Trigonometric Functions

Ed Neil O. Maratas
Trigonometric Functions Compared with Algebraic Functions

• Algebraic functions are sets of ordered pairs of real numbers such that every first
member, “x”, is paired with exactly one second member, “y”
• Trigonometric functions are sets of ordered pairs such that every first member, an
angle, is paired with exactly one second member, a ratio of real numbers
• Algebraic functions are given names like f, g or h and in function notation, the
second member that is paired with “x” is shown as f(x), g(x) or h(x)
• Trigonometric functions are given the names, sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent,
secant, or cosecant, and in function notation, the second member that is paired
with the angle “A” is shown as sin(A), cos(A), tan(A), cot(A), sec(A), or csc(A) –
(sometimes parentheses are omitted)
 x, y 

Trigonometric Functions r 

• Let (x, y) be a point other the origin on the terminal side of an angle 
in standard position.
The distance, r, from the point to the origin is:
r x y .
2 2

The six trigonometric functions of  are defined as:

y x y
sin   cos  tan   (x  0)
r r x
r r x
csc  ( y  0) sec  ( x  0) cot   (y  0)
y x y
Values of Trig Functions Independent of Point Chosen

• For the given angle, if point (x1,y1) is picked and r1 is calculated, trig functions of
that angle will be ratios of the sides of the triangle shown in blue.
• For the same angle, if point (x2,y2) is picked and r2 is calculated, trig functions of
the angle will be ratios of the triangle shown in green
• Since the triangles are similar, ratios and trig function values will be exactly the
same
x2 , y2  x1 , y1 
r2

y2 r1
y1
x1
x2
Example: Finding Function Values
• The terminal side of angle  in standard position passes through the
point (12, 16). Find the values of the six trigonometric functions of
angle .

Note : x and y are given, find (12, 16)

" r" and then use definition s : 16

r  x 2  y 2  122  162 
12
 144  256  400  20
Example: Finding Function Values continued
• x = 12 y = 16 r = 20
Using definition s, the value of each of the trig functions is :

y 16 4 r 20 5
sin     csc   
r 20 5 y 16 4
x 12 3 r 20 5
cos    sec   
r 20 5 x 12 3
y 16 4 x 12 3
tan     cot    
x 12 3 y 16 4
Trigonometric Functions of Coterminal Angles

• Note: To calculate trigonometric functions of an angle in standard

position it is only necessary to know one point on the terminal side of
that angle, and its distance from the origin
• In the previous example six trig functions of the given angle were
calculated. All angles coterminal with that angle will have identical
trig function values
• ALL COTERMINAL ANGLES HAVE IDENTICAL TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTION VALUES!!!!
Equations of Rays with Endpoint at Origin:

• Recall from algebra that the equation of a line is:

y  mx  b where m is slope and b is y - intercept
• If a line goes through the origin its equation is:
y  mx or :
any equation involving only x and y and their coefficien ts

• To get the equation of a ray with endpoint at the origin we write an

equation of this form with the restriction that:

either x  0 or x0
left ray right ray
Example: Finding Function Calculate
Values " r":

r  2  1  5
2 2
• Find the six trigonometric function
values of the angle  in standard
position, if the terminal side of  is
defined by
x + 2y = 0, x  0.

• We can use any point on the terminal

side of  to find the trigonometric
function values.

Choose x  0, calculate y :
x2 y  1
Example: Finding Function Values continued
• From previous calculations: • Use the definitions of the trig
functions:
y 1 1 5 5
sin      
r 5 5 5 5
x  2, y  1, r  5 x 2 2 5 2 5
cos     
r 5 5 5 5
y 1 r
tan     csc    5
x 2 y
r 5 x
sec   cot    2
x 2 y
Finding Trigonometric Functions of Quadrantal Angles

• A point on the terminal side of a quadrantal angle always has either x = 0 or y = 0

(x = 0 when terminal side is on y axis, y = 0 when terminal side is on x axis)
• Since any point on the terminal side can be picked, choose x = 0 or y = 0, as
appropriate, and choose r = 1
• The remaining x or y will then be 1 or -1

0, 1
1, 0 1, 0

r 1
0,1
Example: Function Values Quadrantal Angles
• Find the values of the six trigonometric functions for an angle of 270.
• Which point should be used on the terminal side of a 270 angle?
• We choose (0, 1). Here x = 0, y = 1 and r = 1.
• Value of the six trig functions for this angle:

1 0
sin 270   1 cos 270   0
1 1
1 1
tan 270  undefined csc 270   1
0 1
1 0
sec 270  undefined cot 270   0
0 1
Undefined Function Values
• If the terminal side of a quadrantal angle lies along the y-axis, then,
because x = 0, the tangent and secant functions are undefined:

y r
tan   and sec 
x x
• If it lies along the x-axis, then, because y = 0, the cotangent and
cosecant functions are undefined.

x r
cot   and csc 
y y
Commonly Used Function Values
 sin  cos  tan  cot  sec  csc 
0 0 1 0 undefined 1 undefined

90 1 0 undefined 0 undefined 1

180 0 1 0 undefined 1 undefined

270 1 0 undefined 0 undefined 1

360 0 1 0 undefined 1 undefined

These can be quickly calculated - not necessary to memorize

Finding Trigonometric Functions of Specific Angles

• Until discussing trigonometric functions of specific quadrantal angles such as 90o,

180o, etc., we have found trigonometric functions of angles by knowing or finding
some point on the terminal side of the angle without knowing the measure of the
angle
• At the present time, we know how to find exact trigonometric values of specific
angles only if they are quadrantal angles
• In the next chapter we will learn to find exact trigonometric values of 30o, 45o,
and 60o angles
• In the meantime, we can find approximate trigonometric values of specific angles
by using a scientific calculator set in degree mode
Finding Approximate Trigonometric Function Values of Sine,
Cosine and Tangent
• Make sure your calculator is set in degree mode
• Depending on your calculator,
• Enter the angle measure first then press the appropriate sin, cos or tan key to
get the value
• Press the sin, cos, or tan key first, then enter the angle measure
• Practice on these:
sin 270o   1
tan 60o  1.732050808
cos 30o  0.866025403
We will learn more about using the calculator in the next chapter.
Exponential Notation and Trigonometric Functions

• A trigonometric function defines a real number ratio for a specific angle, for
example “sin A” is the real number ratio assigned by the sine function to the
angle “A”
• Since “sin A” is a real number it can be raised to any rational number power, such
as “2” in which case we would have “(sin A)2”
• However, this value is more commonly written as “sin2 A”
sin2 A = (sin A)2
• Using this reasoning then if “tan A = 3”, then:
tan4 A =
3  81
4