Maths (/maths/) > Math Article (/maths/articles/) > Trigonometry (/maths/trigonometry/)
Trigonometry
Trigonometry is one of the important branches in the history of mathematics that deals with
the study of the relationship between the sides and angles of a right-angled triangle.
(https://byjus.com/maths/right-angle-triangle/) This concept is given by the Greek
mathematician Hipparchus. In this article, we are going to learn the basics of trigonometry
such as trigonometry functions, ratios, trigonometry table, formulas and many solved
examples.
Table of contents:
Trigonometry Definition
Trigonometric Ratios (Sin, Cos, Tan)
Six Trigonometric Functions
Even and Odd Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric Angles
Table
Unit Circle
Formulas
Identities
Euler’s Formula
Basics of Trigonometry
Examples
Applications
Solved Problems
FAQs
What is Trigonometry?
Trigonometry is one of the most important branches in mathematics that finds huge
application in diverse fields. The branch called “Trigonometry” basically deals with the study of
the relationship between the sides and angles of the right-angle triangle. Hence, it helps to find
the missing or unknown angles or sides of a right triangle using the trigonometric formulas,
functions or trigonometric identities. In trigonometry, the angles can be either measured in
degrees or radians. Some of the most commonly used trigonometric angles for calculations
are 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°.
Trigonometry is further classified into two sub-branches. The two different types of
trigonometry are:
Plane Trigonometry
Spherical Trigonometry
In this article, let us discuss the six important trigonometric functions, ratios, trigonometry table,
formulas and identities which helps to find the missing angles or sides of a right triangle.
Trigonometry Ratios-Sine, Cosine, Tangent
The trigonometric ratios of a triangle are also called the trigonometric functions. Sine, cosine,
and tangent are 3 important trigonometric functions and are abbreviated as sin, cos and tan.
Let us see how are these ratios or functions, evaluated in case of a right-angled triangle.
Consider a right-angled triangle, where the longest side is called the hypotenuse, and the sides
opposite to the hypotenuse are referred to as the adjacent and opposite sides.
Six Important Trigonometric Functions
The six important trigonometric functions (trigonometric ratios) are calculated using the below
formulas and considering the above figure. It is necessary to get knowledge about the sides of
the right triangle because it defines the set of important trigonometric functions.
Functions Abbreviation Relationship to sides of a right triangle
Sine Function sin Opposite side/ Hypotenuse
Tangent Function tan Opposite side / Adjacent side
Cosine Function cos Adjacent side / Hypotenuse
Cosecant Function cosec Hypotenuse / Opposite side
Secant Function sec Hypotenuse / Adjacent side
Cotangent Function cot Adjacent side / Opposite side
Even and Odd Trigonometric Functions
The trigonometric function can be described as being even or odd.
Odd trigonometric functions: A trigonometric function is said to be an odd function if f(-x) = -
f(x) and symmetric with respect to the origin.
Even trigonometric functions: A trigonometric function is said to be an even function, if f(-x) =
f(x) and symmetric to the y-axis.
We know that
Sin (-x) = – Sin x
Cos (-x) = Cos x
Tan (-x) = -Tan x
Csc (-x) = – Csc x
Sec (-x) = Sec x
Cot (-x) = -Cot x
Therefore, cosine and secant are the even trigonometric functions, whereas sine, tangent,
cosecant and cotangent are the odd trigonometric functions. If we know the even and odd
trigonometric functions, it helps us to simplify the trigonometric expression when the variable
inside the trigonometric function is negative.
Trigonometry Angles
The trigonometry angles which are commonly used in trigonometry problems are 0°, 30°, 45°,
60° and 90°. The trigonometric ratios such as sine, cosine and tangent of these angles are easy
to memorize. We will also show the table where all the ratios and their respective angle’s values
are mentioned. To find these angles we have to draw a right-angled triangle, in which one of
the acute angles will be the corresponding trigonometry angle. These angles will be defined
with respect to the ratio associated with it.
