CHAPTER 4 : TRIGONOMETRY

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that study relationship involving lengths and angles of
triangles. All trigonometry functions are used for right triangles only

4.1 TRIGONOMETRY RATIO

4.1.1 Trigonometry Ratio in Right-Angled Triangle

A right triangle has three sides which can be uniquely identified as the hypotenuse, adjacent to a

given angle of θ and opposite θ.

c
hypotenuse
a a, b and c refer to the
opposite lengths of the side

b
adjacent

TIPS :
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎
Sine function : sin 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
= 𝑐 A mnemonic for remembering
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑏 the trigonometric function
Cosine function : cos 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
= 𝑐

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎 sin 𝜃
SOH CAH TOA
Tangent function : tan 𝜃 = = =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑏 cos 𝜃
S – Sine

O – Opposite

H – Hypotenuse

C – Cosine

A – Adjacent

H- Hypotenuse

T – Tangent

O – Opposite

A – Adjacent
Example 4.1

3 θ

Find :

a) cos θ
b) sin θ
c) tan θ

Solution :

Identify hypotenuse, adjacent and opposite of θ

Hypotenuse = √32 + 42

= √9 + 16

= √25

=5

Opposite = 4 Adjacent = 3 Hypotenuse = 5

𝐴 3
a) cos 𝜃 = 𝐻 = 5

𝑂 4
b) sin 𝜃 = =
𝐻 5

𝑂 4
c) tan 𝜃 = 𝐴 = 3

Example 4.2
1
𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 sin 𝜃 = 3 , 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 tan 𝜃 𝑎𝑛𝑑 cos 𝜃

Solution :
𝑂 1
sin 𝜃 = =
𝐻 3
Opposite = 1 Hypotenuse = 3 Adjacent = ?

Draw the right angled triangle

 𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐴 = √32 − 12
3
1 = √9 − 1
θ
1 = √8
AA
1
A
𝑂 1
tan 𝜃 = =
𝐴 √8

𝐴 √8
cos 𝜃 = =
𝐻 3

Example 4.3

Find the missing angle θ

a)
12
3 θ
θ

b) 2
√3
θ
θ

Solution :

a) Hypothenus = 12 Adjacent = 3

𝐴 3
cos 𝜃 = =
𝐻 12

1
cos 𝜃 =
4

1
𝜃 = cos−1
4

𝜃 = 75.5°
 b) Opposite = √3 Hypotenuse = 2

𝑂 √3
sin 𝜃 = =
𝐻 2

√3
𝜃 = sin−1
2

𝜃 = 60°

4.1.2 Trigonometric Ratios for Special Angles

Definition 4.1 : Radian

𝜋
= 90°
2

𝜋 = 180° ( half a circle )

𝜋 = 180° 2𝜋 = 360°

3𝜋
= 270°
2
The values of trigonometric ratio of 30°, 45° 𝑎𝑛𝑑 60°

𝟒𝟓°
√2
2 𝟑𝟎° 2
1
√3
𝟒𝟓°
𝟔𝟎°

1
1 1

θ (radian) 𝜃° (degree) Sin θ Cos θ Tan θ

𝜋 30° 1 1
√3
6 2 2 √3
𝜋 45° 1 1 1
4 √2 √2
𝜋 60° 1
√3 √3
3 2 2

Sin θ
1 sin 0° = 0
sin 90° = 1
sin 180° = 0
0 0
sin 270° = −1
sin 360° = 0

-1

Cos θ
0 cos 0° = 1
cos 90° = 0
cos 180° = −1
-1 1 cos 270° = 0
cos 360° = 1

0
Example 4.4

Find the value without using calculator

a) sin 30° + tan 45°

𝜋
b) cos 4 − 2 sin 30°

Solution :
1 3
a) sin 30° + tan 45° = 2
+1=2
𝜋
b) cos − 2 sin 30° = cos 45° − 2 sin 30°
4
1 1
= − 22
√2

1
= −1
√2

1−√2
=
√2

4.1.3 Direction Angle and Trigonometric Ratio for Any Angle

Definition 4.2 : Positive angle and Negative angle

Terminal side

Initial side

Positive angles are angles measured in the anti-clockwise direction from the +ve x-axis to terminal side

Negative angles are angles measured in the clockwise direction from the +ve x-axis to terminal side
Definition 4.3 : Reference angle

A reference angle is the smallest angle that the terminal side of a given angle makes with the x-axis .

