GRADE 11 & 12

TRIGONOMETRY NOTES
DEFINITIONS

The Cartesian plane is divided into four quadrants.

The value of r is always positive, while the values of x and y depend
on the quadrant in which they are positioned.

y
Quad 2 Quad 1

sin  +ve All +ve

x
Quad 3 Quad 4
tan  +ve cos  +ve

N.B. THE RATIO NAMES CANNOT BE WRITTEN WITHOUT AN ANGLE.

𝑦 opp
sine  = 𝑟 = 𝑦
hyp
(𝑥; 𝑦)
𝑥 adj
cosine  = 𝑟 = hyp r

𝑦 opp 𝑥
tangent  = 𝑥 = O
adj

We do not need to use cosecant , secant  and cotangent  in grade 11 and 12.
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

N.B. ALWAYS DRAW A SKETCH WHEN WORKING WITH DEFINITIONS.

Example:
If 13.sin  = 5 and   (90o; 270o) find, without the use of a calculator:
a. tan 
b. sin  + cos 
Solution:
5
sin 𝜃 = Must start with the ratio on its own so need to
13
rearrange.
sin  is positive  in quadrants 1 and 2, but
  (90o; 270o)  only quadrant 2.
5 𝑦
sin  = =𝑟 𝑦
13 (𝑥;5)
 by Pythagoras Thm 𝑥2 = 169 - 25
13
𝑥2 = 144

x = ± 12 O 𝑥
 𝑥 = -12 [𝑥 negative in quadrant 2]
5
a. tan  =
− 12
5 − 12
b. sin  + cos  = +
13 13
7
= −
13

Example:
Given 5.cos A = -4 and A > 180o.
Determine, with the aid of a sketch and WITHOUT the use of a calculator, the value of tan A.

5.cos A = -4
−4
cos A = 5 Isolate the ratio
cos A negative in quad 2 and 3 but A > 180o so
only quad 3

By Pythagoras Thm y2 = 52 – (-4)2 Be careful of signs

y2 = 9
y = ±3 y
 y = -3 In quad 3

−3
A
 tan A = −4 O x
=4
3 5
(-4; y)

Page 2 of 10
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

REDUCTION FORMULAE
N.B. The SIGN of the function value is determined from the ORIGINAL FUNCTION using the
CAST diagram.
N.B. When determining the values of functions of (180o  ) or (3600 - ) the function NEVER
changes, but the sign may (i.e. when changing to an acute angle the name does not change).

90o

Quad 2 Quad 1

sin  +ve All +ve

180o -  
0o
180o
Quad 3 Quad 4 360o

tan  +ve cos  +ve

180o+ 360o-

270o

Example: Determine the quadrant, then the sign of the ratio and then the angle
a. cos 130o = cos (180o - 50o)
cos 130o = -cos 50o [130o is in Quad 2  cos  is negative]

b. sin (180o+) = -sin  [(180o+) is in Quad 3  sin  is negative]

Example:
sin(180°+𝜃).sin(180°−𝜃).cos 𝜃
Simplify:
cos(180°+𝜃).sin(360°−𝜃)

sin(180°+𝜃).sin(180°−𝜃).cos 𝜃
Determine the quadrant, then the sign of the
cos(180°+𝜃).sin(360°−𝜃)
ratio and then the angle
−sin 𝜃.sin 𝜃.cos 𝜃
= e.g (360o - ) is in quad 4, sin  is - in quad 4 
−cos 𝜃.(− sin 𝜃)
will be -sin 
= - sin  and (180o - ) is in quad 2, sin  is + in quad 2
 will be sin 
When multiplying a negative number put it in
brackets to avoid confusing with subtraction.
The sign is VERY important.

