Introduction

• In this chapter you will learn about secant,

cosecant and cotangent, based on cosine, sine
and tan

• We will also look at the inverse functions of

sine, cosine and tan, known as arcsin, arccos
and arctan

• We will build on the Trigonometric Equation

solving from C2
 Trigonometry
You need to know the functions 1 1
secantθ, cosecantθ and
You should remember the
index law:
x 
cotangentθ
x

1 1
sec   It is NOT written like
cos 1 
cos  this in Trigonometry
cos 
All 3 are
undefined if
cosec 
1 cosθ, sinθ or
cos 1  sec 
sin  tanθ = 0

1
cot   Something which will be VERY useful later in the chapter…
tan 
sin  cos 
tan   so cot  
cos  sin 
6A
 Trigonometry
You need to know the functions Example Questions
secantθ, cosecantθ and Will cosec200 be positive or negative?
cotangentθ 1
cosec200 
sin 200
1
sec  
cos 
y = Sinθ
90 180 270 360
1
cosec 
sin 
As sin200 is negative, cosec200 will be
as well!
1
cot  
tan 

6A
 Trigonometry
You need to know the functions Example Questions
secantθ, cosecantθ and Find the value of:
cotangentθ sec 280
to 2dp
1
sec  
cos 
1
sec 280 
1 cos 280
cosec  Just use your
sin  calculator!

sec 280  5.76

1
cot  
tan 

6A
 Trigonometry
You need to know the functions Example Questions
secantθ, cosecantθ and Find the value of:
cotangentθ cot115
to 2dp
1
sec  
cos 
1
cot115 
1 tan115
cosec  Just use your
sin  calculator!

cot115  0.47
1
cot  
tan 

6A
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
1
You need to know the functions sec 210 
cos 210
secantθ, cosecantθ and
cotangentθ 30
-60 -60
y = Cosθ
90 180 270 360
Example Questions
210
Work out the exact value of:
By symmetry, we will get the same value for cos210
sec 210 at cos30 (but with the reversed sign)

(you may need to use surds…) 1

sec 210 
 cos 30
Cos30 = √3
/2
1
sec 210 
3

Flip the 2
denominator
2 2 3
sec 210   or 
3 3
6A
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
3 1
cosec 
You need to know the functions 4  3 
sin  
secantθ, cosecantθ and /4
 4 
π
/4
3π

cotangentθ
y = Sinθ
π
/2 π 3π
/2 2π
Example Questions
 Sin(3π/4) = Sin(π/4)
Work out the exact value of:
3 3 1
cosec cosec 
4 4 sin 
Sin(π/4) = Sin45
(you may need to use surds…) 4
 1/√2
3 1
cosec 
4 1
2
Flip the
denominator
3
cosec  2
4
6A
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to know the graphs of
At 90°, Sinθ = 1
secθ, cosecθ and cotθ
 Cosecθ = 1

At 180°, Sinθ = 0
 Cosecθ = undefined
 We get an
asymptote wherever
1 Sinθ = 0
1
cosec  0 y = Sinθ
sin  -1
90 180 270 360

y = Cosecθ

6B
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to know the graphs of
secθ, cosecθ and cotθ At 0°, Cosθ = 1
 Secθ = 1
At 90°, Cosθ = 0
 Secθ = undefined
 We get asymptotes
wherever Cosθ = 0

1 1
sec   y = Cosθ
cos  0
90 180 270 360
-1

y = Secθ

6B
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
At 45°, tanθ = 1
You need to know the graphs of
 Cotθ = 1
secθ, cosecθ and cotθ
At 90°, tanθ = undefined
 Cotθ = 0

y = Tanθ

1
cot   90 180 270 360
tan 
y = Cotθ

At 180°, tanθ = 0
 Cotθ = undefined

6B
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to know the graphs of
secθ, cosecθ and cotθ

0 y = Sinθ
90 180 270 360
-1

Maxima/Minima at (90,1)
and (270,-1)
1 (and every 180 from then)
0
90 180 270 360
-1

Asymptotes at 0, 180, 360

(and every 180° from then)
y = Cosecθ
6B
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to know the graphs of
secθ, cosecθ and cotθ

1 y = Cosθ
0
90 180 270 360
-1

Maxima/Minima at (0,1)
(180,-1) and (360,1)
1 (and every 180 from then)
0
90 180 270 360
-1

Asymptotes at 90 and 270

(and every 180° from then)

y = Secθ
6B
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to know the graphs of
secθ, cosecθ and cotθ

y = Tanθ

90 180 270 360

Asymptotes at 0, 180 and 360

(and every 180° from then)
90 180 270 360

y = Cotθ

6B
 1 1
cot   sec  
tan  cos 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to know the graphs of
secθ, cosecθ and cotθ
y = Secθ
1

