Chapter - 33

Trigonometric Ratios and Identities

1.

Angle
Consider a ray OA. If this ray rotates about its end-point O and
takes the position OB, then we say that the angle AOB has been
generated.

Thus, an angle is considered as the figure obtained by rotating a

given ray about its end-point.
The revolving ray is called the generating line of the angle. The
initial position OA is called the initial side and the final position
OB is called the terminal side of the angle. The end-point O
about which the ray rotates is called the vertex of angle.

2.

Positive and Negative Angles

If the ray OA rotates in anticlockwise direction a positive angle
is formed and when the ray OA rotates in clockwise direction
negative angle is formed.

3.

Four Quadrants
Let XOX and YOY be two lines perpendicular to each other. The
intersecting point O is called the origin. The lines XOX and
YOY are respectively called x-axis and y-axis. These lines divide
the plane into four parts called the quadrants. The parts XOY,
YOX, XOY and YOX are known as first, second, third and fourth
quadrants respectively as shown in the figure. An angle is said
to be in a particular quadrant, if the terminal side of the angle
lies in that quadrant.

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4.

Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae

Different Units For Measuring Angles

There are three systems for measuring angles in trigonometry.
(i) Sexagesimal or English System: In this system a right
angle is sub-divided as under,
(a) One right angle = 90 degrees, symbolically written as 90.
(b) One degree = 1 = 60 minutes, symbolically written as
60.
(c) One minute = 1 = 60 seconds, symbolically written as
60.
The unit of measurement in this system is degree.
(ii) Centesimal System or the French System: In this system,
we have,
(a) One right angle = 100 grades, written as 100g.
(b) One grade = 1g = 100 minutes, written as 100.
(c) One minute = 1 = 100 seconds, written as 100.
The unit of measurement in this system is gradian or grades.
Note: Formula for conversion from English to French system
is 90 = 100g
(iii)Circular System: In this system angle is measured in
radians and we have,

radians
2
It is also called circular measure or radian measure.
Note:
(a) The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc of
length equal to its radius is 1 radian, written as 1c.
c = 180 = 2 right angles
1 right angle =

180

1c =
and 1 =

180

22
or = 3.1416 nearly.
7
(c) The units of measurement in the circular system is
radian.
(b) Value of =

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Trigonometric Ratios and Identities

(d) Radian measure of some common angles are:

Angles in Degrees 30 45 60 90 180 270 360

6
3
2
4
(e) 1 radian = 57 1622 (approximately)
(f) 1 degree = 0.01746 radian
Angles in Radians

5.

3
2

Relation Between Angle, Radius and Arc Length

If (radian) is the angle made by an arc of length s at the centre
of a circle of radius r, then =

s
r

Note: While using the above result =

s
, the angle must be
r

expressed in radians, if given in any other unit.

6.

Trigonometric Ratios
The most important task of trigonometry is to find the remaining
sides and angles of a triangle when some of its sides and angles
are given. This problem is solved by using some ratios of the
sides of a triangle with respect to its acute angles. These ratios
of acute angles are called trigonometric ratios of angles.

Consider an acute angle YAX = with initial side AX and terminal

side AY. Let P be any point on the terminal side AY. PM
perpendicular from P on AX to get the right-angled triangle AMP
in which PAM = .
In the right-angled triangle AMP, Base = AM = b, Perpendicular =
PM = p and Hypotenuse = AP = h.
We define the following six trigonometric ratios:
(i)

Sine =

Perpendicular p
, and is written as sin.
Hypotenuse
h

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(ii) Cosine =

Base
b
, and is written as cos.
Hypotenuse h

(iii) Tangent =

Perpendicular p
, and is written as tan.
Base
b

(iv) Cosecant =
(v) Secant =

Hypotenuse
h

, and is written as cosec.

Perpendicular p

Hypotenuse h

, and is written as sec.

Base
b

(vi) Cotangent =

Base
b
, and is written as cot.
Perpendicular p

Note:
(a) It should be noted that sin is an abbreviation for sine
of angle , it is not the product of sin and .
Similar is the case for other trigonometric ratios.
(b) The above trigonometric ratios are defined for an acute
angle .
(c) The trigonometric ratios are same for the same angle.

