Trigonometric Functions
◼ The Unit Circle
• Find the measure of an angle formed by the
terminal side.
• Label points on the unit circle.
• Use reference angles to find the exact values
of trigonometric functions.
The Unit Circle
Definition:
A circle whose center is the origin and whose radius
has a length of one.
Based on the definition, give the coordinates for the x- and y-
intercepts for the diagram below.
(__,
0 , __)
1
1 , __)
(__, 0
(__,
-1 , __)
0
(__,
0 , __)
-1
The Unit Circle
◼ Let’s determine the coordinates on the unit circle for a 45 angle.
Drop the perpendicular from the point
2 2 on the circle to the positive x-axis.
(__,
2 __)
2
What type of triangle is created?
1 2
2 An isosceles right triangle
45
2 What is the length of the hypotenuse? Why?
2
1 because it is a unit circle
What is the relationship between the
hypotenuse and a leg of an isosceles
What is the x-coordinate of right triangle? h = l 2
the point? 22 1 2
2 What is the length of each leg? l = =
The y-coordinate? 2 2 2
The Unit Circle
What would be the coordinates What would be the coordinates
of the point on the circle if we of the point on the circle if we
draw a 135 angle? Explain. draw a 225 angle? Explain.
2 2
−
(__, __)
2 2
135 225
2 2
− −
(__, __)
2 2
The Unit Circle
The same procedure can be used to find
What would be the coordinates the coordinates for a 30 angle and a
of the point on the circle if we 60 angle. Visiting all quadrants would
draw a 315 angle? Explain.
result in the following figure.
315
2 2
−
(__, __)
2 2
The Trigonometric Functions
◼ Let t be the measure of a central angle and let (x, y) be the point on the unit
circle corresponding to t. The following are the definitions for the six
trigonometric functions based on the unit circle.
1
sin t = y csc t =
y
1
cos t = x sec t =
x
y x
tan t = cot t =
x y
The Trigonometric Functions
How to determine the circular values for a given angle
Ex. 1: Evaluate the six trigonometric functions for t =
6
◼ Step 1: Identify the quadrant the terminal side of the angle
is located. Quadrant I
Step 2: Identify the coordinates that correspond with that angle.
◼
3 1
,
2 2
▪Step 3: Follow the definitions
1 y 1 1 3 1 2 2 3
sin t = y = tan t = = 2
= = sec t = = =
2 x 3
2 3 3 x 3 3
3
3 1 x
cos t = x = csc t = = 2 cot t = = 2
= 3
2 y y 1
2
The Trigonometric Functions
5
Ex. 2: Evaluate the six circular functions for t=−
4
Step 1: Identify the quadrant the terminal side of the angle
is located.
Quadrant II
Step 2: Identify the coordinates that correspond with that angle.
2 2
− ,
2 2
Step 3: Follow the definitions
2 y 2 1 2
sin t = y = tan t = = 22 = −1 sec t = = − =− 2
2 x − 2 x 2
1 2 x − 22
2 csc t = = = 2 cot t = = 2 = −1
cos t = x = − y y
2 2 2
The Trigonometric Functions
7
Ex. 3: Evaluate the six circular functions for t=
3
In this problem the value of the angle exceeds 2. Find the coterminal angle
whose value lies between 0 and 2 7 7 − 6
− 2 = =
3 3 3
Step 1: Identify the quadrant the terminal side of the angle is located.
Quadrant I
Step 2: Identify the coordinates that correspond with that angle.
1 3
,
2 2
Step 3: Follow the definitions
y 1
sin t = y =
3 tan t = = 3 sec t = =2
2 x x
1 1 2 3 x 3
cos t = x = csc t = = cot t = =
2 y 3 y 3
Find the value of each of the following
functions by using its reference angle.
10𝜋 22𝜋
1. tan 8 2. 𝑠𝑖𝑛
12
9𝜋 2𝜋
3. cot 4. sec
12 8
17𝜋
5. csc 4𝜋 6. cos
6
The Trigonometric Functions
◼ Recapping for evaluating the six trigonometric
functions for any given angle.
◼ If the given angle does not lie between 0 and 2, find its
simplest positve coterminal angle and use that value.
◼ Identify the quadrant the terminal side for the given angle lies.
◼ Determine the coordinates on the unit circle for the given
angle.
◼ Follow the definitions for the six trigonometric functions.
