Trigonometry Chapter 6

Trigonometric Ratios and the Calculator

Angles can be given in degrees, minutes and seconds. We usually use angles in
degrees and minutes.

25 32 ' 43 ' '

We need to know how to round off angles correctly. Just like time, minutes and
seconds are out of 60, not 100, i.e.:

60 minutes = ____ degree

( 60' =1 )
To find unknown sides in right-angled triangles, you will use the following buttons
on your calculator:

sin

cos

tan

To calculate angles you will use:

sin1 cos1 tan1

To change a decimal to degrees, minutes and seconds, or vice versa, use the
button:

or

DMS

Examples
1. Round off to the nearest
degree:
2.
a)

23 16 ' 34 ' '

3.
b)

52 43 ' 14 ' '

4.
5. Round off to the nearest
minute:
6.
c)

23 16 ' 34 ' '

7.
d)

52 43 ' 14 ' '

8.
Page | 1

9. Change

34 54 '

to a

decimal.
10.
11.Change

76.42

to degrees

and minutes.
12.
13.Find correct to 2 decimal
places:
14.
a)

sin 12 38 '

15.
b)

tan 56 13'

16.

17.Find

minutes:
18.
a)

Page | 2

19.

in degrees and

sin =0.456

b)

( 35 )

cos =

20.
21.

Answers

1. Round off to the nearest degree:

22.

23 16' 34' ' =23

a)

23.
'

''

52 43 14 =53

b)

24.
2. Round off to the nearest minute:
25.

23 16 ' 34 ' '

a)

26.

34 54' =34.9

28.
29.

76.42=76 25' 12' '

30. 76 25 '
31.
5. Find correct to 2 decimal places:
32.
a)

The seconds are more than

30 so you round up to the
nearest minute.
The seconds are less than 30
so you round down to the
nearest minute.
Type in 34 54 enter (or
=). If it comes up with 3454,
press again.

27.

4.

The minutes are more than

30 so you round up to the
nearest degree.

52 43 ' 14 ' '

b)

3.

The minutes are less than 30

so you round down to the
nearest degree.

'

sin 12 38 =0.21871
33. 0.22

Type in 76.42 then . Write

what your calculator says and
then round off to the nearest
minute.
Type in sin then 12 38
then ) to close the brackets and
then enter (or =).

34.
b)

tan 56 13' =1.4947

1.49

35.
6. Find
37.
a)

36.

Type in tan then 56 13

then ) to close the brackets and
then enter (or =).

in degrees and minutes:

sin =0.456
1

38. =sin 0.456

39. 27.129

Type in shift (or 2nd) sin then

0.456 then ) to close the brackets
and then enter (or =). Press
and then round appropriately.

'

40. 27 7 46 ' '

41. 27 8

'

42.
b)

( 35 )

cos =

Type in shift (or 2nd) cos then

3 5

then ) to close the

brackets and then enter (or =).

Press and then round

43.

=cos1

( 35 )

44. 53.1301
'

45. 53 7 48.368 ' '

46. 53 8 '
47.

48.
49. Trigonometric Ratios
50.To calculate the length of a side or the size of an angle in right-angled
triangles, we can use certain ratios. In order to refer to these ratios, we
name the sides in relation to the angle being studied:

The hypotenuse is the longest side, and is always opposite the right
angle.

51.For this section you may need to use Pythagoras Theorem to find the third
side in any right-angled triangle to help answer the questions.
52.Pythagoras Theorem (where c is the hypotenuse):
53.

The opposite side is opposite the angle marked in the triangle

The adjacent side is next to the angle marked (it will be the last one left
when the other 2 are identified).

54.The opposite and adjacent sides will depend on where the angle is
marked, for example:
55.
hypotenuse

57.

adjacent

56.

hypotenuse

58.
59.Sine

adjacent

.
60.In
sinany
= Right-Angled Triangle, the trigonometric ratios are:

61.
62.Cosine
63. cos =

64.
65.Tangent

tan =

Some people
remember the ratios
as:
SOH CAH TOA

66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.