Page 3 of 10
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

NEGATIVE ANGLES
A negative angle is formed when the initial arm is rotated in a clockwise direction.
y
Example:
cos (-120o)
240o
O x
o
Convert to the equivalent positive angle and then calculate as usual. -120

cos (-120o) = cos (360o - 120o)

cos (-120o) = cos 240o 240o is in Quad 3  cos 60o will be negative
cos (-120o) = cos (180o + 60o)
cos (-120o) = -cos 60o

SPECIAL ANGLES
These are angles for which the function values are determined without the use of a calculator, namely
0o, 30o, 45o, 60o, 90o, 180o, 270o and 360o. Where necessary they are left in surd form. The ratios
must never be learnt off by heart! Rather you must learn how to work them out.

N.B. When using a calculator to square a function that is negative you MUST use
BRACKETS.

90o
Example:
Without the use of a calculator evaluate: (0;2)
(1; ξ3)
a. 3.sin 30o.tan 45o.cos2 30o
(ξ2; ξ2)
60o
Solution: (ξ3; 1)
45o
3.sin 30o.tan 45o.cos2 30o
180o 30o 0o
2
3 1 2  3  (-2;0) (2;0)
360o
= . . .
1 2 2  2 

3 3
= .
2 4
9
= (0;-2)
8

270o

Page 4 of 10
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

b. tan 315o – cos2 240o

Solution: Always change to positive acute angles before simplifying
tan 315 – cos 240o
o 2

= -tan 45o - (-cos 60o)2

2
 1
= − 1−  − 
 2
1
= − 1−
4
5
= −
4

CO-RATIOS
sin (90o - ) = cos  cos (90o - ) = sin 
sin (90o + ) = cos  cos (90o + ) = -sin 

N.B. Always change to an acute angle before using co-ratios.

NB We do not ever use 270o.
When simplifying ratios you need to ask 1. What quadrant?
2. What sign?
3. Does the name change?
Examples:
1. Write the following as a ratio of 30o:
a. cos 60o b. sin 240o
Solution:
a. cos 60o b. sin 240o
= cos(90o - 30o) = -sin(180o + 60o)
= sin 30o = -sin 60o
= -sin (90o – 30o)
= -cos 30o
2.sin(90°−𝛼)+cos(180°−𝛼)
2. Simplify:
− sin(90°− 𝛼)−2.cos(360°− 𝛼)
2.sin(90°−𝛼)+cos(180°−𝛼)
− sin(90°− 𝛼)−2.cos(360°− 𝛼)
2.cos α +(− cos 𝛼)
=
− cos α −2.cos 𝛼
cos 𝛼
=
−3 cos 𝛼
1
= −3

Page 5 of 10
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

tan 210°.sin 240°.sin 170°

3. Simplify:
cos 100°.sin 225°.cos 135°
tan 210°.sin 240°.sin 170°
cos 100°.sin 225°.cos 135°
tan 30°.(−sin 60°).sin 10°
=
(− cos 80°).(−sin 45°).(− cos 45°)
ξ3 ξ3
3
(− 2 ) sin 10°
= Could have changed sin 10o to cos 80o.
ξ2 ξ2
(− sin 10°)(− )(− )
2 2
Must show the conversion.
3
6
=+ 2
4
3 4
=( ) (2)
6
=1

4
4. Find cos (90o - ) if tan  = and   (0o; 90o).
3
Solution:
4 𝑦
tan  = = [ is in Quad 1  𝑥 and 𝑦 positive]
3 𝑥
𝑦
By Pythagoras Thm, 𝑟2 = 16 + 9 (3;4)
𝑟2 = 25 𝑟
𝑟 =5

O 𝑥
cos (90o- ) = sin 
4
=
5

Page 6 of 10
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

WRITING TERMS OF A GIVEN ANGLE

Given: cos 20o = t
Write the following in terms of t:
cos 160o
= cos (180o – 20o)
= -cos 20o
= -t

cos 200o
= cos (180o + 20o)
= -cos 20o
= -t

cos (-340o)
= cos 20o
=t

NB this is a very common type of question - need to use Pythgoras Thm to calculate the third
side
1
sin 70o y2 = 12 – t2 Pythagoras Thm
= cos 20o y = ξ1 − 𝑡 2 NB can’t square root over + or - sign 30o
= ξ1 − 𝑡 2 t

