A+B)/2 . Cos(A-B)/2

Cos A + Cos B = 2 Cos(A+B)/2 . Cos(A-B)/2

Sin A – Sin B = 2 Cos(A+B)/2 . Sin(A-B)/2

Cos A – Cos B = -2 Sin(A+B)/2 . Sin(A-B)/2

Trigonometric Identities of Products

These identities are:

Sin A. Sin B = [Cos (A – B) – Cos (A + B)]/2

Sin A. Cos B = [Sin (A + B) – Sin (A – B)]/2

Cos A. Cos B = [Cos (A + B) – Cos (A – B)]/2

Application of Trigonometry

Trigonometry to Measure Height of a Building or angle of elevation

Trigonometry is used in measuring the height of a building or a mountain. The distance of a building
from the viewpoint and the elevation angle can easily determine the height of a building using the
trigonometric function

an observer is looking at the object, standing on the ground, forming an angle θ with the line of sight
and horizontal line. Then it is called angle of elevation.If the distance from the object and height of
the object is given, then the formula for the angle of elevation is given by

Tangent of the angle of elevation = Height of the Object / Distance from the object

Or
Tan θ = Opposite Side/Adjacent Side

Angle of depression

If the object observed by the observer is below the level of the observer, then the angle formed
between the horizontal line and the observer’s line of sight is called the angle of depression. In the
below figure, θ is the angle of depression.

Angle of Depression Formula

With angles of elevation, if two of the sides of the right triangle are known, then the formula for the
angle of depression is given as below:

Tan θ = Opposite Side/Adjacent Sid

Or

θ = tan-1 (Opposite Side/Adjacent Side)

Trigonometry in Aviation

Aviation technology has evolved with many upgrades in the last few years. It has taken into account
the speed, direction and distance as well as the speed and direction of the wind. The wind plays a
vital role in when and how a flight will travel. This equation can be solved by using trigonometry.
For example, if an aeroplane is travelling at 250 miles per hour, 55° of the north of east and the wind
blowing due to south at 19 miles per hour. This calculation will be solved using trigonometry and
finding the third side of the triangle that will lead the aircraft in the right direction.

Trigonometry in Criminology

Trigonometry is even used in the investigation of a crime scene. The functions of trigonometry are
helpful to calculate a trajectory of a projectile and estimate the causes of a collision in a car accident.
Further, it is used to identify how an object falls or at what angle the gun is shot.

Trigonometry in Marine Biology

Trigonometry is often used by marine biologists for measurements to figure out the depth of
sunlight that affects algae to photosynthesis. Using the trigonometric function and mathematical
models, marine biologists estimate the size of larger animals like whales and also understand their
behaviour.
Trigonometry in Navigation and oceanography

Trigonometry is used in navigating directions; it estimates in what direction to place the compass to
get a straight direction. With the help of a compass and trigonometric functions in navigation, it will
be easy to pinpoint a location and also to find distance as well to see the horizon.

Optics and acoustic

Trigonometry is useful in many physical sciences,including acoustics,[65] and optic In these areas,
they are used to describe sound and light waves, and to solve boundary- and transmission-related
problems.
Trigonometry in construction:

In construction we need trigonometry to calculate the following:

Measuring fields, lots and areas;

Making walls parallel and perpendicular;

Installing ceramic tiles;

Roof inclination;

The height of the building, the width length etc. and the many other such things where it becomes
necessary to use trigonometry.

Architects use trigonometry to calculate structural load, roof slopes, ground surfaces and many
other aspects, including sun shading and light angles.

Trigonometry in physics:

In physics, trigonometry is used to find the components of vectors, model the mechanics of waves
(both physical and electromagnetic) and oscillations, sum the strength of fields, and use dot and
cross products. Even in projectile motion you have a lot of application of trigonometry.

Trigonometry in astronomy

Astronomers use trigonometry to calculate how far stars and planets are from Earth. Even though
we know the distances between planets and stars, this mathematical technique is also used by NASA
scientists today when they design and launch space shuttles and rockets.