73. Reciprocal Identities

74.TAN : 1 =

SEC : 1 =

COSEC : 1 =

COT : 1 =

75.
76.TAN =

SEC =

COSEC =

COT =
77.
78.Here are the 3 reciprocal ratios or reciprocal identities:

79.
80.

cosec =

Cosecant

81.
82.

sec =

Secant

83.
84.

Cotangent

1
=
sin

1
=
cos
cot =

1
=
tan

85.
86.
87.

88.
89.
90.
91.
92.

Examples

1. Write down the ratios of

sin , cos , tan , cosec , seccot .

15

93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.

8
17

2
sin = Adjacent
exact ratios of
5 , find the(A)

2. If

cos , tan , cosec , sec cot .

15

100.

Answers

Hypotenuse (H)
1.
101. 17

8 Opposite (O)
Good idea to label
sides. Once you
become familiar
they should become
automatic.

102.
103.
104.

sin =

105.

cosec =

1
1 17
= =
sin 8
8
17
cos =

106.

sec =

O 8
=
H 17

A 15
=
H 17

1
1 17
= =
cos 15 15
17
tan =

107.

O 8
=
A 15
cot =

2.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.

sin =

2
5

1
1 15
= =
tan 8
8
15

To begin, draw a right angled

triangle with an unknown
angle. Next use the fact that

O 2
sin = 2 =
H 5

21

cosec =

sin =

O
H

and write in these

sides on the triangle. To find

the third side use Pythagoras

1
1 5
= =
sin 2 2
5

117.

c 2=a 2+ b2

118.

52=a2+ 22

119.

25=a2 +4

120.

44

121.

21=a 2

122.

a= 21

123.

124.

Cofunction Identities

125.

126.
Use your calculator to evaluate the following to 3
decimal places
127.
128.

Sin 20 =

cos 70 =

Sin 50 =

cos 40 =

Sin 35 =

cos 55 =

129.
130.
131.
132.
133.

What have you noticed?

134.
135.

Why do you think the answers are the same?

136.
137.

We have established our first important result, namely that

138.
the sine of an angle is equal to the cosine of its
complement
139.

This is represented using the mathematical symbols

140.

Sin = cos (90 )

A
141.

(Using the angle sum of a triangle is 180).

90

142.
143.b

144.
145.
146.

147.

( 90 ) =
sin =sin

148.

( 90 )=
cos =cos

149.

( 90 ) =
tan =tan

sec =
150.

1
1 c
1
1 c
= = sec ( 90 )=
= =
cos a a
cos ( 90 ) b b
c
c

1
1
= =
sin ( 90 ) a
c
1
1
cosec =
= =cosec
sin b
c

( 90 ) =
151.

1
1
= =
tan ( 90 ) a
b
1
1
cot =
= =cot
tan b
a

( 90 ) =
152.

sin
=
( 90 )

From these ratios come

153.
results:
154.
155.
156.
157.
158.
159.

cos = ( 90 )

tan = ( 90 )

cot = ( 90 )

160.
161.

sec = ( 90 )

162.

cosec = ( 90 )

the

163.
164.

165.
166.
1. Show

Examples
sin 32 =cos 58 .

167.

sec 65
sec 65 + cosec25

2. Simplify
168.

3. Find the value of

if

tan 27 =cot ( x +20 ) .

169.
4. Find the value of

170.
1.
171.
172.
2.

p if

sin ( 2 p+15 ) =cos ( 3 p20 )

Answers

sin 32 =cos ( 9032 )

cos 68

sec 65
sec 65
=
sec 65 + cosec25 sec 65 +sec ( 9025 )

173.

sec 65
sec 65 + sec 65

174.

sec65
2 sec 65

175.

1
2

cosec =sec ( 90 ) ].
Simplify by collecting like
terms on the bottom.

Simplify by cancelling

176.
177.
178.
3.

Since 2 of the 3 ratios are

sec change the third one to
sec. [i.e.

sec 65

from top and

tan 27 =cot ( x +20 )

179.
180.

tan 27 =cot ( 9027 )

181.

cot 63

182.
183.
184.

