Lesson 1: Angles and Their Measure

Engineers in the ancient world discovered ratios within right triangles, as they learned fundamental
engineering skills. The secrets and patterns necessary to understanding circles and spheres helped
in the development of trigonometry. Our chapter begins the journey into trigonometry with an
introduction into angles and their measures.

Angle Characteristics

An angle is determined by rotating a ray about its endpoint.

The ____________________ is the endpoint of the ray.

The _______________________ side is the starting position.

The ____________________________ side is the position after rotation.

Standard Position Angles

Angles that are in standard position are placed on a

coordinate plane, with the vertex at the origin and the initial
side on the positive x-axis.

_________________________________ angles are determined by a

counterclockwise rotation.

___________________________ angles are determined by a clockwise

rotation.

Coterminal Angles

Two angles in standard position that have the same terminal side are called coterminal angles. We
can find an angle that is coterminal to a given angle by adding or subtracting one revolution. So, any
given angle has many coterminal angles. For example 𝛽𝛽 = 36° is coterminal to all of the following:
396°, 756°, −324°, −684°

EX #1: Draw 𝜃𝜃 = 220° and label 𝜃𝜃 ′ as the angle that is coterminal. y

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 Reference Angles and Methods to Measure Angles

y
Reference Angles

x Given an angle in standard position, its reference angle is

the acute angle formed by the terminal side of the given
angle and the x-axis. The angle at left is 210°, the reference
angle is __________

EX #2: Draw each angle and state the reference angle.

A. 150° B. 315°
y y

x x

C. −120° y D. 140° y

x x

D-M-S Degrees-Minutes-Seconds

We can write decimal degrees in terms of smaller units, called minutes and seconds.

Degrees Minutes Seconds

360° = 1 1′ = 60′′
1° = 60′
revolution 1° = 3600′′
EX #3: Use the relationships above to manually convert the following.

A. Convert 36°25′18′′ to decimal degrees B. Convert 42.575° to “DMS” form.

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 Radians and Central Angles

Radians

Another way to measure angles is in ________________________.

In the late 1800’s mathematicians began to see a need for
another unit of measure, because they needed angle r
r
measurements to “cancel out.” This type of measure is
needed in calculus to help simplify certain mathematical
and physical formulas.
r Initial side
 Radians have no units 1 radian
 One complete circular revolution is ______________
 1 radian is approximately 57.296°
The definition of a radian is based on the concept of a unit circle, which is a circle of radius 1 unit,
with its center at the origin of a coordinate system. The radian measure of an angle is based on the
length of an arc on the unit circle.

Central Angles on the Unit Circle

We use a central angle of a unit circle, shown at left, where the vertex
is the center of the circle. One radian is the measure of the central angle r r
that subtends (intercepts) an arc equal in length to the radius of the circle.
The circumference of any circle is _____________________, where r is the radius
measure. So the circumference of a unit circle where 𝑟𝑟 = 1 is 1 radian r
_________________ units. Therefore, an angle representing one complete
revolution of the circle measures ___________________ radians.

If 𝜃𝜃 is a central angle in a circle of radius r, and if 𝜃𝜃 is measured in radians, then the length s of the
intercepted arc is given by 𝑠𝑠 = 𝑟𝑟𝜃𝜃.

Common Radian Measures

Sketch each radian measure on the coordinate plane below.

𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋
− radians radians 𝜋𝜋 radians
4 2
y y y

x x x

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 Converting Between Units of Angle Measure

Conversion Formulas

Convert Degrees to Radians multiply degrees by:

Convert Radians to Degrees multiple radians by:

EX #4: Convert each angle from radians to degrees or from degrees to radians.

7𝜋𝜋
A. D. 135°
6

2𝜋𝜋
B. − 3
E. −320°

8𝜋𝜋
C. − 15 F. −110°

Practice With Radians

1. How many radians is each angle of an equilateral triangle?

2. The minute hand of a clock travels how many radians in 15 minutes?

3. The minute hand of a clock travels how many radians in 10 minutes?

4. The minute hand of a clock travels how many radians in 5 minutes?

5. What is the measure of 𝜃𝜃 in radians, 6. What is the measure of 𝜃𝜃 in radians?

if 𝑥𝑥 = 45° ?
y
𝜃𝜃
x 5x
𝜃𝜃
x
x

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Lesson 2: Right Triangle Trigonometry

We are now ready to explore trigonometric functions from two famous right triangles and how these
relate to the unit circle. Similar geometric figures have the same shape. Specifically, their angle
measures are equal, and their sides are proportional.

Trigonometric Functions

Let 𝜃𝜃 be an acute angle in the right triangle ∆𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 as shown, then

Sine Cosecant

Cosine Secant

𝜃𝜃 C
A

Tangent Cotangent

Two Famous Triangles

EX #1: The ratios for these two triangles will play an important role in our unit circle approach to
trigonometry. Do you recall the ratios for each triangle from your geometry course?

