Additional Mathematics Year 1

SECTION

7 TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS AND
THEIR APPLICATIONS
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

GEOMETRIC REASONING AND

MEASUREMENT
Measurement of Triangles

INTRODUCTION
Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that explores the relationships between
the angles and sides of triangles. We will focus on the definition of trigonometric
ratios, functions and their application, special angles, quadrantal angles and radian
measure. On the definition of trigonometry, we will look at the definition of sine,
cosine, tangents and their reciprocals. We will use these definitions to solve for
the unknown sides and angles in a given right-angled triangle. The application
of trigonometry will focus on the angles of elevation and depression and solve
related problems. Additionally, we will discuss special angles and how to convert
between degrees and radians. The concept of trigonometry is used extensively
in other fields and in real life. Examples of such applications are in physics, arts,
design, architecture and construction. Understanding and mastering trigonometry
will prepare you for more advanced topics in years 2 and 3 as well as advanced
studies at the tertiary level.

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Recall basic trigonometric ratios and use the knowledge to solve problems
relating to triangles
• Use special triangles and the unit circle to determine the geometrical and
functional values of trigonometric ratios including special angles.
• Determine radians measure and apply the knowledge to solve practical
arc length problems.
• Identify the coordinates of the quadrantal angles in a unit circle and use
them to find the trigonometric values of quadrantal angles.

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Key Ideas

• The basic trigonometry ratios are sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant
and cotangent
• Trigonometry functions relate an angle of a right-angled triangle to ratios
of two side lengths.
• 30​°​, 45​°​, 60​°​are examples of special angles. The trigonometry ratios
of these special angles can be calculated without using a calculator or a
four-figure table.

TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS
The names of the six trigonometric functions are sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant,
secant and cotangent. The names of all these six functions have three-letter
abbreviations as shown below:

Table 1: The six trigonometric functions

Name Abbreviation
Sine Sin
Cosine Cos
Tangent Tan
Cosecant Csc
Secant Sec
Cotangent Cot

Except for Cosecant, all abbreviations are the first three letters of the names.
The last three are simply the reciprocals of the first three. Remember that the
​​ab ​​ is __
​​12 ​​and the reciprocal of __
reciprocal of 2 is __ ​​ ab ​ etc. This is the same in that the
reciprocal of sine is the cosecant etc.

Table 2: The reciprocals of the three trigonometric functions

Name Reciprocal
Sine Cosecant
Cosine Secant
Tangent Cotangent

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

This means that:

1 ​​​
Cosecant= ​​____ 1 ​​​
Secant= ​​_____ Cotangent = ______1 ​​​
​​ Tangent
Sine Cosine
All possible ratios of the three sides of a right-angle triangle give the trigonometric
ratios.
Let us generate these ratios using the activity below:
1. Draw a right-angle triangle of any reasonable dimensions.
2. Label one of the acute angles, ​θ​
3. Name the sides of the triangles with reference to ​θ​
The longest side is the side opposite the right angle. It is the hypotenuse.
The other two sides are named opposite or adjacent depending on the acute
angle of reference.
In Figure 1, the names of the sides of the triangle are in reference to the
angle ​θ​

Figure 1: Right-angled triangle

4. Find below the definitions of the trigonometric ratios

Opposite
1. Sin​ θ​​=​ _________
​​ Hypotenuse ​
Adjacent
2. Cos​ θ​​=​_________
​​ Hypotenuse ​
Opposite
3. Tan ​θ​​=​_______
​​ Adjacent ​
Hypotenuse 1
4. Csc ​θ​​=​_________
​​ Opposite ​= ____
​sinθ​
Hypotenuse 1 ​
​​5. Sec​ θ​​=​_________
​​ Adjacent ​= ____
​cosθ
Adjacent 1 ​​
6. Cot​ θ​​=​ _______
​​ Opposite ​= ____
​tanθ​

Note the following properties

1. The trigonometry functions are properties of angles, NOT triangles. We use
the triangles to help find the ratios.

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

2. Trigonometry functions have no units.

3. Squared trigonometry functions for example are written as ​cos​​2​θ​and are
read as “Cos squared theta”
Let us solve two examples to enhance our understanding!

Example 1

Figure 2 shows a right-angle triangle with vertical, horizontal and diagonal heights
measuring 5, 12 and 13 units.
Find:
(i) Sin A
(ii) Cos A
(iii) Tan A
(iv) Sec A
(v) Csc A Figure 2
(vi) Cot A

Solution

From the diagram, the side adjacent to angle A is 12, the side opposite to A is 5
and the hypotenuse is 13 (always the longest side which is opposite to the right
angle)
the side Opposite to the angle
_____________________
(i) Recall that sin of an angle ​=   
​   
Hypotenuse
  ​​
opposite to A
5
Therefore, Sin A ​= __________
​Hypotenuse ​= __
​13 ​

​Adacent
(ii) Cos A ​= _________to A __
Hypotenuse
12 ​​
​= ​13
Opposite to A 5
(iii) Tan A ​= __________
​Adjacent to A ​= __
​12 ​
Hypotenuse13 1​
(iv) Sec A ​= _________
​ Adjacent ​= __
​12 ​ = 1​__
12
1 ​​​= ____
Alternatively, Sec A = ​​____ 1 ​​​= ​1 ÷ __
​​ 12 ​12 ​13
​​ = ​1 × __ ​ 13 ​ = 1​​__
​​ = __ 1 ​​
cosA ​(__
​13 ​)​
13 12 12 12​

Hypotenuse
(v) Csc A ​= _________ ​13
​ Opposite ​= __5
​35 ​​
​ = 2 __
5
Alternatively, Cosec A = ____ 1 ​​​= ____
​​ sinA ​​ 15 ​​ = 1 ÷ __
​​ 13 ​13
​​​= ​1 × __ ​​ 13
​​ = __ ​35 ​​
​ = 2 __
​(__
​13 ​)​ 5 5

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Adjacent
(vi) Cot A ​= _______ ​12
​Opposite ​= __
5
​25 ​​
​ = 2 __
1 ​​​= ____ 5
Alternatively, Cot A = ​​_____ ​​ 15 ​​= 1 ÷ __
​​ 12 ​12
​​​= ​1 × __ ​​ 12
​​ = __ ​ = 2 ​__25 ​​
Tan A ​(__
​12 ​)​ 5 5

Example 2

The diagram below shows a right-angled triangular plate of dimensions 3, 5 and​

x​. Use this information to answer the questions.

