Lesson 3.1.

Angles in a Unit Circle

Learning Outcomes of the Lesson

At the end of the lesson, the student is able to:
(1) illustrate the unit circle and the relationship between the linear and angular
measures of arcs in a unit circle.
(2) convert degree measure to radian measure, and vice versa.
(3) illustrate angles in standard position and coterminal angles.

Lesson Outline
(1) Linear and angular measure of arcs
(2) Conversion of degree to radian, and vice versa
(3) Arc length and area of the sector
(4) Angle in standard position and coterminal angles

Introduction
Angles are being used in several fields like engineering, medical imaging, elec-
tronics, astronomy, geography and many more. Added to that, surveyors, pilots,
landscapers, designers, soldiers, and people in many other professions heavily use
angles and trigonometry to accomplish a variety of practical tasks. In this les-
son, we will deal with the basics of angle measures together with arc length and
sectors.

3.1.1. Angle Measure

An angle is formed by rotating a ray about its endpoint. In the figure shown
below, the initial side of ∠AOB is OA, while its terminal side is OB. An angle
is said to be positive if the ray rotates in a counterclockwise direction, and the
angle is negative if it rotates in a clockwise direction.

124
 An angle is in standard position if it is drawn in the xy-plane with its vertex
at the origin and its initial side on the positive x-axis. The angles α, β, and θ in
the following figure are angles in standard position.

To measure angles, we use degrees, minutes, seconds, and radians.

A central angle of a circle measures one degree, written 1◦ , if it inter-

1
cepts 360 of the circumference of the circle. One minute, written 10 , is
1
60
of 1 , while one second, written 100 , is 60
◦ 1
of 10 .

For example, in degrees, minutes, and seconds,

 0
◦ 0 00 ◦ 18
10 30 18 = 10 30 +
60
◦ 0
= 10 30.3
 ◦
30.3
= 10 +
60
◦
= 10.505

and

79.251◦ = 79◦ (0.251 × 60)0

= 79◦ 15.060
= 79◦ 150 (0.06 × 60)00
= 79◦ 150 3.600 .

Recall that the unit circle is the circle with center at the origin and radius 1
unit.

125
 A central angle of the unit circle that intercepts an arc of the circle
with length 1 unit is said to have a measure of one radian, written 1
rad. See Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1

In trigonometry, as it was studied in Grade 9, the degree measure is often used.

On the other hand, in some fields of mathematics like calculus, radian measure of
angles is preferred. Radian measure allows us to treat the trigonometric functions
as functions with the set of real numbers as domains, rather than angles.
Example 3.1.1. In the following figure, identify the terminal side of an angle in
standard position with given measure.

(1) degree measure: 135◦ , −135◦ , −90◦ , 405◦

π
(2) radian measure: 4
rad, − 3π
4
rad, 3π
2
rad, − π2 rad

126
 −→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Solution. (1) 135◦ : OC; −135◦ : OD; −90◦ : OE; and 405◦ : OB
π −−→ −−→ −−→
(2) radian measure: 4
rad: OB; − 3π
4
rad: OD; 3π
2
rad: OE; and − π2 rad:
−−→
OE 2

Since a unit circle has circumference 2π, a central angle that measures 360◦
has measure equivalent to 2π radians. Thus, we obtain the following conversion
rules.

Converting degree to radian, and vice versa

π
1. To convert a degree measure to radian, multiply it by 180
.
180
2. To convert a radian measure to degree, multiply it by π
.

Figure 3.2 shows some special angles in standard position with the indicated
terminal sides. The degree and radian measures are also given.

Figure 3.2

Example 3.1.2. Express 75◦ and 240◦ in radians.

Solution.  π  5π 5π
75 = =⇒ 75◦ = rad
180 12 12
 π  4π 4π
240 = =⇒ 240◦ = rad 2
180 3 3

127
 π 11π
Example 3.1.3. Express 8
rad and 6
rad in degrees.