These should now be the

same because they are
both

tan 27 .

cot ( x +20 ) =cot 63

185.

x +20=63

186.

2020

187.

x=43

188.
These should now be the
same because they are both

4.

sin ( 2 p+15 ) =cos ( 3 p20 )

189.
190.

sin ( 2 p+15 ) =cos [ 90 (2 p+15 ) ]

191.

cos [ 902 p15 ]

192.

cos ( 752 p )

193.
194.
195.

cos ( 3 p20 ) =cos ( 752 p )

196.

3 p20=752 p

197.

+2 p+ 2 p

198.

5 p20=75

199.

200.
201.

202.

Be careful when taking away.

Always put in brackets and
then multiply out. Be careful
with negatives.

+20+20
5 p=95

5 5
p=19

203.

204.
205.
206. Right-Angled Triangle Problems
207.
Trigonometry can be used to find unknown sides or angles in
triangles.

208. Finding a Side

209.
If you have a right angled triangle and know one side and one angle
(other than the right angle) you can find the length of any other side in the
triangle using the trigonometric ratios. Make sure you use the ratios
correctly, as the unknown side can be on the top or the bottom of the
fraction when you try and solve.

210.

Examples

a)
b)
1. Find the length of the unknown side to 2 decimal places in the following
13.4 m
triangles:
12 cm
211.
x
cm
212.
213.
214.
ym
215.
216.
217.

218.

219.
220.
221.

Answers

1. Locate the known angle, decide what sides you have and then which ratio
to use:
222.
a) I have an opposite side and a hypotenuse so it is sine.
223.
224.

sin =

O
H

sin 23 45' =

x
12

225.

12 12

226.

12 sin 23 45 =x

227.

4.8329 =x

228.

x=4.83

'

229.
b) I have an adjacent and hypotenuse so it is cosine.
230.

cos =

A
H

Notice how the pronumeral is on the

bottom. Be careful and dont mix them
round as you will get a different answer.
Some people like to always put the
pronumeral on the top of the fraction. It
always depends on the question.

231.

13.4
cos 67 12' =
y

232.

yy

233.

y cos 67 12' =13.4

234.

cos 67 12' cos 67 12'

235.

y=34.57925 .

236.

x=34.58

237.

238. Finding an Angle

239.
If you have a right angled triangle and know any two sides you can
find the size of any of the other two angles in the triangle using the
trigonometric ratios. Remember to find angles we will be using

sin1 , cos1 , tan 1 .

240.
241.

Examples

1. Find the size of the unknown angle to the nearest minute in the following
triangles:
8.2 cm
a)
b)
242.
56 m
243.

72 m

244.

10.7 cm

245.

246.
247.
248.
249.
250.

Answers

1. Locate the unknown angle, decide what sides you have and then which
ratio to use:
251.
a) I have an adjacent side and an hypotenuse, so it is cosine.
252.
253.
254.

cos =

A
H

cos =

8.2
10.7

=cos1

8.2
( 10.7
)

255.

=39.9722

256.

=39 58' 20.271 ' '

257.

=39 58'

Remember to close the

brackets.

258.
2. I have an opposite side and an adjacent side, so it is tangent.
259.
260.
261.

265.

tan =

O
A

tan =

56
72

=tan 1

56
72

( )

262.

=37.8749

263.

=37 52' 29.941 ' '

264.

=39 52

'

Remember if the seconds are

less than 30 you round down
to the nearest minute.

266.

267.
268.

269. Applications
270.
Trigonometry can have many practical applications, from such areas
as building, construction, surveying and navigation. In this section we are
still looking at right angled triangles, so we can still use the trigonometric
ratios SOH CAH TOA.

271. Angle of Elevation

272.
An angle of elevation is when we are looking up at an object.
We can use it to find heights of objects that cannot be measured
directly. Always draw a diagram if one is not provided.

273.

274. Angle of Depression

275.
An angle of depression is when we are looking down at an
object. We can use alternate angles to help with these questions.
Always draw a diagram if one is not provided.