Reference angle is always less than or equal to 90°

Step to find reference angle :

1. Sketch the angle to see which quadrant it is in.

2. Depending on the quadrant, find reference angle

Quadrant Reference angle for θ

1 Same as θ
2 180° − 𝜃
3 𝜃 − 180°
4 360° − 𝜃

Procedure of finding the sine, cos and tan for an angle greater than 90◦ :

Step 1 : Sketch the angle

Step 2 : Determine the reference angle

Step 3 : Determine whether the value is positive or negative

Step 4 : Fine the value of sine, cos and tan

Example 4.5

1. Sketch the angle

a) 50°
b) 120°
c) 250°
d) −320°
e) −135°

Solution :

a)
50°
x

y
b)
120°

c) y

250°

d)
y
−320°

x
 e)
y

x
−135°

2. Find the reference angle for each angle given

a) 𝜃 = 50°
b) 𝜃 = 120°
c) 𝜃 = 250°
d) 𝜃 = −320°
e) 𝜃 = −135°

Solution :

a) Step 1 : Sketch the angle to see which quadrant is in it

50°
x

Step 2 : Since it is in quadrant 1, so reference angle same as 𝜃 = 65°

b) Step 1 : Sketch the angle to see which quadrant is in it

120°

Step 2 : Since it is in quadrant 2 , reference angle = 180° − 140°

= 40°

c) Step 1 : Sketch the angle to see which quadrant is in it

 y

250°

Step 2 : Since it is in quadrant 3 , reference angle = 270° − 215°

= 55°

d) Step 1 : Sketch the angle to see which quadrant is in it

y
−320°

Step 2 : Since it is clockwise, so reference angle = 360° − 320°

= 40°

e) Step 1 : Sketch the angle to see which quadrant is in it

−135°

Step 2 : Since it is clockwise and 𝜃 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 , so reference angle = 180° − 135°

= 45°
 3. Find the value of trigonometric function
a) Cos 160°
b) Sin 125°
c) Tan 215°
d) Cos −100°

Solution :

a)
y

160°

Reference angle = 180° − 160° = 20°

Since 𝜃 is in quadrant 2, cos is negative

So, cos 160° = − cos 20° = −0.9397

b)
y

125°

Reference angle = 180° − 125° = 55°

Since 𝜃 is in quadrant 2, sin is positive

So, sin 125° = sin 55° = 0.8192

 c)

215°

Reference angle = 215° − 180° = 35°

Since 𝜃 is in quadrant 3, tan is positive

So, tan 215° = sin 35° = 0.7002

d)

−100°

Reference angle = 180° − 100° = 80°

Since 𝜃 is in quadrant 3, cos is negative

So, cos -100° = −cos 80° = −0.1736

4.2 TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

4.2.1 Reciprocal Identities

sin 𝜃
tan 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃
1
csc 𝜃 =
sin 𝜃
1 cos 𝜃
cot 𝜃 = =
tan 𝜃 sin 𝜃
1
sec 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃
4.2.2 Opposite Angle Identities

sin(−𝜃) = − sin 𝜃
cos(−𝜃) = cos 𝜃

tan(−𝜃) = − tan 𝜃

4.2.3 Pythagorean Identities

𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 = 1

1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃
1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝜃

4.2.4 Complementary Angle Identities

cos 𝜃 = sin(90° − 𝜃)

sin 𝜃 = cos(90° − 𝜃)
tan 𝜃 = cot(90° − 𝜃)
sec 𝜃 = csc(90° − 𝜃)
cot 𝜃 = tan(90° − 𝜃)
csc 𝜃 = sec(90° − 𝜃)

4.2.5 Sum and Difference Identities

4.2.6 Double Angle Identities

sin 2𝜃 = 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃

cos 2𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃

= 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 1
= 1 − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
2 tan 𝜃
tan 2𝜃 =
1 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃

4.2.7 Half Angle Identities

1
- By substituting the angle 𝜃 with 𝜃 in double angle formula
2

Lets start with the double angle identity for cosine,

cos 2𝜃 = 1 − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
1
Now replace 𝜃 with 2 𝜃 :

𝜃
cos 𝜃 = 1 − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛2
2
𝜃 1 − cos 𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 =
2 2

𝜃 1 − cos 𝜃 Half angle identity for sine

sin =√
2 2

How to get half-angle identity for cosine and tangent from double angle formula? Try by yourself .

𝜃 1 + cos 𝜃 Half angle identity for cosine

cos =√
2 2

𝜃 1 − cos 𝜃 Half angle identity for tangent

tan =√
2 1 + cos 𝜃
Example 4.6

1. Find a) csc 𝜃 12 13
b) sec 𝜃
c) cot 𝜃 𝜃
5

Solution :
1 𝑂 12
a) csc 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 = =
sin 𝜃 𝐻 13

1 13
= 12 =
12
13

1 𝐴 5
b) sec 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 = 𝐻 = 13
cos 𝜃

1 13
= 5 =
5
13

1 𝑂 12
c) cot 𝜃 = tan 𝜃 = 𝐴 =
tan 𝜃 5

1 5
= 12 = 12
5

12 3
2. Given sin 𝐴 = − 13 𝑎𝑛𝑑 cos 𝐵 = 5 where A and B are in the same quadrant. Without using
calculator, find the values of

a) sec (−𝐵)
b) tan 𝐴 − tan 𝐵
c) cos 2𝐴

Solution :

Sine negative in quadrant 3 & 4 while cosine positive in quadrant 1 & 4. So A & B in quadrant 4
 13 5
12 4

A B

5 3

12 4
sin 𝐴 = − sin 𝐵 = −
13 5
5 3
cos 𝐴 = 13 cos 𝐵 = 5
12 4
tan 𝐴 = − 5
tan 𝐴 = − 3

