Pre-Calculus 11

Section 7.3 – Special Angles

Quadrantal Angles

 Quadrantal angle are the easiest to calculate

 They are the angles where the terminal arm is on a the 𝒙 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒓 𝒚 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔. 0° ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 360°

 The easiest points to choose are 𝟏 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 from the origin. Where 𝒓 = √𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏 a positive number

Example 1: Evaluate each trigonometric function.

a) tan 0° b) cos 180° c) sin 270° d) tan 90°

Solution 1:

a) Any point may be selected on the terminal side of 𝜃 = 0°. But simplify your life and choose 𝑃(1, 0).

𝒚 𝟎
𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = √12 + 02 = 1 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟎° = = =𝟎
𝒙 𝟏

b) Any point may be selected on the terminal side of 𝜃 = 180°. But simplify your life and choose
𝑃(−1, 0).

𝒙 −𝟏
𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = √(−1)2 + 02 = 1 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟏𝟖𝟎° = = = −𝟏
𝒓 𝟏

c) Any point may be selected on the terminal side of 𝜃 = 270°. But simplify your life and choose 𝑃(0, −1).

𝒚 −𝟏
𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = √02 + (−1)2 = 1 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟕𝟎° = = = −𝟏
𝒓 𝟏

d) Any point may be selected on the terminal side of 𝜃 = 90°. But simplify your life and choose 𝑃(0, 1).

𝒚 𝟏
𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = √02 + (1)2 = 1 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟗𝟎° = = = 𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅
𝒙 𝟎
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Pre-Calculus 11

Special Angles: 𝟑𝟎°, 𝟒𝟓°, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟔𝟎°

 Two triangles in trigonometry are especially significant, we can calculate them exactly
 They are the 45° − 45° − 90° triangle and the 30° − 60° − 90° triangle.

The 𝟒𝟓° − 𝟒𝟓° − 𝟗𝟎° Triangle

 Since the triangle has two equal angles, it is an isosceles

 Since trigonometric function are based on ratios we can use any
numbers, use 1 for simplicity 45°
 By Pythagoras’ Theorem: 𝑐 = √2
1
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 12 + 12 → 𝑐 = √2

Therefore,

1 1 1 45°
𝑆𝑖𝑛 45° = 𝐶𝑜𝑠 45° = 𝑇𝑎𝑛 45° = =1 1
√2 √2 1

The 𝟑𝟎° − 𝟔𝟎° − 𝟗𝟎° Triangle

 Consider an equilateral triangle with all sides equal to 2

𝑏 = √3
 Draw an altitude from a base to split the opposite 60 in half
 By Pythagoras’ Theorem:
30°
2 2 2 2 2 2
𝑐 −𝑎 =𝑏 → 2 −1 =𝑏 → 𝑏 = √3 2
2
Therefore,

1 √3 1
𝑆𝑖𝑛 30° = 𝐶𝑜𝑠 30° = 𝑇𝑎𝑛 30° =
2 2 √3 60°
√3 1 1 1
𝑆𝑖𝑛 60° = 𝐶𝑜𝑠 60° = 𝑇𝑎𝑛 60° = √3
2 2

Summary of Special Angles

𝜃 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝜃 𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝜃
30° 1 √3 1
2 2 √3
30° 45°
45° 1 1 1 2 √2
√3 1
√2 √2
60° √3 1 √3 60° 45°
2 2
1 1

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Pre-Calculus 11

Example 2: Evaluate sin 210°

Solution 2: We need to consider the reference angle. The reference angle of 210° 𝑖𝑠 30°

We have a special angle as a reference angle

1
From special angles: sin 30° =
2

But since 210° is in 𝑄3, sine is negative.

1
So… sin 210° = − sin 30° = −
2

Example 3: Evaluate cos 315°

Solution 3: We need to consider the reference angle. The reference angle of 315° 𝑖𝑠 45°

We have a special angle as a reference angle

1
From special angles: cos 45° =
√2

But since 315° is in 𝑄4, cosine is positive.

1
So… cos 315° = cos 45° =
√2

Example 4: Evaluate tan 120°

Solution 4: We need to consider the reference angle. The reference angle of 120° 𝑖𝑠 60°

We have a special angle as a reference angle

From special angles: tan 60° = √3

But since 120° is in 𝑄2, tangent is negative.