276.

277.

278. Bearings
279.
Bearings are based on directions related to the compass. True
bearings measure angles clockwise from North. Bearings are usually
written as 3 numbers e.g.

280.

124 ,048 , etc.

Always draw a diagram if one is not provided.

281.
The bearing of a point is the number of degrees in the angle
measured in a clockwise direction from the north line to the line joining the
centre of the compass with the point.
282.
A bearing is used to represent the direction of one point relative to
another point.
283.
284.
For example, the bearing of A from B is 065. The bearing of B from
A is 245.

285.
286.

287.

Examples

1. From a point A, level with the foot of a vertical pole and

angle of elevation of the top of the pole is

25 m

from it, the

40 . Calculate:

a) The height of the pole (to the nearest metre),

b) The angle of elevation from A of a point halfway up the
pole (to the nearest minute).
288.
2. An observer in a lighthouse

100 m

above sea level is watching a ship

sailing towards the lighthouse. The angle of depression of the ship from
the observer is

15 .

a) How far is the ship from the lighthouse? Correct to the

nearest metre.

b) Some time later, the angle of depression is measured as

25 . How far has the ship travelled? Correct to the

nearest metre.
289.

3. Nick cycles

15 km

due north, then

12 km

due east and finally

20 km

due south. What are his distance and bearing from his original position?
290.

291.

292.

Answers

1. Draw a diagram:
293.
294.
a)
295.
296.
297.
298.
299.
300.A
25 m

b)

21 m

10.5 m

25 m

h
tan 40 =
25

301.

10.5
tan =Now that you
25 found the
have

height you can

10.5
use it in part b)
25

( to) help solve,

25 25

=tan

303.

20.97749 =h

22.782

304.

h=21m

22 47 '

302.

305.
306.
307.
2. Draw a diagram:
308.
309.
a)
310.
311.
Use alternate
312.
angles.
313.
314.
315.

b)

but remember
to halve it for
halfway up the
pole.

25

100 m
25

316.

tan 15 =

317.

tan 25 =

100
x

100
y

318.

x x y y

319.

x tan 15 =100 y tan 25 =100

320.

tan 15 tan 15 tan 25 tan 25

x=

321.

100
100
y=
tan 15
tan 25

Dont forget to

373.2050 =214.450
answer the
question.

322.

214 m is how far it is

still from the
324.
lighthouse, we want
DistanceTravelled=373214
to know how far it
has travelled.
325.

373 m

323.

159 m

214 m

326.
327.
328.
329.
330.
3.

12 m

331.

Using just the triangle the

332.

height is

15 m

333.

20 m

334.
335.

5 m , i.e.

tan =

5m

5
12

=tan 1

336.
337.

338.

( 125 )

22.6198

22 37

'

339. Exact Ratios

340.

We can find the exact values of certain angles, that being

30 , 45 60 .

Instead of remembering all nine exact ratios for sin, cos

and tan, it might be easier to remember the two triangles the exact ratios
come from.
341.

A right-angled triangle with an angle of

other angle will equal

45

45

is isosceles (i.e. the

as well). If we give the 2 short sides a length

of 1 we can find the hypotenuse using Pythagorass Theorem:

342.
2

343.

c =a + b

344.
1

1 +1

345.

1+ 1

45

346.
347.

348.

Using the above triangle we get the exact ratios:

349.

sin 45 =

350.

1
2

351.

cos 45=

352.
353.

1
2

1
tan 45 = =1
We can find the ratios for 1 30

354.

and

60

using an equilateral

triangle and then splitting it in half. For this we use sides of 2 so that when
we split in half we can have a side of 1. Similar to above, we can find the
height (a short side) by using Pythagoras Theorem:
355.

c 2=a 2+ b2

356.
357.

22=a 2+12
2

358.

4=a + 1

359.

11

360.
361.
362.

sin 60 =
1 sin 30 = 2
2
Using the above triangle we get the exact ratios:
3
cos 30 =
2
1

cos 60 =

1
2

363.
364.
365.
366.

