Definition: Radians

When given a circle, a radian measures the number of radii that you travel around the circumference of a circle.

We note that the formula for a circumference is 𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑟 and we note that the number of radii needed to travel around a circle
𝐶
can be found by calculating 𝑟 = 2𝜋.

This gives us the formula for converting between degrees and radians as follows. Since 2𝜋 corresponds to 3600 we can reduce
this to get a ratio of 𝜋 ∶ 1800

Let 𝜃 be a measure in degrees, and let 𝛼 be the radian measure corresponding to 𝜃. Then we have:

𝛼 𝜃
× 180 = 𝜃 or ×𝜋 =𝛼
𝜋 180
 Definition: Special Triangles
There are two triangles that are constructed from special cases (called special triangles) from what we understand from isosceles
and equilateral triangles.

Consider an isosceles triangle with legs of length 1, we would get the following triangle: 
2 4
1

4
1

 
2 6 6 2
Consider an equilateral triangle with legs of length 2, we would get the following triangle:

3 
3 3

1 1
 Definition: Unit Circle and Trigonometric Ratios
If we take our special triangles and force the hypotenuse to be 1, we can then plot these triangles onto a circle with radius 1. This
gives us what is known as the unit circle:

Given a circle of radius 1 and a point on the circle (𝑥, 𝑦) and an angle starting from the positive 𝑥 axis going counter clockwise
given by 𝜃, we define the following trigonometric ratios using the unit circle above:
𝑦 1 1 𝑥
sin 𝜃 = 𝑦 cos 𝜃 = 𝑥 tan 𝜃 = 𝑥 csc 𝜃 = 𝑦 sec 𝜃 = 𝑥 cot 𝜃 = 𝑦
 Examples: Using the Unit Circle
Example 1:
Determine the quadrant(s) where 𝐶𝑜𝑠(𝜃) will be positive:

Solution:
We require cos 𝜃 = 𝑥 to be positive.

This happens in quadrant I and IV.

 Examples: Using the Unit Circle
Example 2:
Determine when sin 𝜃 = 1

Solution:
We require sin 𝜃 = 𝑦 = 1.
𝜋
Looking at the graph, this only happens at 𝜃 = 2
 Examples: Using the Unit Circle
Example 3:
3
Determine sin(θ) when tan 𝜃 = 4 and 𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋

Solution:
𝑦
We note that tan 𝜃 = 𝑥 which leads us to believe that
𝑥 = 4 and 𝑦 = 3, however, we have a domain of 𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋, which
means the only way for tan(𝜃) to be positive is if 𝑥 = −4 and 𝑦 = −3.

Secondly, since we need to be on the unit circle, if we have

𝑥 = −4 and 𝑦 = −3, this would give us a radius of −4 2 + −3 2 = 𝑟 2
which gives 𝑟 = 5. Since we need a unit circle, we actually need to scale
our 𝑥 and 𝑦 by 1/5 so that the radius will be 1. This means we get
4 3 3
𝑥 = − 5 , 𝑦 = − 5 which means sin 𝜃 = 𝑦 = − 5
 Definition: Trigonometric Parent Functions
Using the unit circle, we can construct a table of values for each trigonometric function. We can then use this information to
construct the corresponding graphs of the trigonometric functions that relates ratios (𝑟) with the angle (𝜃):

𝜽 𝟎 𝝅 𝝅 𝝅 𝝅 𝟐𝝅 𝟑𝝅 𝟓𝝅 𝝅 𝟕𝝅 𝟓𝝅 𝟒𝝅 𝟑𝝅 𝟓𝝅 𝟕𝝅 𝟏𝟏𝝅 𝟐𝝅
𝟔 𝟒 𝟑 𝟐 𝟑 𝟒 𝟔 𝟔 𝟒 𝟑 𝟐 𝟑 𝟒 𝟔
sin 𝜃 = 𝒚 0 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 −1 3 2 1 0
− − − − − −
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
cos 𝜃 = 𝒙 1 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 −1 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 1
− − − − − −
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
𝒚 0 3 1 3 𝑢𝑛𝑑 − 3 −1 − 3 0 3 1 3 𝑢𝑛𝑑 − 3 −1 − 3 0
tan 𝜃 =
𝒙 3 3 3 3
𝟏 𝑢𝑛𝑑 2 2 2 3 1 2 3 2 2 𝑢𝑛𝑑 −2 − 2 −2 3 −1 −2 3 − 2 −2 𝑢𝑛𝑑
csc 𝜃 =
𝒚 3 3 3 3