Figure 3: Right-angled triangle

Find the value of

(i) ​x​
(ii) Cot​θ​
(iii) Sin ​θ​
(iv) ​θ​

Solution

Using ​θ​as our reference, let us first assign names to the sides of the triangle. The
side of the triangle opposite to θ​ ​is ​x​, the side adjacent to θ​ ​is 3 and the hypotenuse
is 5
(i) To find ​x​, we will apply the Pythagoras theorem.
This gives ​x​2​+ ​3​2​= ​5​2​
x​ ​2​= ​5​2​− ​3​2​​
x2 = 25 − 9
x2 = 16
_
​
x = ​√ 16 ​= 4​
Adjacent
(ii) Cot ​θ = _______ ​3x ​= __
​Opposite ​= __ ​34 ​​
x 4 ​​
(iii) Sin θ​ = ​________ ​
hypotenuse 5
= __
​

(iv) ​45 ​​. This means, θ​ = ​sin​​−1​(__

from (iii), we have Sin θ​ = __ ​45 ​)​ = 53.13°​

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
The trigonometric function relates an angle in the right-angled triangle to the
ratio of lengths of any two sides. Under this sub-topic, we will learn how to find
the signs of trigonometry ratios in each of the four quadrants in the cartesian
coordinate plane (x-y plane).
The x and the y axis divide the coordinates plane into four parts with each called
a quadrant. The diagram below shows an example of a coordinate plane.

Figure 4: Coordinate plane

1. All points in the first quadrant will have positive values for both x and y
coordinates.
2. In the second quadrant, the x coordinates are negative and the y coordinates
are positive
3. The third quadrant will have negative values for both x and y coordinates
4. The x coordinates of points in the fourth quadrant are positive and that of
their corresponding y coordinates are negative.
Let us find the signs of the trigonometry ratios starting from the first quadrant.
1. Plot any arbitrary point (x, y) and draw a line to join it to the origin.
2. Label the acute angle formed by the line and the x-axis, ​θ​.
3. Draw a straight line from point (x, y) to intersect the x-axis at right angles.
4. Label the hypotenuse r​ ​.
5. Find the trigonometry ratios

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Your result should be similar to the one below:

Figure 5: Right-angled triangle

From the right-angle triangle,

+y y
sinθ = ___
​​ r ​​ = ​​_r ​​
+x _x
cosθ = ​​___
r ​​ = ​​ r ​​​
+y y
tanθ = ___
​​ + x ​​ = _​​ x ​​​
ALL RATIOS ARE POSITIVE

For the second quadrant, we will use ​(​−​​x, y) and repeat the same steps
You answer should be similar to the one below:

Figure 6: Right-angled triangle

+y y
sinθ = ___
​​ r ​​ = ​​_​r ​​
–x _x
cosθ = ​​__
r ​​ = −​​ ​r ​​
+y y
tanθ = ​​___ _
− x ​​ = −​​ x​​​
ONLY SINE IS POSITIVE

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

For the third quadrant, we will use ​(​−​​x, ​−​y) and repeat the same steps
You answer should be similar to the one below:

Figure 7: Right-angled triangle

–y y
sinθ = ___
​​ r ​​ = − __
​​ ​r ​​
x _x
cosθ = −_
r ​= −​​ ​r ​​
y y
tanθ = −_ _
− x ​= ​​ ​x ​​
ONLY TAN IS POSITIVE

For the fourth quadrant, we will use (​ ​​x, ​−​y) and repeat the same steps
You answer should be similar to the one below:

Figure 8: Right-angled triangle

–y y
sinθ = ___
​​ r ​​ = − _​​ ​r ​​
cosθ = ​​_x​r ​​ = _​​ x​r
–y y
​​tanθ = ___
​​ x ​​ = − _​​ x ​​​
ONLY COS IS POSITIVE

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Figure 9 shows the summarized results:

Figure 9: Summary of results

For θ​ ​in Q1 (first quadrant), All​sinθ​, ​cosθ ​and​ tanθ​are positive.

For θ​ ​in Q2 (second quadrant), only ​sinθ​is positive.
For θ​ ​in Q3 (third quadrant), only​tanθ ​is positive.
For θ​ ​in Q4 (fourth quadrant), only ​cosθ​is positive.
The word CAST (i.e. the first letters of the ratios beginning from the fourth
quadrant) will help you remember the positive ratios.
Table 3: Trigonometric Functions

Quadrant Trigonometric Function

sine cosine tangent cosecant secant cotangent
First + + + + + +
Second + − − + − −
Third − − + − − +
Fourth − + − − + −

Let us solve some examples to consolidate our understanding

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Example 3

The terminal side of an angle, θ, passes through the point (7, 24).
Find the values of the six trigonometric functions of the angle.

Solution

First, plot the point on the x-y axis.

Figure 10: Right-angled triangle

Then, find r.
Using Pythagoras’ theorem, we have ​r​2​= ​7​2​+ ​24​​2​
​ r​​2​= 49 + 576 ​
r​​2​= 625
_
r= ​ 625 ​
√

r = 25​
Let’s use the diagram to find the trig functions
opposite to θ
Sin​θ = _________ 24 ​ ​
​Hypotenuse ​= __
​25 Cosec θ = ___
​​ sinθ ​25
1 ​​​= __
24
1 ​​​
​ = 1​​__
24
Adjacent to θ
Cos ​θ = __________ 7
​ Hypotenuse ​= __
​25 ​​ Sec ​θ = ​___
Cosθ
​25
1 ​= __
7
​ = 3 ​__47 ​​

Opposite
Tan θ​ = _______ ​24
​Adjacent ​= __7
​ = 3 ​__37 ​​ Cot ​θ = ____
​tanθ 7
1 ​= ​__
24​
​​

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Example 4

The terminal side of an angle passes through the point ( 8, − 15). Find the values
of the six trigonometric functions of angle θ.

Solution

First, plot the point on the x-y axis.