367.

Examples

1. Find the exact value of :

a)

sin 45 +cos 45

b)

3 sec 60

c)

sin2 30 +cos 2 30
368.

2. Find the exact value of

x :

369.
370.
371.
372.
373.

374.

Answers

1.
a)

sin 45 +cos 45 =

1
1
+
2 2

375.
376.

377.

378.

2 2
2

379.
380.
b)

3 sec 60 =3

1
cos 60
3

381.

382.
383.
384.

3 1
6

2
1

1
1
2

1+1
2

You can
rationalise the
denominator by
multiplying top
and bottom by

c)

1 2 3
sin 30+cos 30 =
+
2
2
2

()( )

1 3
+
4 4

385.

386.
387.
2.
388.
389.

Also

390.

tan 30 =

1
3

x
1
=
12 3

391.

12 12

392.

12
x=
3

You can rationalise the

denominator and get

x=

393.

12 3
=4 3
3

394. Angles of Magnitude

Firsttriangle
Quadrant
Quadrant
395. Second
The angles
in a right-angled
are always acute (except the
right angle of course), but we may need to know angles greater than

90 , such as with bearings. Also negatives angles are used in different

situations such as engineering and science. Angles are measured around a
circle starting from the positive direction of the x-axis.
396.
397.
Fourth
Quadrant
Third
Quadrant
398.
399.
400.
401.
402.
403.

404.
405.

When finding the value of angles greater than

begin at

90

we always

and move in an anti-clockwise direction. The angle is

always taken off the x-axis (i.e. the horizontal line). The sign of the ratio

A
TC

can be determined by the following acronym: ASTC (All Stations To

Central).
406.
407.

408.
409.
410.
411.
412.
413.

This means:

414.

415.

In the first quadrant

( 0 90 ) all ratios are

positive.

416.

In the second quadrant

( 90 180 ) only the

sine ratio is positive ( cos and tan are

negative).

417.
418.

419.

In the third quadrant

( 180 270 ) only the

tan ratio is positive ( sin and cos are negative).

420.

Examples

1. Find the exact value of:

a)

sin 135

b)

tan 300

c)

cos (150 )

d)

sin 690

421.

Answers

1. For the answers to be exact you know you are going to use angles of

30 , 45 60 . It helps to draw a diagram for these type of questions.

422.
a)

sin 135 =sin 45

T 423.
C
424.
425.
426.

1
2

The angle it makes with the

x-axis is

45

and sin is

positive in this quadrant.

sin 135 =sin 45

427.
428.
b)

A300 =tan 60
tan
3

429.

430.

T C431.

The angle it makes with the

60

432.

x-axis is

433.

is positive in this quadrant, so

tan has to be negative

434.

tan 300 =tan 60

435.
c)

and only cos

cos (150 ) =cos 30

436.

T C
437.

Because it is a negative
438. angle you just go backwards
(i.e. clockwise). The angle it
439. makes with the x-axis is
440.
441.

30

and only tan is

positive in this quadrant, so

d)

442.

1
2

443.
To get 690 go around the
444.
number plane once and then
445.
an extra 330 (
446.
690 360 =330 ). The
447.
angle it makes with the x-axis
448. 30
is
and only cos is

449.

450. Trigonometric Equations

451.
A trigonometric equation involves finding an angle whose
trigonometric ratio is given. There is usually more than one solution to an
equation. Also be careful to see what the conditions of the equation are

0 360 180 180

e.g.

etc. This exercise is the opposite to the

last exercise, we are working backwards. Once again it is a good idea to

draw diagrams for these questions.

452.

Examples
0 360 :

1. Solve for
a)

sin =

1
2

b)

tan = 3

c)

2 cos 2=1
453.

2. Solve

454.

s 2 =

for

18 0 180 .

A
Answers

1.
a)

1
2

sin =

1
2

T C
sin 30 =
455.
2
1

S
and it is positive.

456.
Sin is positive in the first and
second quadrants. We make 2

457.

angles that are

30

from the x-

=30 ,180 30
458.axis in these quadrants.
459.