So… tan 120° = − tan 60° = −√3

 There are specific values in each quadrant to reflect the special angle values 30°, 45°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 60°
 All that changes in the sign of the trigonometric function in the given quadrant

45° 120° 60°

135°
150° 30°

210° 330°
225° 315° 240° 300°
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Pre-Calculus 11

Example 5: Evaluate sin 30° , sin 150°, sin 210°, sin 330°

Solution 5: The reference angle for 30°, 150°, 210°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 330° 𝒊𝒔 𝟑𝟎°

Sine is positive in 𝑸𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟐, and negative in 𝑸𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟒

1 1 1 1
Therefore: sin 30° = , sin 150° = , sin 210° = −
2
, sin 330° = −
2
2 2

Example 6: Evaluate cos 45° , cos 135°, cos 225°, cos 315°

Solution 6: The reference angle for 45°, 135°, 225°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 315° 𝒊𝒔 𝟒𝟓°

Cosine is positive in 𝑸𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟒, and negative in 𝑸𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟑

1 1 1 1
Therefore: cos 45° = , cos 135° = −
√2
, cos 225° = − , cos 315° =
√2
√2 √2

Example 7: Evaluate tan 60° , tan 120°, tan 240°, tan 300°

Solution 7: The reference angle for 60°, 120°, 240°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 300° 𝒊𝒔 𝟔𝟎°

Tangent is positive in 𝑸𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟑, and negative in 𝑸𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟒

Therefore: tan 60° = √3, tan 120° = −√3, tan 240° = √3, tan 300° = −√3

Summary of Special Angles

Here is a Chart of Special Angles Values for the 30° − 60° − 90° 𝑎𝑛𝑑 45° − 45° − 90° triangles. The
goal is not to memorize this table, but to become fluent in the use and measurements during your work.

0° 30° 45° 60° 90° 120° 135° 150°

sin 𝜃 0 1 1 √3 1 √3 1 1
2 √2 2 2 √2 2
cos 𝜃 1 √3 1 1 0 1 1 √3
− − −
2 √2 2 2 √2 2
tan 𝜃 0 1 1 √3 ∞ −√3 −1 1
−
√3 𝑈𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 √3

180° 210° 225° 240° 270° 300° 315° 330°

sin 𝜃 0 1 1 √3 −1 √3 1 1
− − − − − −
2 √2 2 2 √2 2
cos 𝜃 −1 √3 1 1 0 1 1 √3
− − −
2 √2 2 2 √2 2
tan 𝜃 0 1 1 √3 ∞ −√3 −1 1
−
√3 𝑈𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 √3

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Pre-Calculus 11

 The next examples are the reverse process. Given a ratio, there are multiple correct results.
 You need to consider reference angles and Quadrant Location (Sign of the trigonometric ratio)

√3
Example 8: Find all the angles such that sin 𝜃 = 0° ≤ 𝜃 < 360°
2

√3
Solution 8: For Sine has a reference angle of 60°
2

Sine is positive in 𝑸𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟐, so 𝜽 = 𝟔𝟎° 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜽 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎° − 𝟔𝟎° = 𝟏𝟐𝟎°

√3 √3
Therefore: sin 60° = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 sin 120° =
2 2

1
Example 9: Find all the angles such that cos 𝜃 = − 0° ≤ 𝜃 < 360°
√2

1
Solution 9: For Cosine has a reference angle of 45°
√2

Cosine is negative in 𝑸𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟑, so 𝜽 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎 − 𝟒𝟓° = 𝟏𝟑𝟓° 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜽 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎° + 𝟒𝟓° = 𝟐𝟐𝟓°

1 1
Therefore: cos 135° = − 𝑎𝑛𝑑 cos 225° = −
√2 √2

1
Example 10: Find the smallest positive angle such that tan 𝜃 = − 0° ≤ 𝜃 < 360°
√3

1
Solution 10: For Tangent has a reference angle of 30°
√3

Tangent is negative in 𝑸𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟒, so the smallest angle is found in 𝑸𝟐

𝜽 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎 − 𝟑𝟎° = 𝟏𝟓𝟎°

Example 11: Find all the angles such that cos 𝜃 = 0.632, 0° ≤ 𝜃 < 360°

Solution 11: For 0.632 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 (0.632) = 50.8° therefore the reference angle of 50.8°

Cosine is positive in 𝑸𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟒, so 𝜽 = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟖° 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜽 = 𝟑𝟔𝟎° − 𝟓𝟎. 𝟖° = 𝟑𝟎𝟗. 𝟐°

Therefore: cos 50.8° = 0.632 𝑎𝑛𝑑 cos 309.2° = 0.632

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Pre-Calculus 11

Example 12: Find the smallest positive angle such that sin 𝜃 = − 0.711 0° ≤ 𝜃 < 360°

Solution 12: For 0.711 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 (0.711) = 45.3° therefore the reference angle of 45.3°

*Do not use 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 (0.711) → 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

Sine is negative in 𝑸𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝟒, so the smallest angle is found in 𝑸𝟑

𝜽 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎 + 𝟒𝟓. 𝟑° = 𝟐𝟐𝟓. 𝟑°

Example 13: Find the exact area of the given triangle. Side length are 9𝑐𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 11𝑐𝑚 with an angle
of 60° between the two sides.