1 1 5
a) sec(−𝐵) = = =
cos(−𝐵) cos 𝐵 3

12 4 −36+20 −16
b) tan 𝐴 − tan 𝐵 = − − (− ) = =
5 3 15 15

5 −12 2 −119
c) cos 2𝐴 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐴 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐴 = ( )2 − ( ) = 𝑂𝑅
13 13 169

5 2 −119
cos 2𝐴 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐴 − 1 = 2( ) −1= 𝑂𝑅
13 169

−12 2 −119
2
cos 2𝐴 = 1 − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 = 1 − 2 ( ) =
13 169
𝜋
3. Show that cos( − 𝑡) = sin 𝑡
2

Solution :

Use sum and differences identities,

cos(𝐴 − 𝐵) = cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵

𝜋
A=2 𝐵= 𝑡
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
cos( − 𝑡) = cos cos 𝑡 + sin sin 𝑡 = (0 × cos 𝑡) + (1 × sin 𝑡) = sin 𝑡
2 2 2
 4. By using the half angle formula and without using calculator, find the value of
a) cos 120°
b) sin 15°

Solution:
120°
a) cos 120° = 1 − 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2
2 2
√3
= 1 − 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 60°
60°

√3 1
= 1 − 2 ( )2 = −0.5
2

30°
b) sin 15° = sin 2
,𝜃 = 30°

𝜃 1 − cos 𝜃
sin =√
2 2

1 − cos 30°
=√
2

√3
√1 − 2 2 − √3
= =√
2 4
 Challenge yourself by answer this question.

1. Simplify the following

a) sin 2𝑥 cos 𝑥 + cos 2𝑥 sin 𝑥 (𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟 ∶ sin 3𝑥)

1+tan 𝑥
b) (𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟 ∶ tan(45° + 𝑥))
1−tan 𝑥

2. Without using calculator and by using right triangle, find the exact values of
√3
a) cos(60° − 120°) (𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟 ∶ − 2
)
𝜋 𝜋 1+√3
b) tan + tan (𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟 ∶ )
4 3 1−√3

4.3 TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATION

4.3.1 Simple Trigonometric Equation

A trigonometric equation is an equation which involves one or more trigonometric ratio. For
√3
example cos 𝜃 = is a trigonometric equation.
2

Example 4.7

Solve the equation for 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋 given

√3
a) cos 𝜃 = 2
b) sin 𝜃 = −0.5
c) cos 2𝜃 = 0.4630
Solution:
√3
a) cos 𝜃 = 2

√3
𝜃 = cos−1 = 30°
2

Cosine positive at quadrant 1 and 4

30°

30°
 So, 𝜃 = 30°, 360° − 30° = 30°, 330°

b) sin 𝜃 = −0.5
𝜃 = sin−1 −0.5 = − 30°

Sine negative at quadrant 3 and 4

30° 30°

So, 𝜃 = 180° + 30°, 360° − 30° = 210°, 330°

c) cos 2𝜃 = 0.4630
2𝜃 = cos −1 0.4630
2𝜃 = 62.4°

Range of value : if 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 360° , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 0 ≤ 2𝜃 ≤ 720°

Cosine positive at quadrant 1 and 4

62.4°

62.4°

So, 2𝜃 = 62.4°, 360° − 62.4°, 360° + 62.4°, 720° − 62.4° = 62.4°, 297.6°, 422.4°, 657.6°

𝜃 = 31.2°, 148.8°, 211.2°, 328.8°

 Try to solve this question. Think !!

√3
Solve and get the value of θ , cot 2𝜃 = − 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 360°
3

(𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟 ∶ 𝜃 = 60°, 150°, 240°, 330°)

4.3.2 Trigonometric Equation In Quadratic

In quadratic equation, involving more than one trigonometric equation, use basic identities
and double angle formula.

Example 4.8

1. Solve the equation 2 cos 2𝑥 − cos 𝑥 − 1 = 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0° ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 360°

Solution :

2 cos 2𝑥 − cos 𝑥 − 1 = 0
2(2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 − 1) − cos 𝑥 − 1 = 0 cos 2𝐴 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐴 − 1
4 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 − 2 − cos 𝑥 − 1 = 0
4 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 − cos 𝑥 − 3 = 0
(4 cos 𝑥 + 3)(cos 𝑥 − 1) = 0
4 cos 𝑥 + 3 = 0 cos 𝑥 − 1 = 0
−3
cos 𝑥 = cos 𝑥 = 1
4

−3
When cos 𝑥 =
4

−3
𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 ( 4 ) = 41.4°

Cosine negative at quadrant 2 and 3

So, 𝑥 = 180° − 41.4°, 180° + 41.4° = 138.6°, 221.4°

When cos 𝑥 = 1

𝑥 = cos−1 1 = 0°, 360°

So 𝑥 = 0°, 138.6°, 221.4°, 360°
 Try to solve this question.

1. Find the values of 𝑥 between 0° ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 360° 𝑖𝑓 cot 2𝑥 = 1 + 7 tan 𝑥

(𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟 ∶ 𝑥 = 11.3°, 161.6°, 191.3°, 341.6° )