30 , 150

460.
b)

A 3
tan =
S

461.

tan 60 = 3

462.

, but it is negative.

Tan is negative in the second and

T 463.
Cfourth quadrants. We make 2
464.
angles that are

60

from the x-

axis in these quadrants.

465.

=180 60 ,360 60

466.

120 , 300

467.
468.
469.
470.
c)

Cant get an exact value with 1 using cos, so

divide by 2 and then we can use which has an
exact value with cos.

2 cos 2=1

2 2

471.

472.
473.
474.
1
475.
cos
60 =
476.
2 , and it is positive.
477.
478.
Cos
is positive in the first and
479.quadrants. We make 2
fourth
480.
60 from the xangles
481. that are
The conditions
for this question
are
482.
0 360 , but we have 2 , so
483.
484.
multiplying
everything by 2 we get the
485.
condition 0 2 720 , so we are going
2 =60 , 360 60 ,360 +60 ,720 60
486.
Dividing everything by 2 so
487.

60 , 300 , 420 , 660

488.

=30 , 150 , 210 , 330

489.
490.
491.
492.
493.
494.
495.
496.

2. Solve

s 2 =

497.
498.

we get

instead of

Notice how the 4 answers are

within the original conditions
of the question:

0 360 .

1
2

for

sin =

1
2

18 0 180 .

2 .

1
2

T C

To get rid of the squared we square

499.
root. But remember when we square

500.

root in an equation we always get

501.

sin 45 =

502.

1
2

, and it is positive and

negative. So we make 4 angles that

503. 45
are

from the x-axis in all

504.

=180 + 45 , 0 45 , 45 , 180 45

505.

135 ,45 , 45 , 135

506.

507. Trigonometric Graphs

508.
In this section we will look at the graphs of the trigonometric ratios
and their inverse ratios. Along the x-axis we will use the angle values (you
should notice that they should match up with the ASTC rule we used in the
2 previous exercises, i.e. when the graph should be positive or negative).
509.

y=sin x

510.
511.

The height of the graph ranges from -1 to 1. The graph is

symmetrical and continues with the same shape after

graph is positive from
from
512.

180 x 360

y=cos x

0 x 180

360 . Notice the

(i.e. quadrants 1 and 2) and negative

(i.e. quadrants 3 and 4).

513.
514.

The height of the graph ranges from -1 to 1. The graph is

symmetrical and continues with the same shape after

360 .

515.
516.

y=tan x

517.

518.
519.

There are asymptotes at

the same curve beyond

520.

360 .

x=90 270 . The graph continues with

521.

y=cosec x

522.
523.

This graph is the inverse of

zero, we have asymptotes at

y=sin x . Because you cant divide by

x=180 360 .

524.
525.
526.

y=sec x

527.
528.

This graph is the inverse of

zero, we have asymptotes at

y=cos x . Because you cant divide by

x=90 270 .

529.

y=cot x

530.
531.

This graph is the inverse of

zero, we have asymptotes at

532.

y=tan x . Because you cant divide by

x=180 360 .

From all these graphs you can deduce what the values of

90 ,180 ,270 360 .

533.

534. Trigonometric Identities

535.
There are a number of trigonometric identities that can be used to
simplify questions. If you remember the ones with asterixis you can always
manipulate to get the identities that are related to it.
536.
537.
538.

*
cot =

539.

540.

552.

cos
sin

cot=

cos
sin

sin 2 +cos 2 =1
2

sin :

By dividing by

553.

554.

1+cot =cosec

By dividing by

cos 2 :

556.

sin 2 cos 2
1
+
=
2
2
cos cos cos 2

557.

tan 2 +1=sec 2

558.

we get the 2 identities:

559.
560.

1
sin
cos

sin2 cos2
1
+ 2 = 2
2
sin sin sin

555.

sin
cos

1
tan

541.
542.
543.
544.
545.
546.
547.
548.
549.
550.
551.

tan =

1+cot 2 =cosec 2
tan 2 +1=sec 2

561.
562.

