1

Chapter I
Basic
Concepts

Trigonometry is the study of triangles. The word itself is derived from two Greek words.
trigonon meaning triangle and metrius meaning measure. The ancient concept of trigonometry
is triangle measurement. Trigonometric functions were then defined in terms of ratios of sides
of a right triangle. In this workbook, trigonometric functions will be generalized from this
concept to quotients of point coordinates and the radius vector of a given point.

Basic Terms
The notion of line, segment, and ray is given as follows. If points A and B is contained in a line,
then we denote this line by AB . If points A and B are endpoints of a segment, then we denote
this segment by AB . If point A is an end point of a ray and B is contained in the ray, then we
denote this ray by AB .

Figure 1.Straight line AB

Figure 2.Line segment AB

Figure 3.Ray AB

Note:The arrow in the figure indicates that the set extends indefinitely in the direction of the
arrow.

Definition 1If two rays have the same end point, then their union is an angle. The two rays are
called the sides of the angle, while, their common end point is called its vertex

Figure 4. CAB
 2

Note:One of the rays may be classified as the initial side and the other the terminal side.

Definition 2.The amount of divergence of the rays forming an angle is its measure. Angle
measure is positive if the rotation is counter clockwise, negative if clockwise.

Definition 3.If the vertex of an angle falls on the center of a circle, the angle formed is called
the central angle.

Figure 3.The Central Angle 

Angle Measurement
(a) Degree. One degree is equal to the measure of the central angle intercepting an arc
of the circle with length equal to 1 360 th part of the circumference.

(b) Radian. One radian is equal to the measure of a central angle intercepting an arc of
the circle with length equal to the radius;

(c) Grad. One grad is equal to 0.9 of a degree or a measure of a central angle
intercepting an arc of the circle with length equal to 1 400 th part of the
circumference;

(d) Mil. One mil is equal to the measure of the central angle intercepting an arc of the
circle with length equal to 1 6400 th part of the circumference.

Notation: for degree, ‘ for minute, “ for second

Conversions:

1 60' 1'  60"

1 rad  180  1 deg   180
deg rad

Remarks:
1. To convert from radians to degrees, multiply the measure in radians by 180  .
 3

2. To convert from degrees to radians, multiply the measure in radians by 

180 .

Example 1. Convert 6825'17" into radians.

Solution.We have,
25
6825'17"  68    68.421 degrees.
17

60 3600

Therefore,
    
6825'17"   68.421    1.1942 radians.
 180   180 

Example2.Convert 0.234 radians into degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Solution. We have,
 180 
0.234  13.4072  1324 '25.96" .
 
  

Classification of Angles
(a) Acute angle.An angle that measures between 0 and 90 .
(b) Obtuse angle. An angle whose measure is greater than 90 but less than180 .
(c) Right angle. An angle whose measure is equal to 90 .
(d) Complementary angles. Two angles are complementary if the sum of their measures
is 90 .
(e) Supplementary angles. Two angles are supplementary if the sum of their measures
is 180 .

Definition 2 If A, B and C are any three non-collinear points, then the union of the segments
AB , BC and AC is called a triangle, and is denoted by ABC . The points A, B, C are called its
vertices, and the segments AB , BC , and AC are called its sides. The angles of ABC are A ,
B and C . The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of the lengths of its sides.
 4

Figure 3.ABC

Types of Triangles
(a) Scalene Triangle. A triangle with no pair of sides congruent.
(b) Isosceles Triangle. A triangle with two congruent sides.
(c) Equilateral Triangle. A triangle with congruent sides.
(d) Oblique Triangle. A triangle with no pair of angles congruent and with no angle
equal to 90 .
(e) Obtuse Triangle.A triangle with one interior angle measuring more than 90 .
(f) Acute Triangle.A triangle with all interior angles measuring less than 90 .
(g) Equiangular Triangle.A triangle with three congruent angles.
(h) Right Triangle. A triangle with one interior angle measuring 90 .

Exercises 1
I. Convert the following to radians:
1. 43
2. 130
3. 5928'
4. 1614 '45"
5. 1055'48"

II.Convert the following to degree-minute-second

3
1.
4
2. 0.558

3.
3
4. 1.05
5. 8.36
 5

Math 112
Problem Set No.
1

I. True or False. Write T if the statement is true, otherwise write F.

1. A straight line is the shortest distance between two endpoints.
2. A ray has two endpoints.
3. The vertex is a point of an angle.
4. The revolving ray of an angle is the initial side.
5. Grad is a unit of angle measurement.
6. Angle measure is positive if the direction of rotation is clockwise.
7. Two angles are complementary if the sum of their measures is 180 .
8. A triangle can only have one right angle.
9. All equilateral triangles are equiangular.
10. An obtuse triangle is always isosceles.

II. Convert to radian measure:

1. 85
2. 4515'5"
3. 90'26"
4. 16429'20"
5. 036'48"

III. Convert to degree-minute-second

4
1.
5
2. 2
3. 8.36
4. 1.05
5. 0.739
 6

Chapter 2
The Six Trigonometric Functions

Definition 2.1.A triangle is called a right triangle if one of its angles measuring 90 . The longest
side of a right triangle is called the hypotenuse while the shorter sides are called legs.

Convention for labeling a right triagle: We label the legs of the right triangle a orb and
the hypotenusec. We label the angle opposite to side a by A and the angle opposite to side b by B.

Definition 2.2.The following quotients are called trigonometric functions.

a b a b c c
sin A  , cos A  , tan A  , cot A  , sec A  , csc A 
c c b a b a

b a b a c
sinB  , cos B  , tanB  , cot B  , sec B  , csc B
c

c c a b a b

Example.L a  8 b  and c  17 . Find the six trigonometric function values of angles A

et , 15
and B. Moreover, find the values of angles A and B.

Solution.We
have, 17 15
8 , cos A  15 , tan A 8 , cot A 15 , sec A  17 , sc A  , sinB  ,
sin A   
17 17 15 8 15 8 17
8 , tanB  15 , cot B  8 , sec B 17 and csc  17
cos B  B .


To find the measure of angle A and angle Bin degrees, we may use a calculator. First, set
the calculator to degree mode. Then to find angles A and B, following syntax may be
executed respectively.

This gives A  284 '20.95" and B  3155'39.05" .

 7

Example: Find the trigonometric function values of 1436'12.14 " .

Solution.
We may use a calculator. For sinefunction, the following syntax may be executed.

This givessin 1436'12.14"  0.25213 .

For thecosine function, the following syntax may be executed.

This givescos 1436'12.14"  0.96770 .

For the tangent function, the following syntax may be executed.

This gives tan 1436'12.14"  0.26054 .

For the cotangent function, the following syntax may be executed.

This givescot 1436'12.14"  3.83813 .

For the secant function, the following syntax may be executed.

This givessec 1436'12.14"  3.83813 .

For the cotangent function, the following syntax may be executed.

This givescsc 1436'12.14"  3.83813 .

