Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3:
TRIGONOMETRY

Trigonometry
Trigonometry uses the techniques that students have previously
learned from the study of algebra and geometry. The trigonometric
functions studied are defined geometrically rather than in terms of
algebraic equations. Facility with these functions as well as the ability
to prove basic identities regarding them is especially important for
students intending to study calculus, more advanced mathematics,
physics and other sciences, and engineering in university.

3.1 Angles

Angles:( denoted by )
Angles are geometric figures made from two rays having the same
endpoint The endpoint is called the vertex and the rays are called the
sides of the angle. The side being rotated is called the initial side and
the other side is the terminal side.

ABC, CBA B or can be used to name angles.

The vertex is always in the middle of the angle.

Angles are measured in degrees or in radians. Degrees are the most

common used unit for measuring angles, but in many modern
applications the radians is used most often. Radians is another unit of

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

measure for angles which is commonly used in Europe and for

surveying. Angles are measured positive when they are rotated
counter-clockwise and negative when rotated clockwise. The initial
side can be rotated several times before stopping at the terminal side.

For example

0
1600 -700
50

3.2 Radian and degree measures of angles

The relationship between degrees and radians is,
2 radian = 3600 or radian = 1800

0
180
Thus, 1 rad = and 10 rad
180

To convert degrees to radians, multiply by .
180
180
To convert radians to degrees, multiply by .

Example 1
(a) Express 60 0 in radians

(b) Express / 4 rad in degrees

(c ) Express -112 0 in radians

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

3.3 Trigonometric Functions

3.3.1 Trigonometric Functions Using Coordinate Systems:

Angle is in standard position if its vertex is at the origin and its

initial side is on the x-axis.

" is in Q1 " means that angle is in standard position and its

terminal side is in quadrant 1.

If is in Q1 and it is an acute angle, then the previous trigonometric

functions can be applied.

Let P = (x , y) be any point on the terminal side of q , and the distance

r from the origin to point P is:

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

The trigonometric functions are:

With this new definition for trigonometric functions, some of the

functions may be negative, due to their coordinates. Here is a simple
way of remembering were the trigonometric functions and their
inverses are positive:

A means that all trig. functions are positive.

S means that all sine and cosecant functions are positive.
T means that all tangent and cotangent functions are positive.
C means that all cosine and secant functions are positive.

Take note that for any angle ,

sin( ) sin

cos( ) cos

tan( ) tan

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

Example 2
Evaluate for sin , cos and tan for each of the following
angles

(a) 1450 (b) 2100

Solution

(a) 1450 is in quadrant II, base angle is 350

350

sin 1450 = sin 350 = 0.5736

cos1450 = -cos 350 = -0.8192

tan 1450 = -tan 350 = -0.7002

(b) 2100 is in quadrant III, base angle is 300

2100

300

sin 2100 = -sin 300 = -0.5

cos2100 = -cos 300 = -0.8660

tan 2100 = tan 300 = 0.5774

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

For some angles it is possible to write exact values of their

trigonometric functions. The most important cases are presented in
the table:

45o 30o
2 2
1 3

45o 60o
1 1

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

Example

Evaluate
(a) sin(-450)
(b) cos (-450)
(c) tan(-450)

Solution
(a) sin(-450) = - sin(450)
1
=
2
2
=
2
(b) cos (-450) = cos (450)
1 2
= =
2 2

(c ) tan(-450) = -tan(450)
=-1

Example

Solve: 2 sin 2 x 1 0;0 x 360o

Solution
2 sin 2 x 1 0
2 sin 2 x 1
1
sin 2 x
2
1
sin x
2

sin x
1
2

2
2
2 2
2
x sin 1
2
x 45 ,135 ,225 o ,315 o
o o

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

3.3.2 Graph of Trigonometry Functions

Consider x as a real number or an angle in radians.

If f is any trig. function then f( x + 2 ) = f(x) ; Therefore the graph
of the function has an interval of 2 .

