COLLEGE OF GENERAL EDUCATION

MATH1020
Unit 4
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric Functions of any Angle …………………………………………………………………………………….3
Signs of Quadrants ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Trigonometric Ratios ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..4
Evaluating Trigonometric Functions Using Reference Angles…………………………………..………..…….6
Special Angles …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..7
Evaluating Trigonometric Functions for Special Angles…………………………………………………………….7
Trigonometric Identities ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…9
Graph of Sine ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10
Graph of Cosine ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..11
Notes about Graphing Sine and Cosine………………………………………………………………………….……...12
Amplitude and Period ……………………………………………………………………………………………….…..……..14
Graphing 𝑦 = 𝐴 sin(𝐵𝑥 − 𝐶) and 𝑦 = 𝐴 cos(𝐵𝑥 − 𝐶) …………….…………………………………………..15
Word Problems Involving Sine or Cosine Functions ………………………………………………………………18
Model Sinusoidal Behavior …………………………………………………………………………………………………..19
Unit 4 Review ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….20
Unit 4 Review Solutions ………………………………………………………………………………………………....…...26
Page 2 of 27
Trigonometric Functions of any Angle

−𝜃

Let 𝜃 be an angle in standard position with point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) on the terminal side, and
let 𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 (where 𝑟 ≠ 0) represent the distance from 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) to (0,0). Then,

𝑦 𝑟
sin 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 = 𝑦 (𝑦 ≠ 0)
𝑟

𝑥 𝑟
cos 𝜃 = 𝑟 sec 𝜃 = 𝑥 (𝑥 ≠ 0)

𝑦 𝑥
tan 𝜃 = 𝑥 (𝑥 ≠ 0) cot 𝜃 = 𝑦 (𝑦 ≠ 0)

For an acute angle ( <90 ), the values of the trigonometric functions are positive
because 𝑥 and 𝑦 are both positive in the first quadrant.

For angles in other quadrants, we determine the sign by analyzing signs of 𝑥 and 𝑦.

QII QI
𝑦 𝑦
sin 𝜃 = = sin 𝜃 = =
𝑟 𝑟

𝑥 𝑥
cos 𝜃 = = cos 𝜃 = =
𝑟 𝑟

𝑦 𝑦
tan 𝜃 = = tan 𝜃 = =
𝑥 𝑥

QIII QIV
𝑦 𝑦
sin 𝜃 = = sin 𝜃 = =
𝑟 𝑟

𝑥 𝑥
cos 𝜃 = = cos 𝜃 = =
𝑟 𝑟

𝑦 𝑦
tan 𝜃 = = tan 𝜃 = =
𝑥 𝑥

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The reciprocal functions cosecant, secant, and cotangent will have the same signs as sine,
cosine and tangent, respectively, for a given value of 𝜃.

In which quadrants are trig functions positive?

Remember: ASTC
All Students Take
Calculus
Add Sugar To Coffee

Trigonometric Ratios

1. Let 𝑃(−2, −5) be a point on the terminal side of angle 𝜃 drawn in standard position.
a. Draw point 𝑃(−2, −5) with angle 𝜃.

b. Find the values of the six trigonometric functions of 𝜃.

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Determine Reference Angles

The reference angle for 𝜃 is the acute angle 𝜃 ′ (theta prime) formed by the terminal side of 𝜃
and the horizontal axis.

The reference angle is the smallest possible angle made by the terminal side of the
given angle with the x-axis.

It is always an acute angle (except when it is exactly 90 degrees).

A reference angle is always positive irrespective of which side of the axis it is falling.

2. Find the reference angle 𝜃 ′ . Draw the angle 𝜃 and its reference angle 𝜃 ′ .
a. 𝜃 = 315° b. 𝜃 = −195°

c. 𝜃 = 3.5 d. 𝜃 =
25𝜋
4

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Evaluating Trigonometric Functions Using Reference Angles

Trigonometric Function Values of Special Angles

Certain right triangles have ratios that can be calculated easily from the Pythagorean Theorem.
Since they are used frequently, we mention them here.

The first triangle is obtained by drawing a diagonal in a

sequare of sides 1
______________________.

By the Pythagorean Theorem, this diagonal has length __________. The

resulting triangle has angles _______, _______,and _______.

equilateral triangle
The second triangle we start with an ____________________________ ABC
of side 2 and draw the perpendicular bisector BD of the base.

By the Pythagorean Theorem, this diagonal has length __________.

The resulting triangle has angles _______, _______, and _______.

𝜽 in degrees 𝜽 in sin 𝜽 cos 𝜽 tan 𝜽 csc 𝜽 sec 𝜽 cot 𝜽

radians
𝟑𝟎° 𝝅
𝟔
𝟒𝟓° 𝝅
𝟒
𝟔𝟎° 𝝅
𝟑

Use the special triangles to calculate the trigonometric ratios for angles with
measures 30°, 45°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 60°.
Work:

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3. Evaluate the functions. Draw the angle and the reference angle.

a. sin 240° b. tan(−225°) c. sec (

11𝜋
)
6

Page 7 of 27
4. Evaluate the exact values of the functions.