Solution to right triangles

The following are two types of problems regarding right triangles.
1. Given two sides, then find the measures of the two interior angles and the third side.
2. Given one side and one angle, then find the measure of the other interior angle and
the two sides.

To solve a right triangle problem, the following facts may be used

1. The sum of the three interior angles equals 180 degrees, i.e. A  B  C  180 .
2. The Pythagorean Theorem, i.e. a2  b2  c2 .
 8

Hints in solving right triangles

1. Make a reasonably accurate sketch of the triangle, label it properly and then indicate
the known and the unknown parts.
2. Choose one of the functions that involve two of the known parts and one unknown
part;
3. Solve for the other unknown parts by using the given data. Avoid the use of
previously computed values if possible, to prevent the occurrence of continuing error.

Example.Given a  27 and b  34 , find c, A andB.

Solution.
First, we find angle A. We have,
27
tan A 
34
27
A  tan1
34
A  38.45.

Next, we find angle B. We have,

34
tanB 
27
34
B  tan1
27
B  51.55.

Finally, we find c using Pythagorean theorem. We have,

272  342  c2
c 272  342
c  43.42 .
 9

Example. Given b  6.23 and A  3720' , find a, c and B.

Solution.
First, we find side B. We have,
6.23
tan3723' 
b
6.23
b
tan3723'
b  8.153 .

Next, we find angle B. We have,

3723' B  90  180
B  180  90  3723'
B  5237'.

Finally, we find c. We have,

6.23
sin3723' 
c
6.23
c
sin3723'
c  10.261 .

Applications to word problems

Problems concerning heights and distances may be solved using right triangles. The
following terms are frequently used to denoted imaginary parts of a right triangle in a problem.

1. Line of sight.The imaginary line drawn from the eye of the observer towards
the viewed object.

2. Angle of elevation.The angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal line
when the object is above the observe.

3. Angle of depression.The angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal
line when the object is below the observer
 10

Example. A person in the lighthouse 532m above the water observes that the angle of
depression of two buoys in the same straight line with the lighthouseare 3430' and 5236' .
How far apart are the two bouys?

Illustration.

Solution. From the figure, we see that

532
tan5236' 
QR
QR  532
tan5236'
QR  406.74

Similarly,
532
tan3430' 
QS
QS  532
tan3430'
QS  774.06

Hence,

RS  QS  QR
 774.06  406.74
 367.32 m.

Special
Triangles
The following triangles are called special triangles in Plane Trigonometry.
1. 30-60triangle. The figure is a 30-60triangle.
 11

The following values can then be derived from this triangle.

1 3
sin30 cos 30
2 2
1 3
tan30   cot30 3
3 3
2 2 3 2
sec 30   csc 30  2
3 3 1

2. The 45-45triangle. The figure below is a 45-45 triangle.

From this triangle, the following relationships can be derived.

1 2 1 2
sin45   cos 45  
2 2 2 2
1 1
tan45  1 cot 45  1
1 1
2 2
sec 45   2 csc 45   2
1 1

Exercises.
A. Find the angle measure of the following.
1. sin  0.2413
2. cos  0.9261
3. tan  1.2358
4. cot  3.2673
5. sec  5.1832
6. csc  1.8970

B. Find the function value of each of the following.

1. sin3312'14.16"
2. cos 58
 12

3. tan5327'7.16"
4. cot328446'
5. sec(7831'42.15")
6. csc 8928'3.4 "

C. Given the following, solve for the remaining parts of a right triangle:
1. A  5218', c  48.5
2. a  3.4, b  5.7
3. B  10, b  22
4. B  8112', a  43.6

D. Solve the following problems:

1. From the top of a cliff 126m high, the angle of depression of a boat is 2042' . How
far is the boat from the foot of the cliff?
2. A tower 135ft high stands on the water’s edge of a lake. From the top of the tower,
the angle of depression of an object on the water’s edge on the other side of the
lake is? What is the distance across the lake?

3. The Empire State building is 1250ft tall. What is the angle of elevation of the top
from a point on the ground 1 mile (5280ft) from the base of the building?

4. If the angle of elevation of the sun is 40 , what is the length of the shadow on the
level of a man who is 6.1 ft tall?

5. Point T is at the top of a mountain. From a point P on the ground, the angle of
elevation of Tis 1618' . From a point Q on the same horizontal line with P and the
foot of the mountain, the angle of elevation of Tis 2842' . What is the height of the
mountain if the distance between P and Q is 125m?

6. Points A and B are on the same horizontal line with the foot of a hill and the angle of
depression of these points from the top of the hill are 3012' and 2230'
respectively. If the distance between A and B is 75.0m, what is the height of the hill?

7. From the top of a building 60ft high, the angle of elevation of the top of a vertical
pole is 14 . At the bottom of the building, the angle of elevation of the top of the
pole is 28 . Find a) the height of the pole; and b) the distance of the pole from the
building.
 13

Math 112
Problem Set No.
2

A. Find the angle measure of the following.

1. sin  0.6523
2. cos  0.8321
3. tan  1.3825
4. cot  3.7258
5. sec  5.2418
6. csc  1.9327

B. Find the function value of each of the following:

1. sin562812'
2. cos238'2.16"
3. tan325
4. cot 5345'46.11"
5. sec(8342'53")
6. csc10336'27"

C. Given the following, solve for the remaining parts of a right triangle.
1. A  2936', b  287
2. b  4.218, c  6.759
3. B  1837'48", c  52.10
4. B  4055'12", b  36.72

D. Solve the following word problems.

1. A tower is 150 ft high and from its top, the angle of depression of an object on
the ground is.
a) Determine the distance from the base of the tower to the object.
b) How far is the object from the tower?

2. From the roof of a building 70ft high, the angle of elevation of the top of a pole is
36 degrees. From the bottom of the building, the angle of elevation of the top of
the pole is 34 degrees.
Find:
a) the height of the pole, and
b) the distance from the building to the pole.
 14

3. At a point P south of a building, the angle of elevation of the top of the building
is 58 degrees. At a point Q 250 ft west of P, the angle of elevation is 27 degrees.
Find the height of the building.
 15

Chapter 3
Course and
Bearings

Definition 3.1. The bearingor directionof a ray is an acute angle that it makes with the north-
south line. It is either east or west of the north-south line.

Example.Consider raysOA, OB, OC, and OD in the figure below.

The bearing of OA is 55 east of north and it is written as N55E , OB is N47W , OC is

S15W ,OD is S62E.

Definition.In air navigation, another convention is used to specify direction. This convention is
called course.The courseis the central angle, less than 360, measured in the clockwise
direction from north to the direction of the flight.

Example.Find the course of OA, OB, and OC.

Solution.
The course of OAis 60 , the course of OB is 200 and the course of OC is 300 .
 16

Examples.Find the bearings of OA, OB, OC, OD, and OF.

Answer.OA is N60E , OB is S40E , OC is S47W , OD is N90W , OF is N23W.

Example.Find the length of the third side of a parcel of land that is bounded as follows:
beginning at a stone mound consisting of several granite and two limestone rocks, thence west
572 ft, thence south 409 ft thence to the starting point.
Solution.

