MODULE 1 BASIC CONCEPTS IN TRIGONOMETRY

ANGLES AND TRIANGLES, PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM, DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS AND
ANGULAR MEASURES

Objectives

1. Define trigonometry.
2. Identify the different kinds of angles and triangles.
3. Determine the distance between two points.
4. Convert angular measures in degrees to radians and vice versa.

Context

Trigonometry which literally means triangle measurement is a branch of mathematics which treats of the
solutions of triangles.

An angle is the union of two rays meeting at a common endpoint called the vertex.
The two rays are called the terminal and the initial side of the angle as indicated in Fig.1.
The degree measure is indicated by a tiny circle placed in the upper right corner of the
number. The size of an angle is indicated by the amount of rotating the terminal side from
the initial side.
Fig.1
A horizontal line is sometimes called the real line. This line is divided into two
equal rays by a point called the origin denoted as 0. The right ray of the horizontal line is
usually the start of measuring angles. Angles between 00 to 900 is said to terminate in
quadrant I; 900 to 1800 in quadrant II; 1800 to 2700 in quadrant III 2700 to 3600 in quadrant
IV; 3600 to 4500 in quadrant I; etc. Some illustrations are given in Fig. 2

Kinds of Angles Fig.2

1. Acute angle – an angle between 00 to 900

2. Right angle – an angle measuring exactly 1800
3. Obtuse angle – angle measuring between 900 to 1800
4 Straight angle – an angle measuring exactly 1800
5. Reflex angle – an angle measuring between 1800 to 3600

Special angles
There are certain measures of angles whose trigonometric functions produce special values. These special
angles are indicated in Fig.3

Fig.3
The most common measures of angles lie in the range of 00 to 3600. To determine the quadrant for an indicated
angle, use the following property:

P ( 3600 k + 𝜃0 ) = P (𝜃0), 0 ≤ 𝜃0 ≤ 3600

An angle measured in counter clockwise direction said to have a positive measurement; if the direction is
clockwise, the measure is negative.
Pythagorean Theorem

In general, there are only two types of triangles namely,

1. Right Triangle – a triangle with a right angle

2. Oblique Triangle – a triangle without a right angle

Oblique triangles are classified as follows:

1. Acute triangle – a triangle all of whose angles are acute. Example: equilateral triangle

2. Obtuse triangle – a triangle with one obtuse angle.

The Pythagorean Theorem plays a vital role in the development of trigonometry. The Pythagorean Theorem
states: In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the legs.

The numbers a, b, and c satisfying the Pythagorean principle are called Pythagorean numbers or
Pythagorean triples.
Application

1. A tree is broken 3m above the level ground. The top strikes the ground 4m from the foot, while the other end
of the broken part remains attached to the stump. How high is the tree?

2. A ladder leans on the top of the wall 12 ft. long. If the foot of the ladder is 5 ft. from the wall, find the ladder.

Distance on Coordinate Plane

A method for locating points in a plane with the use of ordered pair of numbers is known as the Cartesian
Coordinate System or Rectangular Coordinate System.

1. The system consist of a plane with a horizontal line (called the x-axis) which intersects a vertical line (called
y-axis) at a point (called the origin).

2. The x and y axes are scaled off uniformly.

3. The axes divide the plane into four quadrants which are named from I to IV in the counter clockwise direction,
beginning from the upper right portion.

4. The plane has infinite points denoted by P(x,y). The x is called the abscissa and the y is called the ordinate.
The signs of the coordinates of points in the four quadrants are shown in Fig 4.
 Fig.4
5. To locate the point P(a,b), draw a line parallel to and at a distance of b from the x-axis and a line parallel to
and a distance of a from the y-axis.

For example, the point A(4,3) is located 4 units to the right of the y-axis and 3 units above the x-axis. Thus, the
abscissa is 4 and ordinate is 3 (Fig.5)

Fig.5
It is interesting to note that any point on the x-axis, the y-coordinate is 0, while any point on the y-axis, the
coordinate is 0.

Distance Formula

The distance between two points P1 (x1,y1) and P2 (x2, y2) is the number of units measured along the line
between two points.
a.) If the line is parallel to the x-axis, then y1 =y2, and the distance is given by
d = P1P2 = Ix2 – x1I = Ix1 – x2I
b.) If the line is parallel to the y-axis, then x1 = x2, and the distance is given by
d = P1P2 = Iy2 – y1I = Iy1 – y2I

c.) If the line is not parallel to either axis as given in the next theorem, then the distance can be found by the
application of Pythagorean Theorem.

