TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS on

LESSON 1.5 CALCULATOR

1.3 1.3
OBJECTIVES: In this lesson, the students are expected
to:
1. Find the values of trigonometric ratios using a calculator.
2. Use calculator to find the angles whose trigonometric ratios are
given.

Angle Measurement Using Degree System

Let us consider a complete circle which measures 360°, then 1 degree (1°) is
1
of a full rotation. A degree itself can be broken down further into 60 equal parts
360
1
with each part called 1 minute. Denote this 1’. Hence, one minute is of a degree.
60
In other words, there are 60 minutes in every degree. The next smaller unit of angle
1
is a second. One second is denoted as 1” or 60 of a minute. Thus, there are 60
seconds in every minute.
1
1° = 60’ or 1’ = ( ) °
60
1
1’ = 60” or 1” = ( ) ′
60

Table 1 shows how to read angles written in degree measure.

The Expression Is Read As
52°10’ 52 degrees, 10 minutes
5°27’30” 5 degrees, 27 minutes, 30 seconds
13°24’75” 13 degrees, 24 minutes, 75 seconds
Table 1

Example 1: Add 48°49’ and 72°26’.

Solution: We can add in columns with degrees in the first column and minutes in
the second column.
 48°49’
+ 72°26’
120°75’
Since 60 minutes is equal to 1 degree, we carry 1 degree from the
minutes column to the degrees column.
120°75’ = 121°15’

Example 2: Subtract 24°14’ from 90°.

Solution: In order to subtract 24°14’ from 90° we need to borrow 1° and we write
that 1° as 60’.
90° 89°60’ (still 90°)
− 24°14’ − 24°14’
65°46’
An alternative way of using minutes and seconds is to break down degrees
into smaller units in decimal degrees. For example, 30.5°, 101.75°, and 62.831° are
the measures of angles written in decimal degrees.
To convert decimal degrees to degrees and minutes, we simply multiply the
fractional part (the part to the right of the decimal point) of the angle by 60.

Example 3: Change 27.25° to degrees and minutes.

Solution: Multiplying 0.25 by 60 we have the number of minutes equivalent to
0.25°
27.25° = 27° + 0.25°
= 27° + 0.25° (60’)
=27° + 15’
=27°15’

Calculator Note: Some scientific calculators have a key that automatically converts
angles given in decimal degrees to degrees and minutes consult
the manual that accompanies your calculator and check if your
calculator has such key.
Example 4: Change 10°45’ to decimal degrees.
Solution: We have to reverse the process we used in Example 3. To change 45’
to a decimal we must divide by 60.
 1
10°45’ = 10° + 45’ = 10° + 45 (60) °
45°
= 10° + = 10° + 0.75° = 10.75°
60

Calculator Note: On a calculator, the result given in Example 4 can be done as

follows:
45 ÷ 60 + 10 =
÷
The process of changing between decimal degrees and degrees and minute
can be more complicated when we use decimal numbers with more digits or when
wee convert to degrees, minutes, ad seconds. In this module, most of the angles
written in decimal degrees are rounded off to the nearest tenths or, at most the nearest
hundredths.

Use of Calculators on Trigonometric Ratios

Consequently, the only angles we were able to determine using the
trigonometric ratios were those special angles such as 0°, 30° 45°, 60°, and 90°. We
can find decimal approximations for trigonometric functions of any acute angle by
using calculator with keys for sine, cosine, and tangent.
Given the size of an angle 𝜃, the sine, cosine, or tangent ratio of 𝜃 can be found
by using calculator with the sin , cos cos , or tan keys. The calculator must be set
to degree mode first.
Different models of calculators would require different procedures to set to the
degree mode. We can check the manuals of our calculators to find the correct keying
sequence.
When most calculators are set to the degree mode, the display screen either
the letters DEG or simply the letter D.
Some calculators may have different displays on screen for the degree mode.
Note: From now on, in our examples, it will be assumed that the calculator is in degree
mode.
Example 5: Using a calculator, find the values of:
a. sin14° d. cos70.35° f. tan16.25°
b. sin36.7° e. cos10°21’ g. tan66°53’
c. Sin60°30’

Solution: Make sure that the calculator has already been set to the degree mode.
 a.
Keying Sequence 14 sin

Display 14. 0.24192…

sin14° = 0.241 9
b.

Keying Sequence 36.7 sin

Display 36.7 0.59762…

Sin36.7° = 0.597 6
c.

Keying Sequence 60 °′" 30 °′" sin

Display 60. 60. 30. 60.5 0.87035…

Sin60°30’ = 0.870 4
Note: In this keying sequence, the first ° ′ " key puts the number 60 in degrees,
the second ° ′ " key puts the number 30 minutes. We have to key in ° ′ " for
the third time if the angle is in seconds as well.
d.

Keying Sequence 70.35 cos

Display 70.35 0.33627…

cos70.35° = 0.336 3
e.

Keying Sequence 10 °′" 21 °′" cos

Display 10. 10. 21. 10.35 0.98372…

cos10°21’ = 0.983 7
f.

Keying Sequence 16.25 tan

Display 16.25 0.29147…

Tan16.25° = 0.291 5
g.

Keying Sequence 66 °′" 53 °′" tan

Display 66. 66. 53. 66.883… 2.34257…

Tan66°53’ = 2.342 6
Note: We can see from the above example that:
 When 𝜃 changes from 0° to 90°, tan 𝜃 increases as 𝜃 increases.
 Unlike cos 𝜃 and sin 𝜃, the value of tan 𝜃 can be greater than 1.