We note that the sides of the parcel of land forms a right triangle with legs whose
lengths are 572ft and 409ft. Thus,

c  5722  4092  704.32 ft.

Therefore, the length of the third side is 704.32ft.

 17

Example.A plane left a field F and flew a course of 110 for 2 hours at 167mph and landed at
the field G. It then took off a course of 200 and landed at H due south of F. Find the distance
between G and H.

Solution.

We have, FG  2167  334 miles GFH  180  110  70 ,

,
and FGH  360  70  200  90 . GFH is a right triangle. Thus,
Hence,
GH
tan70
334
GH  334 tan70
GH  917.66 miles.

Therefore, the distance between G and H is 917.66miles.

Example.A ship sails a course of 123 for 309miles. How far south of the starting point is it?

Solution.
 18

From the figure, TSU  180  123  57. Thus,

SU
cos 57
309
SU  309 cos 57
SU  168.3 miles

Exercises.

Solve the following problems by drawing a figure first

before giving the solution.
1. The sides of a rectangular field are AB  193.8 ft , BC  139.8 ft CA  213.3 ft If the
and
bearing of AB is N20E, find the bearings of BC and CA , it being given that C is west
of AB.

2. Towns A and B are on a north-south line and 34.6 miles apart. An observer on the east
on that line finds that the directions of A and B are N3720'W and
S5240'W , respectively. How far is he from each town?

3. The navigator of a vessel, steaming on a constant course of 90 due east, observes a
light bearing 58 east of north and a distance of 18 miles. Find how close the vessel will
approach the light?
 19

Math 112
Problem Set No.
3

Solve the following problems. Draw appropriate figures and then provide the
solution.

1. A plane flew at 212 from City W 2 hours at 217 mph and then at 302 for 1.5 hours at
244 mph. In what direction must he fly to return directly back to City W.

2. C is approximately due west of S and 110 miles due south of M. The angle at S
subtended by C and plane and have exactly the relative positions indicated, compute
the nearest 10 miles the distance from S to a) C; b) M.

3. Superman flies from Krypton Mountain at 200 for half an hour at a speed of 300 km/hr.
Then flies at 300 for 1 hour at the same speed. When he reaches his destination, how
far is he from Krypton Mountain?

4. What is the total distance covered by Superman in flying from Krypton Mountain to his
destination point and back to Krypton Mountain?
 20

Chapter 4
Trigonometric Function of Any
Angle

CARTESIAN COORDINATE SYSTEM

A Cartesian coordinate system consists of a horizontal line OX and a vertical line OY that
intersect at a point O. Each line is marked off using the same scale. Positive numbers are to the
right of point O on the horizontal line OX and above O on the vertical line OY. Negative numbers
are to the left of O and below O and OY. The point O is called the origin. The horizontal line OX
is called the x-axis and the vertical line OY is called the y-axis.

Every point P on the plane has an address which is an ordered pair of numbers (x, y).
The first number x, is called the abscissa or x-coordinate and the second number y, is called the
ordinate or the y-coordinate. The abscissa and the ordinate together are called the rectangular
coordinates of a point. The origin has coordinates (0,0).

Figure 4.1 Cartesian Coordinate

System Example. Plot the following ordered pairs.

(a) P1(2,2) (c) P3 (3,2)
(b) P2 (4,2) (d) P4 (2,2)
Solution.
 21

Standard Position of an Angle.

Definition 2.An angle is said to be in standard position with reference to a system of

rectangular coordinate axes if the initial side coincides with the positive x-axis and its vertex is
at the origin.

Figure 2 Angle in the Standard Position

TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS OF ANY ANGLE

Base on the given example, if  is in standardposition P(x , y) is a point on the
and
terminal side of the angle, then the following generalize the definitions of the trigonometric
functions.
y x
sin cot
r y
x r
cos sec
r x
y r
tan csc
x y
wherex is the abscissa of P, y is the ordinate andr is the distance OP.

Example 1. Given: P(6,8) . Determine the trigonometric functions for (6,8) .

 22

Solution.If x  6 and y  8 , the r62 82 36  64 100  10 . Hence, the trigonometric

function values of the angle with the point (6, 8) on the terminal side are
8 6
sin   0.8 cos   0.6
10 10
8 6
tan   1.33 cot   0.75
6 8
10 10
sec   1.66 csc   1.25
6 8

To find the standard angle we use the fact that sin  0.8. Hence,   sin1 0.8  537'48.37".

Example 2.If csc  and  is in the second quadrant, then findall other function values
20
16
of and the value angle .

20
Solution. We have csc  . Since r is always positive, we must have r  20 y  16 .
and
16
Hence, x  202  162  400  256  144  12 . Since is in the second quadrant, we
 
must have x  12 . Therefore,

16 12
sin   0.8 cos   0.6
20 20
16 12
tan   1.33 cot    0.75
12 16
20 20
sec    1.66 csc   1.25
12 16

To find the measure of angle , we use the fact that cos  0.6 . Therefore,
  cos1  0.6  12652'11.6"

REFERENCE ANGLE
Definition. The reference angleof an angle is in the standard position is theacute angle
formed by the terminal side of the angle and the x-axis. Its measure is always taken as positive.

Example 1. Find the reference angle corresponding to

(a) 42 (b) 145 (c) 220 (d) 310.
 23

Solution.

As shown, the reference angle of 42 is 42 , the reference angle of 145 is 35 , the reference
angle of 220 is 40 , andthe reference angle of 310 is 50 .

Note. The trigonometric function of any angle is equal in magnitude to the trigonometric
function value of its reference angle. The algebraic sign is determined by the function and the
quadrant where the angle lies.

Example.Using the data in the previous example we note that

sin145  sin35 cos145  cos35

tan145  tan35 cos145  cos35
sec145  sec35 csc145  csc35

sin220  sin40 cos220  cos 40

tan220  tan40 cos220  cos 40
sec220  sec 40 csc220  csc 40

sin310  sin50 cos310  cos 50

tan310  tan50 cos310  cos 50
sec310  sec 50 csc310  csc 50

Exercises.
A. Plot the following points.

a) (2, 3) b) (-4, 5) c) (-7, -8) d) (10, -3)

B. Without plotting indicate the quadrants in which the following points

lie.
 24

a) (5,16) b) (-10,21) c) (-3, -7) d) (7,-30)

C. Without plotting, name the quadrant in which the angle in

standard position terminates.

a) 192 b) 93 c) - 70 d) 315

D. Determine the trigonometric function of the angles whose

terminal sides passed through the given point and find the
measure of the angle in standard position.
a) (3, 1) b) (2, -4)

E. Express the given trigonometric functions in terms of a function

of a positive acute angle.
a) sin 143 b) cos 160 c) tan 240 d) cot 301
e) sec(98) f ) csc 60 g) sin(87) f ) tan(216)

F. Find all the other functions of for the given conditions.
8
a) If sin 
where  is in quadrant I;
17
3
b) If tan   .
4

G. In what quadrant will Ѳ terminate, if:

a. sin Ѳ and cos Ѳ are both negative?

b. sin Ѳ and tan Ѳ are both positive?

c. sin Ѳ is positive and sec Ѳ is negative?

d. sec Ѳ is negative and tan Ѳ is negative?

