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CIE A Level Maths: Pure 1 Your notes

3.1 Basic Trigonometry

Contents
3.1.1 Trigonometry - Definitions
3.1.2 Right-Angled Triangles
3.1.3 Non-Right-Angled Triangles

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3.1.1 Trigonometry - Definitions

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Trigonometry - Definitions
What is trigonometry?
Trigonometry looks at the relationship between side lengths and angles of triangles
It comes from the Greek words trigonon meaning ‘triangle’ and metron meaning ‘measure’
The three trigonometric functions Sine, Cosine and Tangent come from ratios of side lengths in right
angled triangles

What is the unit circle and how does it help with trigonometry?
The unit circle is a circle with radius 1 and centre (0, 0)
It can be used to calculate trig values as a co‑ordinate point (x, y) on the circle
(x, y) = (cos θ, sin θ), where θ is the angle measured anticlockwise from the positive x‑axis
It allows us to calculate sin, cos and tan for angles greater than 90°

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3.1.2 Right-Angled Triangles

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Right-Angled Triangles
What is SOHCAHTOA?
SOH, CAH, and TOA are an easy way to remember the three basic trigonometry ratios
They show the relationship between an angle and the different sides of a right-angled triangle which
we can label Hypotenuse, Adjacent and Opposite
We use them to find missing angles and sides for right‑angled triangles
Hypotenuse is the longest side of a right-angled triangle
Adjacent is the side next to the angle you are working with (in between the angle and the right
angle)
Opposite is the side opposite the angle you are working with

We use the inverse trig functions to find missing angles

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How do I use SOHCAHTOA?

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Examiner Tip
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Remember SOHCAHTOA are only for calculating missing sides and angles for right‑angled
triangles
For non-right‑angled triangles you will need to use the Sine or Cosine rules.
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode (D).
Always check your answers are sensible…
Should my answer be longer or shorter than the sides I have already i.e. is it the hypotenuse?
Is my angle sensible…
Have I remembered to use -1?
Check if the question asks you to round your answer.

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3.1.3 Non-Right-Angled Triangles

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Non-Right-Angled Triangles
What do I do if there isn’t a right‑angle?
The Sine Rule, Cosine Rule and Area Formula can be used for ANY type of triangle
They can help us calculate missing side lengths, angles and area

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How do I know which rule to use?

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Once you know which rule to use, simply label your triangle, substitute in the values and rearrange if
necessary

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Examiner Tip
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If you are given two angles in a triangle, finding the missing angle by subtracting from 180° might
help.
Make sure you are careful to pick the correct rule to use, you’ll need to remember all the rules as
they aren’t in the formula booklet.
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode (D).
Always check your answers are sensible…
Have I remembered to square root at the end?
Have I remembered to use -1?
Check if the question asks you to round your answer.

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