Solution.  
π 180 π
= 22.5 =⇒ rad = 22.5◦
8 π 8
 
11π 180 11π
= 330 =⇒ rad = 330◦ 2
6 π 6

3.1.2. Coterminal Angles

Two angles in standard position that have a common terminal side are called
coterminal angles. Observe that the degree measures of coterminal angles differ
by multiples of 360◦ .

Two angles are coterminal if and only if their degree measures differ
by 360k, where k ∈ Z.
Similarly, two angles are coterminal if and only if their radian mea-
sures differ by 2πk, where k ∈ Z.

As a quick illustration, to find one coterminal angle with an angle that mea-
sures 410◦ , just subtract 360◦ , resulting in 50◦ . See Figure 3.3.

Figure 3.3

Example 3.1.4. Find the angle coterminal with −380◦ that has measure

(1) between 0◦ and 360◦ , and

128
 (2) between −360◦ and 0◦ .

Solution. A negative angle moves in a clockwise direction, and the angle −380◦
lies in Quadrant IV.

(1) −380◦ + 2 · 360◦ = 340◦

(2) −380◦ + 360◦ = −20◦ 2

3.1.3. Arc Length and Area of a Sector

In a circle, a central angle whose radian measure is θ subtends an arc that is the
θ
fraction 2π of the circumference of the circle. Thus, in a circle of radius r (see
Figure 3.4), the length s of an arc that subtends the angle θ is
θ θ
s= × circumference of circle = (2πr) = rθ.
2π 2π

Figure 3.4

In a circle of radius r, the length s of an arc intercepted by a central

angle with measure θ radians is given by

s = rθ.

Example 3.1.5. Find the length of an arc of a circle with radius 10 m that
subtends a central angle of 30◦ .

Solution. Since the given central angle is in degrees, we have to convert it into
radian measure. Then apply the formula for an arc length.
 π  π
30 = rad
180 6
129
 π  5π
s = 10 =m 2
6 3
Example 3.1.6. A central angle θ in a circle of radius 4 m is subtended by an
arc of length 6 m. Find the measure of θ in radians.

Solution.
s 6 3
θ= = = rad 2
r 4 2
A sector of a circle is the portion of the interior of a circle bounded by the
initial and terminal sides of a central angle and its intercepted arc. It is like a
“slice of pizza.” Note that an angle with measure 2π radians will define a sector
that corresponds to the whole “pizza.” Therefore, if a central angle of a sector
θ
has measure θ radians, then the sector makes up the fraction 2π of a complete
circle. See Figure 3.5. Since the area of a complete circle with radius r is πr2 , we
have
θ 1
Area of a sector = (πr2 ) = θr2 .
2π 2

Figure 3.5

In a circle of radius r, the area A of a sector with a central angle

measuring θ radians is
1
A = r2 θ.
2

Example 3.1.7. Find the area of a sector of a circle with central angle 60◦ if
the radius of the circle is 3 m.

Solution. First, we have to convert 60◦ into radians. Then apply the formula for
computing the area of a sector.
 π  π
60 = rad
180 3
130
 1 π 3π 2
A = (32 ) = m 2
2 3 2
Example 3.1.8. A sprinkler on a golf course fairway is set to spray water over
a distance of 70 feet and rotates through an angle of 120◦ . Find the area of the
fairway watered by the sprinkler.

Solution.  π  2π
120 = rad
180 3
1 2π 4900π
A = (702 ) = ≈ 5131 ft2 2
2 3 3

More Solved Examples

5
1. Find the equivalent degree measure of 48
radians.
5 5 180 75 ◦



Solution: 48 rad = 48 π
= 4π

2. Find the equivalent angle measure in degrees and in radians of an angle tracing
2 35 revolutions.
Solution: One revolution around a circle is equivalent to tracing 360◦ .
 
3 3 360
2 rev = 2 rev = 936◦
5 5 1 rev
 π  26π
◦
936 = 936 = rad
180 5

3. Find the smallest positive angle coterminal with −2016◦ .

Solution: Add 6 complete revolutions or 6(360◦ ) = 2160◦ to the given angle
(or keep on adding 360◦ until you get a positive angle).