IDENTITIES
1. Quotient Identity
sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 1
= tan 𝜃 = tan 𝜃
cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃

2. Pythagorean Identity
sin2  + cos2  = 1
𝑦
PROOF: (𝑥; 𝑦)
LHS = sin2  + cos2  𝑟
𝑥 2 𝑦 2
LHS = (𝑟 ) + ( 𝑟 ) 𝜃
𝑥
𝑥2 𝑦2 O
LHS = + 𝑟2
𝑟2
𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
LHS = 𝑟2
𝑟2
LHS = [by Pythagoras Thm]
𝑟2
LHS = 1
LHS = RHS

Page 7 of 10
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

Example:
1. Write sin . tan  + cos  in terms of sin  and/or cos , in its simplest form.
Solution:
sin . tan  + cos 
sin . sin 
= + cos 
cos 
sin 2  + cos 2 
=
cos 
1
=
cos 

tan 𝜃.cos(360°− 𝜃).sin(180°−𝜃)

2. Simplify:
sin(180°+ 𝜃)

tan 𝜃.cos(360°− 𝜃).sin(180°−𝜃)

sin(180°+ 𝜃)
sin 𝜃.cos 𝜃.sin 𝜃
=
cos θ(−sin 𝜃)
= -sin 

3. Simplify to one trig ratio:

a. tan2 x – tan2 x.sin2 x
= tan2 x(1 - sin2 x)
sin2 𝑥.cos2 𝑥
=
cos2 𝑥
2
= sin x

b. (cos x + sin x)2

= cos2 x + 2cos x.sin x + sin2 x
= 1 + 2cos x.sin x

c. (1 - cos A)(1 + cos A)

= 1 – cos2 A
= sin2 A

d. (sin A - 1)(sin A + 1)
= sin2A – 1
= -1(-sin2A + 1)
= -cos2 A

Page 8 of 10
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

PROVING IDENTITIES

To prove an identity you need to transform one side to the exact form of the other side or transform
both sides to the same expression.
Hints:
1. If in doubt change everything to sin  and cos .
2. Start with the more "complicated" side and try and write it like the other side.
3. You can use any of the fundamental identities.
4. Avoid using surds as they carry the ambiguous  sign.
5. Do not use the definitions - it makes life too complicated and have to have a sketch.
6. Sometimes it helps to change 1 back to sin2  + cos2 .

N.B. ALWAYS WORK WITH THE LHS AND THE RHS SEPARATELY.

Example:
sin  1 + cos  2
Prove that + =
1 + cos  sin  sin 
Solution:
sin  1 + cos 
LHS = +
1 + cos  sin 
sin  + (1 + cos ) 2
2
LHS =
sin (1 + cos )
sin 2  + 1 + 2. cos  + cos 2 
LHS =
sin (1 + cos )
1 + 1 + 2. cos 
LHS =
sin (1 + cos )
2 + 2. cos 
LHS =
sin (1 + cos )
2(1 + cos )
LHS =
sin (1 + cos )
2
LHS =
sin 
LHS = RHS

Page 9 of 10
Gr 11 & 12 Trig Notes

USE OF THE CALCULATOR

N.B. It is important to remember BODMAS when using the calculator.

N.B. ALWAYS USE A POSITIVE RATIO IN THE CALCULATOR.

N.B. NEVER INVERT A DEGREE.

To find the ratio of a given angle.

Given sin  / cos  / tan  use sin/cos/tan key.

Example: sin 50o = 0,766

To find the angle given the ratio.

Given sin  / cos  / tan  you use the sin-1/cos-1/tan-1 key.

Example:
If sin  = 0,5, then one solution for  is 30o.

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