For example, in a right-angled triangle,
Sin θ = Perpendicular/Hypotenuse
or θ = sin-1 (P/H)
Similarly,
θ = cos-1 (Base/Hypotenuse)
θ = tan-1 (Perpendicular/Base)
Trigonometry Table
Check the table for common angles which are used to solve many trigonometric problems
involving trigonometric ratios.
Angles 0° 30° 45° 60° 90°
Sin θ 0 ½ 1/√2 √3/2 1
Cos θ 1 √3/2 1/√2 ½ 0
Tan θ 0 1/√3 1 √3 ∞
Cosec θ ∞ 2 √2 2/√3 1
Sec θ 1 2/√3 √2 2 ∞
Cot θ ∞ √3 1 1/√3 0
In the same way, we can find the trigonometric ratio values for angles beyond 90 degrees, such
as 180°, 270° and 360°.
Unit Circle
The concept of unit circle helps us to measure the angles of cos, sin and tan directly since the
centre of the circle is located at the origin and radius is 1. Consider theta be an angle then,
Suppose the length of the perpendicular is y and of base is x. The length of the hypotenuse is
equal to the radius of the unit circle, which is 1. Therefore, we can write the trigonometry ratios
as;
Sin θ y/1 = y
Cos θ x/1 = x
Tan θ y/x
List of Trigonometry Formulas
The Trigonometric formulas or Identities are the equations which are true in the case of Right-
Angled Triangles. Some of the special trigonometric identities
(https://byjus.com/maths/trigonometric-identities/) are given below –
1. Pythagorean Identities
sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
tan2θ + 1 = sec2θ
cot2θ + 1 = cosec2θ
sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ
cos 2θ = cos²θ – sin²θ
tan 2θ = 2 tan θ / (1 – tan²θ)
cot 2θ = (cot²θ – 1) / 2 cot θ
2. Sum and Difference identities-
For angles u and v, we have the following relationships:
sin(u + v) = sin(u)cos(v) + cos(u)sin(v)
cos(u + v) = cos(u)cos(v) – sin(u)sin(v)
\(\begin{array}{l}tan(u+v) = \frac{tan(u)\ +\ tan(v)}{1-tan(u)\ tan(v)}\end{array} \)
sin(u – v) = sin(u)cos(v) – cos(u)sin(v)
cos(u – v) = cos(u)cos(v) + sin(u)sin(v)
\(\begin{array}{l}tan(u-v) = \frac{tan(u)\ -\ tan(v)}{1+tan(u)\ tan(v)}\end{array} \)
3. If A, B and C are angles and a, b and c are the sides of a triangle, then,
Sine Laws
a/sinA = b/sinB = c/sinC
Cosine Laws
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc cos A
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cos B
Trigonometry Table (https://byjus.com/maths/trigonometry-table/)
Trigonometry For Class 10 (https://byjus.com/maths/trigonometry-for-class-10/)
Trigonometry For Class 11 (https://byjus.com/maths/trigonometry-for-class-11/)
Trigonometry Formulas for Class 10 (https://byjus.com/maths/trigonometry-formula-
for-class-10/)
Trigonometry Formulas for Class 11 (https://byjus.com/maths/trigonometry-formula-
for-class-11/)
Trigonometry Formulas for Class 12 (https://byjus.com/maths/trigonometry-formula-
for-class-12/)
Trigonometry Identities
The three important trigonometric identities are:
sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
tan²θ + 1 = sec²θ
cot²θ + 1 = cosec²θ
Euler’s Formula for trigonometry
As per the euler’s formula,
eix = cos x + i sin x
Where x is the angle and i is the imaginary number.
\(\begin{array}{l}\sin x=\frac{e^{i x}-e^{-i x}}{2 i}\\ \cos x=\frac{e^{i x}+e^{-i x}}{2}\\
\tan x=\frac{\left(e^{i x}-e^{-i x}\right)}{i\left(e^{i x}+e^{-i x}\right)}\end{array} \)
Trigonometry Basics
The three basic functions in trigonometry are sine, cosine and tangent. Based on these three
functions the other three functions that are cotangent, secant and cosecant are derived.
