Radian and Degree Measure

In this section, we will study the following topics:

Vocabulary used to describe angles

Degree measure of an angle
Radian measure of an angle
Converting between radian and degree measure
Find coterminal angles

Radian and Degree Measure

Important Vocabulary for this Lesson:

Angle
Degrees
Radians
Angle in Standard Position
Coterminal angle
Reference Angle
Initial Arm
Terminal Arm

Radian and Degree Measure

Angles
Trigonometry: measurement of triangles

Angle Measure

Radian and Degree Measure

Standard Position

Reference Angle

Vertex at origin
The initial side of an angle
in standard position is always located
on the positive x-axis.

Radian and Degree Measure

Positive and negative angles

When sketching angles,

always use an arrow to
show direction.

Radian and Degree Measure

Measuring Angles
The measure of an angle is determined by the amount of
rotation from the initial side to the terminal side.

There are two common ways to measure angles, in degrees

and in radians.
Well start with degrees, denoted by the symbol .
One degree (1) is equivalent to a rotation of
revolution.

1
360

of one

Radian and Degree Measure

Measuring Angles

1
360

Radian and Degree Measure

Classifying Angles

Angles are often classified according to the quadrant

in which their terminal sides lie.

Ex1: Name the quadrant in which each angle lies.

50

Quadrant 1

208

Quadrant 3

II

-75

Quadrant 4

III

IV

Radian and Degree Measure

Coterminal Angles
Angles that have the same initial and terminal sides are
coterminal.

Angles and are coterminal.

Radian and Degree Measure

Example of Finding Coterminal Angles

You can find an angle that is coterminal to a given angle by
adding or subtracting multiples of 360.
In general, to find coterminal angles,
= 360n
where n is a positive integer
Ex 2:
Find one positive and one negative angle that are
coterminal to 112.
For a positive coterminal angle, add 360 : 112 + 360 = 472
For a negative coterminal angle, subtract 360: 112 - 360 = -248
10

Ex 3. Find one positive and one negative angle that is

coterminal with the angle = 30 in standard position.

Ex 4. Find one positive and one negative angle that is

coterminal with the angle = 272 in standard position.

STOP!
Time to do an activity!

Radian Measure

Radian and Degree Measure

In the activity you did, the angle AOB that you found has a
measure of 1 radian

Definition of Radian:
One radian is the measure of a central angle that intercepts
arc s equal in length to the radius r of the circle.
In general,

13

Radian and Degree Measure

Radian Measure

2 radians corresponds to 360

radians corresponds to 180

radians corresponds to 90
2

2 6.28
3.14

1.57
2

14

Radian and Degree Measure

Radian Measure

15

Radian and Degree Measure

Conversions Between Degrees and Radians

1.

To convert degrees to radians, multiply degrees by

180

2.

180
To convert radians to degrees, multiply radians by

16

Ex 5. Convert the degrees to radian measure.

a)

60

b)

30

c)

-54

d)

-118

e)

45

Ex 6. Convert the radians to degrees.

a)
6

b)

c) 11
18

d)
9

Ex 7. Find one positive and one negative angle that is

coterminal with the angle =

in standard position.
3
Hint: for coterminal angles in radians,
= 2n

Ex 8. Find one positive and one negative angle that is

coterminal with the angle = 7 in standard position.
5

Degree and Radian Form of Special Angles

90

120

60

135

45

150

30

180

360

210

330

225

315

240

300
270
20

Class Work
Convert from degrees to radians.
1. 54
2. -300
Convert from radians to degrees.
11
3.
3
13
4.
12

Find one postive angle and one negative

angle in standard position that are
coterminal with the given angle.
5. 135

11
6.
6