120 m

60°
Height = ?
The word trigonometry is derived from the Greek words 'tri' (Meaning three), 'gon'
(Meaning sides) and 'metron' (meaning measure). Infact trigonometry is the study of
relationships between the sides and angles of a triangle.
Let us take some examples from our surroundings where right triangles can be imagined
to be formed.
Suppose the students of a school are visiting Statue of Unity. Now if a student is looking at
the top of the tower, a right-angle triangle can be imagined to be made, as shown in fig.

Finding ratios of side lengths in similar right triangles.

Work with a partner. You will need.
• Graph paper
• A protractor
Exploring the concept
[ 129 ]
 1. Draw a segment along a horizontal grid line on your graph paper. Label one end
point A.

2. Use a protractor to draw a 60° angle at A.

3. Draw segments along vertical grid lines to form right triangles, such as ΔABC, ΔADE

and ΔAFG shown in figure.

Drawing conclusions
1. Why are ΔABC, ΔADE and ΔAFG similar triangles?
2. Cut a strip of graph paper to use as a ruler. Use your ruler to find the value of
following ratio for ΔABC and for ΔADE :

=
What do you notice?
3. Make a conjecture about the value of the ratio for any triangle similar to ΔABC to

test your conjecture, find the value of this ratio for ΔAFG [i.e. perpendicular (p), Base(b)
and hypotenuse(h)].
In the Exploration you found that corresponding ratios of side lengths in similar right
triangles do not depend on the lengths of the sides. These ratios depend only on the
shape of the triangles as determined by the measures of the acute angles. These constant
ratios are so important that they are given names as sine, cosine, tangent, secant,
cosecant, cotangent.
Here side opposite to angle A is perpendicular; side adjacent to angle A is base & side
opposite to right angle is hypotenuse.
Trigonometric ratios
Sine and Cosine of an angle
[ 130 ]
In right ΔABC, the sine of ∠A, which is written "sin A", is given by

sin A = =

and the cosine of ∠A, which is written "cos A", is given by

cos A = =

In fig., for ΔABC, find sin A and cos A.

Solution

sin A =

cos A =

Between A.D. 1000 and 1300, the Anasazi people lived in cliff dwellings in the
southwestern part of the United States. The doors to the cliff dwellings opened onto
balconies that were reached by climbing ladders. Suppose the ladder shown rests
on the ground and extends 3 ft above the balcony. How long is the ladder?

(use sin60° = )
Explanation
[ 131 ]
 Use the sine ratio to find the unknown side length.

sin 60° =

x=
The ladder is about 12 + 3 = 15 ft. long.

Indicate the perpendicular, the hypotenuse and the base (in that order) with
respect to the angle marked x.

Explanation
Perpendicular = a
Hypotenuse = c
Base = b
Tangent of an angle

In addition to the sine and cosine ratios, you can use the tangent ratio to find the
measures of the sides and angles of a right triangle.

In right ΔABC, the tangent of ∠A, which is written "tan A", is given by

[ 132 ]
Surveying surveyors use trigonometry to calculate distances that would otherwise
be difficult to find, such as the distance between two houses located across a
lake from each other, as shown in the diagram. What is this distance? (Use tan45° =
1)
Explanation
Let x = the distance in meters across the lake. Write an equation involving x and a
trigonometric ratio.

⇒ = tan 45°

⇒ x = 48 tan 45°

⇒ x = 48(1) = 48

The distance between the two houses is about 48 m.

Cosecant, secant and cotangent of an Angle

In ΔABC, let ∠B = 90° and let ∠A be acute.

For ∠A, we have;

Base = AB, Perpendicular = BC and Hypotenuse = AC. Then

(i) Cosecant A = , written as cosec A.

(ii) Secant A = , written as sec A.

[ 133 ]
 (iii) Cotangent A = , written as cot A.

Thus, there are six trigonometric ratios based on the three sides of a right-angled triangle.