45°-45°-90° Triangle 30°-60°-90° Triangle

Ratio: Ratio: Ratio:

45° 30° 60°

sin 45° = sin 30° = sin 60° =

cos 45° = cos 30° = cos 60° =

tan 45° = tan 30° = tan 60° =

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 Using One Trig Ratio to Find Others

5
EX #2: Let 𝜃𝜃 be an acute angle such that sin 𝜃𝜃 = 6 .
Evaluate the other five trigonometric functions of 𝜃𝜃.

A. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝜃𝜃 = B. 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑠 𝜃𝜃 = C. 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑠𝑠 𝜃𝜃 =

D. csc 𝜃𝜃 = E. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑐𝑐 𝜃𝜃 = F. cot 𝜃𝜃 =

Getting Answers with a Calculator

EX #3: Find the approximate values for each of the following:

A. 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑠 30° B. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 45°

C. 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑠𝑠 90° D. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 15°

E. 𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑠𝑐𝑐 45° F. 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑡𝑡 45°

EX #4: A right triangle with a hypotenuse of 8 includes a 36° angle. Find the lengths of the other
two sides and the measures of the other two angles.

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 EX #5: The sides of a rectangle are 8 in and 25 in. What is the measure, to the nearest degree, of the
angle formed by the short side and a diagonal of the rectangle?

EX #6: Sketch a right triangle corresponding to tan 𝜃𝜃 = 3. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to
determine the third side and then find the other five trigonometric functions of 𝜃𝜃.

Application: Finding the Height of a Building

EX #7: From a point 340-feet away from the base of the Peachtree Center Plaza in Atlanta, the angle
of elevation to the top of the building is 65°. Find the height of the building.

65°

340 ft

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Lesson 3: Arc Length and Circular Motion

In geometry, we found if given a central angle and the length of the radius, we could set up a
proportion to find the length of an arc in a circle. The arc length is a fraction of the total
circumference, and the central angle is a fraction of a full revolution.

Arc Length Formula

Likewise, from geometry we know that the ratio of the measures of 𝒔𝒔

the angles equals the ratio of the corresponding lengths of the arc
subtended by these angles.
𝜃𝜃
𝜃𝜃 𝑠𝑠
That is, = r
𝜃𝜃1 𝑠𝑠1 𝜃𝜃1
If we let 𝜃𝜃1 = 1 radian, then 𝑠𝑠1 = 𝑟𝑟 from our previous definition of a 𝒔𝒔𝟏𝟏
radian. From here we can find a formula for arc length.

Arc Length Formula

𝑠𝑠 = 𝑟𝑟𝜃𝜃
(where 𝜃𝜃 is in radians, never degrees!)

EX #1: Given a central angle of 60° and a radius of 8 cm, find the length
of the intercepted arc.

EX #2: If a 100° arc of a circle has a length of 9 inches, to the nearest inch,
what is the radius of the circle?

EX #3: Find the angle in radians, then convert to the nearest degree.

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 Circular Motion

Linear Velocity (speed)

Have you ever thought about math while out for a bicycle ride? Probably not! You know how to
find your average speed by calculating distance traveled divided by the time from long ago
(rate = distance/time or 𝑅𝑅 = 𝐷𝐷/𝑇𝑇). In trigonometry, we will call this linear (speed) velocity
and rename our variables using 𝑣𝑣 for velocity (rate) and 𝑠𝑠 (arc length) for distance.

Linear Velocity Formula

∆𝑠𝑠
𝑣𝑣 = ⇒ ∆𝑠𝑠 = 𝑣𝑣 ∆𝑡𝑡
∆𝑡𝑡

EX #4: Dimensional Analysis

If you travel in a car at 65mph, how far did you go in 10 seconds?

Angular Velocity (speed)

∆𝜃𝜃
𝜔𝜔 = ⇒ ∆𝜃𝜃 = 𝜔𝜔 ∆𝑡𝑡
∆𝑡𝑡

Now let’s look at another type of velocity while we ride our bicycle. Think about how fast the
wheels are rotating. This is called angular (speed) velocity. The Greek letter omega "𝜔𝜔" is the
accepted variable used for angular speed. This is the rate that measures changes in the wheel’s
central angle, 𝜃𝜃, over time.

Angular Velocity Formula

EX #5: If a central angle spins 15𝜋𝜋 radians in 8 seconds, how fast is the angle spinning per second?
(Give your answer to nearest thousandths.)

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 Units and Converting Between Linear and Angular

Velocity Summary

Linear velocity has dimensions of length per unit of time.

Examples, such as, feet per second, miles per hour, meters
per minute. (The numerator units are measures of length.)

