y

Radians
and the
Unit Circle
x

A LG E B R A I I
U N I T: T R I G O N O M E T R Y
GRADES 9-12
EDITH CARRERA
 Objectives and CA Content Standards
Extend the domain of trigonometric functions using the unit circle.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.TF.A.1
Understand radian measure of an angle as the length of the arc on the unit circle subtended by the angle.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.TF.A.2
Explain how the unit circle in the coordinate plane enables the extension of trigonometric functions to all real
numbers, interpreted as radian measures of angles traversed counterclockwise around the unit circle.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.TF.A.3
(+) Use special triangles to determine geometrically the values of sine, cosine, tangent for π/3, π/4 and π/6, and
use the unit circle to express the values of sine, cosine, and tangent for x, π + x, and 2π - x in terms of their values
for x, where x is any real number.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.TF.A.4
(+) Use the unit circle to explain symmetry (odd and even) and periodicity of trigonometric functions.
 Why are we learning about radians and the
Question unit circle?
 We use radians as a measurement to describe
the unit circle. We use the unit circle as a
In short… geometric representation of trigonometric
functions. It also makes it easier to find exact
values and ratios to trigonometric functions.
Key Terms (defined throughout lecture)
1. Standard position
2. Initial side
3. Terminal side
4. Coterminal angles
5. Reference angles
6. Radians
7. Unit Circle
8. “ASTC”
Basic Angle Terminology
An angle is in standard position in the x,y-coordinate plane if its vertex is positioned at the origin
with one ray on the positive x-axis and the other. The ray on the x-axis is called the initial side
and the other ray is called the terminal side.

The initial side is The terminal side

where the angle is where the angle
measure begins measure ends,
defining the
angle.
Coterminal Angles
Coterminal angles are are angles in standard position that share the same initial side AND
terminal side. For example 90° and 450° are coterminal angles since they share the same initial
side and terminal side. The only difference is that the terminal side for 450° gives a full
revolution before stopping at the measure 450°.
Now you try! Work on number 2 in your notes.
Reference Angles
Reference angles are always positive and between 0° and 90°. The reference angle for any angle
𝜃 in standard position is the positive acute angle between the terminal side of 𝜃 and the x-axis.
Now you try! Work on number 3 in your notes.
 What is the Unit Circle?
(0,1) • A circle with radius r=1
• Centered at the origin (0,0)
𝑟=1 • Intersects the x-axis at (-1,0) and (1,0)
• Intersects the y-axis at (0,-1) and (0,1)

(-1,0) (1,0) Recall: From your previous work in equations of circles,

which of the following equations is appropriate for the
circle on the left?
a) 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1
b) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 1
c) 𝑥 − 1 2 + 𝑦 − 1 2 = 1
(0,-1) d) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1
 What is the Unit Circle?
(0,1) • A circle with radius r=1
• Centered at the origin (0,0)
𝑟=1 • Intersects the x-axis at (-1,0) and (1,0)
• Intersects the y-axis at (0,-1) and (0,1)

(-1,0) (1,0) Recall: From your previous work in equations of circles,

which of the following equations is appropriate for the
circle on the left?
a) 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1
b) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 1
c) 𝑥 − 1 2 + 𝑦 − 1 2 = 1
(0,-1) d) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏
Radians
A radian is the standard unit used to measure angles in mathematics. We use radians and
degrees to measure the angles in the unit circle.
Take 5 minutes to discuss with those around you:
1. What is the circumference of a circle in terms of radians (𝜋)?
2. What is the circumference of a circle in terms of degrees?
3. How do you think we can convert degrees to radians?
4. How do you think we can convert radians to degrees?
Radians
The circumference (one revolution) of a circle is 2𝜋 𝑜𝑟 360°.
2𝜋 𝜋
We use the conversion = to convert degrees to radians.
360° 180°

360° 180°
We use the conversion = to convert radians to degrees.
2𝜋 𝜋
Now you try! Work on #4 on your guided notes.
The Unit
Circle with
Angle
Measures
How do we find the coordinates?
Special right triangles and SOH CAH TOA!
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
sin 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 = tan 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
Postive and Negative Coordinate Values
A good way to memorize this is to
A use the mnemonic “All Students
S
All trig Take Calculus”
Only sine is
functions
positive
are positive
Remember quadrants go in a
counterclockwise direction!
T
C
Only
tangent is
Only cosine Can you think of another
is positive
positive mnemonic? Discuss with a peer.

Do #5!
Now that you have all the pieces, fill
out your unit circle (#6)! Get into
groups of 4. Each student will
complete the angle measures and
coordinates for one quadrant.