: College Algebra

Review of Trigonometry
Trig Functions-Triangle Definition
We are now ready to introduce the basic trig functions. There are two definitions. The first is given in terms of a right triangle. Consider a right triangle with one angle . The sides are: the leg adjacent to : the leg opposite to : and the hypotenuse: adj opp hyp

hyp opp

adj

In terms of these sides, the trig functions, sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant and cosecant, of the angle  are given by sin   cos   opp hyp adj hyp tan   cot   opp adj adj opp sec   csc   hyp adj hyp opp csc   1 sin 

In terms of sin  and cos , the other trig functions are tan   sin  cot   cos   1 cos  tan  sin 

sec  

1 cos 

You can follow the proof below to see that the definition is independent of the size of the triangle: Suppose you have two right triangles with an angle

hyp

.

hyp opp opp

adj

adj

Let the sides of the small blue triangle be adj, opp and hyp. Let the sides of the big green triangle be Adj, Opp and Hyp. Since the triangles are similar, the ratios of corresponding sides are equal. Hence: opp Opp adj Adj   hyp Hyp hyp Hyp But these equations say the sine and cosine are the same for both triangles: opp Opp adj Adj sin    cos    hyp Hyp hyp Hyp From the sine and cosine, the rest of the trig functions follow. This definition of the trig functions is limited to angles  which are acute, that is, less than a right angle  90   rad. On the next page we give a definition which works for any angle. 2

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Trig Functions Circle Definition

Consider a circle of radius r centered at the origin in which a radial line has been drawn at an angle  measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. The radial line intersects the circle at a point x, y . Note: x and/or y may be negative.
(x,y) r

In terms of x, y and r, the trig functions, sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant and cosecant, of the angle  are given by. y y r sin   r tan   x sec   x r cos   x cot   x csc   y y r Notice that this says a point on the circle is x, y  r cos , r sin  . In terms of sin  and cos , the other trig functions are cot   cos   1 tan   sin  tan  cos  sin 

sec  

1 cos 

csc  

1 sin 

You can follow the proof below to see that the definition is independent of the radius of the circle:

Consider a small red circle of radius r and a big magenta circle of radius R. The radial line at an angle  intersects the red circle at x, y and intersects the magenta circle at a point X, Y .
(X,Y) (x,y)

y
R

Since the blue and green triangles are similar, the ratios of corresponding sides are equal. Hence: y x  X Y r  R r R But these equations say the sine and cosine are the same for both triangles: y sin   r  Y cos   x  X r R R From the sine and cosine, the rest of the trig functions follow. Notice that this circle definition of the trig functions works for any angle  not just acute angles. However, to make sense, the definitions in terms of circles and triangles must agree for acute angles. They do!

Trig Functions on a Unit Circle

It is often convenient to use a unit circle. Then the trig functions are given by y sin   y tan   x sec   1 x cos   x cot   x csc   1 y y and a point on the circle is x, y  cos , sin  .

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Trig Functions Special Angles

You need to know (or be able to figure out) the values of the trig functions for specific angles: those which are multiples of 30   rad or 45   rad. 6 4

Trig Functions for Special Angles

 Deg 0 30 45  Rad 0 rad  rad 6  rad 4  rad 3  rad 2 2 rad 3 3 rad 4 5 rad 6  rad 7 rad 6 5 rad 4 4 rad 3 3 rad 2 5 rad 3 7 rad 4 11 rad 6 2 rad sin  0 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 1 2 0 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 1 2 0 cos  1 3 2 1 2 1 2 0 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 1 2 0 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 tan  0 1 3 1 cot  3 1 1 3 0 1 3 1 sec  1 2 3 2 csc  2 2 2 3 1 2 3 2

60 90 120 135

3 3 1 1 3 0 1 3 1

2 2 2 2 3 1 2 3 2

150 180 210 225

3 3 1 1 3 0 1 3 1

2 2 2 2 3 1 2 3 2

240 270 300 315

3 3 1 1 3 0

2 2 2 2 3 1

330 360

You should absolutely not memorize this table.

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Rather, in each case, you should figure out the values of the trig functions using the circle definition and your knowledge about 30 60 90 and 45 right triangles. These are typically remembered as

30 = 6 2
o

In the 30

60

90 triangle, remember the sides as 1, 2, 3 .