9𝜋
a. sec ( 2 ) b. sin(−510°)

4
5. Given sin 𝜃 = − 7 and cos 𝜃 > 0, find cos 𝜃 and tan 𝜃.

Page 8 of 27
Trigonometric Identities

Pythagorean Identities Reciprocal Identities Quotient Identities

sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃 = 1 1 sin 𝜃

csc 𝜃 = tan 𝜃 =
sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃

1 + tan2 𝜃 = sec 2 𝜃 1
sec 𝜃 = cos 𝜃
cos 𝜃 cot 𝜃 =
sin 𝜃
1 + cot 2 𝜃 = csc 2 𝜃
1
cot 𝜃 =
tan 𝜃

Notation:

3
6. Given cos 𝜃 = − 5 for 𝜃 in Quadrant ll, use a Pythagorean Identity to find sin 𝜃 and
tan 𝜃.

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Graphs of Sine and Cosine Functions

Graph of 𝒚 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙

π √2
( , ) ≈ (0.79,0.71)
4 2

Sine Function is periodic with period _____.

Periodic function is a function that repeats itself at regular intervals.

That means, sin 𝑥 = sin( ____________________).

Domain: _____________

Range: _____________

Asymptotes: _____________

Midline: _____________

The midline of a function is the horizontal line midway between the maximum and minimum
values of a function.

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Graph of 𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒙

Cosine Function is periodic with period _____.

That means, cos 𝑥 = cos( ____________________).

Domain: _____________

Range: _____________

Asymptotes: _____________

Midline: _____________

Page 11 of 27
Characteristics of the Graphs of 𝒚 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙 and 𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒙.

Domain: _____________

Range: _____________

Period: _____________

The graph of 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 is symmetric with respect to the origin. So, sin 𝑥 is an ______ function.

The graph of 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 is symmetric with respect to the origin. So, cos 𝑥 is an _____ function.
𝜋
The graphs of 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 and 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 differ by a horizontal shift of 2 .

Notes about Graphing Sine and Cosine Functions

To graph one period of shifted Sine and Cosine graphs, include 5 points on the graph

- The two endpoints of a complete period

- The midpoint of the period
- and the two quarter points of the period

When asked to graph a complete function, you must include multiple complete periods.

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Recall from the last Units, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝐴 ∙ 𝑓(𝑥) is the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) with

• A Vertical Stretch if |𝐴| > 1

• A Vertical Stretch if 0 < |𝐴| < 1
• A Reflection across the x-axis if 𝐴 < 0

7. Graph the function 𝑦 = 3 sin 𝑥 and identify the 5 key points on one full period.

1
8. Graph the function 𝑦 = − 2 cos 𝑥 and identify the 5 key points on one full period.

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Amplitude and Period of the Sine and Cosine Functions

Amplitude is the number |𝐴| which is the largest value of the function. The amplitude of the
curve is half the distance between the highest and lowest value.
For 𝑦 = 𝐴 sin 𝐵𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑥 and 𝐵 > 0, the amplitude and period are
2𝜋
Amplitude = |𝐴| and Period = 𝐵

9. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝑥,

a. Identify the amplitude, period and midline.

b. Graph the function and identify the key points on one full period.

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Graph 𝒚 = 𝑨 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝑩𝒙 − 𝑪) + 𝑫 and 𝒚 = 𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒔 (𝑩𝒙 − 𝑪) + 𝑫

The Sine and Cosine curves

𝑦 = 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝐵𝑥 − 𝐶) + 𝐷 and 𝑦 = 𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝐵𝑥 − 𝐶) + 𝐷
2𝜋 𝐶
have amplitude |𝐴|, period 𝑃 = |𝐵|, and phase shift 𝐵.

𝜋
10. Given the function 𝑦 = cos (2𝑥 + 2 ) ,
a. Identify the amplitude, period and midline.

b. Find the interval over which the function completes one cycle.

c. Graph the function and identify the key points on one full period.

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11. Given 𝑦 = 2 cos(4𝑥 − 3𝜋) + 5,
a. Identify the amplitude, period, phase shift, vertical shift, and midline.

b. Find the interval over which the function completes one cycle.

c. Graph the function and identify the key points on one full period.

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 𝜋 𝜋
12. Given 𝑦 = 3 sin (− 4 𝑥 − 2 ) − 4,
a. Identify the amplitude, period, phase shift, vertical shift, and midline.

b. Find the interval over which the function completes one cycle.

c. Graph the function and identify the key points on one full period.