H. Evaluate each of the following:

a. tan 180˚ - 2 cos 180˚ + 3 csc 270˚ + sin 90˚

b. 4 cos π/2 – 5 sin 3π/2 – 2 sin π/2 + sin 0

 25

Math 112
Problem Set No.
4

A. Using the rectangular coordinate system, locate the following

points and find the value of r for each:

a) (5, 6) b) (-7, 15) c) (-6, -7) d) (6, -7)

B. Without plotting indicate the quadrants in which the following points

lie.

a) (3, 21) b) (-14,29) c) (-9, -11) d) (9,-15)

C. Without plotting, name the quadrant in which the angle in

standard position terminates.

a) 250 b) 125 c) 85 d) 295

D. Determine the trigonometric function of the angles whose

terminal sides passed through the given point and find the
measure of the angle in standard position.
a) (-5, -6) b) (-2, 4)

E. Express the given trigonometric functions in terms of a function

of a positive acute angle.
a) sin 67 b) cos 91 c) tan125 d) cot 346
e) sec 122 f ) csc 233 g) cot(194) f ) sec(174)

F. Find all the other functions of for the given conditions.
5
a) If cos 
6
4
b) If and If cos   and tan is
positive. 5
 26

Chapter 5
Fundamental
Identities

In this chapter, we will present some identities involving the six trigonometric functions.
These identities are known as the fundamental identities.They may be used to simplify or solve
trigonometric equations.
An equation is a statement that two expressions are equal. If for certain values of the
variables in the equation, the equality holds, then the equation is said to be a conditional
equation. However, if for all values of the variables in the equation the equality holds, then the
equation is an identity.

Example.The following equations are identities:

 x 2  2xy  y 2 ;  sec2 x  1  cot2 x   1 .
2
 xy
While the following equations are conditional equations:
3x  5  4 ; 4 tan x   5 .

8 Fundamental Identities

The Reciprocal Relations

1 1 1
sin  tan  tan 
csc cot cot
1 1 1
cos  cot  csc 
sec tan sin

The Quotient Relations

sin cos
tan  cot 
cos sin

The Pythagorean Relations

sin2   cos2   1 1  tan2   sec2 

The 8 fundamental identities may be verified as follows. Let  be any angle and consider the
y 1 1
given figure. Then from the figure sin   y ; whence, csc   . Similarly,
1 y sin
y 1 1 x 1 1
cos  x and tan  . Hence, sec   and cot    .
x x cos x y y tan
x
 27

y sin x cos
Moreover, tan   and cot   .
x cos y sin

Furthermore,

x2  y2   sin2   cos2   1 ,
1
sin2   cos2  1
sin   cos  
2 2 
1 cos2 

cos2 
sin2   cos2 
2
2
 cos  cos   1 2
2

2
 cos2 
  sin   1 
  1 
 cos    cos  
2 2
  tan   1   sec  
 tan2   1  sec2  ,

and,
sin2   cos2  1
sin2   cos2   
 sin2 
1
sin2 
sin2  cos2  12
  2  2
sin  sin   sin 
2
2 2
 cos   1 
 1   
 sin   sin 
2 2
 1   cot    csc  
 1  cot2   csc2  .

Example1. Provethat sin sec cot  1 .

Proof.
 28

We have,

1 cos
sin sec cot  sin .

cos sin
sin cos

sin . cos
1

Example 2.Prove that sec (sec  cos )  tan2 

Proof.
We have,
2
sec  (sec   cos  )   sec    sec  cos 

 sec2   1
 cos
cos
cos
 sec2  
cos
 sec   1
2

 tan2  .

Exercises.
Prove the following identities
1.
tan Acot A  tan A  sec2 A

2. sec  tan sec  tan   1

3. csc2   cot2  csc2   csc4 

4. 3sin2   4 cos2   3  cos2 

cos2 
5. 1   
sin 1  sin

csc  1 1  sin
6. csc  1  1  sin

sec sin
7.   2 tan
csc cos
 29

Math 112
Problem Set No.
5

Verify the following identities.

1. sin cot  tan   sec

2. csc  1csc  1  cot2 

3. 9 sec2   5 tan2   5  4 sec2 

os 
1  sin  
2sec 1  sin
4.
cos

5.
tan2 A sec2 A  tan2 A  tan4 A

6.
sin cos cot  tan   1

1 1
7.   2cot2 x
sec x  1 sec x  1
cos B sinB
8.   sec B csc B
sinB cos B

sec2 x  tan2 x  tan x

9.
sec x  sin x  cos x

tan  cot
10.  sin2   cos2 
tan  cot
 30

Chapter 6
Addition and Double Angle Formulas

Functions of Sum and Difference

Note:The teacher is expected to derive these formulas on the board using the coordinates
of the unit circle or the figure below.

Proposition. For all  ,

1.
sin     sin cos  cos sin ,
2.
sin     sin cos  cos sin ,
3.
cos     cos cos  sin cos ,
4.
cos     cos cos  sin sin ,
tan  tan
5. tan    ,
 1  tan tan
tan  tan
6. tan    ,
 1  tan  tan 
cot cot  1
cot  cot
,
7. cot   
 cot cot  1.
cot  cot
8. cot   


Example. Prove that sin   sin     sin2   sin2  .

Proof.
We have,
 31

sin2   sin2   sin cos  cos sin sin cos  cos sin 
 sin2  cos2   cos2  sin2 
 sin2  cos2   cos2  sin2 
 sin2  1  sin2    1  sin2  sin2 
 sin2   sin2  sin2   sin2   sin2  sin2 
 sin2   sin2 .

Functions of Twice An Angle

Formulas Proposition. For all  ,
1. sin2  2sin cos
2. cos2  cos2   sin2 
2 tan
3. tan2  2
  1
1 2tan
cot
4. cot2 .
 2cot

Example. Prove that sin3  3sin  4 sin3  .

Proof.
We have,

sin3  sin  2 
 sin2 cos  cos2 sin
 2sin cos cos  cos2   sin2  sin
 2sin cos2   cos2  sin  sin3 
 2sin 1  sin2    1  sin2  sin  sin3 
 2sin  2sin3   sin  sin3   sin3 
 3sin  4 sin3  .