Note: (distance/
length is always
positive)

Figure 11: Right-angled triangle

Then, find r.
Using Pythagoras’ theorem, we have ​r​2​= ​8​2​+ (​ ​15​)​2​
​r​2​= 64 + 225
r​ ​2​= 289
_
r = √​ 289 ​
r = 17​
bearing in mind that the triangle is in the fourth quadrant.
Let’s use the diagram to find the trig functions :
opposite to θ
Sin​θ = _________ ​15
​Hypotenuse ​= − __
17
​​ Cosec θ​ = ​___
sinθ
7
1 ​= – __
​15 2​
​ = − 1​__
15
Adjacent to θ 8
Cos ​θ = __________
​ Hypotenuse ​= __
​17 ​ Sec ​θ = ___
​Cosθ ​17
1 ​= __
8
​18 ​​
​ = 2 __

Opposite
Tan θ​ = _______ ​15
​Adjacent ​= − __8
​78 ​​
​ = − 1 __ Cot ​θ = ____
​tanθ​ 8
1 ​ = – ​__
15
​​
Recall that in the fourth quadrant, only cosine is positive. Hence all trigonometric
functions involving sine and tangent will be negative.

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

APPLICATIONS OF TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS (ELEVATION AND DEPRESSION)
Angles of elevation and depression play an important role in solving real-life
problems. Understanding this concept will enable you to calculate various
distances and heights of objects. In mathematics ‘to elevate’ is to raise above
the horizontal. The angle of elevation is the angle an observer must raise their
eye through to see an object that is higher than the observer. The diagram below
explains this principle.

Figure 12: Angle of elevation

The observer is looking at the top of the tower. The distance between his eye and
the top of the tower is called the line of sight. It is an imaginary line (straight)
that stretches between the observer’s eye and the object he is looking at. The line
that stretches left to right form the observer’s eye is the horizontal line. The angle
above the horizontal line and below the line of sight, ​θ,​is the angle of elevation.
Angle of depression on the other hand is the angle formed by a line of sight and
the horizontal plane of an observer looking down.

Figure 13: Angle of depression

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

The observer is looking at an object below their eye level. The angle, θ​ ,​is the
angle of depression.
To solve problems involving angle of elevation and depression, the following
suggestions may prove useful.
• Draw a sketch diagram of the problem if necessary.
• Write in the sketch diagram the given angle of elevation and depression.
• Apply trigonometry and/or Pythagoras’ theorem to find missing distances
and angles.
Let us now solve some questions.

Example 5

Figure 14: Angle of elevation from a rectangular field

ABCD is a rectangular field of dimension 28m by 60m. Point M, the base of a

vertical pole is situated at the mid-point of side BC. The pole, MN, which is 12m,
casts a shadow that reaches point O, 9m from D. O is a point on line AD.
Calculate the angle of elevation of the top of the pole, N, from point O.

Solution

We will first complete the missing distances on the diagram.

Since BC= 60m and point M is at the midpoint of BC,
​​12 ​ × 60 = 30​m
it implies |BM| = __
Also since, ABCD is a rectangle, AD = BC = 60m.
This implies |OA|= ​60 − 9 = 51​m

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Draw a perpendicular from point M to intersect AD at E

Figure 15: Angle of elevation from a rectangular field

|ME| ​= |​​BA​|​ = 28​​, |AE| =| BM| =30m.

Since |DE| = 30m and |DO| = 9cm, |EO| =​30 − 9 = 21​m

From triangle OEM, |OM|2 = |OE|2 + |EM|2

​|​OM​|​2​= ​21​​2​+ ​28​​2​
​|OM|​2​= 441 + 784 = 1225​
_
​|OM|​= √​ 1225 ​
Figure 16: Right-angled triangle
|OM| = 35m​
From triangle OMN,
​|​ON​|​2​= ​35​​2​+ ​12​​2​
​|ON|​2​= 1225 + 144 = 1369​
_____
​ ​|ON|​=​ √​​ 1369 ​​​
Figure 17: Right-angled triangle
|ON| = 37​m

Finally, we can use any of the trigonometry ratios to calculate Angle MON​= θ​
The side opposite to ​θ = 12​and side adjacent to ​θ = 35​and the hypotenuse =
​ 37​
12 ​​
tan​θ = __
​35

​θ = ​tan​​−1​(_35 )
​12 ​ ​= 18.9°​

Therefore, the angle of elevation of the top of the pole, N, from point O is ​18.9°​

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Example 6

Two points A and C are on opposite sides of a vertical pole, BD.

Points A and C are on the same level ground as the foot of the pole, B.
The angle of elevation of the top of the pole, D, from A and C, are 30​°​and 60​°​
respectively. The height of the pole is 15m.
(a) Calculate the shortest distance between points A and B.
(b) Which of the points is closer to the pole? Give a reason.

Solution

First, make a sketch of the problem. It doesn’t matter about being perfectly to
scale.

Figure 18: A sketch of the angle of elevation

​​15
(a) From triangle ABD, t​an30° = ___ ​​
|​AB​|​
Making |AB| the subject, we have |AB| ​×​ tan​30° = 15​
Divide through by tan 30
​|AB|​× Tan30 15
​_ Tan30
​ = _____
​tan30° ​​
|AB|​= 15 ÷ tan30​ _ _
​​ 13 ​​ = 15 √​ 3 ​
​ 1__ ​= 1​5 × ___
√
​|AB|​= 15 ÷ ___
​ 3​
√
15
From triangle BCD, t​an60° = ____ ​​​B ​​
| C​|​
Making |BC| the subject, we have |BC|​×​ tan​60° = 15​
Divide through by tan 60
​|BC|​× Tan60 _____
​_ Tan60
​= ​ 15 ​​
tan60°
|BC| ​= 15 ÷ tan60​
_ _
​15_ ​​
​|BC|​= 15 ÷ √​ 3 ​= ​15 ÷ √​ 3 ​= ___
​√ 3 ​

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Rationalising, we__ have:_ _

​× ​​ 3__​  ​ = _____
5_ ___
​153​ 3 ​ ​ = 5 √​ 3 ​
√ √
​|BC|​= 1_
​
​√ 3 ​ ​√ 3 ​ _ _ _
The shortest distance from A to B is ​15 ​√ 3 ​+ 5 √​ 3 ​= 20 √​ 3 ​​metres
_
(b) Point C is closer to_the pole than point A since |AB| = 15​​√ 3 ​m as compared
to |BC| which is 5​√​ 3 ​​m

SPECIAL ANGLES
You will need a calculator or four-figure table to calculate the basic trigonometric
values of most angles. However, the trigonometric values of a few angles can be
calculated without using a calculator or a four-figure table. Here, we will derive
the trigonometric ratios of these special angles. This is important as you will need
it when simplifying trig functions and equations. The special angles of interest to
us are: 30​°​, 60​°​and 45​°​.