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Word Problems Involving Sine or Cosine Functions

13. Suppose that Joe’s blood pressure can be modeled by the following function.

𝑝(𝑡) = 87 − 23 cos(112𝜋𝑡)
Joes’s blood pressure increases each time his heart beats, and it decreases as his
heart rests in between each beats.
In this equation, 𝑝(𝑡) is the blood pressure in 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 (millimeters of mercury) and 𝑡
is the time in minutes.
Find the following and interpret in terms of the problem. If necessary, round to the
nearest hundredth.

a. Amplitude of 𝑝 (Include units)

b. Frequency of 𝑝 (Include units)

c. Time for one full cycle of 𝑝 (Include units)

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Model Sinusoidal Behavior
To this point, we have taken an equation of sine or cosine and sketched its graph.
Now we reverse the process.
We will take observed data that follows a “Wavelike” pattern and build a model.

14. The water level relative to the top of a boat dock varied with tides.

On a particular day, low tide occurs at midnight and the water level is 7ft below the dock.

The first high tide of the day occurs at approximately 6AM and the water level is 3 ft
below the dock.

The next low tide occurs at noon and the water level is again 7ft below the dock.

Assuming this pattern continues indefinitely and behaves like a cosine wave, write
a function of the form 𝑤(𝑡) = 𝐴 cos(𝐵𝑡 − 𝐶) + 𝐷. The value 𝑤(𝑡) is the water level
(in ft) relative to the top of the dock, 𝑡 hours after midnight.

Page 19 of 27
Unit 4 Review

1. Let 𝑃(−5, −7) be a point on the terminal side of angle 𝜃 drawn in standard position.
Find the values of the six trigonometric functions of 𝜃.

2. Find the reference angle 𝜃 ′ .

a. 𝜃 = 150 b. 𝜃 = −157.5

13𝜋
c. 𝜃 = 5 d. 𝜃 = 3

3. Evaluate the functions.

5𝜋
a. cos 6 b. cot(−120°)

7𝜋
c. csc ( 4 ) d. csc(11𝜋)

e. cos(−600°)

Page 20 of 27
 3
4. Given cos 𝜃 = − 8 and sin 𝜃 < 0, find sin 𝜃 and tan 𝜃.

5
5. Given sin 𝜃 = − for 𝜃 in Quadrant lV, use a Pythagorean Identity to find cos 𝜃 and tan 𝜃.
13

6. Fill in the cells in the table with the appropriate sign for each trigonometric function for 𝜃.

7. Given the stated conditions, identify the quadrant which 𝜃 lies in.
a. sin 𝜃 < 0 and tan 𝜃 > 0 b. sec 𝜃 < 0 and tan 𝜃 < 0 c. cos 𝜃 > 0 and cot 𝜃 < 0

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8. Graph the function 𝑦 = 2 cos 𝑥 and identify the 5 key points on one full period.

1
9. Graph the function 𝑦 = − 3 sin 𝑥 and identify the 5 key points on one full period.

Page 22 of 27
10. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 4𝑥, identify the amplitude, period, and midline. Graph the function
and identify the key points on one full period.

11. Write a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑥 for the given graph.

12. Write a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐴 sin 𝐵𝑥 for the given graph.

Page 23 of 27
 𝜋
13. Given 𝑦 = cos (3𝑥 − 2 ), identify the amplitude, period and midline. Graph the function
and identify the key points on one full period.

Page 24 of 27
 𝜋 𝜋
14. Given 𝑦 = −2 sin (− 6 𝑥 − 2 ) + 1, identify the amplitude, period, phase shift, midline,
and vertical shift. Graph the function and identify the key points on one full period.

** Drop by the Math Help Center 05.01.62 if you ever have any questions. **

Page 25 of 27
Unit 4 Review (Solutions)

7√74 5√74 7 √74 √74 5

1. sin 𝜃 = − , cos 𝜃 = − , tan 𝜃 = 5 , csc 𝜃 = − , sec 𝜃 =− , cot 𝜃 =7
74 74 4 5

2. a. 𝜃 ′ = 30° b. 𝜃 ′ = 22.5° c. 𝜃 ′ = 2𝜋 − 5 d. 𝜃 ′ = 𝜋/3

√3 √3 1
3. a. − b. 𝜃 ′ = c. 𝜃 ′ = −√2 d. Undefined e. − 2
2 3

√55 √55
4. sin 𝜃 = − and tan 𝜃 =
8 3

12 5
5. cos 𝜃 = 13 and tan 𝜃 = − 12

7. a. Quadrant lll b. Quadrant ll c. Quadrant lV

8.

9.

Page 26 of 27
 𝜋
10. Amplitude: 2 Period: Midline: 𝑦 = 0
2

1
11. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 cos (2 𝑥)

1
12. 𝑓(𝑥) = −1.5 sin 4 𝑥

2𝜋
13. Amplitude: 2 Period: Midline: 𝑦 = 0
3

14. Amplitude: 2 Period: 12 Phase Shift: −3 Vertical Shift: 1 Midline: 𝑦 = 1

Page 27 of 27