Angular velocity has dimensions of angle measure (radians)

per unit of time. Examples, such as revolutions per minute,
radians per second, degrees per hour. (The numerator units
are angle measurements.)

Converting Units of Angular Velocity

EX #6: Convert 60 rpm (revolutions per minute)

A. to radians per minute B. to degrees per second

Important Relationships between Linear and Angular Speed

We can use the previous formulas to find a relationship between linear velocity (𝑣𝑣) and angular
velocity (𝜔𝜔).
Linear Velocity: ∆𝑠𝑠
𝑣𝑣 = Linear velocity formula
∆𝑡𝑡

𝑟𝑟∆𝜃𝜃
𝑣𝑣 = Arc formula
∆𝑡𝑡

∆𝜃𝜃
𝑣𝑣 = 𝑟𝑟 Factoring
∆𝑡𝑡

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑟𝑟𝜔𝜔 Angular velocity formula

Linear Velocity = r • Angular Velocity

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑟𝑟 � 𝜔𝜔
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 Area and Distance

Area of a Sector
1
𝐴𝐴 = 𝑟𝑟 2 𝜃𝜃
2
(where 𝜃𝜃 is in radians, never degrees)

EX #7: Find the area of the sector of a circle of radius 2 feet formed by an angle of 50°. Round the
answer to two decimal places.

Finding Distance Between Two Cities

EX #8: Memphis, Tennessee is located at 35°9′ north latitude and New Orleans, Louisiana is at
29°57′ north latitude. Assuming that the radius of the Earth is 3960 miles, and the cities
lie along the same longitude, find the distance between the two cities.

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 Free-Response Question

EX #9: Some Earthly Discoveries

A: Compute the length in feet of an angle measure of 1 minute on the Earth, given that the radius
of the Earth is 3960 miles.

B: What is the length of an angle of one second on the Earth?

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Lesson 4: The Unit Circle

Now we are ready to explore trigonometric functions. We will use the unit circle approach. The
unit circle that we will develop is the most useful tool in trigonometry. It provides an easy way to
know and recall trigonometric values of the most popular angles. To be successful in this class, and
then later in calculus and beyond, you must understand it and memorize it!

A Geometry Connection
First, let’s remember the important ratio relationships for two famous triangles.

30°-60°-90° Triangle 30°

The lengths of the legs of the triangle correspond to the angles

30°: 60°: 90° as, 𝑥𝑥: 𝑥𝑥 3 : 2𝑥𝑥 respectively. In the figure at right, 60°

Name the lengths of the sides if the hypotenuse is 1.

45°-45°-90° Triangle
45°
The length of the legs of the triangle correspond to the angles
45°: 45°: 90° as 𝑥𝑥: 𝑥𝑥: 𝑥𝑥 2 , respectively. In the figure at right,
45°
Name the lengths of the sides if the hypotenuse is 1.

The Unit Circle

The unit circle is a circle of radius 1 centered at the origin.

P (x, y)
1
𝜃𝜃

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 Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle

Let θ be an angle in standard position with (𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) a point on the terminal side of 𝜃𝜃 and

𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦 2 ≠ 0

EX #1: Use the figure at right, to name the six basic

trigonometric functions in terms of x, y, and r, y
where r is the radius of a circle.
P (x, y)

y
r
sin 𝜃𝜃 = csc 𝜃𝜃 =
θ
x
x
cos 𝜃𝜃 = sec 𝜃𝜃 =

tan 𝜃𝜃 = tan 𝜃𝜃 = 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦 2

. . . Where Trigonometric Functions are Positive . . .

Function Quadrant I Quadrant II Quadrant III Quadrant IV

Sine/Cosecant

Cosine/Secant

Tangent/ Cotangent

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 The 16-Point Unit Circle

, , ,

, 𝜋𝜋 ,
3
𝜋𝜋
4
, 𝜋𝜋
,
6

, ,

, ,

,
,

, ,
,

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 Finding Exact Values of the Trigonometric Functions

EX #2: Summarize the exact values for 30°, 60°, and 90° angles (rationalize denominators).

𝜃𝜃 𝜃𝜃
sin 𝜃𝜃 cos 𝜃𝜃 tan 𝜃𝜃 csc 𝜃𝜃 sec 𝜃𝜃 cot 𝜃𝜃
Degrees Radians

𝜋𝜋
30°
6

𝜋𝜋
45°
4

𝜋𝜋
60°
3

Quadrantal Angles

A quadrantal angle is an angle whose terminal side lies along one of the coordinate axes.

EX #3: Evaluate the six trig functions at the four quadrant angles.

