Grade

MATHEMATICS
QUARTER 4 – MODULE 1
MELC1

Pathway to
Trigonometry

1
Part I.
MELC 1: Illustrate the six trigonometric ratios: sine, cosine, tangent, secant,
cosecant, and cotangent.

A. Introduction and Discussion

We usually use direct measurement and indirect measurement in mathematics. Direct

measurement refers to measuring things using measuring tools such as ruler or tape
measure. An example of this is when you use a ruler to measure the thickness of a book. On
the other hand, indirect measurement is measuring something by measuring something else.,
just like measuring the height and distance of the building. An example of indirect
measurement is using trigonometry.
The word trigonometry is derived from the three Greek words: tria, meaning “three”;
gonia, meaning “angle"; and metron, meaning “measure”. Hence, trigonometry is the study
of the measurement of triangles and the relationship among their sides and angles.
We study the right triangle below for us to understand the trigonometric ratios.
A
𝜽
Hypotenuse
Adjacent side c b

a
B C
Opposite side
Figure 1

In the right triangle ABC, the side opposite the right-angle B is the hypotenuse and can
be denoted by (b) the lower case of B. Similarly, the side opposite of the two acute angles, A
and C respectively are the legs, and they are denoted by a and c, respectively.
With respect to angle 𝜽 (pronounced as theta), the side ̅̅̅̅
𝐵𝐶 is called the opposite side
̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅
of 𝜽, the 𝐴𝐵 is the adjacent side to 𝜽 and the side 𝐴𝐶 the opposite of the right angle is called
the hypotenuse.
A trigonometric ratio is the ratio of the lengths of the two sides of right triangle. There
are six trigonometric ratios, namely: sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent.
Based on Figure 1;

1. Sine 𝜃 (sin 𝜃) is the constant ratio of side opposite 𝜽 and hypotenuse.

𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃 𝑎
Sin 𝜃 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 = 𝑏
2. Cosine 𝜃 (cos 𝜃) is the constant ratio of side adjacent to 𝜃 and hypotenuse.
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃 𝑐
Cos 𝜃 = = 𝑏
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
3. Tangent 𝜃 (tan 𝜃) is the constant ratio of side opposite 𝜃 and side adjacent to 𝜃.
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃 𝑎
Tan 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃 = 𝑐

1
 4. Cosecant 𝜃 (csc 𝜃) is the constant ratio of hypotenuse and side opposite 𝜃.
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑏
Csc 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃 = 𝑎
5. Secant 𝜃 (sec 𝜃) is the constant ratio of hypotenuse and side adjacent to 𝜃.
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑏
Sec 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃 = 𝑐

6. Cotangent 𝜃(cot 𝜃) is the constant ratio of side adjacent to 𝜃 and side opposite 𝜃.
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃 𝑐
Cot 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃 = 𝑎

The trigonometric ratios of the triangle do not depend on the size of the right triangle,
but on the measure of the acute angles of the right triangles.

Example 1.
Find all the six trigonometric ratios for ∠𝑆 in the right triangle below.

s =8 a =17

r = 15
A S

2
Solution: From the triangle RAS, r =15 (side adjacent to ∠𝑆), a = 17 (hypotenuse), and s= 8
(side opposite to ∠𝑆).

𝑠 8 𝑟 15
sin S = = 17 cot S = 𝑠 =
𝑎 8

𝑟 15 𝑎 17
cos S = 𝑎 = 17 sec S = =
𝑟 15

𝑠 8 𝑎 17
tan S = 𝑟 = 15 csc S = =
𝑠 8

Example 2.
12
Find the other five trigonometric ratios, if sin 𝜽 = 13.

𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃
Solution: Because sin 𝜽 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
, let a = 12 (the side opposite) and c = 13 (hypotenuse).

c = 13 a =12

𝜽 b=? C
A

The ratios are defined on the right triangle, hence, we will use the Pythagorean Theorem to
find the other side of the triangle.

Pythagorean Theorem:
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2
122 +𝑏2 = 132
144 + 𝑏2 = 169
𝑏2 = 169 – 144
𝑏2 = 25
b = √25
b = 5 (side adjacent to 𝜽 )

Using the definition of trigonometric ratios:

5 5
cos 𝜽 = 13 cot 𝜽 = 12

12 13
tan 𝜽 = sec 𝜽 =
5 5

13
csc 𝜽 = 12

3
Example 3.
Find the values of the six trigonometric ratios of the triangle below with respect to ∠𝑀.
20

21
29

M
Solution:
The opposite side of ∠M is 20, the adjacent side is 21, and the hypotenuse is 29.
20 29
sin M = csc M =
29 20

21 29
cos M = 29 sec M = 21

20 21
tan M = 21 cot M = 20

To easily illustrate the three basic trigonometric ratios, always remember the mnemonic
SOH-CAH-TOA
which stands for sine = opposite side/hypotenuse; cosine = adjacent side/hypotenuse; and,
tangent = opposite side /adjacent side.
The other three trigonometric ratios are reciprocals of the first three. We can use the
mnemonic
CHO-SHA-CAO
which stands for cosecant = hypotenuse/opposite side; secant= hypotenuse/adjacent side;
and, cotangent=adjacent side/opposite side.