Exercises.
Prove the following identities:

1. sin 
   cos
 2 
2. cos     cos
 32

3. tan    tan
 3 
4. cos    sin
 2 
sin   
 1  cot tan 
5. sin cos 
cos   
 cot  tan 
6. sin cos  cot cot   1
7. cot   
 cot   cot
sec  sec 
8. sec    1  tan  tan
 
k
9.
sin   k    1  sin , where k is any integer
10.
cos4   sin4   cos2
1
11.
cot2  cot  tan 
2
12. cos 2  sin2 2  cos 4
2

1
13. sin2  cos2   1  cos 4 
8

14. cot2  sec  1
2 sec  1
1 sec3   cos3  sin2
15. 1 
2 sec  cos
3tan  tan3 
16. tan3
 1  3tan2 
 33

Math 112
Problem Set No.
6

Prove the following identities:


1. cos 
   sin
 2 
2. sin     sin
3. tan2     tan
4. sin     sin     2sin cos 
sin   
5.  tan  tan
 cos cos 
sin  
tan  tan
6.
   tan  tan

sina    cot cot   1
7. cot   
 cot   cot
8. sin   sin     sin2   sin2 
k
9. cos   k    1  cos , k is any integer
cot  tan
10.  cos2
cot  tan
sec2 
11. sec2  2
2  sec 
12. 4 sin cos 1  2sin2    sin4

13. cot2  sec  1
2 sec  1
1 sin3   cos3 
14. 1  sin2 
2 sin  cos
3tan  tan3 
15. tan3
 1  3tan2 
 34

Chapter 7
Half-Angle and Conversion Formulas

Half-angle Formulas
The half-angle formulas in Plane Trigonometry are as follows.

Proposition. For every angle  ,

1 1  cos
1.
sin   
2 2
1 1  cos
2. cos   
2 2

3. tan 1   1  cos
2 1  cos
1 sin
4. tan 2  1  cos
1 1  cos
5. tan 2   sin

Proof
.
1
Claim 1. sin   1  cos for all angle measure  .
2 2

We recall one of the double-angle formulas, cos2A  cos2 A  sin2 A .Thus,

cos2A  cos2 A  sin2 A  cos2A  1  sin2 A  sin2 A
 cos2A  1  2sin2 A
 2sin2 A  1  cos2A
2 1  cos2A
 sin A  .
2
If we let   2A , then A   2 , and
1  cos2A 1  cos2 2
sin2 A   sin2  2 
2 2
 sin2  1  cos

2
2
1  cos
 sin 2 .
 2
This shows the claim.
 35

1
Claim 2. cos   1  cos for all angle measure  .
2 2

We recall one of the double-angle formulas, cos2A  cos2 A  sin2 A . Thus,

cos2A  cos2 A  sin2 A  cos2A  cos2 A  1  cos2 A
 cos2A  1  2cos2 A
 2cos2 A  1  cos2A
2 1  cos2A
 sin A  .
2
If we let   2A , then A   2 , and
1  cos2A 1  cos2 2
cos2 A   cos2  2 
2 2
 cos2  1  cos

2
2
1  cos
 cos 2 .
 2
This shows the claim.

1
Claim 3. tan  1  cos
1  cos for all angle measure  .

2
We have,
1
1 sin 
tan  2

2 1
cos

2
1  cos

 2
1  cos
2
1  cos
 2
1  cos
2
1  cos
 1  cos .

This shows the claim.

1 sin
Claim 4. tan   for all angle measure  .
2 1  cos
 36

By claim 3, we have
1 1  cos
tan   1  cos .
2
Thus,

tan 1   1  cos
2 1  cos

 1  cos  1  cos
1  cos 1  cos
1  cos2 

 1  cos 2
sin2 

 1  cos 2
 sin 2
  1  cos 

sin
1  cos .

This shows the claim.

1 1  cos
Claim 5. tan   for all angle measure  .
2 sin
By claim 3, we have
1 1  cos
tan   1  cos .
2
Thus,
1 1  cos
tan  
2 1  cos
1  cos 1  cos
 
1  cos 1  cos
2
1  cos 

1  cos2 
2
1  cos 

sin2 
 1  cos 2
  
 sin 
1  cos
 sin .
 37

This shows the claim.

Example. Prove
that
1
1  tan2 x
cos x  2 .
1
1  tan2 x
2

Proof.

sin2 x 2
1
1  tan2 x 2 cos2 x 2

1  tan2 x 2 sec2 x 2
cos2 x 2  sin2 x 2
cos2 x 2
 1
cos2 x 2
 cos2 x 2  sin2 x 2
 cos2 x 2
 cos x .

Other Conversion Formulas in Plane Trigonometry

Proposition.Let  and  be any angle measure. Then

1 1
1. sin  cos  2sin    cos    
2 2
1 1
2. sin  sin  2cos    sin    
2 2
1 1
3. sin  sin  2cos    cos    
2 2
1 1
4. sin  sin  2sin    sin     .
2 2
Proof.
1 1
Claim 1. sin  cos  2sin    cos     for all angle measure  and  .
2 2
We recall that,
sin A  B  sin AcosB  sinBcos A
and,
sin A  B  sin Acos B  sinBcos A .
 38

   
Let   A  B and   A  B. Then A  and B  . Hence,
2 2
         
sin  cos   sin cos 
2 2   2 2 
and sin

         
sin  cos   sin cos .
2 2   2 2 
Thus, sin

    1
sin  sin  2sin cos     cos     .
2sin 1

2 2 2 2
This shows the claim. Statements (2), (3), and (4) are proved similarly.

Example.Prove
that
sin4 A  sin2A
cos 4 A  cos2A tan3A .

Proof.
We have, 1 1
2sin  4 A  2A cos 4 A  2A 
sin4 A  sin2A 12 21
cos 4 A  
2cos 4 A  2A  cos 4 A  2A 
cos2A 2 2
1 1
2sin 6 Acos  2A 
 12 21
2cos  6A  cos  2A 
2 2
sin3Acos A
 cos 3Acos A

sin3A
 cos
3A
 tan3A .
 39

Exercises.Prove the following identities.

x
sin
x
1. cot 2
x
 1  cos
4 2
sin x
1 x 1  cos x
2. cot x
2
3. 1  tan x =secx
2
tan 1
tan  A  B
4. sin A  sinB
 12
sin A  tan  A  B
sinB 2
3x 9x 3x
5. cos  cos  2sin3x sin
2 2 2

6. sin A  sinB  sinC 1 1 1

 4 Ac Bc C
2 2 2
 40

Math 112
Problem Set No.
7

Prove the following identities:


1  tan
cos 2
1.  
1  sin 1  tan
2

2.  
cot  tan  2 csc
2 2
x
1  tan2
3.
cos x  2
x
1  tan2
2
4. x  
tan   sec x  tan x
2 4 
 
 2 x
5.
2  cos   tan x   tan x  sin x
 2
 41

Chapter 8
Graphs of Trigonometric Functions

The trigonometric functions belong to a class of functions called periodic functions, one
which exhibits a relationship that has a repetitive pattern. Examples of these are sound waves,
light waves, electromagnetic waves, vibration of a string, and the oscillations of a pendulum.

Variations in the trigonometric Functions

Let P be a point on the unit circle, centered in the origin, in the first quadrant. Construct
a line tangent to the circle at A and a line from the origin through P intersecting the tangent at
Q. From P drop a line perpendicular with and intersecting the x-axis at R. Let be the radian
measure of AOP.

Then, (a) sin  RP , (b) cos  OR , and (c) tan  AQ.

Observations.