All the trigonometrical concepts are based on these functions. Hence, to understand
trigonometry further we need to learn these functions and their respective formulas at first.
If θ is the angle in a right-angled triangle, then
Sin θ = Perpendicular/Hypotenuse
Cos θ = Base/Hypotenuse
Tan θ = Perpendicular/Base
Perpendicular is the side opposite to the angle θ.
The base is the adjacent side to the angle θ.
The hypotenuse is the side opposite to the right angle
The other three functions i.e. cot, sec and cosec depend on tan, cos and sin respectively, such
as:
Cot θ = 1/tan θ
Sec θ = 1/cos θ
Cosec θ = 1/sin θ
Hence,
Cot θ = Base/Perpendicular
Sec θ = Hypotenuse/Base
Cosec θ = Hypotenuse/Perpendicular
Trigonometry Examples
There are many real-life examples where trigonometry is used broadly.
If we have been given with height of the building and the angle formed when an object is seen
from the top of the building, then the distance between object and bottom of the building can
be determined by using the tangent function, such as tan of angle is equal to the ratio of the
height of the building and the distance. Let us say the angle is ∝, then
Tan ∝ = Height/Distance between object & building
Distance = Height/Tan ∝
Let us assume that height is 20m and the angle formed is 45 degrees, then
Distance = 20/Tan 45°
Since, tan 45° = 1
So, Distance = 20 m
To solve m, use the sine ratio.
Sin 72.3° = m/315
0.953 = m/315
m= 315 x 0.953
m=300.195 mtr
The man is 300.195 mtr above the ground.
Example 2: A man is observing a pole of height 55 foot. According to his measurement, pole
cast a 23 feet long shadow. Can you help him to know the angle of elevation of the sun from the
tip of shadow?
Solution:
Let x be the angle of elevation of the sun, then
tan x = 55/23 = 2.391
x = tan-1(2.391)
or x = 67.30 degrees
Trigonometry Questions
Practise these questions given here to get a deep knowledge of Trigonometry. Use the formulas
and table given in this article wherever necessary.
Q.1: In △ABC, right-angled at B, AB=22 cm and BC=17 cm. Find:
(a) sin A Cos B
(b) tan A tan B
Q.2: If 12cot θ= 15, then find sec θ.
Q.3: In Δ PQR, right-angled at Q, PR + QR = 30 cm and PQ = 10 cm. Determine the values of
sin P, cos P and tan P.
Q.4: If sec 4θ = cosec (θ- 300), where 4θ is an acute angle, find the value of A.
Frequently Asked Questions on Trigonometry
Q1 What do you Mean by Trigonometry?
Trigonometry is one of the branches of mathematics which deals with the relationship
between the sides of a triangle (right triangle) with its angles. There are 6 trigonometric
functions for which the relation between sides and angles are defined. Learn more about
trigonometry now by visiting BYJU’S.
Q2 What are the six basic Trigonometric Functions?
There are 6 trigonometric functions which are:
Sine function
Cosine function
Tan function
Sec function
Cot function
Cosec function
Q3 What is the formula for six trigonometry functions?
The formula for six trigonometry functions are:
Sine A = Opposite side/Hypotenuse
Cos A = Adjacent side / Hypotenuse
Tan A = Opposite side / Adjacent side
Cot A = Adjacent side / Opposite side
Sec A = Hypotenuse / Adjacent side
Cosec A = Hypotenuse / Opposite side
Q4 What is the primary function of trigonometry?
The three primary functions of trigonometry are Sine function, Cosine function and Tangent
Function.
Q5 Who is the founder of trigonometry?
A greek astronomer, geographer and mathematician, Hipparchus discovered the concept
of trigonometry.
Q6 What are the Applications of Trigonometry in Real Life?
One of the most important real-life applications of trigonometry is in the calculation of
height and distance. Some of the sectors where the concepts of trigonometry are
extensively used are aviation department, navigation, criminology, marine biology, etc.
Learn more about the applications of trigonometry
(https://byjus.com/maths/applications-of-trigonometry/) here.