Graph of f(x) = cos x :

Graph of f(x) = sin x :

Graph of f(x) = csc x : Graph of f(x) = sec x :

Graph of f(x) = tan x : Graph of f(x) = cot x :

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

3.4 Fundamental trigonometric identities.

These formulas are the fundamental trigonometric identities, that is to
say, they are valid for any angle . Using them, it is possible to a
bridge and to simplify a calculation process.

sin 2 cos 2 1
1 cot 2 cos ec 2
tan 2 1 sec 2
Example 3
Verify the following identities:

(a) sin cot cos

tan x
(b) sec x cos x
cos ecx

Solution

(a) sin cot cos

1
sin cot sin .
tan
1 cos
sin . sin . cos
sin sin
cos

tan x
(b) sec x cos x
cos ecx
tan x tan x

cos ecx 1
sin x
sin x sin 2 x
tan x. sin x sin x
cos x cos x
1 cos 2 x 1
cos x
cos x cos x
sec x cos x

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

3.5 Solving of right-angled triangles

3.5.1 By two sides.
If two sides of a right-angled triangle are given, then the third side
can be calculated by the Pythagorean theorem ( see the paragraph of
the same name in the section Triangle of the part Geometry ).
Acute angles are determined by one of the three first formulas for
trigonometric functions, depending on the fact what sides are known.
For instance, if legs a and b are given, then angle A is determined
by the formula:
tan A = a / b .

Example 4

A leg a = 0.324, a hypotenuse c = 0.544. Find the second leg b and

the angles A and B.

Solution
The leg b is equal:

Example 5

Two legs are given: a = 7.2 cm, b = 6.4 cm. Find a hypotenuse and
the angles A and B.

Solution
The hypotenuse c is equal:

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

3.5.2 By a side and an acute angle.

If one acute angle A is given, then another acute angle B is found as:
B = 90 A . Sides are found by formulas of trigonometric functions,
rewritten as:

a = c sin A , b = c cos A , a = b tan A ,

b = c sin B , a = c cos B , b = a tan B .

It is necessary to select the formulas, containing a given or already

found side.

Example 6
Given: hypotenuse c = 13.65 m and acute angle A = 5417. Find
another acute angle B and legs a and b .

3.5.3 More Difficult Applications

It is possible to find values for angles given some information from a
triangle.

Example 7
Some of the problems that involve right triangles also involve
angles of depression and angles of elevation. A key element to
solving problems of this nature is to read the problem
carefully and find the horizontal before labeling an angle.

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

Another important feature is to remember parallel lines that

are cut by a transversal have the property of alternate interior
angles. This is most helpful when problems are involving
angles of depression.

In the diagram above, suppose the golfer comes to the edge of

the course and looks down at the sailboat at an angle of
depression of 48. If he knows the cliff is 230 feet above the
water he can find the distance, d, between the sailboat and the
cliff by seeing a right triangle, as shown below:

230
tan 48 o
d
Solving for distance shows the sailboat is approximately 207
feet from the base of the cliff.

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

3.6 Basic relations between elements of triangle

3.6.1 The Law of Sines:

In a triangle with sides A, B and C and opposite angles a, b and c

,respectively,

It is used primarily to find the third side of a triangle given two sides
and the included angle. It is also used to find an angle when given all
3 sides.

3.6.2 The Law of Cosines:

Given a triangle;

Suppose we are given side b, c, and A .

a 2 b 2 c 2 2bc cos A
a b 2 c 2 2bc cos A

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

Suppose we are given side a, c, and B .

b 2 a 2 c 2 2ac cos B
b a 2 c 2 2ac cos B

Suppose we are given side a, b, and C .

c 2 a 2 b 2 2ab cos C
c a 2 b 2 2ab cos C

3.6.3 The Area Of A Triangle:

Given any triangle:

If two sides, A and C, are given and the included angle b then the
area of the triangle is :

Area = AC sin b

Example 8

You need to find all the angles and all the sides of the given
triangle:

Solution
A 180 o (120 o 45o ) 150

The sum of the angles in any triangle is always 180 degrees.

Here we are given 2 angles and a side.

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

Now find 2 sides a and b:

a c b c

sin A sin C sin B sin C
a 15 b 15
o

sin 15 sin 120 o sin 45 o
sin 120 o
15 sin 15 o 15 sin 45 o
a b
sin 120 o sin 120 o
a 4.48 b 12.25

Example 9

Use the Law of Cosines to solve:

Solution
c a 2 b 2 2ab cos C

c 10 2 4.5 2 2(10)(4.5) cos 105 o

c 11.98 12
10 12

sin A sin 105 o
A 53.7 o
B 180 o (105 o 53.7 o ) 21.3 o

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Elementary Mathematics Chapter 3

Example 10

Two tugboats that are 150 m apart pull a barge, shown below.
If the length of one cable is 200 m and the length of the other
is 160 m, find the angle formed by two cables.

200 m
150 m
A

160 m

Solution

By using the cosine rule, we get

a 2 b 2 c 2 2bc cos A
b 2 c 2 a 2 160 2 200 2 150 2
cos A 0.6734
2bc 2(160)(200)
< A=47.67o

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