7.

Relations Between Trigonometric Ratios

The trigonometric ratios sin, cos and tan of an acute angle
are very closely connected by a relation. If any one of them is
known, the other two can be easily calculated. Now, look at the
some important formulae given below:
(i) (a) sin =

1
cos ec

1
(b) cosec = sin
(c) sin. cosec = 1
1
(iii) (a) tan = cot
(b) cot =

1
tan

(c) tan. cot = 1

cos
(v) (a) cot = sin
(b) cos = cot . sin

cos
(c) sin = cot

(ii) (a) cos =

1
sec

1
(b) sec = cos
(c) cos. sec = 1
sin
(iv) (a) tan = cos
(b) sin = tan . cos

sin
(c) cos = t an

Trigonometric Ratios and Identities

8.

227

Trigonometric Ratios of Some Special Angles

Values of the trigonometric ratios for some special angles are
given below:

9.

Trigonometric Ratios of Complementary Angles

We know that two angles are said to be complementary, if their
sum is 90. Thus, and (90 ) are complementary angles for an
acute angle .
If is an acute angle, then
(i) sin (90 ) = cos
(ii) cos (90 ) = sin
(iii) tan (90 ) = cot
(iv) cot (90 ) = tan
(v) sec (90 ) = cosec
(vi) cosec (90 ) = sec

10. Trigonometric Identities

We know that an equation is called an identity if it is true for all
values of the variable(s) involved. For example, x2 4 = (x 2)
(x + 2) is an algebraic identity as it is satisfied by every value of
the variable x.
Similarly, an equation involving trigonometric ratios of an angle
(say) is said to be a trigonometric identity if it is satisfied for all
values of for which the given trigonometric ratios are defined.
For example, sin2

1
1

sin = sin sin is a trigonometric

2

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1

identity, whereas sin sin = 0 is an equation. Also,

2
1
sec =
is a trigonometric identity, because it holds for all
cos
values of except for which cos = 0. For cos = 0, sec is not
defined.
Following are some fundamental trigonometric identities:
(i) (a) sin2 cos2 = 1
(b) sin2 = 1 cos2
(c) cos2 = 1 sin2
(ii) (a) sec2 = 1 + tan2
(b) sec2 tan2 = 1
(c) sec2 1 = tan2
1
(d) sec+ tan =
sec tan
1
sec tan
(iii) (a) cosec2 = 1 + cot2
(b) cosec2 cot2= 1
(c) cosec2 1 = cot2
(e) sec tan =

(d) cosec+ cot =

1
cos ec cot

(e) cosec cot =

1
cos ec cot

11. Trigonometric Ratios in Terms of other Trigonometric

Ratios

Trigonometric Ratios and Identities

229

12. Sign of Trigonometric Ratios

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

First Quadrant: All trigonometric ratios are positive.

Second Quadrant: sin and cosec are positive.
Third Quadrant: tan and cot are positive.
Fourth Quadrant: cos and sec are positive.
Remember: I
II
III
IV
All
sin
tan
cos

13. Range of Trigonometric Ratios

(i)

1 < sin < 1 and 1 < cos < 1. Thus |sin| < 1 and |cos|
< 1.
The value of sin is never greater than 1 and never less
than 1. The value of cos is never greater than 1 and never
less than 1.
(ii) cosec > 1 and cosec < 1.
(iii) sec > 1 and sec < 1.
(iv) tan can assume any value.

14. Trends of Trigonometric Ratios in Various Quadrant

I.

II.

