Trigonometry

Here you will learn about Trigonometry including how to use right triangle trigonometry(SOHCAHTOA), inverse trigonometric functions, and exact trigonometric values. You will also learn about the sine rule, the cosine rule, how to find the area of a triangle using \cfrac{1}{2} \, ab \sin(C) and lastly, verify trigonometric identities.

Students first learn about trigonometry in algebra II and expand their knowledge as they progress through precalculus and calculus.

What is trigonometry?

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that focuses on triangles. Specifically, the relationship between the angles and sides of triangles. Trigonometry is derived from the Greek word “trigonon” meaning triangle and “metron” meaning to measure.

There are three main functions of trigonometry.

• Sine function \rightarrow \sin
• Cosine function \rightarrow \cos
• Tangent function \rightarrow \tan

However, in higher levels of mathematics, the use of trigonometry extends beyond triangles, in particular, when verifying trigonometric identities, the unit circle and the graphs of trigonometric functions.

Trigonometric relationships are crucial for higher levels of mathematics as well as physics, engineering, astronomy, and even in art fields such as music.

SOHCAHTOA

SOHCAHTOA is a mnemonic device that gives you an easy way to remember the three main trigonometric ratios of the sides of a right triangle.

The trig ratios are used to find the missing sides of the triangle (right triangle) and the missing acute angles.

The names of the three ratios are:

• Sine (Sin)
• Cosine (Cos)
• Tangent (Tan)

When writing the trigonometric ratios, you must write them with respect to one of the acute angles of the right triangle. Let’s use Angle A to write the ratios.

The Sine ratio with respect to acute angle A=\sin A=\frac{ \text{opposite side length}} {\text{hypotenuse length}}

The Cosine ratio with respect to acute angle A=\cos A=\frac{\text{adjacent side length}}{\text{hypotenuse length}}

The Tangent ratio with respect to acute angle A=\tan A=\frac{\text{opposite side length}}{\text{adjacent side length}}

For example, let’s use SOHCAHTOA to find the missing side length of the triangle below.

Using the angle marked as 23^{\circ} and the hypotenuse, to find x, use the cosine function because cosine is \frac{\text{adjacent side length}}{\text{hypotenuse length}}.

The equation to solve for x is:

Solve for x by multiplying both sides of the equation by 14.

Then, use a calculator to find the value of x (round the answer to the nearest tenth).

You can use SOHCAHTOA to calculate lengths and angles in 2D figures (like the example above) and 3D shapes by recognizing right-angle triangles.

For example, we can find the length AC of a parallelogram or the length AH in the cuboid below.

Step-by-step guide: SOHCAHTOA

Trig functions

The sine, cosine, and tangent are the main trigonometric functions. However, there are three other trigonometric functions that are used to find missing values.

• Cosecant function \rightarrow \text {abbreviated csc}
• Secant function \rightarrow \text {abbreviated sec}
• Cotangent function \rightarrow \text {abbreviated cot}

These functions are directly related to the sine, cosine and tangent functions.

Let’s look at the triangle below to write the trigonometric ratios with respect to the angle marked as \theta.

Using SOHCAHTOA:

The cosecant, secant, and cotangent are reciprocals of the sine, cosine, and tangent, respectively.

Step-by-step guide: Trig functions

Inverse trig functions

Inverse trigonometric functions allow us to calculate the size of an angle in a right-angle triangle. The inverse trig functions are expressed as this:

For example, let’s look at the triangle below.

Instead of solving for a side measurement, you need to solve for the angle, \theta. In order to do this, you need to use the inverse trig function. The given side values represent the opposite side and the adjacent side (with respect to \theta ).

The equation to find \theta is:

In order to solve for \theta, you must use the inverse tan function (\tan ^{-1})

Type this into a calculator to find the value of \theta.

Rounding the answer to the nearest tenth, \theta=22.6^{\circ}.

Step-by-step guide: Sin cos tan

Exact values of trig functions

Exact trigonometric values are found when the relationships between the sides and the angles in a triangle have exact values.

Here are the exact trigonometric values for sine, cosine and tangent for angles in the first quadrant, 0^{\circ} \leqslant \theta \leqslant 90^{\circ}.

However, you can use those values to find the exact values of trig functions where the angles are not in the first quadrant by using the reference angle.

Also, the sign value of the angles can be found by the following:

Using the information above, let’s find the exact value of \cos 150^{\circ}

150^{\circ} is a second quadrant angle. So, to find the reference angle subtract 150 from 180.

