📘 Class 10 Mathematics — Complete
Trigonometry Notes
Chapter Overview
Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies the relationship between the sides and angles of
a right-angled triangle.
It is widely used in:
• Engineering ⚙️
• Astronomy 🌌
• Navigation 🚢
• Construction 🏢
• Physics ⚛️
1. Right-Angled Triangle
A triangle having one angle equal to 90° is called a right-angled triangle.
Important Parts of a Triangle
Suppose angle θ (theta) is given.
• Hypotenuse (H) → Side opposite the 90° angle and the longest side.
• Perpendicular (P) → Side opposite angle θ.
• Base (B) → Side adjacent to angle θ.
Important Note
The hypotenuse always remains the same, but the base and perpendicular may change depending on
the angle chosen.
2. Trigonometric Ratios
There are six trigonometric ratios.
(i) Sine
sin θ = P/H
Meaning: Perpendicular ÷ Hypotenuse
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(ii) Cosine
cos θ = B/H
Meaning: Base ÷ Hypotenuse
(iii) Tangent
tan θ = P/B
Meaning: Perpendicular ÷ Base
(iv) Cosecant
cosec θ = H/P
Meaning: Hypotenuse ÷ Perpendicular
(v) Secant
sec θ = H/B
Meaning: Hypotenuse ÷ Base
(vi) Cotangent
cot θ = B/P
Meaning: Base ÷ Perpendicular
3. Easy Trick to Remember Ratios 🧠
Ratio Formula
sin θ P/H
cos θ B/H
tan θ P/B
The remaining three ratios are simply the reciprocals:
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Ratio Formula
cosec θ H/P
sec θ H/B
cot θ B/P
Tricks are useful at the beginning, but proper memorisation is still necessary.
4. Reciprocal Relations
• sin θ = 1 / cosec θ
• cos θ = 1 / sec θ
• tan θ = 1 / cot θ
5. Important Relations
• tan θ = sin θ / cos θ
• cot θ = cos θ / sin θ
6. Trigonometric Identities
These identities are always true and are extremely important for board examinations.
Identity 1
sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
Identity 2
1 + tan²θ = sec²θ
Identity 3
1 + cot²θ = cosec²θ
7. Standard Trigonometric Values ⭐
Angle sin θ cos θ tan θ
0° 0 1 0
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Angle sin θ cos θ tan θ
30° 1/2 √3/2 1/√3
45° 1/√2 1/√2 1
60° √3/2 1/2 √3
90° 1 0 Not Defined
8. Complete Trigonometric Table
θ 0° 30° 45° 60° 90°
sin θ 0 1/2 1/√2 √3/2 1
cos θ 1 √3/2 1/√2 1/2 0
tan θ 0 1/√3 1 √3 Not Defined
cosec θ Not Defined 2 √2 2/√3 1
sec θ 1 2/√3 √2 2 Not Defined
cot θ Not Defined √3 1 1/√3 0
Important
Memorising this table is essential. Most trigonometry questions depend directly on these values.
9. Easy Method to Learn sin and cos Values
Step 1: Learn sin Values
For the angles: 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°
Use:
• √0/2
• √1/2
• √2/2
• √3/2
• √4/2
You get:
0, 1/2, 1/√2, √3/2, 1
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Step 2: Learn cos Values
Simply reverse the sin values.
10. Complementary Angles
If two angles add up to 90°, they are called complementary angles.
Examples
• 30° and 60°
• 45° and 45°
Important Relations
• sin(90° − θ) = cos θ
• cos(90° − θ) = sin θ
• tan(90° − θ) = cot θ
• cot(90° − θ) = tan θ
• sec(90° − θ) = cosec θ
• cosec(90° − θ) = sec θ
11. Heights and Distances
This topic uses trigonometry in real-life situations.
Applications
• Finding the height of buildings
• Finding the height of trees
• Measuring distances
• Navigation and surveying
Angle of Elevation
When we look upward from eye level.
Angle of Depression
When we look downward from eye level.
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12. Important Formula for Heights and
Distances
tan θ = Height / Distance
Therefore:
Height = Distance × tan θ
13. Rationalisation
Rationalisation means removing roots from the denominator.
Example
1/√3 = √3/3
14. Solved Example
Question
Find the value of:
sin 45° + cos 60°
Step 1: Write the Standard Values
• sin 45° = 1/√2
• cos 60° = 1/2
Step 2: Substitute the Values
1/√2 + 1/2
Step 3: Rationalise
√2/2 + 1/2
Step 4: Take the Common Denominator
(√2 + 1)/2
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Final Answer
(√2 + 1)/2
15. Common Mistakes ⚠️
• Mixing up base and perpendicular
• Forgetting standard values
• Writing incorrect identities
• Assuming tan 90° = 0 (incorrect)
• Forgetting to rationalise the denominator
16. Quick Formula Sheet 📄
Trigonometric Ratios
• sin θ = P/H
• cos θ = B/H
• tan θ = P/B
• cosec θ = H/P
• sec θ = H/B
• cot θ = B/P
Important Identities
• sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
• 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ
• 1 + cot²θ = cosec²θ
Complementary Relations
• sin(90° − θ) = cos θ
• cos(90° − θ) = sin θ
• tan(90° − θ) = cot θ
17. Board Exam Tips 🎯
• Memorise the trigonometric table completely.
• Practice identities regularly.
• Write formulas before solving questions.
• Draw triangles neatly.
• Check calculations carefully.
• Revise standard values daily.
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Final Advice
Trigonometry is not difficult once the basics are clear. Most mistakes happen because students rush or
forget standard values. Focus on understanding the formulas first, then practise regularly.