Notes Compiled by Burhan Azhar

O level Trigonometry
Pythagoras Theorem
It is only applicable on a right angled triangle
Pythagoras Theorem is used to find a missing side of a
Right angle triangle if 2 sides are given.
Formula:
Hypotenuse2 = Perpendicular2 + Base2
Eg. If Base is 3 cm and Perpendicular is 4 cm then
Hypotenuse will be 5 cm as 32 + 42 = 52
Note : Hypotenuse is the longest length of a right
angled triangle

Trigonometric Ratios

 These ratios also apply on a right angled triangle only.

 Trigonometric ratios can be used to find a missing side or a missing angle
using the above mentioned ratios when.
 An angle can be find out when 2 lengths of the triangle are given.
 A length can be find out when an interior angle and a length of side of the
triangle are given,

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Notes Compiled by Burhan Azhar

Supplementary Angle Rule

 Supplementary angles are those angles that sum up to 180 Degrees

Here
 sin (a) = sin (b)
E.g. if angle a is 150 angle b would be 30 Degrees. Therefore sin (150) = sin
(30) = .5
 Secondly cos (a) = -cos (b)
If cos value of an angle is positive the cos value of its supplementary angle
would be same but negative. E.g. cos (60) = - cos (120). As cos (60) = .5 so
cos (120) = -.5
 Similarly tan (a) = tan (b)
If tan value of an angle is positive the tan value of its supplementary angle
would be same but negative. E.g. tan (45) = - tan (135). As tan (45) = 1 so
tan (135) = -1

In the First Quadrant All trigonometric

ratios are positive
In the Second Quadrant only sin is
positive.
In the third Quadrant only Tan is positive
In the fourth Quadrant only Cos is positive

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Notes Compiled by Burhan Azhar

Area of a right angled Triangle

Further Trigonometry
Sine Rule

Sine rule applies on non-right angled

triangles when you have to find a missing
angle or a missing side.
In order to use sine rule you must be given
2 lengths and one angle or 2 angles and
one length or otherwise sine rule is not
applicable.

Cosine Rule
The Cosine rule can be used to
find the unknown sides or angles
in a triangles.
There are two versions of Cosine
rule formula and three
variations within each of these,
depending on what is required.
It is applicable only when all
three lengths of triangle are given or two sides and the angle in between is given.

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Notes Compiled by Burhan Azhar

Area of non-Right angled Triangle.

to find area of a non-right angled triangle multiply 2 sides
and sin value of the angle between those sides and divide
it by 2.

Angle of Depression and elevation

Also note that the Angle of elevation from the object and angle of elevation is
always equal because they become alternating angles

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Notes Compiled by Burhan Azhar

Bearings
A bearing is an angle, measured clockwise from the north direction. Below, the
bearing of B from A is 025 degrees (note 3 figures are always given). The bearing
of A from B is 205 degrees.
Bearings are basically used in navigation.

Here the Bearing of B from A is 030 Degrees.

Note
If Bearing is less than 180 Degree than
the opposite bearing will be 180 plus
the previous bearing.
E.g. the Bearing of B from A is 030
therefore the bearing of B from A will
be 30 + 180.
Similarly if Bearing of one point from
another is greater than 180 then to
find the opposite bearing just subtract
180