60 = 3 1

Notice that the shortest side 1 is opposite the smallest angle 30   rad, 6 the middle length side 3 1. 7 is opposite the middle angle 60   rad 3 and the longest side 2 is opposite the biggest angle 90   rad. 2

o 45 = 4

2 1
o 45 = 4

In the 45 right triangle, remember the sides as 1, 1, 2 .

Example 2:

Find the trig functions at 3 rad. 4 Solution: Using our knowledge of 30 60 90 triangles, we draw a circle of radius 2, draw the radial line at 5 rad and drop (raise) a perpendicular to the x-axis. The hypotenuse of the resulting right 3 triangle is 2 since this is the radius of the circle. We label the two legs of the triangle with x  1 and y 3 , . Since this is the IV th quadrant, the x coordinate is positive and the y coordinate is negative.
y
2

Then the trig functions are y sin 5  r  3 y tan 5  x  3 3 2 3 1   3 2 3 cos 5  x  1 r 3 2 cot 5  x  y 3 r csc 5  y  3 1 3 2 3   1 3 2 3

5 3
-2

1
0 2

2
-2

r sec 5  x  2  2 3 1

Example 2:

Find the trig functions at 3 rad. 4 Solution: We draw a circle of radius 2 , draw the radial line at 3 rad and drop a perpendicular to the 4 x-axis. The hypotenuse of the resulting right triangle is 2 since this is the radius of the circle. We label the two legs of the triangle with x  1 and y  1, using our knowledge of 45 right triangles. Since this is the II nd quadrant, the x coordinate is negative and the y coordinate is positive.
y

Then the trig functions are

1
3 4
0

-1

1 -1

y sin 3  r  1 4 2 3  y  1  1 tan x 4 1 2 r sec 3  x   2 4 1

cos 3  x  r 4

1 2 cot 3  x  1  1 y 4 1 2 r csc 3  y   2 4 1

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 Example 3:

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Find the trig functions at 3 rad. 2 Solution: We draw a circle of radius 1 and draw the radial line at 3 rad. The coordinates at the 2 endpoint of the radial line are x  0 and y  1.
y
1

So the trig functions are y sin 3  r  1  1 2 1 3  y  1  tan x 2 0 3  r  1  sec x 2 0 cos 3  x  0  0 r 2 1 3  x  0  0 cot y 2 1 3  r  1  1 csc y 2 1

3 2
-1

1
0 1

-1

Constructing Graphs
If we graph the data from the table of Trig Functions for Special Angles, we get the following six plots. Here and hereafter, the trig functions will be regarded as functions of the angle in radians.
1
1

3 2 1

Asymptotes
3 2

Asymptotes

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

2
4 5 6

2
4 5 6

0 0 -1 -2

0 0 -1 -2 -3 1 2 3 4 5 6

-1

-1

-3

sin 
3
3 2 1

cos 
Asymptotes
2 1

tan 

cot 

Asymptotes

0 -1 -2 -3 1 2 3 4 5 6

0 0 -1 -2 -3 1 2 3 4 5 6

sec 

csc 

If we add more points, we get the following six plots.

1
1

3 2 1

Asymptotes

3 2 1

Asymptotes

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

2
4 5 6

0 -1 -2 1 2 3 4 5 6

2
4 5 6

0 0 -1 -2 -3

-1

-1

-3

sin 
3 2 1

cos 
3 2 1

tan 

cot 

Asymptotes

Asymptotes

0 -1 -2 -3 1 2 3 4 5 6

2
4 5 6

0 0 -1 -2 -3

sec 

csc 

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General Graphs
There are three ways we need to clarify our graphs of the trig functions.  First, although calculators will compute trig functions using either degrees or radians, mathematicians always define the trig functions using radians. The reasons will become clear after you learn about the derivatives of the trig functions. The trig functions were already graphed using radians on the previous page.  Second, in the circle definition of the trig functions, there is no reason that the angle is restricted to 1 revolution. So the trig functions are also defined for angles less than 0rad or greater than 2rad 6. 28rad. Further, since the coordinates of the point on the circle repeat periodically each revolution, the graphs of the trig functions repeat periodically every 2rad.  Third, mathematicians like to use the letter x for the independent variable and the letter y for the dependent variable of a function. So we often write y  sin x, or y  cos x, or y  tan x, or etc. Here x is the angle (in radians) and y is the value of the particular trig function.