−2016◦ + 2160◦ = 144◦

137π
4. Find the largest negative angle coterminal with 5
.
Solution: Subtract 14 complete revolutions or 14(2π) = 28π to the given angle
(or keep on subtracting 2π until you get a negative angle).
137π 3π
− 28π = − rad
5 5

131
5. Find the length of the arc of a circle with radius 15 cm that subtends a central
angle of 84◦ .
Solution:
 π  7π
84◦ = 84 = rad
 180 15
7π
s = 15 = 7π cm
15

6. A central angle θ in a circle of radius 12 inches is subtended by an arc of length

27 inches. Find the measure of θ in degrees.
Solution:
s
s = rθ =⇒ θ =
r
12 9
θ= = rad
27 4  ◦
9 9 180 405
rad = =
4 4 π π

7. Find the area of a sector of a circle with central angle of 108◦ if the radius of
the circle is 15 cm.
Solution:
 π  3π
108◦ = 108 = rad
180 5
1 3π 135π
A = (15)2 = cm2
2 5 2
8. Given isosceles right triangle ABC with AC as the hypotenuse (as shown
below), a circle with center at A and radius AB intersects AC at D. What is
the ratio of the area of sector BAD to the area of the region BCD?

132
 Solution: Let r be the radius of the circle; that is, r = AB.

π 1 2  π  πr2
∠A = rad =⇒ Area of sector BAD = r =
4 2 4 8
4r2 − πr2
Area of region BCD = Area of 4ABC − Area of sector BAD =
8
πr2
area of sector BAD 8 π
= 4r2 −πr 2 =
area of the region BCD 8
4−π

Supplementary Problems 3.1

1. How many degrees is 1 15 of a complete revolution?
11
2. How many radians is 5
of a complete revolution?

3. What is the length of an arc of a circle with radius 4 cm that subtends a

central angle of 216◦ ?
6
4. Find the length of an arc of a circle with radius π
cm that subtends a central
angle of 99◦ .

5. What is the smallest positive angle coterminal with 2110◦ ?

107π
6. Find the largest negative angle coterminal with 6
.
7π
7. Find the area of a sector of a circle with central angle of 6
if the diameter of
the circle is 9 cm.

8. Find the area of a sector of a circle with central angle of 108◦ if the radius of
the circle is 15 cm.

9. What is the radius of a circle in which a central angle of 150◦ determines a

sector of area 15 in2 ?
5π
10. Find the radius of a circle in which a central angle of 4
determines a sector
of area 32 in2 .
? 11. A central angle of a circle of radius 6 inches is subtended by an arc of length 6
inches. What is the central angle in degrees (rounded to two decimal places)?
? 12. An arc of length π cm subtends a central angle θ of a circle with radius 2
cm.
5 3
What is θ in degrees?

133
13. Two overlapping circles of radii 1 cm are drawn such that each circle passes
through the center of the other. What is the perimeter of the entire region?
14. The length of arc AB of a circle with center at O is equal to twice the length
of the radius r of the circle. Find the area of sector AOB in terms of r.
15. The angle of a sector in a given circle is 20◦ and the area of the sector is equal
to 800 cm2 . Find the arc length of the sector.
16. In Figure 3.6, AE and BC are arcs of two concentric circles with center at D.
If AD = 2 cm, BD = 8 cm, and ∠ADE = 75◦ , find the area of the region
AECB.
17. In Figure 3.7, AB and DE are diameters. If AB = 12 cm and ∠AOD = 126◦ ,
find the area of the shaded region.

Figure 3.6 Figure 3.7 Figure 3.8

18. A point moves outside an equilateral triangle of side 5 cm such that its distance
from the triangle is always 2 cm. See Figure 3.8. What is the length of one
complete path that the point traces?

Figure 3.9
19. The segment of a circle is the region bounded by a chord and the arc subtended
by the chord. See Figure 3.9. Find the area of a segment of a circle with a
central angle of 120◦ and a radius of 64 cm.

134
 Figure 3.10
20. In Figure 3.10, diameter AB of circle O measures 12 cm and arc BC measures
120◦ . Find the area of the shaded region.