Angle 45​°​
To derive the trig value of 45​°​, follow the steps:
1. Draw a square of side 1 unit and bisect it along the diagonal. This will give
two congruent right-angle triangles. Do not forget that the diagonal will
bisect the angles.

Figure 19: Congruent right-angle triangles

2. Then, find the length of the diagonal of one of the triangles.

Using Pythagoras Theorem, we have ​d​2​= ​1​2​+ ​1​2​= 1 + 1 = 2​
_
​ d = ​ 2​
√

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

3. Finally, find the trigonometry ratios for the 45​°​.

_ _ _ _
Opposite
° = _________
​Hypotenuse ​= __ ​​ 22 ​​ = __
​1__ ​ = ___ ​12 ​​√ 2 ​​ ​​ 12 ​​ = ​√ 2 ​
√
Cosec 45​° = ___
√
Sin45​
√​ 2​​

_ _ _
Adjacent
Cos 45 ​= _________ ​1__ ​ = __
​Hypotenuse ​= __ ​12 ​√​ 2 ​ ​​ 12 ​​ = ​√ 2 ​
Sec 45​° = ___
√
√​ 2​​
Opposite
​ _______
Tan 45 = ​11 ​ = 1​
​Adjacent ​= __ Cot 45​°​ ​= ​__11 ​ = 1​

Angle 30​°​and 60​°​

First, draw an equilateral triangle of side 2 units and bisect it. This will give two
congruent 30-60 right-angled triangles.

Figure 20: 30-60 right-angled triangles

Then, find the length of the vertical height, h.

Using Pythagoras Theorem, we have ​2​2​= ​1​2​+ ​h​2​
4 = 1 + ​h​2​
4 − 1 = ​h​2​
3 = ​h​2​
_
h = ​√ 3 ​
Finally, we find the trigonometry ratios for the 30​°​and 60​°​
Let’s start with 60​°​
_ _ _
pposite
​​ 23 ​​ = __
​12 ​√​ 3 ​​ ​2__ ​= __
​23 ​√​ 3 ​
√
Sin 60​° = _________
​Hypotenuse ​= ___ Cosec 60​° = __
√​ 3 ​

djacent
Cos 60​°​ ​= ​_________ ​1 ​​
​= __
Hypotenuse 2
​21 ​ = 2​
Sec 60​° = __
_ _ _
Opposite ​√ 3 ​
​​ 33 ​​​
1__ ​ = ___
√
Tan 60​°​ ​= _______
​Adjacent ​= ___ °​ ​= ​__
​ 1 ​ = √​ 3 ​​ Cot 60​
√​ 3​​

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

We will use the same diagram for 30​°​

Adjacent
Sin 30​°​ ​= _________
​ ​1 ​​
​= __
Hypotenuse 2
° = ​__21 ​ = 2​
Cosec 30​
_ _ _
Opposite ​√ 3 ​ __1 2__ ​ = __
_________ ___
Cos 30​° = ​Hypotenuse ​= ​ 2 ​ = ​2 ​​ 3 ​​
√ Sec 30​° = ​__ ​23 ​√​ 3 ​
√​ 3​​
_ _ _
Opposite ​ 3​ √
​1__ ​ = __
​13 ​​√ 3 ​
√
Tan 30​°​ ​= _______
​Adjacent ​= __ Cot 30​°​ ​= ​___
1
​ = ​ 3​
√​ 3​​

QUADRANTAL ANGLES
Here we will use the unit circle to find the quadrantal angles. Quadrantal
angles have special properties. They are angles that terminate on the x and y axis.
Therefore, the quadrantal angles between 0° and 360° are 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° and
360° (all multiples of 90). The understanding of quadrantal angles will be used in
sketching trigonometric graphs and make calculations easy.
A unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1.
Follow the following activity to generate the trigonometry ratios of the quadrantal
angles.
1. Construct a circle with a radius of 1 unit and its centre at the origin of the
cartesian coordinate.

Figure 21: Cartesian coordinate

Since the radius is 1, it means every point on the circumference of the circle
is 1 unit away from the centre.
Also, the circle will intersect the positive ​x​-coordinate at (1, 0) and the
negative ​x-​ coordinate at (-1, 0).

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Likewise, it will intersect the positive y​ ​and the negative y​ ​coordinates at (0,
1) and (0, -1) respectively.
2. Plot any point (a, b) on the circumference of the circle. This makes an angle
of θ​ ​with the x​ -​axis. Draw a line from this point to intersect the x​ ​-axis at
right angles.

Figure 22: Cartesian coordinate

3. Using the triangle formed, find the value of the side opposite and adjacent
to ​θ​

Figure 23: Right-angled triangle

Opposite
​Hypotenuse ​= ​__b1 ​ = b​.
Recall that sin​θ = _________
Adjacent
Also, Cos​θ = _________
​ ​a ​ = a​
​= __
Hypotenuse ​1
Therefore, ​(a, b)​= (​ ​Cosθ, Sinθ​)​
So, for the unit circle above:
Vertical distance = Opposite = b = Sin​θ​
Horizontal distance = Adjacent = a = Cos​θ​
Opposite Sinθ
Recall also that tan​θ​= _______
​​ Adjacent ​= ____
​Cosθ ​

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Note that the signs will depend on the quadrant.

Figure 24: Cartesian coordinate

Let us generate the quadrantal angles using this understanding. In geometry,

angles are measured from the positive ​x​-axis in an anticlockwise direction. Recall
the quadrantal angles are 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°, 360°….
Let us start with ​θ = 0°​
When ​θ = 0​, the hypotenuse will line up with the ​x​-axis.

Figure 25: Cartesian coordinate

This means the vertical distance will be 0 units (since there is no vertical
movement).
So, sin 0 = 0
Cos 0 =1 (the horizontal movement is 1)

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Sin0°
Tan 0​°​=_____
​​ Cos0° ​01 ​ = 0​
​ = __
Sec 0​°​=____ 1 ​ = __
​​ cos0° ​11 ​ = 1​
1 ​= __
Csc​0° = ____
​sin0° ​10 ​ = ​Undefined
1 ​= __
Cot​0° = ____
​tan0° ​10 ​ =​ Undefined
What happens when ​θ = 90°​

Figure 26: Cartesian coordinate

When ​θ = 90°​, the hypotenuse will line up with the ​y​-axis.