🟋 The sine, cosine, and tangent ratios in a right triangle can be remembered by

representing them as strings of letters, as in SOH-CAH-TOA.

Sine = Opposite ÷ Hypotenuse

Cosine = Adjacent ÷ Hypotenuse

Tangent = Opposite ÷ Adjacent

The memorization of this mnemonic can be aided by expanding it into a phrase, such as
"Some Officers Have Curly Auburn Hair Till Old Age".

Using the information given in figure. write the values of all trigonometric ratios of
angle C.

Solution

AC =

AC = = 10

Using the definition of t-ratios,

sin C = ; cosC =

[ 134 ]
tan C = ; cotC =

sec C = ; and cosec C =

🟋 Pythagoras theorem : In a right angle triangle,

Hypotenuse2 = Perpendicular2 + Base2

Reciprocal Relations
Clearly, we have :

(i) cosecθ = (ii) secθ = (iii) cotθ =

Thus, we have :

(i) sinθ.cosecθ = 1 (ii) cosθ.secθ = 1 (iii) tanθ.cotθ = 1

Quotient Relations

Consider a right angled triangle in which for an acute angle θ, we have :

sinθ =

cos θ =

Now, = = = = tanθ (by def.)

[ 135 ]
 and = = = = cot θ (by def.)

Thus, tan θ = and cot θ =

In a right ΔABC, if ∠A is acute and tan A = , find the remaining trigonometric

ratios of ∠A.

Solution

Consider a ΔABC in which ∠B = 90°.

For ∠A, we have :

Base = AB, perpendicular = BC and Hypotenuse = AC.

∴ tan A =

⇒ =

Let, BC = 3x units and AB = 4x units.

Then, AC =

=
= 5x units.

sin A = =

[ 136 ]
cosA = =

cotA = =

cosec A = =

sec A = =
Power of T-ratios
We denote :

(i) (sin θ)2 by sin2 θ

(ii) (cos θ)2 by cos2 θ

(iii) (sin θ)3 by sin3 θ

(iv) (cos θ)3 by cos3 θ and so on.

🟋 The symbol sinA is used as an abbreviation for 'the sine of the angle A'. sin A is not

the product of 'sin' and A. 'sin' separated from A has no meaning. Similarly, cos A is
not the product of 'cos' and A. Similar interpretations follow for other trigonometric
ratios also.

🟋 We may write sin2 A, cos2 A, etc., in place of (sin A)2, (cos A)2, etc., respectively.

But cosec A = (sin A)–1 ≠ sin–1A (it is called sine inverse A). sin–1A has a different

meaning, which will be discussed in higher classes. Similar conventions hold for the
other trigonometric ratios as well.

🟋 Since the hypotenuse is the longest side in a right triangle, the value of sin A or cos A

is always less than 1 (or, in particular, equal to 1).

[ 137 ]
 If sin A = , verify that

Solution

We know that

sin A =

Let BC = k and AC = 2k

∴ AB = (Pythagoras

theorem)

= =

= =

Now, cos A = = =

and tan A = = =

Now 2 sin A cos A = 2. = ... (i)

[ 138 ]
and = = =

= = ... (ii)

Hence from (i) and (ii)

2 sin A cos A =

Trigonometric ratio of standard angles

T-ratios of 45°

Consider a ΔABC in which ∠B = 90° and ∠A = 45°.

Then, clearly, ∠C = 45°.

∴ AB = BC = a (say).

AC = = = = .

∴ sin 45° = = = ; cos45° = = =

tan 45° =

cosec 45° = = ; sec 45 = =

cot 45° = = =1

T-ratios of 60° and 30°

[ 139 ]
 Draw an equilateral ΔABC with each side = 2a.

Then, ∠A = ∠B = ∠C = 60°.

From A, draw AD ⊥ BC.

Then, BD = DC = a, ∠BAD = 30° and ∠ADB = 90°.