Math Box
NAME Abbreviation Value
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃
sine 𝜃 sin 𝜃 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃
cosine 𝜃 cos 𝜃 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃
tangent 𝜃 tan 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
cosecant 𝜃 csc 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
secant 𝜃 sec 𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃
cotangent 𝜃 cot 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃

4
 PART II. Activities

Activity 1. Who Am I?
Using your knowledge of the six trigonometric ratios, decode the following:
The Founder of Trigonometry
In 190 BC, Nicaea, who was the Greek astronomer, geographer, and mathematician who
was considered as the founder of trigonometry. To find out, evaluate the trigonometric ratios
of each triangle given. Fill in the missing letters that correspond to the correct answer. These
letters will spell out the name of this Greek astronomer.
10
A
S R
A.

25
12
8 27

N
U T
24

_____1.sin N _____5. cot R

_____2.cos R _____6. cot N

_____3.cos N _____7. sec R

_____4.tan N _____8. sin R

Answers: Decode the name:

8 5
A 25
P 6 __ ___ __ __ __ ____ ___ __ ___ ___
8 2 5 5 1 4 3 8 7 6
24 1
C R
25 3

10
I S 3
27

12 27
H U
27 10

5
Activity 2. I can Name It!
Directions: Name which trigonometric ratio is described in the following statement. Write
your answer on the space provided.

____1. It is the constant ratio of side adjacent to angle and side opposite of the angle.

_____2. It is a ratio of the length of the two legs of a right triangle.

_____3. It is a constant ratio of side opposite the angle and the hypotenuse.

_____4. It is a constant ratio of hypotenuse and side opposite the angle.

_____5. It is the constant ratio of side opposite the angle and side adjacent to the angle.

Answer Key:

HIPPARCHUS Activity 2:

NAME OF FOUNDER OF TRIGONOMETRY: 1. Cotangent

H____8. 𝟐𝟕 2. Cotangent / tangent
𝟏𝟐
3. Sine
𝟏𝟎
U __ 7. 4. Cosecant
𝟐𝟕 5. tangent
𝟖
S _ 6.
𝟐𝟒

P___ 5. 𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟎

4. 𝟐𝟒 R
𝟖

3. 𝟐𝟓 C
𝟐𝟒

2. 𝟐𝟕 I
𝟏𝟎

𝟐𝟓
A 1.
𝟖

Activity 1:

6
PART III. Assessment

A. Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer in your answer sheet.

1.) The term trigonometry is formed from three Greek words; ___ meaning the
measurement of triangle:

a. Angle, measure, three b. tria, gonia, metron

b. angle, side, legs d. none of the above.

2.) It is the constant ratio of side adjacent to 𝜽 and hypotenuse.

a. sin𝜃 b. tan𝜃 c. cos𝜃 d. sec𝜃

3.) Which of the following is the value of sec𝜃?

ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝜃

a. sec 𝜽 = 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 c. sec 𝜽 =
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒

𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

b. sec 𝜽 = d. sec 𝜽 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒

4.) It is the ratio of between the two sides of the right triangle.

a. Angle b. side c. hypotenuse d. trigonometric ratios

5.) Which of the following is the value of sin𝜃 is ?

𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝜃

a. sin𝜃 = c. sin𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝜃

ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒

b. sin𝜃 = 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 d. sin𝜃 = 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒

B. Give the values of the six trigonometric ratios for each of the following:
1.) 2.) 4

17
?
3

𝜃 ?
8
𝜃

7
 References

• Books

Orines, Fernando B. (2014) The New Grade 9 Next Century Mathematics; Books
Phoenix Publishing House, pages: 440 – 445.

Chua,S. L. et. al. (2014) The New Grade 9 Soaring 21st Century Mathematics;
Books Phoenix Publishing House ; pages: 306 – 309

Oronce, O. A. et. al ( 2014 ) E- Math : Books, Rex Book Store , pages; 380 – 383.

• Other Reading Materials

Grade 9 Mathematics Learner’s Material First Edition (2014) Department of Education,

page 430 – 434.

• Links/ Websites

Basic Trigonometric Ratios,https://www. Ussq.edu.au

Softschool, https://www.sofschool.com(2000- 2005)

https://www.famousscientists.org. ( August 26, 2016)