CIRCULAR

FUNCTIONS
Trigonometry has many applications. Bridge builders
require an understanding of forces acting at different
angles. Trigonometry is used to design bridge side
lengths and angles for maximum strength and safety.
Global positioning systems (GPSs) receiver uses
satellites to triangulate a position, locating that position
in terms of its latitude and longitude. Land surveying,
energy conservation, and solar panel placement all
require knowledge of angles and an understanding of
trigonometry. You may think of trigonometry as the
study of acute angles and right triangles. In this chapter,
you will extend your study of trigonometry to angles
greater than 90° and to non-right triangles.

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PRE-TEST

3
1. What is a cosine function?
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
A. cos θ =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
B. cos θ =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
C. cos θ =
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
D. cos θ =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

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2. What is a tangent
function?
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
A. tan θ =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
B. tan θ =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
C. tan θ =
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
D. tan θ =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
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3. Negative sine and
negative cosine is located
in what quadrant?
A. Quadrant I
B. Quadrant II
C. Quadrant I and II
D. Quadrant III
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4. Positive sine and
negative cosine is located
in what quadrant?
A. Quadrant I
B. Quadrant II
C. Quadrant III
D. Quadrant IV
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5. It is a function describing
the horizontal and vertical
positions of a point on a circle
as a function of angle (cosine
and sine).
A. Identity function
B. Constant function
C. Circular function
D. Set function
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▪ ANS:
▪ 1. B

▪ 2. D

▪ 3. D

▪ 4. B

▪ 5. C

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The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

Recall that the sine and cosine functions (and four others: tangent, cosecant, secant, and
cotangent) of angles measuring between 0° and 90° were defined in the last quarter of
Grade 9 as ratios of sides of a right triangle. It can be verified that these definitions are
special cases of the following definition.
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The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions allow us to use angle
measures, in radians or degrees, to find the coordinates of a
point on any circle—not only on a unit circle—or to find an
angle given a point on a circle. They also define the
relationship among the sides and angles of a triangle.

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The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions
To define the trigonometric functions, first consider
the unit circle centered at the origin and a point P = (x, y) on
the unit circle. Let θ be an angle with an initial side that lies
along the positive x -axis and with a terminal side that is the
line segment OP. An angle in this position is said to be in
standard position. We can then define the values of the six
trigonometric functions for θ in terms of the coordinates x
and y.

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The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

Fig. 3.1 The angle θ is in

standard position. The values
of the trigonometric functions
for θ are defined in terms of
the coordinates x and y.

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The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

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DEFINITION OF TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS IN TERMS OF A UNIT
CIRCLE

The formulas in the above definition express function values in terms of coordinates P on
a unit circle. Thus, the trigonometric functions are sometimes called circular functions.

15
The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions
A circle with center at (0,0) and radius 1
is called a unit circle. For the point (x,y) in
Quadrant I, the lengths x and y become the legs
of a right triangle whose hypotenuse is 1. Using
the right triangle and the Pythagorean
Theorem, we can see that the equation of this
circle would be 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏. So, points on this
circle must satisfy this equation.
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The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions
If we examine angle θ (as shown in this unit circle,
we see that:

which shows us that in a unit circle

𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉 = 𝐱 and also 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉 = 𝐲 also
creating the ordered pair 𝐱, 𝐲 = (𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉, 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉).
Sine is represented by the vertical leg. Cosine is
represented by the horizontal leg. Note that 𝑥 2 +
𝑦 2 = 1 becomes 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝛉 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝛉 = 𝟏.
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The Unit Circle Chart

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19
FOUR QUADRANTS AND UNIT CIRCLE

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 The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

The placement of our right

triangle can be in any of the four
quadrants of the unit circle. While the
measurements of the sides of the
triangle are "positive" measurements,
their locations take on the
appropriate positive or negative signs
of the quadrant.
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 The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

For the point (-x,y) in Quadrant

2, the side length of x is in a negative
direction and the length y is in a
positive direction. The hypotenuse
remains positive 1 in all 4 quadrants.

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 The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

In Quadrant I, both x and y are positive,

therefore all circular functions are positive. In
Quadrant II, x is negative and y is positive, therefore
sine and cosecant functions are positive. In
Quadrant III, both x and y are negative, therefore
tangent and cotangent functions are positive. In
Quadrant IV, x is positive and y is negative so the
only positive are cosine and secant functions.
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The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

Add-Sugar-To-Coffee
All Positive
Sine Positive
Tan Positive
Cosine Positive 26
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Example 3.1 Find the values of cos 135°, tan135°.
Refer to Figure 3.6(a).