Lesson 3.2. Circular Functions

Learning Outcomes of the Lesson

At the end of the lesson, the student is able to:
(1) illustrate the different circular functions; and
(2) use reference angles to find exact values of circular functions.

Lesson Outline
(1) Circular functions
(2) Reference angles

Introduction
We define the six trigonometric function in such a way that the domain of
each function is the set of angles in standard position. The angles are measured
either in degrees or radians. In this lesson, we will modify these trigonometric
functions so that the domain will be real numbers rather than set of angles.

135
3.2.1. Circular Functions on Real Numbers

Recall that the sine and cosine functions (and four others: tangent, cosecant,
secant, and cotangent) of angles measuring between 0◦ and 90◦ were defined in
the last quarter of Grade 9 as ratios of sides of a right triangle. It can be verified
that these definitions are special cases of the following definition.

Let θ be an angle in standard position and P (θ) = P (x, y) the point

on its terminal side on the unit circle. Define
1
sin θ = y csc θ = , y 6= 0
y
1
cos θ = x sec θ = , x 6= 0
x
y x
tan θ = , x 6= 0 cot θ = , y 6= 0
x y

Example 3.2.1. Find the values of cos 135◦ , tan 135◦ , sin(−60◦ ), and sec(−60◦ ).

Solution. Refer to Figure 3.11(a).

(a) (b)

Figure 3.11

From properties of 45◦ -45◦ and 30◦ -60◦ right triangles (with hypotenuse 1
unit), we obtain the lengths of the legs as in Figure 3.11(b). Thus, the coordinates
of A and B are
√ √ ! √ !
2 2 1 3
A= − , and B = ,− .
2 2 2 2

136
Therefore, we get
√
◦ 2
cos 135 = − , tan 135◦ = −1,
2
√
3
sin(−60◦ ) = − , and sec(−60◦ ) = 2. 2
2
From the last example, we may then also say that
π  √2  π  √
3
cos rad = , sin − rad = − ,
4 2 3 2
and so on.
From the above definitions, we define the same six functions on real numbers.
These functions are called trigonometric functions.

Let s be any real number. Suppose θ is the angle in standard position

with measure s rad. Then we define

sin s = sin θ csc s = csc θ

cos s = cos θ sec s = sec θ

tan s = tan θ cot s = cot θ

From the last example, we then have

π  π √

◦ 2
cos = cos rad = cos 45 =
4 4 2
and √
 π  π  3
sin − = sin − rad = sin(−60◦ ) = − .
3 3 2
In the same way, we have

tan 0 = tan(0 rad) = tan 0◦ = 0.

Example 3.2.2. Find the exact values of sin 3π

2
, cos 3π
2
, and tan 3π
2
.

Solution. Let P 3π


2
be the point on the unit circle and on the terminal side of
3π 3π


the angle in the standard position with measure 2 rad. Then P 2 = (0, −1),
and so
3π 3π
sin = −1, cos = 0,
2 2
but tan 3π
2
is undefined. 2

137
Example 3.2.3. Suppose s is a real number such that sin s = − 34 and cos s > 0.
Find cos s.

Solution. We may consider s as the angle with measure s rad. Let P (s) = (x, y)
be the point on the unit circle and on the terminal side of angle s.
Since P (s) is on the unit circle, we know that x2 + y 2 = 1. Since sin s = y =
− 34 ,we get
 2 √
2 2 3 7 7
x =1−y =1− − = =⇒ x=± .
4 16 4
√
Since cos s = x > 0, we have cos s = 4
7
. 2

Let P (x1 , y1 ) and Q(x, y) be points on the terminal side of an angle θ in

standard position, where P is on the unit circle and Q on the circle of radius r
(not necessarily 1) with center also at the origin, as shown above. Observe that
we can use similar triangles to obtain
x1 x y1 y
cos θ = x1 = = and sin θ = y1 = = .
1 r 1 r
We may then further generalize the definitions of the six circular functions.