In Quadrant I, as increases from 0 to ,
2
a) sin increases from 0 to 1;
b) cos decreases from 1 to 0;

c) tan increases from 0 through all positive values except when   .
2

In Quadrant II, as increases from to  :
2
a) sin decreases from 1 to 0;
b) cos decreases from 0 to 1 ;
c) tan increases through all negative values to 0.
3
In Quadrant III, as increases from  to
2
 42

a) sin decreases from 0 to  1;

b) cos increases from  1 to 0;
3
c) tan increases from 0 through all positive values except when  .
2
3
In Quadrant IV, as increases from to 2 :
2
a) sin increases from  1to 0;
b) cos increases from 0 to 1 ;
c) tan increases through all negative values to 0.

Trigonometric Graphs
A graph of a function is the set of points in the plane corresponding to the ordered pair
of the function. To plot the graph of a function, assign real values to x and solve for the
corresponding values of y.

Example. Plot the graph of y  sin x, 0  x  360.

Solution.
Assign real values to x with integral multiples of 30 and solve for the corresponding
values of y. The x and y values are shown in the following table:

x 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
y 0 0.5 0.87 1 0.87 0.5 0 0.5 0.87 1 0.87 0.5 0

Plotting (x, y) on the Cartesian plane,

Figure 7.1 Graph of y  sin x

Example. Sketch the graph of y  5cos3x.

Solution. After computing a few set of values, the graph of y  5sin3x is as shown.
 43

Figure 7.2 Graph of y  5cos3x

Example. Sketch the graph of y  3tan4x.

Solution. After computing a few set of values, the graph of y  3tan4x is as shown.

Figure 7.3 Graph of y  3tan4x

Period of Trigonometric Functions

The sine function defined by y = sin x go through a complete cycle of values from 0
to 2 . For other periodic functions, if P is a real number and if P is the smallest positive number
such thatf(x) = f(x + P) for all real number x, then f is called periodic with period P.

Computation of a Period for a Trigonometric Function

Let y  asinbx  c . Then from bx  c  0 to bx  c  2 the sine functiongo through
a

complete cycle. Thus, solving for x, the period goes through from c 2  c
x x . Hence,
2  c c 2 b
the period is   . to
b b b b

Example. Find the period of 2sin3x   .

2 2
Solution. P  
b 3
 44

Amplitude of Sine and Cosine Function

The amplitude A of sine and cosine function f is A 1 M  N where M is the maximum
2
ordinate and N is the minimum ordinate of f.

Remark.The amplitude of y  asin x  is a .

Proof.Since y  sin x has a maximum ordinate of a and a minimum of a, the amplitude of
y  asin x  is

A  1 a 1  a  1   a .
2

Example.Find the amplitude of y  3sin2x  .

Solution.Here a  3. Hence, the amplitude is 3.

Example.Find the amplitude of y  2cos x

.
2  2 .
Solution. Here a  2. Hence, the amplitude
is

Exercises.
1. Give the period and amplitude of each of the following.
a. y  3cos 4x
b. y  4sin7x
1 1
c. y  sin  x
4 3
d. y  2cos3 x
e. y  tan4x
1
f. y 3cot x
2
g. y  2cot2x
h. y  sec 5x
3
i. y  2csc x
4
1 5
j. y sin  x
4 2
 45

2. Sketch the graph of the following

1
a. y
sin3x 4

b. y 1
 4 cos x
2
c. y  3tan2x
d. y  sec4x
 46

Math 112
Problem Set No.
8

1. Give the period and amplitude of each of the following.

a. y  2sin2x

b. y 1
 cos x
2
1 1
c. y  cos x
2 3
1
d. y  2 tan  x
3
e. y  4cot2 x

f. y 3
 tan x
4
1
g. y  tan3 x
2
1
h. y  5cot  x
2
i. y  3sec2 x
2
j. y  csc  x
3
k. y  sec 4x
1
l. y csc x
4
4
m. y  4 sec  x
3
2. Sketch the graph of the following.
a. y  sinx 
1
b. y 3cos x
4
c. y  2cot3x
1
d. y 3csc x
3
 47

Chapter 9
Inverse Trigonometric Functions

One-to-one Function
Definition.A function f is said to be one-to-one if whenever f (a)  f (b) , then a  b.

Example. f (x)  x2 is not a one-to-one function because

2 2
f  2    2   4   2   f  2  and 2  2 .

Inverse Functions
Remark.If f is a one-to-one function, f 1 is a function.
then

Note: f 1  y   x if f  x   y .

We call
f 1 the inverse function of f .

The above remark means that it is necessary for a function to be one-to-one in order for it to
have an inverse.

Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Since trigonometric functions are not one-to-one, their inverse cannot be formed
directly. In order to obtain an inverse of a given trigonometric function, first, we must restrict
its domain to become one-to-one.

Restrictions on the Domain of Trigonometric Functions

Functio Restrictio
n n
y = sin x 90  x  90
y = cosx 0  x  180
y = tan x 90  x  90
y = cot x 0  x  180
y = sec x 0  x  180
y = cscx 90  x  90
Table 8.1 Restrictions on the Domain of Trigonometric Functions

With these restrictions in mind, it is now possible to define the inverse of trigonometric
functions.The following table enumerates the respective inverse of a given trigonometric
function.
 48

Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Trigonometric Inverse Trigonometric

Function Function
x = sin y y = arcsinx
x = cosy y = arccosx
x = tan y y = arctanx
x = cot y y = arccotx
x = sec y y = arcsecx
x = cscy y = arccscx

Graphs of the Inverse Trigonometric Functions

The graphs of the inverse trigonometric functions are obtained from the graphs of
trigonometric functions by reflection through line y = x. It can also be drawn by making a table
of values and plotting the points obtained.

Example. To draw a sketch of the graph of y = arcsinx,we assign some values of xof regular
intervals bearing in mind the restrictions imposed on the domain of sin y. Then we solve the
corresponding value of y.

3 3
x 1  2 0.5 0 0.5 1
2

y 90 60 30 0 30 60 90

The graph of y = arcsin x is shown below.

Figure 8.1 The graph of y=arcsinx

Example.The graphs of y  arccos x , y  arctan x , y  arcsec x , y  arccsc x , and y  arccot

x are shown below.
 49

Figure 8.2 The graph of y  arccos x

Figure 8.3 The graph of y  arctan x

Figure 8.4 The graph of y  arcsec x

 50

Figure 8.5 The graph of y  arccsc x

Figure 8.6 The graph of y  arccsc x

Principal Values
It is sometimes necessary to consider the inverse trigonometric relation as single valued
(i.e., one value of y corresponding to each admissible value of x). To do this, we agree to select
one out ofmany angles corresponding to the given value of x. When only the principal value is
called for, we write arcsinx, arccosx, etc. The principal values of the inverse trigonometric
functions are as follows.

x Principal Values
1  x  1 90  arcsin x  90
1  x  1 0  arccos x  180
  x   90  arctan x  90
  x   0  arc cot x  180
x1 0  arc sec x  90
x  1 180  arc sec x  90
x1 0  arc csc x  90
x  1 180  arc csc x  90
Table 8.2 PrincipalValues of the Inverse Trigonometric Functions
 51

Steps in Finding Principal Values

1. Convert the inverse trigonometric function into its original function.

2. Use the calculator to find measure of the angle.

3. If the function is sin, cos, or tan, the calculator value is the principal value.

4. If the function is csc, sec, or cot, do the following:

a) Find the reference angle of the calculator value.

b) Locate the quadrant where the function is located.

c) Draw the reference angle in the quadrant of (4b).

d) Draw all possible standard angles corresponding to the angle in (4c).

e) Find standard angle within the corresponding principal value as indicated in

Table 8.2.
Example
s.
1. Find the principal value of y  arcsin3
2 .
Solution.
We have,
3
y
arcsin
2
 60.
Since the function is sine, this is the principal value.

