Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle

Trigonometric
Trigonometric functions Functions
are also of Any
known as Angle
Circular
θ
Functions can be simply defined as the functions of an angle of
a triangle. It means that the relationship between the angles and
sides of a triangle are given by these trig functions.
Let θ be an angle in standard position. Choose any point P(x, y)
on the terminal side of θ. Draw a perpendicular line from P to the
x-axis, thus forming a right triangle of reference for θ.
 Following is the definition of trigonometric functions of Any
Introduction
Angle. This applies when the radius is not one (not a unit
circle).
Introduction
Note: when x = 0, the tangent and secant of  are
undefined.

For example, the tangent of 90 is undefined since the sine

of 90 is 1 and the cosine of 90 is 0. 1/0 is undefined.

Similarly, when y = 0, the cotangent and cosecant of  are

undefined.
Signs of the Six Trigonometric Functions

Note: r is always positive. Thus, the signs of the values of

the trigonometric functions of angle θ are determined by the
signs of x and y.
The signs of the trigonometric functions depend upon the
quadrant in which the terminal side of θ lies.

A S T C - All Students Take Calculus!

A S T C - All Silly Trig Classes!
Example – Evaluating Trigonometric Functions

Let (–3, 4) be a point on the terminal side of .

Find the sine, cosine, and tangent of .
x = –3 y=4
The signs of the trigonometric functions in the four
quadrants can be determined easily from the definitions of
the functions. For instance, because

it follows that cos  is positive

wherever x > 0, which is in
Quadrants I and IV.

We will discuss “All Students

Take Calculus” in class as a way
to help us remember this.
Reference Angles
The values of the trigonometric functions of angles greater
than 90 (or less than 0) can be determined from their
values at corresponding acute angles called reference
angles.
The figures show the reference angles for  in Quadrants II,
III, and IV.
Example – Finding Reference Angles

Find the reference angle  .

a.  = 300 b.  = 2.3 c.  = –135

Solution:
a. Because 300 lies in Quadrant IV, the angle it makes
with the x-axis is

  = 360 – 300
= 60.
b. Because 2.3 lies between  /2  1.5708 and   3.1416, cont’d
it follows that it is in Quadrant II and its reference angle
is
  =  – 2.3 Radians

 0.8416.

c. First, determine that –135 is coterminal with 225,

which lies in Quadrant III. So, the reference angle is
  = 225 – 180 Degrees

= 45.
The figure shows each angle  and its reference angle  .

(a) (b) (c)

Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers
To see how a reference angle is used to evaluate a
trigonometric function, consider the point (x, y) on the
terminal side of , as shown below.
By definition, you know that

and

For the right triangle with acute angle   and sides of

lengths |x| and |y|, you have

and
So, it follows that sin  and sin   are equal, except
possibly in sign. The same is true for tan  and tan   and
for the other four trigonometric functions. In all cases, the
sign of the function value can be determined by the
quadrant in which  lies.
Example – Trigonometric Functions of Nonacute Angles

Evaluate each trigonometric function.

a. b. tan = (–210) c.

Solution:
a. Because  = 4 /3 lies in Quadrant III, the
reference angle is   = (4 /3) –  =  /3,
as shown in the figure.
Moreover, the cosine is negative in
Quadrant III, so
b. Because –210 + 360 = 150, it follows that –210 is
coterminal with the second-quadrant angle 150.
Therefore, the reference angle is   = 180 – 150 = 30,
as shown in the figure.

Finally, because the tangent is

negative in Quadrant II, you have.
c. Because (11 /4) – 2 = 3 /4, it follows that 11 /4 is
coterminal with the second-quadrant angle 3/4.
Therefore, the reference angle is   =  – (3 /4) =  /4,
as shown in the figure.

Because the cosecant is positive

in Quadrant II, you have
You can use mnemonics!
You can use mnemonics!
Pythagorean Theorem
 Cofunctions
Notice that
sin A = cos B
cos A = sin B

angles A and B are complementary

Since angles A and B are complementary and

sin A = cos B, the functions sine and cosine
are called cofunctions.
 Cofunction Identities
For any acute angle A,

sin A = cos(90  A) csc A = sec(90  A)

tan A = cot(90  A) cos A = sin(90  A)

sec A = csc(90  A) cot A = tan(90  A)

 Write Functions in Terms of
Write each function in terms of its cofunction.
Cofunctions
a) cos 38

cos 38 = sin (90  38)

= sin 52

b) sec 78

sec 78 = csc (90  78)

= csc 12
 Write Functions in Terms of
Write each function in terms of its cofunction.
Cofunctions
a) cos 52

cos 52 = sin (90  52)

= sin 38

b) tan 71

tan 71 = cot (90  71)

= cot 19
 SOLVING EQUATIONS USING THE COFUNCTION
IDENTITIES
Find one solution for the equation
cot(4  8 )  tan(2  4 ) .
o o

Assume all angles are acute angles. Since Cot and Tan are cofunctions
this is only true if the sum of the angles = 90°

cot(4  8o)  tan(2  4o)

(4  8o)  (2  4o)  90o
6  12o  90o
6  78o
  13o
 SOLVING EQUATIONS USING THE COFUNCTION
IDENTITIES
Find one solution for the equation. Assume all angles
involved are acute angles.

(a)

Since sine and cosine are cofunctions, the equation is true if the sum of the
angles is 90º.
 SOLVING EQUATIONS USING THE COFUNCTION
IDENTITIES
Find one solution for the equation. Assume all angles
involved are acute angles.

(b)

Since tangent and cotangent are cofunctions, the equation is true if the sum of
the angles is 90º.
Increasing/Decreasing Functions

As A increases, y increases and x decreases.

Since r is fixed,
csc A decreases
sin A increases
sec A increases
cos A decreases
cot A decreases
tan A increases