𝟏 1 2 3 2 2 𝑢𝑛𝑑 −2 − 2 −2 3 −1 −2 3 − 2 −2 𝑢𝑛𝑑 2 2 2 3 1
sec 𝜃 =
𝒙 3 3 3 3
𝒙 𝑢𝑛𝑑 3 1 3 0 − 3 −1 − 3 𝑢𝑛𝑑 3 1 3 0 − 3 −1 − 3 𝑢𝑛𝑑
cot 𝜃 =
𝒚 3 3 3 3
Note: Since the function travels around a circle, the values will repeat themselves (in both positive and negative directions). Thus
these are called periodic functions as they have a contestant period of repetition.
Definition: 𝑟 = sin 𝜃
Definition: 𝑟 = cos 𝜃
Definition: 𝑟 = tan 𝜃
Definition: 𝑟 = csc 𝜃
Definition: 𝑟 = sec 𝜃
Definition: 𝑟 = cot 𝜃
 Examples: Graphing Trigonometric Functions
Example 4:
Graph the function 𝑔 𝑥 = 2 sin 2(𝑥 + 𝜋) − 1
Solution:
Parent function 𝑓 𝑥 = sin(𝑥)
𝑔 𝑥 =2 𝑓 2 𝑥+𝜋 −1
𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = 2, 𝑐 = 𝜋, 𝑑 = −1
We generate our table of values for the parent function:

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) We then apply the transformations:

0 0
𝜋 1 New x values:
New 𝑥 𝑔(𝑥)
2 𝑥 𝑥 0
−𝑐 → −𝜋 2 0 − 1 = −1
𝜋 0 𝑏 2 − 𝜋 = −𝜋
2
3𝜋 −1
New y values: 𝜋/2 3𝜋 2 1 −1=1
2 −𝜋=−
2𝜋 0 2 4
𝑦 × 𝑎 + 𝑑 → 2𝑦 − 1 𝜋 𝜋 2 0 − 1 = −1
−𝜋 =−
2 2
3𝜋/2 𝜋 2 −1 − 1 = −3
−𝜋 =−
2 4
2𝜋 2 0 − 1 = −1
−𝜋 =0
2
Strategy: Solving Trigonometric Equations using the Unit Circle (when solving for the ratio)
How To Use it: When To Use it: Why this works?
1) Identify the angle 𝜃 When evaluating a trig function when 𝜃 is This is simply creating an organized
2) Add (or subtract) 2𝜋 to get 𝜃 between 0 and known and is related to an angle on the unit plan to use the definition of our
2𝜋 circle. trig ratios.
3) Plot the angle on the unit circle.
4) Identify the point. Note that we can add or subtract
5) Use the ratio to evaluate the expression 2𝜋 increments as the unit circle
(sin 𝜃 = 𝑦, cos 𝜃 = 𝑥, 𝑒𝑡𝑐 …) repeats itself after each full circle.
Example 5:
2𝜋
Determine tan −
3

Solution:
2𝜋
1) 𝜃 = − 3
4𝜋
2) We add 2𝜋 to get the angle within 0 and 2𝜋. This gives us the corresponding angle
3
3) We plot the angle on the unit circle:
1 3
4) We see that 𝑥 = − 2 and 𝑦 = − 2
2𝜋 𝑦 3 1
5) tan − 3
=𝑥=− 2
÷ −2 = 3
Strategy: Solving Trigonometric Equations using the Unit Circle (when solving for the angle)
How To Use it: When To Use it: Why this works?
1) Isolate the trig function on one side and have the ratio reduced on the other side. When solving This is simply creating an
2) Use the ratio to determine the location(s) of the point(s) on the unit circle for 𝜃 with a organized plan to use the
(sin 𝜃 = 𝑦, cos 𝜃 = 𝑥, 𝑒𝑡𝑐 …) trigonometric definition of our trig ratios.
3) Determine the angle and solve for initial 𝜃 at the point(s). function.
4) Identify the period of the trig function: Note that we have + 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑘, 𝑘 ∈
i) Sin, Cos, Sec, and Csc: ii) Tan and Cot 𝒁 as the function repeats itself
2𝜋 𝜋 every period (either forward or
𝑝𝑒𝑟 = 𝑝𝑒𝑟 =
𝑏 𝑏
backwards)
5) The solution will be 𝜃 will be
𝜃 = 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑡𝑎 + 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑘, 𝑘 ∈ 𝒁
Example 6:
Solve 3 cot 2𝜃 = 3.