2 2 2 2 2
Also, AD = 𝐴𝐵 –𝐵𝐷 = 4𝑎 –𝑎 = 3𝑎 = 3𝑎
T-ratios of 60°
In ΔADB we have : ∠ADB = 90° and ∠ABD = 60°.

Base = BD = a, Perpendicular = AD = 3𝑎 and Hypotenuse AB = 2a.

∴ sin 60° = = = ; cos60° = = =

tan 60° = = =

∴ cosec 60° = = ; sec60° = =2

cot 60° = =
T-ratios of 30°
In ΔADB we have: ∠ADB = 90° and ∠BAD = 30°.

∴ Base = AD = , Perpendicular = BD = a and Hypotenuse = AB = 2a.

∴ sin 30° = ; cos30° =

tan 30° =

cosec 30° = = 2; sec30° = = ;

[ 140 ]
 cot 30° = =
Table for T-ratios of standard angles

(i) As θ increases from 0° to 90°, sin θ increases from 0 to 1.

(ii) As θ increases from 0° to 90°, cos θ decreases from 1 to 0.

(iii) As θ increases from 0° to 90°, tan θ increases from 0 to ∞.

(iv) The maximum value of , 0° ≤ θ ≤ 90° is one.

(v) As cos θ decreases from 1 to 0, θ increases from 0° to 90°.

(vi) sin θ and cos θ can not be greater than one numerically.

(vii) sec θ and cosec θ can not be less than one numerically.

(viii) tan θ and cot θ can have any value.

[ 141 ]
 In ΔABC, right angled at B, BC = 5 cm, ∠BAC = 30°, find the length of the sides AB
and AC.
Solution
We are given

∠BAC = 30°, i.e., ∠A = 30° and BC = 5cm

Now, sin A = or sin30° =

or = [ sin 30° = ]

or AC = 2 × 5 or 10 cm
To find AB, we have,

= cosA

or = cos 30°

or = [cos 30° = ]

∴ AB = × 10

or cm

Hence, AB = cm and AC = 10 cm.

In ΔABC, right angled at C, if AC = 4 cm and AB = 8 cm. Find ∠A and ∠B.

Solution

[ 142 ]
We are given, AC = 4 cm and AB = 8 cm

Now sin B = = =

But we know that sin 30° =

∴ B = 30°

Now, ∠A = 90° – ∠B [∠A + ∠B = 90°]

= 90° – 30° = 60°

Hence, ∠A = 60° and ∠B = 30°.

Find the value of θ in each of the following:

(i) 2 sin 2θ = (ii) 2 cos 3θ = 1 (iii)

tan 2θ – 3 = 0

Solution
(i) we have,

2 sin 2θ = ⇒ sin 2θ =

⇒ sin 2θ = sin 60°

⇒ 2θ = 60°

⇒ θ = 30°

(ii) we have,
2 cos 3θ = 1
[ 143 ]
 ⇒ cos 3θ =

⇒ cos 3θ = cos 60°

⇒ 3θ = 60°

⇒ θ = 20°

(iii) we have,

tan 2θ – 3 = 0

⇒ tan 2θ = 3

⇒ tan 2θ = =

⇒ tan 2θ = tan 60°

⇒ 2θ = 60°

⇒ θ = 30°
T-ratios of complementary angles
Complementary angles

Two angles are said to be complementary, if their sum is 90°.

Thus, θ° and (90° – θ) are complementary angles.
T-ratios of complementary angles
Consider ΔABC in which ∠B = 90° and ∠A = θ°.

∴ ∠C = (90° – θ).
Let AB = x. BC = y and AC = r.

Then, sin θ = , cos θ = and tan θ = .

[ 144 ]
 When we consider the T-ratios of (90° – θ), then
Base = BC, Perpendicular = AB and Hypotenuse = AC.