2. Find the principal value of y  arc cot(1).

Solution.
We have,
y  arc cot(1)
 45
Note that y  arc cot(1) implies that cot y  1 , that is, cot y is negative. Hence, y must
be in the second or fourth quadrant. If y is in the second quadrant, then the standard
angle is
135. On the other hand, if y is in the fourth quadrant, then the standard angle is 315. However,
referring to Table 8.2, the principal value is 135.
 52

General Values

If the principal value of an inverse trigonometric function is y, then the general values
are given as follows.
n
1.
arcsin x   1  y  n180

n
2.
arc csc x   1  y  n180

3.
arccos x  n360  y

4.
arc sec x  n360  y

5.
arc cot x  n180  y

6.
arctan x  n180  y

wheren is an integer.

Examples.
1
1.
Find the general values of arctan .
3
Solution.
Let y  1
arctan . Then y  30. Therefore,
3

1
arctan
 n 180  30.
3

2.
Find the general values of arcsin(0.43628) .
Solution.
Let y  Then y  2552'. Thus,
arcsin(0.43628). n
arcsin x   1  y  n 180
n
  1   2522'   n 180.
3. 
Evaluate 3
cos arcsin  .
 5
Solutio
n.
Let y 3
 arcsin . Then, y  3652'12". Hence,
5
 53


cosarcsin 3 
  cos(y)  cos(3652'12")  0.8036.

5
Exercises.
I. Find the principal values and also general values of the following.
1. arcsin0.2812
2. arccos0.4705
3. arctan1.3456
4. arc cot1.3875
5. arc sec4.380
6. arc csc4.1923
7. arcsin  12 
13
 
8. arccos0.8674
9. arctan2.7581
10. arc cot0.4370

II. Find all possible values of the following.

1.   15  
sin
 arccos  
 17 
 1  2 
2. co
s  arcsin    arctan 
 3  5
3. sin  3
arccos 

  5  

4. sinarc 1 1
sin   arccos  
 4 4

III. Find the exact

value of
sec arctan  3   .

IV. Prove that

2  arcsin
arccos  arctan 7 .
5 2 13 4
 54

Math 112
Problem Set No.
9

I. Find the principal and general values of the following.

1. arccos0.8213 
2. arctan2.1203
3. arcsin0.3172
4. arcsin0.9312
5. arc cot0.7812
6. arc csc3.2124 
7. arc sec4.7213
8. arccos0.03421
9. arctan12.173
10. arc sec5.2100

II. Find all possible values of the following.

1.  arcsin 7 arccos 4 
sin  25  5 
2.  3 8
tan arctan  arctan 
 4 15 
 8
3. cos arcsin  3 
 arcsin  
17
  
5
1 7
4. sin  arccos 
2 9 
 3
5. tanarctan  arcsin  3 
 
 
5 5

III. Show
that
1 2
arcsin  arctan  90.
5 5
 55

Chapter 10
Trigonometric
Equations

The solution of a trigonometric equation involving functions is the angle measure which
makes the equation true. We limit the roots of the equation to positive angles whose measures
are less than 360.
There are no general methods of solving trigonometric equations. Techniques from
algebra and trigonometry are needed in the process: algebra for the function and trigonometry
for the measure of the angle.
Some methods of solving trigonometric equations are illustrated in the following
examples.

Equations containing only a single

function Example 1.Solve for sin2   1  sin2  .

Solution.

We have,
sin2   1  sin2  2sin2   1  0
 0 02  4  2  1 

 sin 
22

 8
 sin 
4
22
 sin 
4 2
or sin  
2
 sin  
2 2
 2

   arcsin or   arcsin  2
 2   2 
   
   45, or   135, or   225, or   315
 56

Example 2. Solve for 2sin cos  cos  0.

Solution.

We have,
2sin cos  cos   2sin  1cos  0
0  2sin  1  0 or cos  0
 2sin  1 or cos  0
1
 sin 
 2 or cos  0
   arcsin 1
 or   arccos 0
2
   330 or   210 or   90 or   270

Example 3. Solve for cot  csc  2sin

Solution.

We have,
cos 1
cot  csc  2sin    2sin


sin sin
 cos  1  2sin2 
 cos  1  21  cos2  
 cos  1  2  2cos2 
 cos  1  2cos2 
  2cos2   cos  1  0

1  12  4  2  1 
 cos 
2  2 
1  12  4  2  1 
 cos 
4
1  9
 cos 
4 3
1 
 cos 
4
 cos  1 or cos  
2
   0 or   180   210   330.
or or
 57

Example 4.Solve for sin3  sin  0

Solutio
n. sin3  sin   sin3  sin  0
0 1 1
 2sin 3   cos 3   
02 2
1 1
 2sin 4 cos 2   0
2 2
 2sin2 cos  0
 22sin cos cos  0
 4 sin cos2   0
 4 sin 1  sin2    0
 sin 1  sin2    0
 sin  0 or 1  sin2   0
 sin  0 1  sin 1  sin   0
or
   0 or   or 1  sin  0 or 1  sin  0
180
or sin  1 or sin  1
   0 or  
180
   0 or   or   or   270
180 90

Exercises.Solve the following.

1. cos2   1  cos2 
2. 4 sin2   1  0
3. 3cot2   1
4. 3  4 cos2   0
5. sin 2cos  1  0
6. 2sin2   sin  1
7. tan2   2 tan  1  0
8. sin2  cos  0
9. 2sin2   cos2  0
10. cos3 cos  sin3 sin  1 2
 58

Math 112
Problem Set No.
10

I. Answer the following questions fully.

1. Differentiate a trigonometric identity from trigonometric equation.
2. When does a trigonometric equation have no solution?
3. From memory, recall the formulas for the following.
a. sin2
b. tan2
1
c. tan 
2
d. cos2
1
e. sin

2
II. Write true if the statement is true. If the statement is false,
change the underlined word(s) with the correct word or words
that will make the sentence true.
1. The solution of a trigonometric equation is the value or values of the function that
makes the equation true.
2. The particular solution of a trigonometric equation is a positive angle less
than 360 which makes the equation true.
3. A trigonometric identity is a statement which is true for some values of the angle
involved.
4. The general solution of a trigonometric equation includes all permissible values of
the angle involved.
5. The addition formulas for sine and cosine are valid for all values of and  .

