MCR3U Functions and Relations Trigonometric Ratios

5.3 The Unit Circle and CAST Rule

So far, we have evaluated trig ratios of angles between 0∘ and 90∘ . Mathematicians, however,
wanted to evaluate the trig ratio of any angle (angles less than 0∘ or greater than 90∘ ¿ However, trig ratios
measure the ratio between the side lengths in a right-angle triangle for a given angle. If the angle is
greater than 90∘ , we no longer have a right-angle triangle. How can use extend the use trig ratios to for
angles greater than 90∘ - by using the Unit Circle.

Terminal
The Unit Circle arm
The side that can
The unit circle is a circle draw on the x− y plane centered rotate around the
unit circle
the origin with a radius of 1.
 An angle is drawn in what is called “standard
position”
 We start rotating from the positive x-axis about the Initial arm
origin called the _______________________ arm We start
and where we land is called the rotating from
the initial arm
_______________________ arm.
 The angle formed between the terminal and initial
arm is called the ______________________ angle

Constructing the Right-Angle Triangle on the Unit Circle

 After rotating the terminal arm in standard position, a vertical line is drawn straight down from
the end of the terminal line to the __________________________.
 This creates a right-angle triangle between the terminal arm, x-axis, and vertical line that was just
drawn.
 The angle formed between the x-axis and terminal arm is called the
__________________________ angle OR _____________________________________ angle
 We use this angle to determine the trig ratio but because we are on the Cartesian plane we need to
take into consideration of the sign (positive or negative) of the sides
 Calculating the reference angles depends on which quadrant we are in (see chart below)

Quadrant 1 Quadrant 2 Quadrant 3 Quadrant 4

sin θ=¿ sin θ=¿ sin θ=¿ sin θ=¿

cos θ=¿ ¿ cos θ=¿ ¿ cos θ=¿ ¿ cos θ=¿ ¿

MCR3U Functions and Relations Trigonometric Ratios

tanθ=¿ ¿ tanθ=¿ ¿ tanθ=¿ ¿ tanθ=¿ ¿

Example. Determine the following without the use of a calculator

∘ ∘
a. sin 120 b. cos 225

Procedure for Finding the Trig Ratio of Any Angle

We use Cast Rule to determine whether a trig ratio is positive or negative in the unit circle
1. Determine which quadrant the principal angle is in
2. From locating the quadrant in step 1, use it to determine the reference angle. This
determines the ratio

3. Use the quadrant found in step 1 and CAST rule to determine the sign of ratio
 Each quadrant is assigned a letter corresponding to a trig ratio.
 In that quadrant only that trig ratio and its reciprocal is POSITIVE, otherwise it
is negative

S A
Sine (and it’s reciprocal, ALL trig ratios are
cosecant) is positive positive

T C
Tangent (and it’s Cosine (and it’s reciprocal,
reciprocal, cotangent) is secant) is positive
positive

Evaluate the following trig ratios

MCR3U Functions and Relations Trigonometric Ratios

a. cos 240 ∘ b. tan300∘

∘ ∘
c. tan135 d. sec 150

Example. The Point P (−3 ,−6 ¿ lies on the terminal arm of an angle in standard position.
Determine the exact value of sin θ , cos θ, and tanθ
Determine the principal angle, θ .
MCR3U Functions and Relations Trigonometric Ratios

Co-Terminal Angles (Negative Angles & Angles Greater than 36 0∘ ¿

Co-terminal angles are angles where the terminal arm is in the same position. If the terminal arm is at
some angle in standard position and we rotate it 360∘, it will land back in the same position as it was
previously at.
θ ± 360∘=θ
Angles Greater than 360∘

25∘ 25∘ 385∘

+360∘

The terminal arm is initially 25∘ in Taking terminal arm and spinning one Starting at 25∘ revolution and
standard position full revolution, 360∘, lands the
revolving it at 360∘ is the same as
terminal back in the same position
385∘ in standard position
Negative Angles (Angles Less than 0∘ )
Negative angles mean the terminal arm rotates __________________________ direction from the initial
arm

+360∘
220∘

−140∘
−140∘

Usually to figure which quadrant the terminal arm is in, it best to use an equivalent positive co-terminal
angle. If we rotate 360∘ clockwise, it will land back in the same position.

When given an angle is

∘ ∘ ∘ ∘
 greater than 36 0 , keep subtracting 36 0 until it is between 0 and 36 0 . You are
repeatedly rotating counterclock wise.
∘ ∘ ∘ ∘
 less than 0 , keep adding 36 0 until it is between 0 and 36 0 . You are repeatedly
rotating clock wise.

In general, we can add any multiple of 36 0∘ to an angle, and they will remain co-terminal or
equivalent
θ ± 360∘ n=θ
MCR3U Functions and Relations Trigonometric Ratios

Angles co-terminal to −55 0∘:

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Angles co-terminal to 102 0∘:

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Evaluate the following trig ratios
∘
a. sin 1080∘ b. tan(−540 )