The reference angle to 150^{\circ} is 30^{\circ} , which means the \cos 150^{\circ} behaves similarly to \cos 30^{\circ}.

You know that the exact value of \cos 30^{\circ}=\cfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, you also know that the cosine is not positive in Quadrant II. So, the exact value of \cos 150^{\circ}=\cfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}.

Step-by-step guide: How to find the exact value of a trig function

Step-by-step guide: Trig table

Solving non-right triangles

The ratios of the sides of a right triangle, SOHCAHTOA, are used to find missing angles and sides of only right triangles. So when the triangle is not a right triangle, you have to rely on other strategies to find missing sides and angles.

• Law of Sines (Sine rule): The sine rule (or the law of sines) is a relationship between the size of an angle in a triangle and the opposite side. The Law of Sines is typically used when you are given values of a triangle that are in the form of angle-side-angle or angle-angle-side.
  
  The law of sines is given to be:
  
  \cfrac{\sin A}{a}=\cfrac{\sin B}{b}=\cfrac{\sin C}{c}
  
  Let’s use the Law of Sines to find side a in triangle ABC.
  
  Note: Side a is across from angle A.
  
  Notice how the triangle has an angle-angle-side set up, meaning that you are given angle-angle-side values.
  
  
  The equation to use to find side a is:
  
  \begin{aligned}& \cfrac{\sin A}{a}=\cfrac{\sin C}{c} \\\\ & \cfrac{\sin 83}{a}=\cfrac{\sin 52}{11} \end{aligned}
  
  Solve the proportional relationship by cross multiplying.
  
  \begin{aligned}& 11 \times \sin 83=a \times \sin 52 \\\\ & \cfrac{11 \times \sin 83}{\sin 52}=a \end{aligned}
  
  Use a calculator to find the value of a.
  
  13.8552 \approx a
  
  Round the answer to the nearest tenth, a=13.9 m

• Law of Cosines (Cosine rule): The cosine rule (or the law of cosines) is another formula which can be used to calculate a missing side or angle of a non-right angle triangle. The Law of Cosines is typically used when you are given values of a triangle that are in the form of side-side-side or side-angle-side.
  
  The Law of Cosines is given to be:
  
  \begin{aligned}& a^2=b^2+c^2-2 b c \cos (A) \\\\ & b^2=a^2+c^2-2 a c \cos (B) \\\\ & c^2=a^2+b^2-2 a b \cos (C) \end{aligned}
  
  Let’s find the value of side a using the law of cosines.
  
  
  Since you need to solve for side x which is side a, use:
  
  a^2=b^2+c^2-2 b c \cos (A) (round the answer to the nearest hundredth)
  
  \begin{aligned}x^{2}&=7.1^{2}+6.5^{2}-2\times7.1\times6.5\times\cos(32) \\\\ x^{2}&=50.41+42.25-92.3\times\cos(32) \\\\ x^{2}&=14.38516072… \\\\ x&=\sqrt{14.38516072…} \\\\ x&=3.79 \, cm\quad(2dp) \end{aligned}
  
  Step-by-step guide: Law of Sines
  
  Step-by-step guide: Law of Cosines

Area of a triangle

Through elementary school and middle school you learn how to find the area of a triangle using the formula, A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h.

Now that you know how to use trigonometric functions, there is another way to find the area of a triangle.

Let’s use the new formula to calculate the area of triangle ABC.

Since Angle C is given, use this formula:

Substitute in the given values.

The area of triangle ABC rounded to the nearest hundredth is 40.92 \mathrm{~cm}^2.

Step-by-step guide: Trig formula for area of a triangle

Trig identities

Trigonometric identities are mathematical equations that involve trigonometric functions, like sine, cosine, and tangent and they are true for all values of the variables involved.

An identity is an equation that is always true.

Let’s verify that the following identity is true:

When verifying an identity choose one of the equations to work with and leave the other side alone. There are multiple ways to verify a trig identity. In this case, let’s use the SOHCAHTOA relationships.

Rewriting the left hand side of the identity to be,

\cfrac{o}{a}=\tan \theta (This is true, the tangent ratio is equal to the opposite side divided by the adjacent side)

Step-by-step guide: Trig identities

Step-by-step guide: Trig formulas

What is trigonometry?

Common Core State Standards

How does this apply to high school math?