This means the horizontal distance will be 0 units (since there is no horizontal
movement).
So, Cos 90​° ​= 0
Sin 90​° ​= 1 (the vertical movement is 1)
Sin90°
Tan 90​° ​=_____
​​ Cos90° ​ = ​__10 ​ =​ Undefined
Sec 90​°​=_____1 ​ = __
​​ cos90° ​10 ​ =​ Undefined
1 ​= __
Csc ​90° = _____
​sin90° ​11 ​ = 1​
1 ​= __
Cot ​90° =​_____ ​1 ​= ​Undefined
tan90° ∞

22
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

What happens when ​θ = 180°​

Figure 27: Cartesian coordinate

When ​θ = 180°​, the hypotenuse will line up with the negative ​x​-axis.
This means the vertical distance will be 0 units (since there is no vertical
movement).
So, Cos 180​°​= −
​ 1​(the horizontal movement is 1 in the negative x-axis)
Sin 180​°​= 0 (the vertical movement is 0)
Sin180° 0
Tan 180​°​ =​​_______
Cos180°
​ = __
​
–1
​= 0​
1 ​ = __
Sec 180​° ​= ​​______ 1 ​= − 1​
​–1
cos180°
1 ​= __
Csc​ 180° = ______
​sin180° ​10 ​ = ​Undefined
1 ​= __
Cot ​180° =​______ 1 ​ =​ Undefined
​
tan180° 0
What happens when ​θ = 270°​

23
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

When ​θ = 270°​, the hypotenuse will line up with the negative ​y​-axis.

Figure 28: Cartesian coordinate

This means the horizontal distance will be 0 units (since there is no horizontal
movement).
So, Cos 270° = 0
Sin 270​° ​= ​− 1​(the vertical movement is 1 in the negative y-axis)
Sin270
Tan 270​° ​=​ _______
​Cos270° ​−01 ​ = ​Undefined
​ = ___
Sec 270​°​=______1 ​ = __
​​ cos270° ​10 ​ =​ Undefined
1 ​= __
Csc ​270° = ______
​sin270° 1 ​= − 1​
​–1
1 ​= __
Cot ​270° = ______
​tan270° 1 ​ = ​Undefined
​​∞
The cycle repeats when ​θ = 360°​
Let us take stock of all the trigonometry ratios of the quadrantal angles we have
discussed.
Use your calculator to validate these values.

θ sinθ cosθ tanθ Csc​𝜽​ Sec​𝜽​ Cot​𝜽​

0° 0 1 0 Undefined 1 Undefined
90° 1 0 Undefined 1 Undefined Undefined
180° 0 −1 0 Undefined -1 Undefined
270° −1 0 Undefined -1 Undefined Undefined
360° 0 1 0 Undefined 1 Undefined

24
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Example 7

​12 ​​, calculate Cos x​ ​if ​90° < x < 180°​

Given Sin ​x = __

Solution

Using the given range, make a sketch diagram:

From the given range, angle ​x​will be located in the second quadrant.

​12 ​​
We were given Sin ​x = __
Opposite to x
Sin x​ ​ ​= __________ ​12 ​​
​ Hypotenuse ​= __

This means, should we relate this ratio to the sides of a right-angle triangle, the
side opposite angle ​x​= 1 and the longest side, or the hypotenuse, = 2

Figure 29: Right-angle triangle

To find the side adjacent to angle ​x​, we will apply Pythagoras Theorem.
This gives us: ​1​2​+ ​A​2​= ​2​2​, where A=Adjacent side
​A​2​= 4 − 1 = 3​
_
​A = √​ 3 ​
On the graph, the adjacent side represents the negative x-coordinate.
_
So, A =​− √​ 3 ​

Figure 30: Right-angle triangle

25
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Finally, we calculate the value of cos​x​

_
Adjacent
​​ 23 ​​​
√
Cos​x = _________
​
Hypotenuse
​= − ___
_
1
__ ​ 3​
√
___
Therefore, if Sin​x = ​2 ​​ for ​90° < x < 180°​, Cos​x = − ​ 2 ​​

Example 8
_
Given ​tanθ =​ √​​ 3 ​​,
​​ Secθ −Cotθ
Cosecθ
_____________
Calculate    ​for ​180° < x < 270°​

Solution
_
Opposite
​​ ​ 13 ​​ = _______
√
​tanθ =​ ___ ​Adjacent ​​
So, relating this to_the right-angle triangle from which the ratio was derived, we
have Opposite ​= √​ 3 ​and Adjacent = 1
This means we have to find the hypotenuse.
Let ​r =​ hypotenuse
_
​r​2​= ​1​2​+ (​ ​√ 3 ​)​2​= 4
_
​r = ​√ 4 ​= 2​
The range given falls in the third quadrant. Recall that the third quadrant has both
x and y-axis being negative. A sketch of the result is shown below

Figure 31: Right-angle triangle

​​Secθ −
   Cosecθ
Let us now calculate ___________
Cotθ
​
hypotenuse hypotenuse _
Sec​θ = ________ 2 ​= − 2​
​ Adjacent ​= __
​–1 Cosec​θ = ________ ​ 2_ ​= − __
​ Opposite ​= ___ ​23 ​​√ 3 ​
_ – √​ 3 ​
Adjacent
​​ 33 ​​​
​ 1_ ​= ___
√
Cot ​θ = _______
​Opposite ​= − ___
– √​ 3 ​

26
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

_
− 2— __​23 ​​√ 3 ​ _
( 3 ) ​√ 3 ​
Secθ − Cosecθ
____________ ________ __ 3__
2 ​​√ 3 ​ ​ × ​___
This implies   
​​ Cotθ
​ = ​ _ ​ = ​ − 2 − ​ ​​​
​√ 3 ​
___
​3 ​
_
= ​(_
​− 6 −3 2 ​ 3 ​​)​× ​__
3_
√
​
√3 ​

_
=(​− 6 −_2 ​ 3 ​​)​
√
​_
​ 3​
√

Rationalise the resulting expression

_ _ __
​(_
​− 6 −_2 ​ 3 ​​)​= ​(_
​− 6 −_2 ​ 3 ​​)​× ___
​​ 3__​ 
√ √ √
​ 3​
√ ​√ 3 ​ ​√ 3 ​
__
− 6 √​ 3 ​− 2(3)
​​= _________
​​ 3
​​
__
–6 (​ ​√ 3 ​+ 1)​
= ​​_________3
​​
__
= − 2(1 + ​​√ 3 ​​)
_
Secθ − Cosecθ
Therefore, ​​​___________
   Cotθ
​= − 2​(​1 + ​√ 3 ​)​​​

Example 9

Without using a calculator, find the value of Sin 315​°​

Solution

First make a sketch of the angle 315​°​in the x-y axis. This angle falls on the fourth
quadrant. This will result in a right-angle triangle with acute angle 45​°​
Recall that 45 is_ a special angle which is derived from a right-angle triangle of
sides 1, 1 and ​√ 2 ​. Also, in the fourth quadrant, the x-axis is positive and the y-axis
is negative.

