Chapter 4

Circular and
Trigonometric
Functions

Chapter 4.1
The Unit Circle

Unit Circle
A unit circle is a circle whose radius is equal to
one unit and whose center is at the origin.
Every point on the unit circle satisfies the
equation
x y 1.
2

 0,1

1,0

1,0

0,1

Example 4.1.1

1
Find points in the unit circle whose x coordinate is .
2
x2 y2 1
The points are
2

1
2

y
1

2
1
y 1
4
3
2
y
4
3
y
2
2

1 3 1
&
,

2
2
2

3
.

1 3
,

2 2

1
3
,

2
2

Arcs
Arcs are parts of a circle with two endpoints,
the initial point and terminal point.
terminal point
initial point

Angles
The plane angle NOP is formed by two rays
ON and OP. The point O is called the vertex
and the rays are called the sides.
N

N
terminal side

initial side

An angle is positive if the direction of rotation

is counterclockwise
and negative if the direction of rotation is
clockwise.

An angle is positive if the direction of rotation

is counterclockwise
and negative if the direction of rotation is
clockwise.

The angle intercepts the arc.

The arc subtends the angle.

Degrees
A degree

is defined as the measure of a

central angle subtended by an arc of a circle

equal to 1
of the circumference of the
360
circle.

1
of the
360
circumference

The measure of the central angle is 1

Radians

A radian rad is defined as the measure of the

central angle subtended by an arc of a circle
equal to the radius of the circle.

arc whose
length is r

The measure of the central angle is 1 rad.

Degrees and Radians

The circumference of a circle is 2 r and it
subtends an angle of 360o.
2 rad 360o
180o
1 rad

o
1
rad
180

Example 4.1.2
o
7
180
1. Express
rad in degrees. 1 rad
12

o
7
7 180
o
rad

105
12
12

o
1
rad
o
180
2. Express 210 in radians.

7
210 210
rad rad
180
6
o

Arc Length
On a circle of radius r, a central angle of
intercepts an arc of length
s r .

s r

Arc Length in a Unit Circle

In a unit circle, r 1.
s

Time to Think!!!
A. Express each of the following angles in radian
measure:
1) 30
3) 165.7
2) -135
4) -360.9
B. Express each of the following angles in degree
measure:
1) /3 rad
3) 4/3 rad
2) 5/9 rad
4) - /8 rad