• High School Functions – Trigonometric Functions (HSF-TF.C.8)
  Prove the Pythagorean identity \sin^{2}(\theta)+\cos^{2}(\theta)=1 and use it to find \sin(\theta), \cos(\theta), or \tan(\theta) given \sin(\theta), \cos(\theta), or \tan(\theta) and the quadrant of the angle.

• High School Geometry – Similarity, Right Triangles, and Trigonometry HSG-SRT.C.6
  Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles are properties of the angles in the triangle, leading to definitions of trigonometric ratios for acute angles.

• High School Geometry – Similarity, Right Triangles, and Trigonometry HSG-SRT.C.8
  Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems.

• High School Geometry – Similarity, Right Triangles, and Trigonometry – HSG-SRT.D.10 (+)
  Prove the Laws of Sines and Cosines and use them to solve problems.

• High School Geometry – Similarity, Right Triangles, and Trigonometry – HSG-SRT.D.11 (+)
  Understand and apply the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines to find unknown measurements in right and non-right triangles (e.g., surveying problems, resultant forces).

How to solve trigonometry problems

If you want more detailed steps and practice for solving for the sides and angles of right triangles and non-right triangles, finding the exact value of trig functions, and working with trig identities and formulas, check out the links highlighted above or take a look at the examples below.

Trigonometry examples

Example 1: SOHCAHTOA

Find the measure of side a.

1. Identify the trig ratio to use.

Since you need to solve for the adjacent side and you are given the opposite side, use the tangent ratio.

2Write an equation to find the missing part.

3Solve for the missing part.

In this case, multiply both sides by a.

Then divide by \tan 68.

Calculate the value of a with a calculator.

Round the answer to the nearest hundredth, 8.48 \, m.

Example 2: inverse function

Find the measure of angle \theta.

Identify the trig ratio to use.

You are given the opposite side and the hypotenuse, so use the sine ratio.

\text { sine ratio }=\cfrac{\text { opposite side }}{\text { hypotenuse }}

Example 3: Law of Sines

Find the value of angle A.

Determine whether to use the sine rule or the cosine rule.

In this case, you are given angle C , side c, and side a. Since you need to solve for angle A, use the sine rule (Law of Sines).

It’s also a SSA set up which lends itself to the law of sines.

Example 4: exact value

Find the exact value of \sin 330^{\circ} .

Example 5: area of triangle

Find the area of the triangle below.

Label the sides of the triangle.

Example 6: verify the identity

Verify the identity.

Simplify one side of the identity.

In this case, use the simplifying strategy by changing all trig functions to sine and cosine by using the following:

Teaching tips for trigonometry

• Have students investigate trig identities using inquiry based platforms such as Desmos.

• Instead of having students practice problems with worksheets, have them engage in collaborative learning activities such as jigsaw tasks, scavenger hunts, and/or gallery walks.

• Engage students with team game-playing to review skills with platforms such as Blooket and Quizziz.

Easy mistakes to make

• Labeling a triangle incorrectly
  For example, this triangle has been incorrectly labeled with the side next to the angle.
  
  
  The correct way to label it is to name the side across from the angle.
  
  

• Mixing up the opposite side and the adjacent side when using SOHCAHTOA
  For example, when labeling the sides of the right triangle, be sure to do it with respect to a specific acute angle.
  
  
  From angle A, the side across from it, is the opposite side.
  
  
  The side that is part of angle A is the adjacent side.
  
  

• Rounding the decimal too early
  This can lose accuracy marks. Always use as many decimal places as possible throughout the calculation, then round your solution only.

• Using the sine rule instead of cosine rule
  Notice the information that is first given with a triangle to determine which rule to use. When you are given SSA, \, AAS, or ASA values, the law of sines is used. When you are given SSS or SAS values, use the law of cosines.

• Not using the included angle
  For the cosine rule and the area of a triangle using A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, a b \operatorname{Sin} C, the angle is included between the two sides. Using any other angle will result in an incorrect solution.

• Not using the inverse trig function
  For example when solving for angle A, using the sine function instead of the inverse sine.
  
  
  
  \operatorname{Sin} A=\cfrac{8}{15}
  
  A ≠ \sin \cfrac{8}{15}
  
  Instead it should be:
  
  A=\sin ^{-1}\left(\cfrac{8}{15}\right)

The next lessons are

• Circle math
• Angles of a circle
• Circle theorems

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