Figure 32: Right-angle triangle

27
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

From the graph, Sin 315​°​is the same as the value of Sin 45​°​in the fourth quadrant.
_
​​ 22 ​​​
​1__ ​ = − ___
Therefore, Sin 315​° = − __
√
√​ 2​​

RADIAN MEASUREMENT
You might be more used to measuring angles in degrees. Radians are another way
of measuring angles. Aside from using degrees in practical geometry, angles are
mostly measured in radians. In addition to being widely used in other branches of
mathematics and other fields, it makes some calculations much easier.
Our focus here is to find the relationship between degree measurement and radians.
To find the relationship, we ask you to do the following activity:
1. Construct a circle whose radius is equal to a piece of string. Draw the radius
and label it |OA| where O is the centre.

Figure 33: A circle with radius OA

2. Place one end of the string at A and lay it out on the circumference. Mark
the end of the string B on the circumference of the circle.

Figure 34: A circle

28
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

3. ˆ​​B is 1 Radian.
Join points O and B with a straight line. Acute angle A​​O

Figure 35: A circle

4. Using a protractor measure the approximate size of this radian in degrees.

Figure 36: A circle

You should get a value of approximately ​57°​.

The more accurate figure, corrected to 4 decimal places, is 57.2958​°​
5. Repeat step 2 until the entire circumference has been covered.
6. Use your findings to estimate the number of radians in a full circle.
Compare your result to 2​π = 6.283​.
7. You know that the total degrees in a circle is 3​ 60°​. This value is equivalent
to ​2π​ radians:
Therefore, we have 360​° = 2π​ radians
Dividing both sides by 2 we have:
180​° = 𝝅​radian
To find the degree measure of 1 radian, divide by ​π​
180° __ 𝜋
​_ π ​= ​​𝜋 ​ radians​
​180°
_
𝝅 ​= 1 radian​

29
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

To find the value of 1 degree, divide through 180​° = π​radian by ​180°​

180° ___
​_ ​= ​ 𝜋 ​ radians​
180° 80°
𝝅
​1° = ___
​180 ​​
8. Write, in your own words, what you understand by the phrase “An angle of
size one radian.”
One radian is the angle made by an arc length equal to the radius.
9. Discuss and compare your findings with your classmates.

How to Convert Degree Measure to Radian Measure

To convert the degree measure to radian measure, we multiply the degree measure
π
by the factor ​​____
180°
​. ​We shall consider some examples of how to convert from
degrees to radians.

Example 10

Convert ​60°​to radian measure.

Solution
𝜋
​60° = 60 × ___
​180 ​ ​
​13 ​π rad​
= __
​

Example 11

Convert ​135°​to radian measure.

Solution
𝜋
​135° = 135 × ___
​180 ​ ​
​34 ​π rad​
= __
​

Example 12

Convert ​210°​to radian measure.

Solution
𝜋
​210° = 210 × ___
​180 ​ ​
​ ​67 ​π rad​
= __

30
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Example 13

Convert ​65.5°​to radian measure correct to 4 significant figures.

Solution
𝜋
​65.5° = 65.5 × ____
​180 ​​
​= 1.143 rad ​(​to 4 significant figures​)​

How to Convert Radian Measure to Degree Measure

Conversely, to convert the radian measure to degree measure, we multiply the
​​180°
radian measure by the factor ____
π ​.​

Example 14

​​ 2π
Convert ___ 3
​​rad to degree measure.

Solution

​2π
_
3
​rad = 2π
___
​ 3
​180
​ × ____
π ​
​
= 120° ​

Example 15

Convert​ 1.25 ​rad to degree measure correct to 1 decimal place.

Solution

​180
​1.25 rad = 1.25 × ____
π ​
​
= 71.6°​

Example 16

​56 ​​rad to degree measure correct to the nearest degrees.

Convert​ 1 __

Solution

​56 ​rad = 1​__56 ​ × ____

1​ __ ​180
π ​
​
= 105°​

31
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Let us use our understanding to find the length of an arc of a circle.

From elementary geometry, we know that circumference of a circle is ​2πr = πd​
Where ​r =​radius and ​d =​diameter. Remember that ​2r = d​
θ θ
Also, the length of an arc using degree measure ​= ___
​360 ​× 2πr = ___
​360 ​× πd​
How do you find the arc length given the angle in radians?
Well, we know 360​° = 2π​radians. So, we just replace 360​°​with 2​ π​.
𝜃
Therefore, the length of an arc subtended at ​θ​radians ​=__
​2π ​12 ​𝜽d​
​× 2πr = 𝜃r = __

Example 17

The diagram shows a sector of radius 7cm subtended at angle ​θ​.

Figure 37: A Sector

​56 ​π​, find:

If θ​ = __
(a) Length of arc of the sector
(b) Perimeter of the sector.
(c) Circumference of the circle from which the sector was obtained.

Solution

​ θr = ​__56 ​π × 7cm​
(a) The length of an arc given ​θ​in radians =
35
= ​___
6
​π = 18.33cm
Alternatively, we can also convert the radian measure to degree measure
θ
and use the formula ​​___
360
​ × 2πr​

​_56 ​π = __
​56 ​× 180 = 150°​
150
Length of an arc ​= ​___
360
​35
​ × 2 × π × 7 = __6
​ × π = 18.33​cm
(b) Perimeter = distance round an object = sum of the sides of the object.
The sector is enclosed by 3 sides; an arc and two radii.
Perimeter of the sector ​= 18.33 + 7 + 7 = 32.33​cm

32
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

(c) Circumference of a circle = 2πr = 2 × π × 7 = 44cm.

Example 18

The diagram below shows a large circular plate in the form of a sector. The radius
of the sector is 2.1m and arc of the sector is 4.4m.