Solution 13: A drawing helps visualize.

Recall that the Area of a Triangle is given by:

1
𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ
2
9
We know 𝑏 = 11, but need to calculate ℎ
ℎ
ℎ
sin 60° = → 9 sin 60° = ℎ
9

√3 9√3 60°
ℎ = 9( )=
2 2
11

so…

1 √3
𝐴 = (11)(9)( )
2 2

𝟗𝟗√𝟑
𝑨= 𝒄𝒎𝟐
𝟒

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Pre-Calculus 11

Section 7.3 – Practice Problems

Find the reference angle for each given angle.

1. 300° 2. 135°

3. 240° 4. 120°

5. 330° 6. 150°

7. 111° 8. 200°

9. 280° 10. 180°

11. 73° 12. 91°

13. 179° 14. 270°

Find the angle 𝜃, for each reference angle in the desired Quadrant

15. 30°, 𝑄2 16. 45°, 𝑄3

17. 60°, 𝑄4 18. 30°, 𝑄3

19. 45°, 𝑄2 20. 60°, 𝑄2

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Pre-Calculus 11

21. 30°, 𝑄4 22. 45°, 𝑄4

23. 60°, 𝑄3 24. 37°, 𝑄2

25. 37°, 𝑄3 26. 37°, 𝑄4

Find all 𝜃, 0° ≤ 𝜃 < 360°, which satisfy each equation

√3 √3
27. sin 𝜃 = 28. cos 𝜃 =
2 2

1 1
29. tan 𝜃 = − 30. sin 𝜃 = −
√3 √2

1 32. tan 𝜃 = −1
31. cos 𝜃 = −
√2

33. sin 𝜃 = 0 34. cos 𝜃 = 0

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Pre-Calculus 11

35. tan 𝜃 = 0 36. sin 𝜃 = −1

1 38. tan 𝜃 = √3
37. cos 𝜃 = −
2

Find to one decimal place, all 𝜃, 0° ≤ 𝜃 < 360°, which satisfy each equation

39. sin 𝜃 = 0.253 40. cos 𝜃 = 0.425

41. tan 𝜃 = 2 42. sin 𝜃 = −0.625

43. cos 𝜃 = −0.738 44. tan 𝜃 = −0.543

Find the smallest positive angle 𝜃, 0° ≤ 𝜃 < 360°, which satisfy each equation

1 1
45. sin 𝜃 = − 46. cos 𝜃 = −
2 2

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Pre-Calculus 11

47. tan 𝜃 = −1 1
48. sin 𝜃 = −
√2

1 50. tan 𝜃 = −√3

49. cos 𝜃 = −
√2

√3 √3
51. sin 𝜃 = − 52. cos 𝜃 = −
2 2

53. Find the area of a triangle with sides of length 5𝑐𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 10𝑐𝑚, and an angle of 110° between them.

54. A triangle has an area of 15𝑚𝑚2 , and two sides of the triangle are 6𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 8𝑚𝑚. Find the acute
angle between the two sides of the triangle.

55. Find the area of an equilateral triangle (all sides and angles the same) with sides of 10𝑐𝑚 in length.
(Give an exact answer, no decimals)

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Pre-Calculus 11

Answer Key – Section 7.3

1. 60° 39. 14.7°, 165.3°
2. 45° 40. 64.8°, 295.2°
3. 60° 41. 63.4°, 243.4°
4. 60° 42. 218.7°, 321.3°
5. 30° 43. 137.6°, 222.4°
6. 30° 44. 151.5°, 331.5°
7. 69° 45. 210°
8. 20° 46. 120°
9. 80° 47. 135°
10. 0° 48. 225°
11. 73° 49. 135°
12. 89° 50. 120°
13. 1° 51. 240°
14. 90° 52. 150°
15. 150° 53. 23.49𝑐𝑚2
16. 225° 54. 38.7°
17. 300° 55. 25√3𝑐𝑚2
18. 210°
19. 135°
20. 120°
21. 330°
22. 315°
23. 240°
24. 143°
25. 217°
26. 323°
27. 60°, 120°
28. 30°, 330°
29. 150°, 330°
30. 225°, 315°
31. 135°, 225°
32. 135°, 315°
33. 0°, 180°
34. 90°, 270°
35. 0°, 180°
36. 270°
37. 120°, 240°
38. 60°, 240°

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Pre-Calculus 11

Extra Work Space

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