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 From properties of 45°-45° and 30°-60° right triangles with
hypothenuse 1 unit, we obtain the lengths of the legs as in Figure 3.6 (b).
(Note: A 45°-45° right triangle is isosceles. Moreover, the opposite side of the
30°-angle in a 30°-60° right triangle is half the length of its hypothenuse.)
Thus, the coordinates of A and B are:
2 2 1 3
𝑨= − , and 𝑩= ,− .
2 2 2 2

Therefore, we get
𝑦
cos θ = x, tan θ =
𝑥
2
2 2
cos 135° = − , tan 135° = 2
= −1
2 −2

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The Unit Circle Chart

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 3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋
Example 3.2 Find the exact values of sin , cos , and tan .
2 2 2
3𝜋
Solution. Let P be the point on the unit circle and on the
2
3𝜋
terminal side of the angle in the standard position with measure
2
𝟑𝝅
rad. Then P = (𝟎, −𝟏) and so
𝟐
𝑦
sin θ = 𝑦, cos θ = x, tan θ =
𝑥
3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋
sin = −1, cos =0 but tan is undefined.
2 2 2

Note: In solving trigonometric functions with the given angle in radian measure your calculator should be in
“RADIAN MODE” also. 31
Example 3.1.3 Suppose θ is a real number such that
−5
sin θ = and cos θ > 0. Find cos θ.
13

Solution. We may consider θ as the angle with

measure θ rad. Let P (θ) = (𝑥, 𝑦) be the point on the
unit circle on the terminal side of angle θ. Since we
know that P (θ) is on the unit circle, we know that
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1. (There are two solutions).

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The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

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 Example 3.1.3 Suppose θ is a real number such that
−5
sin θ = and cos θ > 0. Find cos θ.
13
−5 Using the equation 𝑟 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ,
sin θ = 𝑦 =
13 substitute the values 𝑦 = −5 and 𝑟 = 13
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 1 (equation of a unit circle)
−𝟓 𝑦
−5
𝑥 + ( 13 )2 = 1
2
(substitute the value of y) (which is from 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 = and 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 = 𝑟 )
𝟏𝟑
25 144
𝑥 2 = 1 − 169 = 169 (solve for x) 13 = 𝑥 2 + −5 2

12
𝑥=± 𝑥 = 12
13
12 12
Since cos θ = x > 0, we have cos θ = 13. Thus, we have cos θ = 13.

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REFERENCE ANGLES

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▪ Associated with every angle drawn in standard
position (except quadrantal angles) there is
another angle called the reference angle.

▪ The reference angle is the acute angle (the

smallest angle) formed by the terminal side
of the given angle in standard position and
the x-axis. Reference angles may appear in
all four quadrants. Angles in quadrant I are
their own reference angles.
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A reference angle is
always positive and is
always less than 90º.

Remember:
The reference angle is
measured from the terminal
side of the original angle
"to" the x-axis (not "to"
the y-axis).

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▪ Note: If the starting angle is greater than 360º, start by
subtracting 360º from the starting angle (as many times as
needed) to arrive at a new "starting" angle that lies between
0º and 360º. (If working in radians, subtract 2π until the
starting angle is between 0 and 2π radians.)
Quadrant Reference angle Reference angle
for θ º for θ rad
I Same as θ Same as θ
II 180 – θ 𝝅−θ
III θ – 180 θ −𝝅
IV 360 – θ 2𝝅 − θ
(Note for negative angle, neglect the negative sign.) 38
39
The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions

Add-Sugar-To-Coffee
All Positive
Sine Positive
Tan Positive
Cosine Positive 40
41
 Example 3.2.1 Use reference angle and appropriate
sign to find the exact value of each expression.

11𝜋 11𝜋
1. sin and cos
6 6
7𝜋
2. cos −
6
3. sin 150°

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Example 3.2.1 Solution
11𝜋 𝜋
(1) The reference angle of is and it lies in
6 6
Quadrant IV wherein sine and cosine are negative
and positive, respectively.
11𝜋 𝜋 𝟏
▪ sin = −sin = −
6 6 𝟐
11𝜋 𝜋 𝟑
▪ cos = cos =
6 6 𝟐

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Example 3.2.1 Solution
7𝜋
(2) The angle − lies in Quadrant II wherein cosine
6
𝜋
is negative, and its reference angle is .
6
7𝜋 𝜋 𝟑
▪ cos − = −cos =−
6 6 𝟐

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Example 3.2.1 Solution

(3) The reference angle of 150° is

180° − 150° = 30°.
𝟏
▪ sin 150° = sin 30° =
𝟐

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 ACTIVITY 3.1
Direction: Answer the following in your notebook and show your
solution.

1. Given θ = 315°, give the exact values of the six circular functions.
▪ sin 315° = _____
▪ cos 315° = _____
▪ tan 315° = _____
▪ csc 315° = _____
▪ sec 315° = _____
▪ cot 315° = _____

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 ACTIVITY 3.1
Direction: Answer the following in your notebook and show your
solution.

−4
2. Find the values of the other trigonometric functions of θ if cot θ =
3
and sin θ < 0.

3. Use reference angle and appropriate sign to find the exact value of
each expression.
▪ a. sin 510°
▪ b. tan−225°
13𝜋
▪ c. sec
3

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