First Quadrant (As increases from 0 to 90)

sine
:
increases from 0 to 1
cosine
:
decreases from 1 to 0
tangent
:
increases from to
cotangent
:
decreases from to 0
secant
:
increases from 1 to
cosecant
:
decreases from to 1
Second Quadrant (As increases from 90 to 180)
sine
:
decreases from 1 to 0
cosine
:
decreases from 0 to 1
tangent
:
increases from to 0

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cotangent
:
decreases from 0 to
secant
:
increases from to 1
cosecant
:
increases from 1 to
III. Third Quadrant (As increases from 180 to 270)
sine
:
decreases from 0 to 1
cosine
:
increases from 1 to 0
tangent
:
increases from 0 to
cotangent
:
decreases form to 0
secant
:
decreases from 1 to
cosecant
:
increases from to 1
IV. Fourth Quadrant (As increases from 270 to 360)
sine
:
increases from 1 to 0
cosine
:
increases from 0 to 1
tangent
:
increases from to 0
cotangent
:
decreases form 0 to
secant
:
decreases from to 1
cosecant
:
increases from 1 to

15. Trigonometric Ratios of Negative, Complementary and

Supplementary Angles
The following results are useful for finding the values of
trigonometric ratios in various quadrants.
(i)

sin() = sin, tan() = tan, sec() = sec

cos() =cos, cot() = cot ,
cosec() = cosec

(ii) (90 ) lies in Ist Quadrant. Here, all the t-ratios are
positive. Therefore,
sin (90 ) = cos, tan(90 ) = cot,
sec (90 ) = cosec
cos (90 ) = sin, cot (90 ) = tan,
cosec (90 ) = sec
(iii) (90 + ) lies in IInd Quadrant. Here, sin and cosec are
positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (90 + ) = cos, tan(90 + ) = cot,
sec(90 +) = cosec
cos (90 + ) = sin, cot (90 + ) = tan,
cosec(90 + ) = sec
(iv) (270 ) lies in IIIrd Quadrant. Here, tan and cot are positive
and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (270 ) = cos, tan (270 ) = cot,
sec (270 ) = cosec
cos (270 ) = sin, cot (270 ) = tan,
cosec (270 ) = sec
(v)

(270 + ) lies in IVth Quadrant. Here, cos and sec are

positive and rest are negative. Therefore,

Trigonometric Ratios and Identities

231

sin (270 + ) = cos, tan (270 + ) = cot,

sec (270 + ) = cosec
cos (270 + ) = sin, cot (270 + ) = tan,
cosec (270 + ) = sec
(vi)

(180 ) lies in IInd Quadrant. Here, sin and cosec are

positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (180 ) = sin , tan (180 )
= tan, sec (180 ) = sec
cos (180 ) = cos , cot (180 ) = cot ,
cosec (180 ) = cosec

(vii) (180 + ) lies in IIIrd Quadrant. Here, tan and cot are
positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (180 + )= sin, tan (180 + )
= tan, sec (180 + ) = sec
cos (180 + ) = cos , cot(180 + )
= cot , cosec (180 + ) = cosec
(viii) (360 ) lies in IVth Quadrant. Here, cos and sec
positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (360 ) = sin, tan(360 ) = tan ,
sec (360 ) = sec
cos(360 ) = cos , cot(360 ) = cot,
cosec(360 ) = cosec
Note:
It may be noted that final position of revolving line
the angle (360 ) occupy the same position as
same angle (). Therefore, t-ratios of (360 ) have
value as of ().
(ix)

are

for
for
the

(360 + ) lies in Ist Quadrant. Here, all the t-ratios are

positive. Therefore,
sin (360 + ) = sin , tan (360 + ) = tan ,
sec (360 + ) = sec
cos (360 + ) = cos, cot (360 + ) = cot,
cosec (360 + ) = cosec

16. Sum and Difference Formulae For Trigonometric Ratios

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(x)

sin (A + B) = sinA cosB + cosA sinB

sin (A B) = sinA cosB cosA sinB
cos (A + B) = cosA cosB sinA sinB
cos (A B) = cosA cosB + sinA sinB
sin (A + B) + sin (A B) = 2 sinA cosB
sin (A + B) sin (A B) = 2 cosA sinB
cos (A + B) + cos (A B) = 2 cosA cosB
cos (A B) cos (A + B) = 2 sinA sinB
sin2A sin2B = sin (A + B) sin (A B)
cos2A sin2B = cos (A + B) cos (A B)