138
 Let θ be an angle in standard
p position, Q(x, y) any point on the ter-
minal side of θ, and r = x2 + y 2 > 0. Then
y r
sin θ = csc θ = , y 6= 0
r y
x r
cos θ = sec θ = , x 6= 0
r x
y x
tan θ = , x 6= 0 cot θ = , y 6= 0
x y

We then have a second solution for Example 3.2.3 as follows. With sin s = − 34
and sin s = yr , we may choose y = −3 and r = 4 (which is always positive). In
this case, we can solve for x, which is positive since cos s = x4 is given to be
positive.
√
p √ 7
4 = x2 + (−3)2 =⇒ x = 7 =⇒ cos s =
4

3.2.2. Reference Angle

We observe that if θ1 and θ2 are coterminal angles, the values of the six circular
or trigonometric functions at θ1 agree with the values at θ2 . Therefore, in finding
the value of a circular function at a number θ, we can always

reduce θ to a number
14π 14π 2π
between 0 and 2π. For example, sin 3 = sin 3 − 4π = sin 3 . Also, observe
from Figure 3.12 that sin 2π3
= sin π3 .

Figure 3.12

139
 In general, if θ1 , θ2 , θ3 , and θ4 are as shown in Figure 3.13 with P (θ1 ) =
(x1 , y1 ), then each of the x-coordinates of P (θ2 ), P (θ3 ), and P (θ4 ) is ±x1 , while
the y-coordinate is ±y1 . The correct sign is determined by the location of the
angle. Therefore, together with the correct sign, the value of a particular circular
function at an angle θ can be determined by its value at an angle θ1 with radian
measure between 0 and π2 . The angle θ1 is called the reference angle of θ.

Figure 3.13

The signs of the coordinates of P (θ) depends on the quadrant or axis where
it terminates. It is important to know the sign of each circular function in each
quadrant. See Figure 3.14. It is not necessary to memorize the table, since the
sign of each function for each quadrant is easily determined from its definition.
We note that the signs of cosecant, secant, and cotangent are the same as sine,
cosine, and tangent, respectively.

Figure 3.14

Using the fact that the unit circle is symmetric with respect to the x-axis, the
y-axis, and the origin, we can identify the coordinates of all the points using the

140
coordinates of corresponding points in the Quadrant I, as shown in Figure 3.15
for the special angles.

Figure 3.15

Example 3.2.4. Use reference angle and appropriate sign to find the exact value
of each expression.
(1) sin 11π
6
and cos 11π
6
(3) sin 150◦

(2) cos − 7π (4) tan 8π

6 3

Solution. (1) The reference angle of 11π

6
is π6 , and it lies in Quadrant IV wherein
sine and cosine are negative and positive, respectively.
11π π 1
sin = − sin = −
6 6 2
√
11π π 3
cos = cos =
6 6 2
(2) The angle − 7π
6
lies in Quadrant II wherein cosine is negative, and its refer-
π
ence angle is 6 .
  √
7π π 3
cos − = − cos = −
6 6 2
(3) sin 150◦ = sin 30◦ = 1
2
√
π
sin
3 √
(4) tan 8π
3
= − tan π
3
= − cos 3π =− 2
1 =− 3 2
3 2

141
More Solved Examples
17π
1. If P (θ) is a point on the unit circle and θ = 3
, what are the coordinates of
P (θ)?
17π 5π
Solution: 3
is coterminal with
 which terminates in QIV. The reference
3 √ 
angle is π3 , therefore P 17π = 12 , − 23 .


3

2. If P (θ) is a point on the unit circle and θ = − 5π

6
, find the values of the six
trigonometric functions of θ.
Solution: The angle −5π6
terminates in QIII, the reference angle is π6 , therefore
 √
P − 5π = − 23 , − 12 .