Remark: Both the cosine ratio and the sine ratio of an angle (0° to 90°) lie between 0
and 1 inclusive.

Using Calculator to Find 𝜽

When the value of the sine ratio for an angle 𝜃 is given, we can use a
calculator to find the measure of 𝜃.
Example 6: Using a calculator, find
a. the measure of 𝜃 rounded to the nearest degree if sin 𝜃 = 0.824 8.
b. the measure of 𝜃 in degrees rounded to 3 decimal places if sin 𝜃 = 0.153 3.
1
c. the measure of 𝜃 rounded to the nearest minute if sin 𝜃 = 0.054 8.
2
Solution:
a.

Keying Sequence 16.25 INV sin

Display 16.25 0.8248 55.568…

When sin 𝜃 = 0.824 8 ,
𝜃 = 56°
b.

Keying Sequence 0.153 3 INV sin

Display 0.1533 0.1533 8.818…

When sin 𝜃 = 0.153 3 ,
𝜃 = 8.818°
1
c. When 2sin 𝜃 = 0.054 8
𝜃 = 2 x 0.054 8 = 0.109 6

Keying Sequence 0.109 6 𝑰𝑵𝑽 sin 𝑰𝑵𝑽 °′"

Display 0.1096 0.1096 0.1096 6.2922… 6°17°32.13
Therefore, 𝜃 = 6°18’.
Example 7: Using a calculator, find:
a. The measure of 𝜃 rounded to the nearest degree if cos 𝜃 = 0.403 7.
b. The measure of 𝜃 in degrees rounded to 4 digits if cos 𝜃 = 0.712 8.
c. The measure of 𝜃 rounded to the nearest minute if 2cos 𝜃 = 0.568 8.
 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕
For some calculators, the key 𝑰𝑵𝑽 is placed by the key so the keying
sequence is 0.493 7 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒔 instead.
Solution:
a.

Keying Sequence 0.403 7 INV cos

Display 0.4037 0.4037 66.190…

When cos 𝜃 = 0.403 7 ,
𝜃 = 66°
b.

Keying Sequence 0.721 8 INV cos

Display 0.7218 0.7218 44.536…

When cos 𝜃 = 0.712 8 ,
𝜃 = 44.54°
When 2cos 𝜃 = 0.568 8,
0.568 8
cos 𝜃 = = 0.284 4
2
c.

Keying Sequence 0.284 4 𝑰𝑵𝑽 cos 𝑰𝑵𝑽 °′"

Display 0.2844 0.2844 73.477… 73.477… 73°28°37.25
Therefore, 𝜃 = 73°29’.
1
Note: Since 1 minute = 60 seconds and 37.25” is greater than minute (=30”), hence
2
73°28’37.25” when rounded to the nearest minute is 73°29’.

Example: Using a calculator find:

a. the measure of 𝜃 rounded to the nearest degree if tan 𝜃 = 0.522 8.
b. the measure of 𝜃 in degrees rounded to 2 decimal places if tan 𝜃 = 2.12.
Solution:
a.

Keying Sequence 0.522 8 INV tan

Display 0.5228 0.5228 27.600…

When tan 𝜃 = 0.522 8 ,
𝜃 = 28°
 b.

Keying Sequence 2.12 INV tan

Display 2.12 2.12 64.746…

When tan 𝜃 = 2.12 ,
𝜃 = 64.75°

Practice!
A. Add or subtract as indicated.
1. (37°45’) + (26°24’)
2. (51.55’) + (37°45’)
3. (61°33’) + (45°16’)
4. 90° - (34°12’)
5. 180° - (120°17’)
6. (76°24’) – (22°34’)
7. (70°40’) – (30°50’)

B. Convert each of the following to degrees and minutes.

8. 35.3°
9. 16.25°
10. 92.55°
11. 19.9°
12. 28.35°

C. In each of the following, use a calculator to find the trigonometric ratio value up to
4 decimal places. (Check that the calculator is set to degree mode.)
13. sin72° = ________________, correct to 4 decimal places.
14. tan15° = ________________, correct to 4 decimal places.
15. cos68° = ________________, correct to 4 decimal places.
16. sin63°24’ = ________________, correct to 4 decimal places.
17. tan70°11’ = ________________, correct to 4 decimal places.
Assignment:
To be submitted on CANVAS, due date October 9, 2020, 5:00 PM
A. Find the values of the following:
1. cos30° 3. sec45’
2. sin34.54° 4. cot35’

B. In each of the following, use a calculator to find 𝜽 to the specified degree

of accuracy when the value of a certain trigonometric ratio is shown.

5. If sin𝜃 = 0.152 4, find 𝜃 rounded to the nearest degree.

𝜃 = ________________, rounded to the nearest degree.

6. If tan𝜃 = 0.354 8, find 𝜃 rounded to the nearest 4 decimal places.

𝜃 = ________________, rounded to the nearest 4 decimal places.

7. If cos𝜃 = 0.124 8, find 𝜃 in degrees rounded to the nearest to 2 decimal

places.
𝜃 = ________________, rounded to 2 decimal places.

8. If sin𝜃 = 0.813 3, find 𝜃 rounded to the nearest minute.

𝜃 = ________________, rounded to the nearest minute.

C. Find the values of the following. (Give the answers to the nearest 4
decimal places if necessary)
9. 1 − 3sin30° 11. 2tan62.5° − tan17.5°
tan45°tan60°
10. sin37°24′ + sin22°6′ 12. tan30°

D. For exercises 1-3, choose the appropriate ratio, set up an equation, and
find the sides of the triangles shown below.

13. 𝑎 14. 𝑐 15. 𝑒