Figure 38: A Sector

Find in ​π ​radians the angle subtended by the arc.

Solution

Arc of a circle ​=​ 4.4m

since we need the angle in radians, we will use the formula ​θr = 4.4m. ​From the
question, ​r = 2.1m​
​⟹ θ × 2.1 = 4.4
𝜃  × 2.1
​ ______
2.1
​4.4
​ = ___
2.1
​
​44
θ = ___21
​​
We have to leave our answer in ​π​radians. So, we divide the figure by π
​ ​to see how
many times ​π​goes into it
44 ​π ÷ π = __
Therefore, we have ​θ = ​__ ​23 ​π​
21
Alternatively, you can also find the degree measure and convert the result to
radians.
θ
​_
360
​× 2πr = 4.4
𝜃
___
​360 ​  × 2 × π × 2.1 = 4.4
𝜃
___
​360 ​  × 4.2π = 4.4​
​4.44.2π
​θ = ________ × 360
​= 120°​
Since we need the answer in radians, we will convert 120​°​to radians
𝜋
​120° = 120° × ____
​180° ​23 ​π radians​
​  = __

33
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Example 19

​​56 ​π​.
A windshield wiper is 0.49m long. In one sweep, it turns through an angle of __
Calculate the distance covered by the tip of the wiper in one sweep.

Figure 39: A windshield wiper

Solution

​56 ​π × 0.49 = 1.283m​

Distance covered by the tip of the wiper in one sweep​= __

Example 20

A conference table is in the shape of a rectangle with a circle segment at both

ends, as shown in the diagram below. The rectangle at the centre measures 5.5m
​23 ​π​ radians
by 2.1 metres. PO and QO are radii of the circle and POQ ​= θ = __

Figure 40: A rectangle with a circle segment at both ends

To sit comfortably around this table, it is estimated that an average person needs
80cm of table edge. How many people can sit comfortably at the table?

Solution

We first have to find the radius of the sector from which the segment was obtained.
To do this, we will draw a line from point O to intersect PQ at right angles. This
will bisect angle POQ and line PQ
​32 ​π​. Half of ​θ = __
​θ = __ ​12 ​ × __
​23 ​π = __
​31 ​π = 60°​

34
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Figure 41: Triangle POQ

​1.05
Using trig ratios, we have ​Sin60° = ____
r ​​​
1.05
r = _____
​Sin60° ​ = 1.2124m​
Arc PQ​= ​__23 ​π × 1.2124 = 2.5393m​
This implies the perimeter of the top of the table is 2​ .5393 + 5.5 + 2.5393 + 5.5
= 16.079m​
​​16.079m
To sit comfortably this table will require = _______
80cm
​​ people
The distances should be in the same units. We will convert 80cm to m
80cm​ = 0.8m​
​​16.0786m
To sit comfortably this table will require = _______
0.8m
​= 20.09​ people
Since we cannot have decimal number of people, we will round down our answer
and conclude that 20 people can sit comfortably around the table.

35
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. The figure below shows a right-angled triangular board of dimensions 20,

21 and 29. Use it to find the trigonometric ratios for ​θ​.

2. (a) Find the six trigonometric ratios for ​𝜶​in the figure below.
(b) Find the six trigonometric ratios for ​θ​in the figure below.

3. The terminal side of an angle, θ, passes through the point (-9, -12).
Find the values of the six trigonometric functions of the angle.
4. Use the following clues to help Madam Adom find the height of a building.
From a given point on the ground, the angle of elevation of the top of the
building is 42°.
The angle of elevation of another point on the same level ground which is
70ft farther from the first point is 30​°​.
5. A Pole is 10 metres tall. The angle of elevation of the top of the pole from
the base of the building is 52​°​. The bases of the building and the pole are
on the same level ground. A plumber wants to connect the bases of the
pole and the building with a pipe.
What should be the least length of the pipe?
6. GTV wants to launch a satellite which will receive signals from a transmitter
(T) at an angle of 7​5°​. The satellite when launched will send signals at

36
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

an angle of 60 to Pulmakom, a town 800km away from the transmitter as

shown in the diagram below.

7. At what height should the satellite be launched above the ground?

8. Three branches of a Bank, Premium(P), Ebony(E) and Makola(M) are
situated in Ghana.
Ebony branch is 33km due south of Premium and 56km east of the Mokola
branch as shown in the diagram below.
Find the shortest distance between Makola and the Premium branch.

9. The diagram below shows a vertical pole, |ON|, at a corner of a rectangular

park, OABC. |OC| = 72m, |OA| = 65m and the angle of elevation of N
from A is 13​°​.
(a) calculate the height of the pole.
(b) A sprinkler is to be situated at the centre of the park, how far will
it be from C? Find the elevation of the top of the pole from the
sprinkler.

37
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

10. A metal beam AB is 10 metres long. It is hinged at the top, P, of a vertical

post 1.5 meters high.
When A touches the ground, B is 2 metres above the ground, as shown in
Fig1

When B comes down to the ground, A rises as shown in the Fig2

(a) Find the height of A above the ground in Fig 2.

(b) Find the elevation of the beam from the ground in Fig 2
(c) Find |AP|
11. An Eagle, E, hovers between two preys, Rabbit(R) and Marmot(M), 100
metres apart. From the Eagle, the angle of depression of the Rabbit is 60​°​
. The eagle is 118.3m above the ground.

(a) If the Eagle decided to attack the nearer prey, which of the animals
would it attack? Justify your response.
(b) From the eagle, what is the angle of depression of the Marmot?

38
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

12. The diagram below shows a spotlight at point S, mounted 10m directly
above point P at the front edge of the stage. The spotlight swings 45​°​ from
the vertical to illuminate another point Q, also at the front edge of the
stage.