Sketch, in the interval 0 ≤ θ ≤ 360, the 0

90 180 270 360
graph of: -1

y  1  sec 2

y = 1 + Sec2θ
y  sec  2
y = Sec2θ
Horizontal stretch, 1
y  sec 2 scale factor 1/2
0
Vertical translation, 90 180 270 360
y  1  sec 2 -1
1 unit up

6B
 1 1 sin  cos 
cot   sec   tan  cot 
tan  cos  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
Example Questions
You need to be able to
Simplify…
simplify expressions, prove
identities and solve equations
involving secθ, cosecθ and
sin  cot  sec 
Remember how
cotθ we can rewrite
cotθ from
cos  1
earlier? sin   
This is similar to the work covered sin  cos 
in C2, but there are now more
Group up as a
possibilities
single fraction
sin  cos 
As in C2, you must practice as 
much as possible in order to get a Numerator and sin  cos 
denominator
‘feel’ for what to do and when… are equal

 1

6C
 1 1 sin  cos 
cot   sec   tan  cot 
tan  cos  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
Example Questions
You need to be able to
Simplify…
simplify expressions, prove
identities and solve equations sin  cos   sec   cosec 
involving secθ, cosecθ and Rewrite the part in
brackets
cotθ  1 1 
 sin  cos    
Multiply each fraction  cos  sin  
by the opposite’s
This is similar to the work covered denominator
 sin  cos  
in C2, but there are now more  sin  cos    
possibilities Group up since the  sin  cos  sin  cos  
denominators are now
the same
 sin   cos  
As in C2, you must practice as  sin  cos   
much as possible in order to get a Multiply the part on  sin  cos  
top by the part
‘feel’ for what to do and when… outside the bracket
sin  cos   sin   cos  

Cancel the common sin  cos 
factor to the top
and bottom
 sin   cos 
6C
 1 1 sin  cos 
cot   sec   tan  cot 
tan  cos  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
cot  cosec Putting them together
Show that:  cos 3
 cot  cosec
sec   cosec 
2 2

sec 2   cosec 2
Replace
Left side numerator
and cos 
cot  cosec denominator
 sin 2 
sec 2   cosec2 1
Numerator Denominator This is just cos  sin 2 
2

a division
cot  cosec sec 2   cosec2
cos  1
Rewrite Rewrite  
both cos  1 both 1 1 sin 2  cos  sin 2 
2
  2
sin  sin  Multiply by cos  sin 
2 Change to a
Group multiplication
the
up cos  cos  cos 2  sin 2 
 opposite’s  
sin 2  denominator
sin  2
cos  2
sin 2 
 1
cos  sin  cos 2  sin 2 
2 2 Group
Group up
up cos3  sin 2 
sin   cos 
2 2 
 sin 2 
From C2 cos 2  sin 2  Simplify
 sin2θ+ cos2θ = 1 1  cos3 

cos 2  sin 2  6C
 1 1 sin  cos 
cot   sec   tan  cot 
tan  cos  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to be able to sec   2.5
Rewrite
simplify expressions, prove using cos 1
identities and solve equations  2.5
cos 
involving secθ, cosecθ and Rearrange
cotθ 1
 cos 
Work out 2.5
You can solve equations by the fraction
rearranging them in terms of sin, cos   0.4
cos or tan, then using their Inverse cos

respective graphs   cos 1  0.4 

Work out the first answer. Add
360 if not in the range we want…
  113.6
Subtract from 360 (to find the
Example Question equivalent value in the range
  246.4
Solve the equation: sec   2.5
In the range: 0    360 1 y = Cosθ
0
90 180 270 360
-1

6C
 1 1 sin  cos 
cot   sec   tan  cot 
tan  cos  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to be able to cot 2  0.6
Rewrite
simplify expressions, prove using tan 1
identities and solve equations tan 2 
0.6
involving secθ, cosecθ and Inverse tan
cotθ 1
Work out the first value,
2  tan 1
and others in the original
0.6
You can solve equations by range (0-360)
2  59.04 , 239.04
rearranging them in terms of sin, You can add 180 to these
as the period of tan is 180
cos or tan, then using their 2  419.04 , 599.04
respective graphs Divide all by 2 (answers to 3sf)
  29.5, 120, 210, 300
Example Question
Solve the equation: cot 2  0.6
In the range: 0    360
y = Tanθ
90 180 270 360
0    360 Remember to adjust
the acceptable range
0  2  720 for 2θ

6C
 1 1 sin  cos 
cot   sec   tan  cot 
tan  cos  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to be able to  
Rewrite
simplify expressions, prove each side  
identities and solve equations
involving secθ, cosecθ and Cross
multiply
cotθ
 
