Angles and Right Triangle Trigonometry

1. Introduction: We have studied many types of functions (linear, quadratic, absolute value, reciprocal, exponential,
logistic, etc.). We will now begin to look at another “collection” of functions called the trigonometric functions.
Of course, after learning about these functions we will see many real world and modeling problems that apply to
these functions.

2. Angles

3. Examples: For each of the following degree measures given, draw the angle in standard position, state what
quadrant the angle lies in, and state the measures of two coterminal angles (one positive and one negative).

ο ο ο
a. 150 b. −300 c. 600

Quadrant: _______ Quadrant: _______ Quadrant: _______

Coterminal: ________ Coterminal: ________ Coterminal: ________
________ ________ ________

4. Radian Measure: There is another unit of measure for angles in addition to “degrees”. In fact we will use this
method in our study of trigonometry more often than degrees.

Consider a circle of radius r. Create a central angle that

intercepts an arc with length r. The measure of such an angle is
one radian.

Note: The size of this angle does not depend on the size of the
radius.
5. Lengths of Arcs and Areas of Sectors:
a. Draw a circle with two central angles, measuring θ and θ1 .

b. Suppose these angles intercept arcs of lengths S and S1 .

c. From geometry, we know that “the ratio of the measures

of the angles equals the ratio of the lengths of the arcs, and
that also equals the ratio of the areas of the sectors”.

d. Suppose θ and θ1 are measured in radians, and suppose:

i. θ1 =1. Then S1 = ________ The proportion now can be written:

ii. S1 = 2πr . Then A1 = _______ and 2πr = ________ ⇒ θ1 = ______ radians.

(Note: We will come back to this, but
this says 2π radians = 360° )

iii. The proportion now can be written:

6. Example: The radius of a circle is 4 cm and a central angle intercepts an arc of 10 cm. What is the area of the
sector?

7. Degrees and Radians.

We showed above that 2π radians = 360° , π radians = __________. Dividing both sides of his equation by
180° , results in: Dividing the equation by π radians results in:

These are formulas that can be used to convert an angle measured in degrees to radians, or an angle measured in
radians to degrees.

Examples: a. Convert a 60° angle b. Convert 7π/6 to degrees c. Convert 1 to degrees.

to radians.
8. Right Triangle Trigonometry

Consider a right triangle with legs a and b, and hypotenuse c.

c
Of course, the Pythagorean Theorem tells us: ______________________ b
θ
The following are definitions of trigonometric ratios that a
apply to angle θ , the sides of the triangle a (the side adjacent to θ ),
b (the side opposite θ , and c (the hypotenuse).
Note that these ratios do not depend on the size of the triangle,
but on the angle θ .

Definitions:

opp adj opp

sine: sinθ = = cosine: cosθ = = tangent: tanθ = =
hyp hyp adj

Note: The acronym SOH-CAH-TOA can be used to help remember these basic definitions.

We also define the reciprocals of these ratios as additional trigonometric ratios.

1 1 1
cosecant: csc θ = = secant: secθ = = cotangent: cot θ = =
sin θ cosθ tan θ

9. Examples:

a. Find all six trig ratios of 45° .

12
°
45

b. If cos θ =2/3, find : sin θ = ______ , cot θ = _______, and θ = _________

c. If tan θ =2, find : cos θ = ______ , csc θ = _______, and θ = _________

10. Trigonometric Identities
A trigonometric identity is an equation (containing trig ratios) that is always true. We can obtain some very basic
ones from the definitions and the right triangle.

11. A Big Example! (This is one of my favorite problems!)

A cylindrical container 60 cm long with a diameter of 40 cm is lying on its side.

a. If the container is full with a liquid, then the volume is _______________

b. What is the volume of the liquid if the container is not full, but the depth of the liquid is 15 cm?