∴ sin (90° – θ) = = cos θ.

cos (90° – θ) = = sin θ.

tan (90° – θ) = = cot θ.

∴ cosec (90° – θ) = = sec θ.

sec (90° – θ) = = cosec θ.

cot (90° – θ) = = tan θ.

(i) sin(90° – θ) = cosθ (ii) cos(90° – θ) = sinθ

(iii) tan(90° – θ) = cotθ (iv) cosec(90° – θ) = secθ

(v) sec(90° – θ) = cosecθ (vi) cot(90° – θ) = tanθ

In other words:
sin (angle) = cos (complement); cos (angle) =
sin (complement)
tan (angle) = cot (complement); cot (angle) =
tan (complement)
sec (angle) = cosec (complement); cosec (angle)
= sec (complement)

[ 145 ]
 ( where complement = 90° – angle)

Without using tables, evaluate:

(i) (ii) (iii)

Solution

(i) =1 [ sin (90° – θ) = cos θ]

(ii) =1 [ cos (90° – θ) = sin θ]

(iii) =1 [ tan (90° – θ) = cot θ]

🟋 The above example suggests that out of the two t-ratios, we convert one in term of
the t-ratio of the complement.
🟋 For uniformity, we usually convert the angle greater than 45° in terms of its
complement.

Without using tables, show that (cos 35° cos 55° – sin 35° sin 55°) = 0.
Solution
LHS = (cos 35° cos 55° – sin 35° sin 55°)
= [(cos 35° cos 55° – sin (90° – 55°) sin (90° – 35°)]
= (cos 35° cos 55° – cos 55° cos 35°) = 0 = RHS.
[ sin (90° – θ) = cos θ and cos (90° – θ) = sin θ]

Express (sin 85° + cosec 85°) in terms of trigonometric ratios of angles between 0°
and 45°.
[ 146 ]
Solution
(sin 85° + cosec 85°) = sin (90° – 5°) + cosec (90° – 5°)
= (cos 5° + sec 5°).

Evaluate :

Solution

+ 2 cot 8° cot 17° cot 45° cot 73° cot 82°.

= + 2 cot 8° cot 17° (1) cot (90° – 17°) cot (90° – 8°)

= + 2 cot 8° cot 17° tan 17° tan 8°. [ cot (90° – θ) = tan θ]

= 1 + 2 cot 8° cot 17°

= 1 + 2 = 3.
Trigonometric identities
We know that an equation is called an identity when it is true for all values of the
variables involved. Similarly, "an equation involving trigonometric ratios of an angle is
called a trigonometric identity, if it is true for all values of the angle(s) involved."

The three Fundamental Trigonometric Identities are –

(i) cos2 A + sin2 A = 1; 0° ≤ A ≤ 90°

(ii) 1 + tan2 A = sec2 A; 0° ≤ A < 90°

(iii) 1+ cot2 A = cosec2 A; 0° < A ≤ 90°

[ 147 ]
 Geometrical proof

Consider a ΔABC, right angled at B. Then we have :

AB2 + BC2 = AC2 … (i)

By Pythagoras theorem

(i) cos2 A + sin2 A = 1; 0° ≤ A ≤ 90°

Dividing each term of (i) by AC2, we get

= i.e. =

i.e., (cos A)2 + (sin A)2 = 1

i.e., cos2 A + sin2 A = 1 ... (ii)

This is true for all A such that 0° ≤ A ≤ 90°

So, this is a trigonometric identity.