Divide by
Cosθ
You can solve equations by  
rearranging them in terms of sin,
cos or tan, then using their Divide by 2

respective graphs  
Rewrite the
Example Question right-hand side
Solve the equation:    
In the range: 0    360
   

6C
 1 1 cos 
cot   sec   cot 
tan  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry tan 
sin 
cos 

Adj
Example Question cos  
Hyp
Given that: Replace A and H from
the triangle… 12
5 cos  
tan A   13
12
and A is obtuse, find the A is obtuse (in the 2nd 1 y = Cosθ
exact value of secA quadrant)
0
 Cos is negative in this 90 180 270 360
Opp -1
tan   range
Adj

12
13 cos   
5
13
Flip the fraction to get
θ Secθ 13
sec   
12 12
Ignore the negative, and use Pythagoras
to work out the missing side…

6D
 1 1 cos 
cot   sec   cot 
tan  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry tan 
sin 
cos 

Opp
Example Question sin 
Hyp
Given that: Replace A and H from
the triangle… 5
5 sin  
tan A   13
12
and A is obtuse, find the A is obtuse (in the 2nd 1
exact value of cosecA quadrant)
y = Sinθ
0
 Sin is positive in this 90 180 270 360
Opp -1
tan   range
Adj

5
13 sin  
5
13
Flip the fraction to get
θ Secθ 13
12
cosec 
5
Ignore the negative, and use Pythagoras
to work out the missing side…

6D
 1 1 sin  cos 
cot   sec   tan  cot 
tan  cos  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to know and be able to use the sin 2   cos 2   1
following identities Divide all by
cos2θ sin 2  cos 2  1
1  tan   sec 
2 2
 
cos  cos  cos 2 
2 2

1  cot 2   cosec2 Simplify

each part

You might be asked to show where these come tan 2   1  sec 2

from…

6D
 1 1 sin  cos 
cot   sec   tan  cot 
tan  cos  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry
You need to know and be able to use the sin 2   cos 2   1
following identities Divide all by
sin2θ sin 2  cos 2  1
1  tan   sec 
2 2
 
sin  sin  sin 2 
2 2

1  cot 2   cosec2 Simplify

each part

You might be asked to show where these come 1  cot 2  cosec 2

from…

6D
 1 1 cos 
cot   sec   1  tan 2   sec2  1  cot 2   cosec 2 cot 
tan  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry tan 
sin 
cos 
sin 2   cos 2   1
Left hand side
Example Question cosec 4  cot 4 
Factorise into
Prove that: a double

1  cos 2 bracket
  cosec 2  cot 2    cosec 2  cot 2  
cosec 4  cot 4   Replace
1  cos 2  cosec2θ
  cosec 2  cot 2    1  cot 2   cot 2  
The second
bracket = 1
1
  cosec 2  cot 2  
Rewrite
1 cos 2 
 
sin  sin 2 
2
Group up into
1 fraction
1  cos 2 

Rearrange sin 2 
the bottom
(as in C2) 1  cos 2 

1  cos 2 
6D
 1 1 cos 
cot   sec   1  tan 2   sec2  1  cot 2   cosec 2 cot 
tan  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry tan 
sin 
cos 
sin 2   cos 2   1
Right hand side
Example Question
sin 2  (1  sec 2  )
Prove that: Multiply out
the bracket
sec 2  cos 2   sin 2  (1  sec 2  )  sin 2   sin 2  sec 2 
Replace sec2θ
1
 sin 2   sin 2 
cos 2 
Rewrite the
second term
sin 2 
 sin   2

This requires a lot of cos 2 

practice and will be slow Replace the
to begin with. The more fraction
questions you do, the  sin 2   tan 2 
faster you will get! Rewrite both
terms based on
the inequalities
  1  cos 2     sec 2   1
The 1s cancel
out…
 sec 2   cos 2 
6D
 1 1 cos 
cot   sec   1  tan 2   sec2  1  cot 2   cosec 2 cot 
tan  cos  sin 

cosec 
1
sin 
Trigonometry tan 
sin 
cos 
sin 2   cos 2   1

4cosec 2  9  cot 
Example Question Replace
cosec2θ
4cosec 2  9  cot 
4  1  cot 2    9  cot 
Solve the Equation:
in the interval: 0    360 Multiply out
the bracket
A general strategy is to replace terms
4  4 cot 2   9  cot 
Group terms on
until they are all of the same type (eg the left side
cosθ, cotθ etc…) 4 cot 2   cot   5  0
Factorise
4
/5 y = Tanθ (4 cot   5)(cot   1)  0
90 180 270 360 Solve
-1 5
cot   or cot   1
Invert so we 4
can use the tan
graph
4
tan   or tan   1
Use a calculator for the first 5
answer
 Be sure to check for others   38.7, 219   135, 315
in the given range
6D
 Trigonometry
Copy and complete, using surds where appropriate…

