Trigonometry Study Notes

Compiled for Students

June 2025

Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Angles and Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Degrees and Radians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Standard Position and Coterminal Angles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 Trigonometric Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3.1 Definitions Using Right Triangles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3.2 Unit Circle Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4 Trigonometric Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.1 Pythagorean Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.2 Cofunction Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.3 Sum and Difference Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5 Solving Trigonometric Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
6 Laws of Sines and Cosines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.1 Law of Sines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.2 Law of Cosines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
7 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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1 Introduction
These study notes provide a comprehensive overview of Trigonometry, covering funda-
mental concepts, key formulas, and practical examples. Designed for students, the notes
are organized to facilitate understanding and quick reference.

2 Angles and Measurements

2.1 Degrees and Radians
An angle is formed by two rays sharing a common endpoint, called the vertex. Angles
are measured in:
• Degrees: A full circle is 360◦ . One degree is 1
360
of a circle.
• Radians: A full circle is 2π radians. One radian is the angle subtended by an arc
equal to the radius.
Conversion formulas:
π
Radians = Degrees × (1)
180
180
Degrees = Radians × (2)
π
Example: Convert 60◦ to radians.
π π
60◦ × = radians
180 3

2.2 Standard Position and Coterminal Angles

An angle is in standard position if its vertex is at the origin and one ray lies along the
positive x-axis. Coterminal angles share the same terminal side, differing by multiples of
360◦ or 2π radians.
θ ± 360◦ k or θ ± 2πk (k ∈ Z)
Example: Find a coterminal angle for 420◦ .

420◦ − 360◦ = 60◦

3 Trigonometric Functions
3.1 Definitions Using Right Triangles
For a right triangle with acute angle θ, sides opposite, adjacent, and hypotenuse:
opposite adjacent opposite
sin θ = cos θ = tan θ = (3)
hypotenuse hypotenuse adjacent
hypotenuse hypotenuse adjacent
csc θ = sec θ = cot θ = (4)
opposite adjacent opposite
Example: If θ has opposite side 3 and hypotenuse 5, find sin θ and cos θ.
3 4 √
sin θ = , cos θ = (adjacent = 52 − 32 = 4)
5 5

2
3.2 Unit Circle Definitions
The unit circle (radius 1) defines trigonometric functions for any angle θ:
y
sin θ = y, cos θ = x, tan θ = (x ̸= 0)
x
Key angles (0◦ , 30◦ , 45◦ , 60◦ , 90◦ ) have exact values (see table below).

Table 1: Common Trigonometric Values

Angle 0◦ 30◦ 45◦ 60◦ 90◦
Radians 0 π/6 √π/4 √π/3 π/2
sin 0 √1/2 √2/2 3/2 1
cos 1 √3/2 2/2 1/2
√ 0
tan 0 3/3 1 3 undefined

4 Trigonometric Identities
4.1 Pythagorean Identities

sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1 (5)

1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ (6)
1 + cot2 θ = csc2 θ (7)

4.2 Cofunction Identities

(π ) (π )
sin − θ = cos θ, cos − θ = sin θ
2 2

4.3 Sum and Difference Identities

sin(A ± B) = sin A cos B ± cos A sin B (8)

cos(A ± B) = cos A cos B ∓ sin A sin B (9)

Example: Find sin 75◦ using sin(45◦ + 30◦ ).

√ √ √ √ √
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ 2 3◦ 2 1 6+ 2
sin 75 = sin 45 cos 30 + cos 45 sin 30 = · + · =
2 2 2 2 4

5 Solving Trigonometric Equations

To solve equations like sin θ = k, find angles where the function equals k, considering
periodicity (2π for sin, cos). Example: Solve sin θ = 12 for 0 ≤ θ < 2π.

π π 5π
θ= , θ=π− =
6 6 6

3
6 Laws of Sines and Cosines
6.1 Law of Sines
For any triangle with sides a, b, c opposite angles A, B, C:
a b c
= =
sin A sin B sin C

6.2 Law of Cosines

c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C
Example: Find side c if a = 5, b = 7, ∠C = 60◦ .
1 √
c2 = 52 + 72 − 2 · 5 · 7 · cos 60◦ = 25 + 49 − 70 · = 39 =⇒ c = 39
2

7 Summary
Trigonometry studies relationships between angles and sides in triangles, with applica-
tions in physics, engineering, and more. Master the unit circle, identities, and laws for
problem-solving. Practice with varied examples to reinforce concepts.