Solution:
3
1) cot(2𝜃) =
3
𝑥 3 1
2) On the unit circle, we see that cot 2𝜃 = . We note that we have = , so we are looking for an
𝑦 3 3
𝑥 with a 1 and a 𝑦 with a 3 (and the division comes out as positive, so either both are positive or both
are negative).
𝜋 4𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋
3) This means we have 2𝜃 = or 2𝜃 = which solves to become 𝜃 = or
3 3 6 3
𝜋 𝜋
4) Since our 𝑏 value is 2 and our function is cot, this means that our period is = .
𝑏 2
𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋 𝜋
5) 𝜃 = + 𝑘 , 𝑘∈𝒁 𝜃= + 𝑘 , 𝑘∈𝒁
6 2 3 2
 Formula: Trigonometric Identities
A trigonometric identity is an equation that involves a trigonometric function that always holds true no matter what input we
place inside of the function.
Formula(s): When To Use it: Proof of Formula(s)
sin2 (𝜃) + cos 2 (𝜃) = 1 1) When evaluating exact To see proofs of these formulas:
cos 𝐴 + 𝐵 = cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 − sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 values of trigonometric
sin 𝐴 + 𝐵 = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + sin 𝐵 cos 𝐴 functions See the Proofs Section.
cos 2𝜃 = 2 cos2 (𝜃) − 𝟏 2) Solving trigonometric
sin 2𝜃 = 2 cos 𝜃 sin(𝜃) equations.
1
sec 𝜃 = cos 𝜃
1
csc 𝜃 = sin 𝜃
sin 𝜃
tan 𝜃 = cos 𝜃
cos 𝜃
cot 𝜃 = sin 𝜃
 Examples: Using Trigonometric Identities
Example 7:
7𝜋
Using trigonometric identities, find the exact value of sin .
12

Solution:
We note that there is no special triangle that includes /12 , but if we can use one of our identities, we can perhaps break the fraction up into
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 7𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
pieces that we know how to find using our unit circle ( , , or ). In this case we ask, how can we get = ? +?
2 3 4 6 12 4 3
7𝜋 3𝜋 4𝜋
We would note that 7𝜋 = 3𝜋 + 4𝜋 and so = +
12 12 12
7𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
= +
12 4 3
This allows us to use our sum formula identity:
7𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
sin = sin +
12 4 3
= sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + sin 𝐵 cos(𝐴)
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
= sin cos + sin cos
4 3 3 4

Using our unit circle, we see:

2 3 1 2
Which gives = +
2 2 2 2
6+ 2
=
4
 Examples: Using Trigonometric Identities
Example 8:
Solve the following equation using identities: cos 𝜃 − cos 2𝜃 = 0

Solution:
When solving trigonometric equations with different arguments we want to get the arguments the same as a first step. In this case we can use
the identity: cos 2𝜃 = 2 cos2 𝜃 − 1 which gives:
cos 𝜃 − (2 cos2 𝜃 − 1) = 0
2 cos2 𝜃 − cos(𝜃) − 1 = 0
2 cos 𝜃 + 1 cos 𝜃 − 1 = 0
1
∴ cos 𝜃 = 1 or cos 𝜃 = −
2

We solve each expression to get:

For cos 𝜃 = 1 = 𝑥 For cos 𝜃 = −1/2 = 𝑥
𝑥=1 1
𝑥=−
2𝜋 2
Period = = 2𝜋
1 2𝜋
∴ 𝜃 = 0 + 2𝜋𝑘, 𝑘 ∈ 𝒁 Period = = 2𝜋
1
2𝜋 4𝜋
∴𝜃= + 2𝜋𝑘, 𝑘 ∈ 𝒁 or 𝜃 = + 2𝜋𝑘, 𝑘 ∈ 𝒁
3 3