The distance d between any two points (x1, y1) and (x2,y2) is given by
d = P1P2 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2

The midpoint, denoted by P(𝑥̅ ,𝑦̅), of the segment joining P1 (x1,y1) and P2 (x2, y2) and equivalent to the 𝑥̅ = ½( x1
+ x2) and 𝑦̅ = ½ (y1 + y2)

Two Ways of Measuring Angles

There are two most widely used for measuring angles – degree and radian measures.

1. A degree (0) measure is defined as the measure of the central angle subtended by an arc of a circle equal
1/360 of the circumference of a circle
2. A radian or 𝝅 measure is defined as the measure of the central angle subtended by an arc of the circle equal
to the radius of the circle. Radians have no units. Therefore when radians are being used it is customary that
have no units are indicated for the angle.

Relationships Between Radian and Degree

1. By definition, the circumference of a circle, which is defined as length of the total arc of the circle, is
numerically 2 𝜋 times the radius and subtends of an angle 3600. Thus,

2𝜋 ↔ 3600 ↔1 revolution

2. It is important to emphasize that 𝜋 is merely equivalent to 1800. P(𝜋) = P(1800)

Conversion of Radians and Degrees

The subdivision of the degree are the minute and second. A degree is divided into 60 equal parts called
minutes (‘) and each minute is divided into 60 equal parts called seconds (“). Thus,

10 ↔ 60’
1’ ↔ 60”
10 ↔ 3600”

Converting Units of Measures

1. To convert radian to degrees, multiply the number radians by 1800/ 𝜋

2. To convert degrees to radians, multiply the number of degrees by 𝜋/1800

Examples
Express 1200 in radian measurement.
Solution. 1200 =1200 (𝜋/1800) = 2𝜋/3

Express 𝜋/5 in degrees.

Solution. 𝜋/5 = (𝜋/5) (1800/ 𝜋) = 360

Express 49. 640 in exact degrees, minutes and seconds format.

Solution

49.640 = 490 + 0.640

= 490 + 0.640 (60’/10)
= 490 + 38.4’
= 490 + 38’ + 0.4’ (60”/1’)
49.64 = 490 38’ 24”
0

Express 590 27’ 36” in degrees format

590 27’ 36” = 590 + 27’ + 36”(1’/60”)

= 590 + 27’ + 0.6’
= 590 + 27.6’ (10/60’)
= 590 + 0.460
59 27’ 36” = 590 + 0.460
0
Assessment

I. Modified true or false. Write false if the statement is correct and true is the statement is wrong. For wrong
statement, underline the word or phrase which make the statement wrong and write the correct answer above it.
(2 pts each)

_______1. In every right triangle, two of the angles are supplementary.

_______2. If a pair of angles are complementary and equal in measure, then they are pair of right angles.
_______3. All equilateral lateral triangles have equivalent measurement of angles.
_______4. One radian unit is equivalent to 570.
_______5. 1950 and 5450 have the same terminal side.
_______6. Every triangle have most two acute triangle.
_______7. Every right angle has a measure of 900 and every angle with measurement of is a right angle 900.
_______8. If two angles are complementary, then they are both right angle.
_______9. Two angles are congruent if they have the same measurement.

II. Solve for the distance and midpoints between the given pair of points.
1. (-7, 2) and (8, -10)
2. (-6, -5) and (3, 7)
3. (-6, 20) and (5, -40)

III. Answer the following problems completely and correctly.

1. Convert 380 27’ 45” in degrees and radian measurement.
2. Convert 1 radian in degrees and 1 degrees in radian measurement.
3. Solve for the distance between points (a, 9a) and (4a, 5a).
4. Find the length of the radius of a circle with A (-40, 4) and B(59, -16) as endpoints of the diameter.
5. A baseball diamond is actually a square of 90 ft. on side. If a line a drawn from the first base to the third base,
then a right triangle will be form. What is the distance between the first and third base?
6. The hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangle is √10. What is the measurement of its two legs?

References

Plane and Spherical Trigonometry by Sarmiento et. al., Book atbp. Publishing House Inc., 2009
Plane and Spherical Trigonometry by Catolos E.C., et. al.,Mutya Publishing House Inc., 2009
Plane Trigonometry by Barcelon D. G., et. al., Trinitas Publishing House Inc., 2003
Plane Trigonometry: A Modern Approach by Mejia, Leila DP, et.al., Rex Bookstore Cor., 2011
Trigonometry by Ibanez E.D., et.al., JIMCY Publishing House, Cabanatuan City, 2008

Prepared by:

Melvin C. Aguba
Instructor I