563.

Examples

1. Prove the following identities:

564.
a)

1sin2
=cos2
2
2
sin + cos
565.

b)

tan A sin A+cos A=sec A

c)

sin 2 tan +cos 2 cot +2 sin cos =tan +cot

566.

567.

Answers

1. Prove the following identities:

568.

Start with the side that you think you

can manipulate. Usually it will be the
Left Hand Side (LHS). Good idea to
write out LHS again.

a)

1sin
=cos2
2
2
sin + cos
569.
570.
571.

LHS=

1sin 2
sin 2 + cos2

sin2 +cos 2 =1
sin2 sin 2

cos
1

572.

573.

cos

574.

RHS

Once it is equal
to the Right
Hand Side (RHS)
you finish by
saying this.

575.
b)

tan A sin A+cos A=sec A

576.
577.

LHS=tan A sin A+ cos A

578.

sin A

sin A+ cos A
cos A

579.

sin 2 A cos A

+
cos A
1

580.

sin 2 A cos A
cos A

cos A
1
cos A

581.

582.

cos =1sin

sin 2 A cos2 A
+
cos A cos A

Another good
idea is to write to
the side of your
working what
identity you

tan A=

sin A
cos A

Need the same

denominator to add
fractions, so
multiply top and
bottom by

cos A .

1
cos A

583.

584.

sec A

585.

RHS

586.
c)
587.
588.

LHS=sin2 tan +cos 2 cot + 2sin cos

2

589.
590.

sin 2 +cos 2 =1
2

sin

sin
cos
2
+ cos
+ 2sin cos
cos
sin

( 1cos 2 )

sin
cos
+ ( 1sin 2 )
+2 sin cos
cos
sin

591.

sin sin
1

592.

sin
cos
sin cos +
sin cos + 2sin cos
cos
sin

593.

sin cos
+
cos sin

594.

tan +cot

595.

RHS

596.
597.
598.

599.

sin
sin
cos
cos
2
2
cos
+1
sin
+ 2sin cos
cos
cos
sin
sin

From the first to the second

line of working I used the
identities:

tan =

sin
cos
cot =
cos
sin

600. Non-Right-Angled Triangle

Results
601.
A non-right-angled triangle is named so that its angles and opposite
sides have the same pronumeral (i.e. angle A is opposite side a, etc.)
602.
A

603.
604.

605.
606.
B

607. The Sine Rule

608.

For finding a side:

a
b
c
=
=
sin A sin B sinC

609.
610.
611.

For an angle we just flip it upside down:

612.

sin A sin B sinC

=
=
a
b
c

613.
614.

615.
You can use this rule in non-right-angled triangles when you have 2
pairs of opposite sides and angles.

616.

Examples

1. Find the length of

in the following to 1 decimal place:

617.
618.

12.1

619.
620.
2. Find the size of
621.
622.
623.
624.
625.
626.
627.

to the nearest minute:

18.3

628.

Answers

1. Using the sine rule:

629.

a
b
c
=
=
sin A sin B sinC

630.

x
12.1
=
sin59 34 ' sin 32 12'

631.

sin 59 34 ' sin 59 34 '

632.

x=

12.1

12.1
'
sin 59 34
'
sin32 12

633.

19.5783

634.

19.6

units

635.
2.
636.

sin A sin B sinC

=
=
a
b
c

637.

sin sin 28 8
=
27.4
18.3

'

638.

27.4 27.4

639.

sin =

640.

=sin1

641.

44.910 ..

642.

44 54' 37.164' '

643.

44 55 '

644.

18.3

sin 28 8 '
27.4
18.3

sin 28 8'
27.4
18.3

Better to type this in your

calculator so you are not
rounding off until the last
step.

645. The Cosine Rule

A

646.
647.

648.
649.
B

650.
651.

For a side:

For an angle:

652.
c 2=a 2+ b22 ab cos C

cos C=

653.

a2 +b2 c 2
2ab

654.
Use this when you have 2 sides and the angle in between.
this rule when you have all 3 sides.

655.

