Trigonometry - Study
Notes
Quantitative Aptitude
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Trigonometry
Introduction
Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics in which we read about the relation between sides
and angles of a right-angled triangle with the help of some ratios. These ratios are called
trigonometric ratios. For example: sinθ, cosθ, tanθ, cotθ, secθ and cosecθ.
Formulae
Where p, b and h are the perpendicular, base and hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle
respectively.
Points to Remember
The side opposite to 90° is called the hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle.
The side opposite to angle θ is called the perpendicular and the third side is called the
base.
Relation between p, b and h is p2 + b2 = h2
If we are given any trigonometric ratio, then we can find all other trigonometric ratios by the
help of the above formulae.
Reciprocal and Ratio Formulae
SUBJECT | Quantitative Aptitude 1 of 11
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Notes: If you are given sinθ = 3/7 then you can find cosecθ = 7/3 by the help of reciprocal
formulae without finding the value of the base.
Trigonometric Identities
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Shortcut Trick
Sign Convention of Trigonometric Ratios
Value of sinθ and cosecθ are positive in the 1st and 2nd quadrants.
Value of cosθ and secθ are positive in the 1st and 4th quadrants.
Value of tanθ and cotθ are positive in the 1st and 3rd quadrants.
Memory Tip:
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Trigonometric Values of Some Specific Angles
Trigonometric Ratios 0° (0) 30° (π/6) 45° (π/4) 60° (π/3) 90° (π/2) 180° (π) 270° (3π/2) 360° (2π)
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sin θ 0 1/2 1/√2 √3/2 1 0 -1 0
cos θ 1 √3/2 1/√2 1/2 0 -1 0 1
tan θ 0 1/√3 1 √3 ∞ 0 ∞ 0
cot θ ∞ √3 1 1/√3 0 ∞ 0 ∞
sec θ 1 2/√3 √2 2 ∞ -1 ∞ 1
cosec θ ∞ 2 √2 2/√3 1 ∞ -1 ∞
Some important values:
sin15° = cos75° = (√3 – 1)/2√2
cos15° = sin75° = (√3 + 1)/2√2
Shortcut Trick
1) If sinθ + cosecθ = 2, then sinnθ + cosecnθ = 2
2) If cosθ + secθ = 2, then cosnθ + secnθ = 2
3) If tanθ + cotθ = 2, then tannθ + cotnθ = 2
4) If (secθ + tanθ) = x, then (secθ – tanθ) = 1/x
5) If (secθ – tanθ) = x, then (secθ + tanθ) = 1/x
6) If (cosecθ + cotθ) = x, then (cosecθ – cotθ) = 1/x
7) If (cosecθ – cotθ) = x, then (cosecθ + cotθ) = 1/x
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Sum and Difference Formulae
sin (A ± B) = sin A cos B ± cos A sin B
cos (A ± B) = cos A cos B - sin A sin B
2 sin A cos B = sin (A + B) + sin (A - B)
2 cos A sin B = sin (A + B) – sin (A - B)
2 cos A cos B = cos (A + B) + cos (A - B)
2 sin A sin B = cos (A - B) - cos (A + B)
sin (A + B) sin (A - B) = sin2A – sin2B = cos2B – cos2A
cos (A + B) cos (A - B) = cos2A – sin2B = cos2B – sin2A
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Double angle formulae
Half Angle Formulae
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Triple Angle Formulae
Sine Rule
Where a, b and c are the sides of a triangle opposite to the vertex A, B, and C respectively, and
R is the circumradius of the triangle.
Cosine Formula
In any triangle ABC:
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Sum to Product Formula
Maxima and Minima
-1 ≤ sinθ ≤ 1
-1 ≤ cosθ ≤ 1
-∞ ≤ tanθ ≤ ∞
-∞ ≤ cotθ ≤ ∞
secθ ≤ -1 and secθ ≥ 1
cosecθ ≤ -1 and cosecθ ≥ 1
Points to Remember
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θ = l/r, where θ = angle made by an arc at the centre (in radian), l = length of arc and r =
radius of circle.
To change radian into degree multiply 180/π in the given angle.
To change degree into radian multiply π/180 in the given angle.
Some Important Results
tan 1° · tan 2° · ... · tan 89° = 1
cot 1° · cot 2° · ... · cot 89° = 1
cos 1° · cos 2° · ... · cos 90° = 0
sin 1° · sin 2° · ... · sin 180° = 0
When A + B = 90°:
tan A · tan B = 1
cot A · cot B = 1
Special Formulae
sinθ · sin (60° – θ) · sin (60° + θ) = 1/4 sin 3θ
cosθ · cos (60° – θ) · cos (60° + θ) = 1/4 cos 3θ
tanθ · tan (60° – θ) · tan (60° + θ) = tan 3θ
Shortcut Trick
SUBJECT | Quantitative Aptitude 10 of 11
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SUBJECT | Quantitative Aptitude 11 of 11