Through how many more degrees must the spotlight swing to illuminate
point B, where Q is the mid-point of PB
13. A 14-foot ladder is used to scale a 13-foot wall. At what angle of elevation
must the ladder be situated in order to reach the top of the wall?
14. Standing on a cliff 380 meters above the sea, Pat sees an approaching ship
and measures its angle of depression, obtaining 9 degrees.
(a) How far from shore is the ship?
(b) Now Pat sights a second ship beyond the first. The angle of depression
of the second ship is 5 degrees. How far apart are the ships?
15. The diagonal of a rectangle is 15 cm, and the perimeter is 42 cm. Find the
acute angles between the diagonals.
16. A ladder is leaning against an outside wall of a building. If the angle of
elevation at the base of the ladder to the wall is 55° and the ladder is 5
metres long, how far up the wall does the ladder reach?
17. Without using a calculator, find Cot150​°​
​​ 56 ​π​radians to degrees.
18. Convert __
19. Convert 600 to radians.
20. Calculate the length of arcs of the following sectors. (Leave your answer
in ​π​)
(a) (b)

39
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

21. Calculate angle θ​ ​in each of the following sectors. Leave your answer in π
​​
radians

(a) (b)

22. If the minute hand of a clock is 6 inches. How far does the tip of travel in
40 minutes?
23. The pendulum of a clock is 35 cm long. If it swings through an angle
​​ 27 ​π​find the total distance travelled in one complete swing.
of __
24. A sensor in a security system covers an area in the form of a sector as
shown below. If the perimeter of the sector is 3​ (​ 7π + 16)​,​find in π
​ ​ radians,
the angle subtended by the sector.

25. A large dining table is in the shape of a rectangle with a circle segment
at both ends, as shown in the diagram below. The rectangle at the centre
measures 4.5m by 1.75 metres. OA and BO are radii of the circle and ​
ˆ​B​ ​= θ = __
A​O ​35 ​π​ radians

To sit comfortably around this table, it is estimated that an average person

needs 95cm of table edge. How many people can sit comfortably at the
table?

40
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

ANSWERS TO REVIEW QUESTIONS

1.

20 20
Sin q = ​​__
29
​​ ​​ 21
Cos q = __ 29
​​ Tan q = ​​__
21
​​

​​ 29
Cosec q = __ 20
​​ Sec q = __ 29
​​ 21 ​​ ​​ 21
Cot q = __ 20
​​

1. (a)

y
Sin a = ​​_xz ​ Cos a = ​​_z ​ Tan a = _​​ xy ​
y
Cosec a= _​​ xz ​ Sec a = ​​_yz ​ Cot a = ​​_x ​

(b)

y y
Sin q = _​​ z ​ Cos q = ​​_xz ​ Tan q = _​​ x ​

Cosec q = _​​ yz ​ Sec q = ​​_xz ​ Cot q = ​​_xy ​

3.

9
12 ​​ = ​− __
Sin q = ​− __
​15 ​45 ​​ Cos q = ​− __
​15 ​35 ​​
​= ​− __ 12 ​​ = __
Tan q = ​​__
9
​​ 4 ​​
3
9
Cosec q = − ​15
​ __
12
​54 ​​
​​ = ​− __ ​15
Sec q = ​− __9
​53 ​​
​​ = ​− __ Cot q = __
​​ 12 ​​ 34 ​​
​​ = __

4. Height of building = 112.6ft (to 1 decimal place)

5. The distance from the base of the pole and the base of the building is 7.8m
(to 2sf)
6. The satellite should be launched to a height of 946.4km (to 4sf)
7. The shortest distance between the Makola and Premium bank branches is
65km.
8. (a) The pole is 15m high.
(b) The sprinkler will be 48.5m from C

41
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

9. (a) In figure 2, the height of A is 6m

(b) The angle of elevation is 36.90 (to 1dp)
(c) The length of AP is 7.5m
10. (a) The eagle would attack the Marmot as this is 122.5m away on the
hypotenuse, compared with 136m for the Rabbit.
(b) The angle of depression of the Marmot from the eagle is 750.
11. In order to illuminate point B, the spotlight must swing through an
additional 18.40, to a total of 63.40.
12. The ladder needs to have an angle of elevation of 68.20 to reach the top of
the wall.
13. (a) The ship is 2.4km from shore.
(b) The second ship is 1.9km from the first ship (to 2sf)
14. The acute angles between the diagonals are 53.10 and 36.90.
15. The ladder reaches 4.1m up the wall.
__
16. Cot 1500 = ​−√​ 3 ​​
​​ 5π
17. __ 6
​​radians = 150 degrees
18. 600 = ​​__π3 ​​ radians
19. (a) 8.4​πcm​
(b) 14​π​ cm
20. (a) ​​__23 ​π​
(b) __ ​​ 23
36
​π​
21. ​8π​ inches
22. 10​π​ cm
23. ​​ 78 ​π​
__

24. ​16​ people.

42
SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

GLOSSARY
1. Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that explores the relationships
between the angles and sides of triangles.
2. Trigonometry functions are the six trigonometric functions, namely, sine,
cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant and cotangent. They relate an angle in the
right-angled triangle to the ratio of lengths of any two sides.
3. The angle of elevation is the angle an observer must raise his eye through
to see an object that is higher than the observer. ‘To elevate’ is to raise
above the horizontal.
5. The angle of depression is the angle formed by a line of sight and the
horizontal plane of an observer looking down.
6. Quadrantal Angles are angles that terminate on the ​x​and y​ ​axis. Among
these angles are 0​°​, 90​°​, 180​°​, 270​°​, 360​°,​……. These angles are in
multiples of 90​°​.
7. One radian is the angle made by an arc length equal to the radius.
8. An angle is formed by two rays (or line segments) that share a common
endpoint, called the vertex. In trigonometry, angles are typically measured
in degrees or radians.
9. The sine of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the
opposite side to the length of the hypotenuse.
10. The cosine of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the
adjacent side to the length of the hypotenuse.
11. The tangent of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the
opposite side to the length of the adjacent side.

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

REFERENCES
1. Aufmann, R. N., Barker, V. C., & Nation, R. D. (2011). College algebra
and trigonometry. Cengage Learning.
2. Baffour, A. (2018). Elective Mathematics for schools and colleges. Baffour
Ba Series.
3. Lial, M. L., Hornsby, E. J., & McGinnis, T. (2012). Algebra for college
students. (7th Ed. Pearson Education, Inc)
4. Spiegel, M. R. & Moyar, R. E. (1998). Schaum’s outline of theory and
problems of college algebra. (2nd Ed. McGraw-Hill).
5. Stewart, J., Redlin, L., Watson, S., & Panman, P. (2009). Precalculus
Mathematics for Calculus Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 10

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SECTION 7 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

List of Contributors
Name Institution
Yaw Efa Ghana National College
Benedicta Ama Yekua Etuaful Ogyeedom SHTS
Isaac Buabeng Ghana Education Service, Accra Metropolitan
Mpeniasah Kwasi Christopher Three-Town SHS

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