Lesson 4: The Unit Circle

Now we are ready to explore trigonometric functions. We will use the unit circle approach. The
unit circle that we will develop is the most useful tool in trigonometry. It provides an easy way to
know and recall trigonometric values of the most popular angles. To be successful in this class, and
then later in calculus and beyond, you must understand it and memorize it!

A Geometry Connection
First, let’s remember the important ratio relationships for two famous triangles.

30°-60°-90° Triangle 30°

The lengths of the legs of the triangle correspond to the angles

30°: 60°: 90° as, 𝑥𝑥: 𝑥𝑥 3 : 2𝑥𝑥 respectively. In the figure at right, 60°

Name the lengths of the sides if the hypotenuse is 1.

45°-45°-90° Triangle
45°
The length of the legs of the triangle correspond to the angles
45°: 45°: 90° as 𝑥𝑥: 𝑥𝑥: 𝑥𝑥 2 , respectively. In the figure at right,
45°
Name the lengths of the sides if the hypotenuse is 1.

The Unit Circle

The unit circle is a circle of radius 1 centered at the origin.

P (x, y)
1
𝜃𝜃

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 Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle

Let θ be an angle in standard position with (𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) a point on the terminal side of 𝜃𝜃 and

𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦 2 ≠ 0

EX #1: Use the figure at right, to name the six basic

trigonometric functions in terms of x, y, and r, y
where r is the radius of a circle.
P (x, y)

y
r
sin 𝜃𝜃 = csc 𝜃𝜃 =
θ
x
x
cos 𝜃𝜃 = sec 𝜃𝜃 =

tan 𝜃𝜃 = cot 𝜃𝜃 = 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦 2

. . . Where Trigonometric Functions are Positive . . .

Function Quadrant I Quadrant II Quadrant III Quadrant IV

Sine/Cosecant

Cosine/Secant

Tangent/ Cotangent

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 The 16-Point Unit Circle

, , ,

, 𝜋𝜋 ,
3
𝜋𝜋
4
, 𝜋𝜋
,
6

, ,

, ,

,
,

, ,
,

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 Finding Exact Values of the Trigonometric Functions

EX #2: Summarize the exact values for 30°, 60°, and 90° angles (rationalize denominators).

𝜃𝜃 𝜃𝜃
sin 𝜃𝜃 cos 𝜃𝜃 tan 𝜃𝜃 csc 𝜃𝜃 sec 𝜃𝜃 cot 𝜃𝜃
Degrees Radians

𝜋𝜋
30°
6

𝜋𝜋
45°
4

𝜋𝜋
60°
3

Quadrantal Angles

A quadrantal angle is an angle whose terminal side lies along one of the coordinate axes.

EX #3: Evaluate the six trig functions at the four quadrant angles.

𝜃𝜃 degrees 0° 90° 180° 270°

𝜋𝜋 3𝜋𝜋
radians 0 𝜋𝜋
2 2

sin 𝜃𝜃

cos 𝜃𝜃

tan 𝜃𝜃

Note:
csc 𝜃𝜃
There is no need to memorize
the table, simply draw the sec 𝜃𝜃
angle and apply the definition
for any given function.
cot 𝜃𝜃

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 Odd vs. Even Trigonometric Functions

Remember that a function 𝑓𝑓 is even if 𝑓𝑓 −𝑥𝑥 = __________________ for all 𝑥𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓𝑓 and

a function 𝑓𝑓 is odd if 𝑓𝑓 −𝑥𝑥 = ___________________ for all 𝑥𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓𝑓.

Even Trig Functions Odd Trig Functions

P (x, y)
sin −𝜃𝜃 = − sin(𝜃𝜃)
𝜃𝜃 cos −𝜃𝜃 = cos(𝜃𝜃)
csc −𝜃𝜃 = − csc(𝜃𝜃)
−𝜃𝜃
tan −𝜃𝜃 = − tan 𝜃𝜃
sec −𝜃𝜃 = sec(𝜃𝜃)
Q (x, −y) cot −𝜃𝜃 = − cot 𝜃𝜃

EX #4: Find the exact value of each of the following.

A. cos(−60°) B. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 −
𝜋𝜋
2

C. 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 −𝜋𝜋 D. cot −

11𝜋𝜋
2

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