Examples

1. Find the length of

656.
657.
658.
659.
660.
661.
662.
663.

in the following correct to 2 decimal places:

2. Find the size of

7 the following correct to the nearest minute:

in

664.
665.

12

666.

667.
668.

10

669.
1.

Answers
2

c =a + b 2 ab cos C
2

670.

y =3 +7 2 3 7 cos 34

671.

23.180421

672.

y= 23.180421..

673.

4.81460

674.

4.8

units

675.
Remember to square root to
get rid of the squared.

Dont round off until the final

step.

Use

676.
677.
678.
2

2.

cos C=

a +b c
2ab

679.
680.
681.

cos =

208
240

=cos1

( 208
240 )

29.9264

683.

29 55' 35.166''

684.

29 56 '

688.

12
6

682.

685.
686.
687.

10 +12 6
210 12

Remember to find
just the angle use

10

You can but this

straight in your
calculator but
remember to put
both the top and

=cos

( 102 +1226 2)
( 2 10 12 )

689. Sine and Cosine Problems

B
30 km

690.
This exercise looks at using the sine and cosine rules in real life
situations.

691.

Examples

1. A, B and C are three towns such that B is 20 km from A on a bearing of

330

and C is 30 km from A on a bearing of

204 . Find the distance

20 km from B to C to the nearest kilometre.

2. An aircraft flies from a point A to a point B 400 km on a course of
It then flies on a bearing of

160

040 .

from B to a point C 500km from A.

Calculate:
a) The distance BC,
b) The bearing of C from A.

692.
1.

Answers

BAC =330 204

126

693.

From the diagram you

will have to use the
cosine rule.

694.
2

695.

c =a + b 2 ab cos C

696.

( BC )2=302 +2022 30 20 cos 126

697.

2005.3423

698.

BC = 2005.3423

699.

44.78104

700.

45

701.
2.

km

Let ACB=

702.

sin sin 60
=
400
500

703.

400 400

704.

126

sin =

sin 60
400
500

705.

0.692820

706.

=sin1 0.692820

707.

43.853778

708.

43 51 13.603

709.

43 51 '

'

''

710.

BAC =180 60 43 51'

711.

76 9 '

712.
a)

BC
500
=
'
sin76 9 sin60
713.
714.

b)

BC =

500
'
sin 76 9
sin 60

715.

560.5642434

716.

561 km (nearest km)

'

Bearing=040+76 9
717.

718.

sin 76 9' sin 76 9'

116 9 '

Couldnt use sine rule or cosine rule

yet to find the distance, but if we
found a missing angle, i.e. BAC, we
could use the sine rule to find the
distance between A and B. To find
BAC we had to use the sine rule to
find BCA and then the angle sum of
a triangle. To find the bearing I add
the angle BCA and the bearing of

719. Area
720.

We can find the area of a triangle with a right angle using the

1
A= bh . We can also find the area of a non-right angled
2

formula

A
triangle
using a similar formula:
721.
c
722.

B723.

1
A= ab sinC
2
C

724.
725.

Remember when we are finding area we use

units2

726.

mm , cm , m

etc, or

if the units are not stated.

Examples

1. In triangle

ABC ,

B=126 52' , a=12c=15,

find the area of the

triangle.
2. The sides of a triangular field have lengths 80 m, 90 m and 100 m.
Calculate the area of the field.

727.
1.

Answers

1
A= ab sinC
2

728.

1
12 15 sin 126 52'
2

729.

72.00304

730.

72units 2

731.
2.

a2+ b2c2
cos =
2 ab
80 2+100 2902

2 80 100

732.
733.
734.

8300
16000

cos1

8300
( 16000
)

735.

58.751558

736.

58 45 ' 5.611' '

737.
738.

58 45 '

739.

1
A= ab sinC
2

740.

1
80 100 sin 58 45'
2

741.

3419.647

742.

3420 m2

743.

(nearest

To find the area you need an

angle so use the cosine rule
to find any angle in the
triangle.

m2 )

End of Trigonometry
Chapter 6