𝜃𝜃 degrees 0° 90° 180° 270°

𝜋𝜋 3𝜋𝜋
radians 0 𝜋𝜋
2 2

sin 𝜃𝜃

cos 𝜃𝜃

tan 𝜃𝜃

Note:
csc 𝜃𝜃
There is no need to memorize
the table, simply draw the sec 𝜃𝜃
angle and apply the definition
for any given function.
cot 𝜃𝜃

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 Odd vs. Even Trigonometric Functions

Remember that a function 𝑓𝑓 is even if 𝑓𝑓 −𝑥𝑥 = __________________ for all 𝑥𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓𝑓 and

a function 𝑓𝑓 is odd if 𝑓𝑓 −𝑥𝑥 = ___________________ for all 𝑥𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓𝑓.

Even Trig Functions Odd Trig Functions

P (x, y)
sin −𝜃𝜃 = − sin(𝜃𝜃)
𝜃𝜃 cos −𝜃𝜃 = cos(𝜃𝜃)
csc −𝜃𝜃 = − csc(𝜃𝜃)
−𝜃𝜃
tan −𝜃𝜃 = − tan 𝜃𝜃
sec −𝜃𝜃 = sec(𝜃𝜃)
Q (x, −y) cot −𝜃𝜃 = − cot 𝜃𝜃

EX #4: Find the exact value of each of the following.

A. cos(−60°) B. 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 −
𝜋𝜋
2

C. 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑠𝑠 −𝜋𝜋 D. cot −

11𝜋𝜋
2

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Lesson 5: Properties of the Trigonometric Functions

To be successful in the study of calculus it is important to know some of the basic properties that
occur with the six trigonometric functions

Ratios on the Unit Circle

EX #1: In the sketch, at left, 𝜃𝜃 is in standard position and

𝑃𝑃 𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦 is a point on the unit circle that corresponds to
P (x, y)
(0,1) 𝜃𝜃. Complete the following in terms of 𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦 :

𝜃𝜃
(−1,0) (1,0)
sin 𝜃𝜃 = cos 𝜃𝜃 = tan 𝜃𝜃 =

(0, −1) csc 𝜃𝜃 = sec 𝜃𝜃 = cot 𝜃𝜃 =

Domain and Range of the Trigonometric Functions

Function Undefined on [𝟎𝟎, 𝟐𝟐𝝅𝝅) Domain Range

sine

cosine

tangent

cosecant

secant

cotangent

Periodic Functions and Finding Exact Values

The behavior of sine and cosine repeats after one revolution. This repetitive (or cyclic) pattern is
called periodic.
Therefore, one cycle for sine and cosine has a period ____________, while the tangent
function has a period _____________.

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 EX #2: Evaluate without a calculator by using the period of the function and values on the unit
circle.

23𝜋𝜋 17𝜋𝜋
A. sin B. cos
3 4

9𝜋𝜋 29𝜋𝜋
C. tan − D. sin −
2 6

Trigonometric Identities

Look back at the ratios from Example 1, can you name the reciprocal identities and quotient
identities in terms of a trigonometric function?

Reciprocal Identities Quotient Identities

csc 𝜃𝜃 = tan 𝜃𝜃 =

sec 𝜃𝜃 =

cot 𝜃𝜃 =

cot 𝜃𝜃 =

Finding Exact Values Given a Terminal Point

When given the terminal point of an angle rotated on a coordinate plane, you should create a
right triangle by dropping a perpendicular line back to the x-axis and use the Pythagorean
Theorem to find the hypotenuse.

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EX #3: Find the exact values of each of the six trigonometric functions of an angle θ if (−2, 5) is a
point on its terminal side.

Using Fundamental Identities

2 13 3 13
EX #4: Given sin 𝜃𝜃 = and cos 𝜃𝜃 = , find the exact values of the four remaining
13 13
trigonometric functions of 𝜃𝜃 using identities.

EX #5: Use properties of the trigonometric functions to find the exact value of each expression.

sin 50°
A: tan 50° − B: (cos 400°)(sec 40°)
cos 50°

𝜋𝜋 13𝜋𝜋
C: sin 6 csc 6

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 Pythagorean Identities

Pythagorean Identities
If 𝑃𝑃 = (𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) is the point on the unit circle that corresponds to the
angle 𝜃𝜃, then the equation of the unit circle is _________________________.
We know that 𝑦𝑦 = sin 𝜃𝜃 and 𝑥𝑥 = cos 𝜃𝜃, so we can substitute these
1
into our equation to give us
𝑦𝑦

𝜃𝜃
𝑥𝑥

There are two more Pythagorean Identities we can derive . . .

Divide each side of the equation by 𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝟐𝟐 𝜽𝜽: Divide each side of the equation by 𝐜𝐜𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝟐𝟐 𝜽𝜽:

Using Identities

1
EX #6: Given that tan 𝜃𝜃 = − and sin 𝜃𝜃 > 0, find the exact
2
value of each of the remaining five trigonometric
functions.
P (−2, 1)
𝜃𝜃

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