6

  √   √
5π 3 5π 2 2 3
cos − =− sec − = −√ = −
6 2 6 3 3
   
5π 1 5π
sin − =− csc − = −2
6 2 6
√  √
3 √
  
5π 1 3 5π
tan − =√ = cot − = = 3
6 3 3 6 1

3. Find the six trigonometric functions of the angle θ if the terminal side of θ in
standard position passes through the point (5, −12).
p
Solution: x = 5, y = −12, r = (5)2 + (−12)2 = 13.

x 5 r 13
cos θ = = sec θ = =
r 13 x 5
y 12 r 13
sin θ = = − csc θ = = −
r 13 y 12
y 12 x 5
tan θ = = − cot θ = = −
x 5 y 12

4. Given sec θ = − 25
24
and π ≤ θ ≤ 3π
2
, find sin θ + cos θ.
p
Solution: r = 25, x = −24, y = (25)2 − (−24)2 = ±7.
Since θ is in QIII, y = −7.
−7 −24 31
sin θ + cos θ = + =− .
25 25 25

5. If tan A = 45 , determine 2 sin A−cos A

3 cos A
.

142
 Solution:
4 sin A 4
tan A = =⇒ =
 5  cos A 5 
2 sin A − cos A 2 sin A 1 cos A 2 4 1 1
= − = − (1) =
3 cos A 3 cos A 3 cos A 3 5 3 5

6. What is the reference angle of − 29π ? Find the value of tan − 29π


6 6
.
Solution: − 29π
6
is coterminal with 7π
in QIII, so its reference angle is π6 .
6

29π
  π  √3
tan − = tan =
6 6 3

7. For what angle θ in the third quadrant is cos θ = sin 5π

3
?
Solution:
5π
sin = cos θ
√ 3
3 7π
cos θ = − and θ in QIII =⇒ θ=
2 6

Supplementary Problems 3.2

33π
1. In what quadrant is P (θ) located if θ = 4
?

2. In what quadrant is P (θ) located if θ = − 17π

6
?

3. In what quadrant is P (θ) located if sec θ > 0 and cot θ < 0?

4. In what quadrant is P (θ) located if tan θ > 0 and cos θ < 0 ?

5π
5. If P (θ) is a point on the unit circle and θ = 6
, what are the coordinates of
P (θ)?

6. If P (θ) is a point on the unit circle and θ = − 11π

6
, what are the coordinates
of P (θ)?

7. If cos θ > 0 and tan θ = − 23 , find sec θ+tan θ

sec θ−tan θ

3
8. If tan θ = 5
and θ is in QIII, what is sec θ?

9. If csc θ = 2 and cos θ < 0, find sec θ.

10. Find the values of the other trigonometric functions of θ if cot θ = − 43 and
sin θ < 0.

143
11. Find the values of the other trigonometric functions of θ if csc θ = −4 and θ
does not terminate in QIII.

12. The terminal side of an angle θ in standard position contains the point (7, −1).
Find the values of the six trigonometric functions of θ.

13. The terminal side of an angle θ in standard position contains the point (−2, 4).
Find the values of the six trigonometric functions of θ.

14. If the terminal point of an arc of length θ lies on the line joining the origin
and the point (−3, −1), what is cos2 θ − sin2 θ?

15. If the terminal point of an arc of length θ lies on the line joining the origin
and the point (2, −6), what is sec2 θ − csc2 θ?
35π
16. Determine the reference angle of 4
, and find cos 35π
4
.
3π
17. If 2
< θ < 2π, find θ if cos θ = sin 2π
3
.

18. Evaluate the sum of sin 30◦ + sin 60◦ + sin 90◦ + · · · + sin 510◦ + sin 540◦ .
7π


19. If f (x) = sin 2x + cos 2x + sec 2x + csc 2x + tan 2x + cot 2x, what is f 8
?

20. Evaluate the sum of sec π6 + sec 13π

6
+ sec 25π
6
+ · · · + sec 109π
6
.

Lesson 3.3. Graphs of Circular Functions and Situational

Problems

Learning Outcomes of the Lesson

At the end of the lesson, the student is able to:
(1) determine the domain and range of the different circular functions;
(2) graph the six circular functions with its amplitude, period, and phase shift;
and
(3) solve situational problems involving circular functions.

Lesson Outline
(1) Domain and range of circular functions
(2) Graphs of circular functions
(3) Amplitude, period, and phase shift

144