Caution: The x and y in a formula such as y  sin x have absolutely nothing to do with the x and y in the circle definition of the trig functions.
With these modifications, the graphs of the six trig functions become:
y 1
y 1

0 -5 -2.5 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 x

-5 -2.5

0 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 x

-1

-1

y  cos x y  sin x Notice that sin and cos have period 2, while tan and cot (below) have period . In the next four trig functions note the vertical asymptotes. Those for tan  and sec  are at odd multiples of  ; those for cot  and 2 csc  are at multiples of .
y 4
y 4

0 -5 -2.5 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 x -2 12.5

-5 -2.5

0 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 x -2 12.5

-4

-4

y  tan x
y
y 4

y  cot x
4

2
2

0 -5 -2.5 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 x -2 12.5

0 -5 -2.5 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 x -2 12.5

-4

-4

y  sec x

y  csc x

Notice that sin, cos, sec and csc all have period 2, while tan and cot have period . Also recall that tan and sec have vertical asymptotes at the odd multiples of  while cot and csc have vertical asymptotes at the 2 multiples of .

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Shifting and Rescaling Graphs

The trig functions may also be shifted and/or rescaled. We demonstrate using the sin function. We start with the graph of y  sin x:
y 2 1 0 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x -1

-2

As an example, if the sin function is shifted to the right by  4

y 2 1 0 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x -1

Shifting

. 785 and up by 1 then the shifted graph is 2

-2

which has the equation y  sin x

y 2

  1. 4 2 In general, if the sin function is shifted to the right by x 0 and up by y 0 then the shifted graph is
1

0 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x -1

-2

which has the equation y  sin x

x0  y0.

If the horizontal shift x 0 is positive, the shift is to the right and we say that the graph of y  sin x x 0 leads y  sin x by x 0 . If x 0 is negative, the shift is to the left and we say that the graph of y  sin x x 0 lags behind y  sin x by x 0 . If the vertical shift y 0 is positive, the shift is up. If y 0 is negative, the shift is down.

Rescaling
As an example, if the sin function is expanded vertically by 2 and contracted horizontally by 3 then the rescaled graph is
y 2 1

0 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x -1

-2

which has the equation y  2 sin 3x . In general, if the sin function is expanded vertically by A and contracted horizontally by c then the rescaled graph is
y 2 1

0 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x -1

-2

which has the equation y  A sin cx .

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If the horizontal scale factor c  1, the graph is contracted horizontally. If 0  c  1, the graph is expanded horizontally. If c  0, the graph is reflected horizontally and contracted or expanded by a factor of |c|. If the vertical scale factor A  1, the graph is expanded vertically. If 0  A  1, the graph is contracted vertically. If A  0, the graph is reflected vertically and contracted or expanded by a factor of |A|.

Shifting and Rescaling

The function y  sin x may be shifted and rescaled at the same time. For example, the graph of y  2 sin 3 x   1 is: 4 2
y 2.5 1.25

0 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x -1.25

which is expanded vertically by 2, contracted horizontally by 3, shifted to thr right by  and shifted up by 1 . 4 2 In general, the graph of y  A sin c x
y 2.5

x0

 y 0 is:

1.25

0 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x -1.25

which is expanded vertically by A, contracted horizontally by c, shifted to thr right by x 0 and shifted up by y 0 .

Interpretation
The vertical shift y 0 gives the average value of the function y  A sin c x x 0  y 0 and the line y  y 0 is called the center line of this function. The absolute value of the vertical scale factor |A| is called the amplitude and gives the maximum distance the function goes above and below the centerline. The horizontal shift x 0 gives the distance the function y  A sin c x x 0  y 0 leads or lags behind y  sin cx . The absolute value of the horizontal scale factor |c| gives the angular frequency  which is related to the period P and the frequency f by the equations   2f  2  |c|. P Finally, the quantity   c x x 0 is called the phase of the wave and the product   cx 0 is called the phase shift of the wave. So the phase shift   cx 0 gives the amount the phase of y  A sin c x x 0  y 0 leads or lags behind the phase of y  sin cx . Using these various definitions, if c  0 (for simplicity), the general shifted and rescaled sin curve can be rewritten in several other ways: y  A sin  x x 0  y 0  A sin x   y 0  A sin 2 x x 0  y 0  A sin 2x   y 0 P P

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