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17. Some More Formulae

(i)

A B
A B
sinA + sinB = 2 sin
cos

2
2

A B
A B
(ii) sinA sinB = 2 cos
sin

2
2
A B
A B
(iii) cosA + cosB = 2 cos
cos

2
2
A B
A B
(iv) cosA cosB = 2 sin
sin

2
2

18. Tangent Formulae

(i) tan (A + B) =

tan A tan B
1 tan.tan B

(ii) tan (A B) =

tan A tan B
1 tan A tan B

19. Trigonometric Ratios of Multiple Angles

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

sin2A = 2 sinA cosA

cos2A = cos2A sin2A = 2 cos2A 1 = 1 2 sin2A
1 + cos2A = 2 cos2A and 1 cos2A = 2 sin2A
sin3A = 3 sinA 4 sin3A
cos3A = 4 cos3A 3 cosA

(vi)

tan2A =

2 tan A
1 tan2 A

3 tan A tan3 A
(vii) tan3A =
1 3 tan2 A
(viii) cos2A =

1 tan2 A
1 tan2 A

(ix)

2 tan A
1 tan2 A

sin2A =

20. Trigonometric Ratios of Sub-multiple Angles

(i)

sinA = 2 sin

(ii)

cosA = cos2

A
A
cos
2
2

A
A
A
A
sin2
= 2 cos2
1 = 1 2sin2
2
2
2
2

Trigonometric Ratios and Identities

A
2
(iii) tanA =
2 A
1 tan
2
2tan

(iv) 1 cosA = 2 sin2

A
A
and 1 + cosA = 2cos2
2
2

A
2
(v) sinA =
2 A
1 tan
2
2 A
1 tan
2
(vi) cosA =
2 A
1 tan
2
2tan

21. Trigonometric Ratios of Some Special Angles

(i)

sin15 =

3 1
= cos75
2 2

(ii)

cos15 =

3 1
= sin75
2 2

(iii) sin18 =

5 1
= cos72
4

(iv) cos18 =

10 2 5
= sin72
4

(v)

10 2 5
= cos54
4

sin36 =

5 1
= sin54
4

(vi) cos36 =

(vii) sin 22

1
=
2

(viii) cos 22

1
2

2 2
2
2 2
2

22. Trigonometric Equations

(i)

sin = 0 = n

(ii)

cos = 0 = (2n+ 1)

(iii) tan = 0 = n

233

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23. Periodicity
A function f(x) has periodicity p, if f(x + p) = f(x).
sin x has periodicity 2, since sin (x + 2) = sin x
cos x has periodicity 2, since cos (x + 2) = cos x

24. Important Points to Remember

(i)

The values of the trigonometric ratios of an angle do not

vary with the length of the sides of the triangle, if angle
remains the same.

(ii)

Maximum value of m sin n cos =

m2 n2

For example, maximum value of

3 sin + 4 cos =

32 42 =

16 9 =

25 = 5

(iii)

Maximum value of m sin n sin =

m2 n2

(iv)

Maximum value of m cos n cos =

m2 n2

(v)

Minimum value of m sin n cos = m 2 n 2

For example, minimum value of
sin cos =

(vi)

(a)
(b)

(vii) (a)
(b)
(viii) (a)
(b)

12 12 = 2
sin1.sin2.sin3.sin4..............sin180 = 0
sin1 . sin2 . sin3.sin4.............. to
(greater than sin180) = 0
cos1.cos2.............cos90 = 0
cos1.cos2.............to (greater than cos90) = 0
tan1.tan2.............tan89 = 1
cot1.cot2..............cot89 = 1
x2 1
2x

(ix)

If sec tan = x, then sec =

(x)

If sin + cos = x, then sin cos =

(xi) If
(xii) If
(xiii) It
=

2 x2
sin + cosec = x, then sin + cosec = x
tan + cot = x, then tann + cotn = x
should be noted that sin2 = (sin)2, sin3 = (sin)3, cos3
(cos)3, etc.
n