6. If sin is expressed in radical form, the sign before the radical depends on the
2

quadrant where lies.
2
7. The formula for sin2 can be extended to find the sine of any integral multiple
of .
8. The functions of twice an angle are derived from the addition formulas for the
sum of two angles.
9. The values of cos can be obtained by using the expression for cos    .
3
 59

10. The formula for tan  

is not valid for  270 .


III. Solve the following.

1. 2cos2   5cos  3  0
2. sec  2cos  tan
3. 2 tan2   3sec  0
4. cos  sin  1
5. tan  2sin cos
1
6. cos2 2  cos2 
2
7. tan  tan2
8. 2sin2  tan4  0
9. 3cos2   4 sin2   3
10. 3 tan4   4 tan2   1
 60

Chapter 11
Oblique
Triangles

An oblique triangle is a triangle that does not contain a right angle. Such a triangle
contains either three acute angles or two acute angles and one obtuse angle.

Law of Sines

Proposition. In any triangle ABC, the ratio of a side and the sine of the opposite angle is a
constant, that is,
a c
b  .

sin A sinB sinC
Proof.
Let ABC be any oblique triangle.

From the figure, h3

 bsin A and also  a sinB. Therefore,
3
h bsin A  a sinB
that is,
a  b.
sin A sinB
Similarly, c sin A   asinC . Therefore,
1
h c
a  .
sin A sinC
Hence,
a c
b  .
sin A sinB sinC
 61

The Law of Cosines

Proposition. In any triangle ABC, the square of any side is equal to the sum of the squares of
the other two sides diminished by twice the product of these sides and the cosine of the
included angle, that is,
b2  a2  c2  2ac cosB
Proof.
Consider the given figure.

2
We have, b2  h2   AD  , h  a  sinB  , and DB  a  cosB  . Thus,
AD  AB  DB  c  a cos  b2  h2  AD2
B 2 2
 b2  a  sinB     c  a  cos B  
2 2
 b2  a2  sinB   c2  2ac  cos B   a2  cos B 
2 2
 b2  a2  sinB   a2  cos B   c2  2ac  cos B 
2 2
 b2  a2  sinB    cos B    c2  2ac  cos B 
 
 b2  a2 1  c2  2ac cos B
 b2  a2  c2  2ac cos B  .

Solution of Oblique Triangles

When three parts of a triangle are known, the triangle may be solved. The five cases of
oblique triangle problems are the following.

Case 1 Given two angles and the side opposite one of them
Case 2 Given two angles and the included side
Case 3 Given two sides and the angle opposite one of them
Case 4 Given two sides and the included angle
Case 5 Given three sides

For Cases 1, 2, and 3, it is suggested that the law of sines be used, while for cases 4 and 5 it is
suggested that the law of cosines be used.
 62

Example. Solve the triangle ABC with a  62.5 , A  11220' , and C  4210' .

Solutio
n.
We have, B  180   A  C 
 180  11220' 4210'
 180  15430'
 2530',

a sinB
b
sin A
62.5sin2530'
 sin11220'
62.50.671
 0.925
 29.089 ,

and,
a sinC 
c
sin A
62.5sin4210'
 sin11220'
62.50.431
 0.925
 45.358.

Example. Solve the triangle ABC with c  25 , A  35 , and B  68 .

Solutio
n.
We have, C  180   A  B 
 180  (350  68)
 180  103
 77,
 63

c sin A
a
sinC
25sin35
 sin77
250.574 
 0.974
 14.717 ,

and,
c sinB
b
sin A
25sin68
 sin77
250.927
 0.974
 23.789.

Example. Solve the triangle ABCwith c  628 , b  480 , and C  5510'.

Solutio
n.
We have,
bsinC 
sinB c

480 sin5510'
 628
480 0.821
 628
 0.627
B  3851'

A  180  B  C 
 180  3851' 5510'
 180  941'
 8559'

and,
 64

bsin A
a
sinB
480 sin8559'
 sin3851'
 763.32
 763

Note. 1) The problem does not have a solution if side c is less than 394.
2) The problem has two solutions if c is between 394 and 480.

Example. Solve the triangle ABCwith a  123 , b  224 , and C  2840' .

Solution.
We have,
c2  a2  b2  2ab cosC 
2 2
  123    224   2  123  224  cos2840'
 16,955.35
c 16,955.35
c  130.21
and,
a sinC

sin A 
c
123sin2840'
 130.21
 0.453150
A  arcsin0.453150
Moreover, A  2656'45.57''

bsinC 
sinB 
c
224 sin2840'
 130.21
 0.8552
B  arcsin0.8552
B  5536'49.66'' or B  12423'10.3''.

Note. We choose B  12423'10.3'' , because b  a .

 65

Example. Solve the triangle ABCwith a  25.2 , b  37.8 , and c  43.4 .

Solutio
n.
We have, b2  c2  a2
cos A 2bc

37.82  43.42  25.22

237.8 43.4 
 0.81601 ,
and,
a2  c2  b2
cos B 
2ac
25.22  43.42  37.82

225.243.4 
 0.49821 ,

and,
a2  b2  c2
cos C
 2ab
25.22  37.82  43.42

237.8 25.2
 0.09465 .
Hence,
A  arccos 0.81601  3518'45.69''
,
B  arccos 0.4982  607'6.58'' ,
and,
C  arccos 0.09465  8434'7.73''.

Example. A garden is triangular in shape with sides 473, 512 and 734.
What is the measure of the angle between the sides measuring 512 and 734?

Solution.
cos C  7342  5122 
4732
2(734)(512)
 0.7679
C  arc cos 0.7679
 39050 ' 3.54 ''
 66

Exercises.
Solve each triangle.
1. A  39 , B  42 , c  47
2. B  4252' , C  102 , b  3874
3. A  3954 '45'', a  268.5 , B  4230'
4. A  9648' , b  3.589 , a  5.818
5. B  3940'48" , a  29.81 , b  23.76
6. a  1240 , b  876 , c  965
7. A  8040' , b  143 , c  89.6
8. B  7448' , a  8.919 , c  43.4
9. A  128 , C  190 , b  12.2
10. a  3.0 , b  5.0 , c  6.0
 67

Math 112
Problem Set No.
11

Solve each triangle.

1. A  46.5 , C  74.30 , a  38.1

2. A  111.720 C  24.430 b  282.7

, ,

3. B  b c  56.92
65016.2', 67.25,

4. A  1634'12'', b  155.4 , a  123.2

5. B  4040' , a  62.5 , b  51.5

6. a  24.5 , b  18.6 , c  26.4

Applications:
1. A triangular field is 452 ft on one side and 572 ft on another. The sides meet in an angle of
6706’. Find the length of the third side.
2. From two points P and Q that are 140 ft apart, the lines of sight to a flagpole across a river
make angles of 790 and 580, respectively, with the line joining P and Q. What are the distances
from P and Q to the flagpole?