(ii) 1 + tan2 A = sec2 A ; 0° ≤ A < 90°

Let us now divide (i) by AB2. We get

= or,

i.e., 1 + tan2 A = sec2 A … (iii)

This equation is true for A = 0°. Since tan A and sec A are not defined for A = 90°, so (iii) is

true for all A such that 0° ≤ A < 90°

(iii) 1 + cot2 A = cosec2 A ; 0° < A ≤ 90°

Again, let us divide (i) by BC2, we get

⇒ =

[ 148 ]
⇒ 1 + cot2 A = cosec2 A … (iv)

Since cosec A and cot A are not defined for A = 0°, therefore (iv) is true for all A such that

0° < A ≤ 90°

Using the above trigonometric identities, we can express each trigonometric ratio in
terms of the other trigonometric ratios, i.e., if any one of the ratios is known, we can also
determine the values of other trigonometric ratios.
Fundamental identities (results)

sin2θ + cos2θ = 1 1 + tan2θ = sec2θ 1 + cot2θ = cosec2θ

sin2θ = 1 – cos2θ sec2θ – tan2θ = 1 cosec2θ –cot2θ = 1

cos2θ = 1 – sin2θ tan2θ = sec2θ – 1 cot2θ = cosec2θ – 1

To prove trigonometrical identities

The following methods are to be followed:
Method-I : Take the more complicated side of the identity (L.H.S. or R.H.S. as the
case may be) and by using suitable trigonometric and algebraic formulae
prove it equal to the other side.
Method-II : When neither side of the identity is in a simple form, simplify the L.H.S. and
R.H.S. separately by using suitable formulae (by expressing all the
T-ratios occurring in the identity in terms of the sine and
cosine and show that the results are equal).

2 2
Prove 𝑠𝑒𝑐 θ + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 θ + 𝑐𝑜𝑡 θ
Solution

LHS = =

= (tanθ . cotθ = 1)

[ 149 ]
 = tan θ + cot θ = RHS

Hence proved.

Prove that : = sin2θ

Solution

LHS =

= sin2 θ = RHS

Hence Proved.

Prove that : 2 (sin6θ + cos6θ) – 3 (sin4θ + cos4θ) + 1 = 0

Solution

[ 150 ]
LHS = 2 (sin6 θ + cos6 θ) – 3 (sin4 θ + cos4 θ) + 1

= 2 [(sin2 θ)3 + (cos2 θ)3] – 3 [(sin2 θ)2 + (cos2 θ)2] + 1

= 2 [(sin2 θ + cos2 θ)3] – 3 sin2 θ cos2 θ (sin2 θ + cos2 θ)] – 3 [(sin2 θ + cos2 θ)2 – 2

sin2 θ cos2 θ ] +1

= 2 {1 – 3 sin2 θ cos2 θ} – 3 {1 – 2 sin2 θ cos2 θ} + 1

= 2 – 6 sin2 θ cos2 θ – 3 + 6 sin2 θ cos2 θ + 1 = 3 – 3 = 0 = RHS.

Hence Proved.

Prove the following by using suitable identities:

Solution

LHS = =

= =

= cosx

= cosx

= cosx

= cosx = 2cosx

[ 151 ]
 LHS = 2 cosx = 2 cos x (cosec2 x + cot x) = RHS.

Hence Proved.

🟋 In proving question, generally we convert all the trigonometric ratios in terms of

sinθ and cosθ to make it easy and convenient.

Prove that : = sec θ + tan θ = = =

Solution
Consider the numerator of the LHS of the given expression.

i.e. tan θ + sec θ – 1 [Use

1 = sec2 θ – tan2 θ]

= (tan θ + sec θ) – (sec2 θ – tan2 θ) [Use a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a –

b)]

= (tan θ + sec θ) – (sec θ + tan θ) (sec θ – tan θ) [Take (sec θ + tan θ) as common]

= (sec θ + tan θ) (1 – sec θ + tan θ) [Note this step very

carefully]

= (sec θ + tan θ) (tan θ – sec θ + 1) ... (1) [Rearranging]

[ 152 ]
LHS =

= [Use (1)]

= sec θ + tan θ = RHS [First form]

= = = RHS … (2) [second form]

= = =

= [Third

form]

= [use cos2θ =

1 – sin2θ]

= = RHS [Fourth

form]

[ 153 ]
[ 154 ]
[ 155 ]