Trigonometric Ratios in Right Triangles

M. Bruley

Trigonometric Ratios are

based on the Concept of

Similar Triangles!

All 45- 45- 90 Triangles are Similar!

2
45 1 1

2 2

1 45
1 2

1 2

45
2

All 30- 60- 90 Triangles are Similar!

2 30
60

3
4

30

1
60 1
60

2 3

30

2
3 2

All 30- 60- 90 Triangles are Similar!

2
30

60

10 1
30

60

3
1 60

5 3
1 2

30 3 2

The Tangent Ratio

c

a a' If two triangles are similar, then it is also true that: b b'

The ratio a is called the Tangent Ratio for angle

Naming Sides of Right Triangles

The Tangent Ratio

Tangent Opposite

Adjacent

There are a total of six ratios that can be made with the three sides. Each has a specific name.

The Six Trigonometric Ratios

(The SOHCAHTOA model)

Opposite Sine Hypotenuse Adjacent Cosine Hypotenuse Opposite Tangent Adjacent

The Six Trigonometric Ratios

Opposite Hypotenuse Adjacent Cosine Hypotenuse Opposite Tangent Adjacent Sine

Hypotenuse Opposite Hypotenuse Secant Adjacent Adjacent Cotangent Opposite Cosecant

The Cosecant, Secant, and Cotangent of are the Reciprocals of the Sine, Cosine,and Tangent of .

Solving a Problem with the Tangent Ratio

h=?
2

We know the angle and the side adjacent to 60. We want to know the opposite side. Use the tangent ratio:
3
1

60 53 ft

tan 60

opp h adj 53

3 h Why? 1 53 h 53 3 92 ft

Trigonometric Functions on a Rectangular Coordinate System

y
Pick a point on the terminal ray and drop a perpendicular to the x-axis.

(The Rectangular Coordinate Model)

Trigonometric Functions on a Rectangular Coordinate System

y
Pick a point on the terminal ray and drop a perpendicular to the x-axis.

x
sin

x
y r x cos r y tan x csc r y r sec x x cot y

The adjacent side is x The opposite side is y The hypotenuse is labeled r This is called a REFERENCE TRIANGLE.

Trigonometric Values for angles in

Quadrants II, III and IV
y
Pick a point on the terminal ray and drop a perpendicular to the x-axis. r

y x
sin y r x cos r y tan x csc r y r sec x x cot y

Trigonometric Values for angles in

Quadrants II, III and IV
y
Pick a point on the terminal ray and raise a perpendicular to the x-axis.

Trigonometric Values for angles in

Quadrants II, III and IV
y
Pick a point on the terminal ray and raise a perpendicular to the x-axis.

x
r y

sin

y r x cos r y tan x

csc

r y r sec x x cot y

Important! The is ALWAYS drawn to the x-axis

Signs of Trigonometric Functions

Sin (& csc) are
positive in QII y

All are positive in QI

x

Tan (& cot) are

positive in QIII

Cos (& sec) are

positive in QIV

Signs of Trigonometric Functions

y

Students

All
x

Take

Calculus
is a good way to remember!

Trigonometric Values for Quadrantal Angles (0, 90, 180 and 270)
y
Pick a point one unit from the Origin. (0, 1) r 90 x=0 y=1 r =1

sin 90 1 cos 90 0 tan 90 is undefined

csc 90 1 sec 90 is undefined cot 90 0

Trigonometric Ratios may be found by:

Using ratios of special triangles
2

sin 45

45 1

1 2 1 cos 45 2 tan 45 1

csc 45 2 sec 45 2 cot 45 1

For angles other than 45, 30, 60 or Quadrantal angles, you will need to use a calculator. (Set it in Degree Mode for now.) For Reciprocal Ratios, use the facts:
csc 1 sin sec 1 cos cot 1 tan

Acknowledgements
This presentation was made possible by training and equipment provided by an Access to Technology grant from Merced College. Thank you to Marguerite Smith for the model. Textbooks consulted were:
Trigonometry Fourth Edition by Larson & Hostetler Analytic Trigonometry with Applications Seventh Edition by Barnett, Ziegler & Byleen