0° 30° 45° 60° 90°

Sinθ 0 0.5 /√2 or √2/2

1 √3
/2 1

Cosθ 1 √3
/2 /√2 or √2/2
1
0.5 0

Tanθ 0 1
/√3 or √3
/3 1 √3 Undefined

6E
 Trigonometry
The same values apply in radians as well…

0 π
/6 π
/4 π
/3 π
/2

Sinθ 0 0.5 /√2 or √2/2

1 √3
/2 1

Cosθ 1 √3
/2 /√2 or √2/2
1
0.5 0

Tanθ 0 1
/√3 or √3
/3 1 √3 Undefined

6E
 Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the
inverse trigonometric functions,
y=x
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx y = arcsinx
π
/2
These are the inverse functions of
1 y = sinx
sin, cos and tan respectively

However, an inverse function can

only be drawn for a one-to-one -π/2 -1 1 π
/2
function
-1

(when reflected in y = x, a many-to-

- π /2
one function would become one-to
many, hence not a function)
y = sinx y = arcsinx
Remember that from a function to Domain: -π/2 ≤ x ≤ π/2 Domain: -1 ≤ x ≤ 1
its inverse, the domain and range
swap round (as do all co-ordinates) Range: -1 ≤ sinx ≤ 1 Range: -π/2 ≤ arcsinx ≤ π/2

6E
 We can’t use –π/2 ≤ x ≤ π/2 as

Trigonometry
the domain for cos, since it
is many-to-one…

y = arccosx π

You need to be able to use the

inverse trigonometric functions,
y=x
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx
π
/2
These are the inverse functions of
sin, cos and tan respectively 1

However, an inverse function can

only be drawn for a one-to-one -1 1 π
/2 π
function
-1
y = cosx
(when reflected in y = x, a many-to-
one function would become one-to
many, hence not a function)
y = cosx y = arccosx
Remember that from a function to Domain: 0 ≤ x ≤ π Domain: -1 ≤ x ≤ 1
its inverse, the domain and range
swap round (as do all co-ordinates) Range: -1 ≤ cosx ≤ 1 Range: 0 ≤ arccosx ≤ π

6E
 Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the
inverse trigonometric functions, y = tanx
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx π
/2

y = arctanx
These are the inverse functions of
sin, cos and tan respectively

However, an inverse function can -π/2 π

/2
only be drawn for a one-to-one
function
-π/2
(when reflected in y = x, a many-to-
one function would become one-to
many, hence not a function)
y = tanx y = arctanx
Subtle differences…
 The domain for tanx cannot equal π/2 Domain: -π/2 < x < π/2 Domain: x ε R
or –π/2
Range: x ε R Range: -π/2 < arctanx < π/2
 The range can be any real number!

6E
 Trigonometry
y = arccosx π

π
/2

π
/2 y = arcsinx -1 1
π
/2

y = arctanx

-1 1

-π/2
-π/2
6E
 Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the Arctan just means
arcsin(0.5)
inverse trigonometric functions, inverse sin…
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx  sin 1 (0.5)
Remember the exact
values from earlier… 
Work out, in radians, the value of: 
6
 30 


arcsin(0.5)

6E
 Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the Arctan just means
arctan( 3)
inverse trigonometric functions, inverse tan…
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx  tan 1 ( 3)
Remember the exact
values from earlier… 
Work out, in radians, the value of: 
3
 60 


arctan( 3)

6E
 Trigonometry
 2
You need to be able to use the arcsin   
inverse trigonometric functions,  2 
Arcsin just means
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx inverse sin…
 2
sin 1   
Work out, in radians, the value of:  2 
Ignore the negative for now,
and remember the values
 2 from earlier…
arcsin     2 
 2  sin 1   
Sin(-θ) = -Sinθ  2  4
(or imagine the Sine graph…)
 2 
sin 1     
1 2 4
y = sinx  
√2
/2
-π/4  45 


-π/2 π
/4 π
/2
-√2/2
-1

6E
 Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the cos arcsin  1 
inverse trigonometric functions, Arcsin just means
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx inverse sin…

cos sin 1  1 

Work out, in radians, the value of: Think about what
value you need for

cos arcsin  1 

x to get Sin x = –1
 
cos   
 2
Cos(-θ) = Cos(θ)
 
cos  
y = sinx
Remember it, 2
1 1 y = cosx or read from
the graph…
0

-π/2 π
/2 - π /2 π
/2

-1 -1

6E
 Summary
• We have learnt about 3 new functions,
based on sin, cos and tan

• We have seen some new identities we

can use in solving equations and proof

• We have also looked at the inverse

functions, arc sin/cos/tanx

6E