Signs of Trigonometric Ratios

A lot of trigonometry formulas are based on the signs of trigonometric ratios, based
on the quadrants they lie in. Therefore it becomes extremely essential for us to
understand how trigonometric ratios get the positive or negative
sign. The sign is based on the quadrant in which the angle lies.

Let us assume an angle of θ1 lying in the 1st quadrant and an angle θ in quadrant
one and two combined.
So let us see how signs change with respect to the quadrant they lie in.

 In Q1 all Trigonometric Ratios are positive. (Angles between 00 – 900)

 In Q2 all trigonometric ratios of sinθ and cosecθ are positive. (Angles
between 900 – 1800)
 In Q3 all trigonometric ratios of cosθ and secθ are positive. (Angles
between 1800 – 2700)
 In Q4 all trigonometric ratios of tanθ and cotθ are positive. (Angles
between 2700 – 3600)
  θ is the angle made between the x-axis and the line, in the anti-clockwise direction.
If we move in the clockwise direction, the angle will be taken as – θ. We know that in
quadrant 4, only cosθ and secθ will be positive, the others will be negative, therefore-

 Sin (– θ) = – Sin θ
 Cos (– θ) =  Cos θ
 Tan (– θ) =– Tan θ
 Sec (– θ) = + Sec θ
 Cot (– θ) = – Cot θ

We need to understand that trigonometric ratios would change for angles- 90o ± θ

and 270o ± θ and they will remain same for 180o ± θ and 360o ± θ. Let’s see what
happens when we add or subtract θ from 90o ± θ and 270o ± θ

 Sec (90o + θ ) = Cos θ

 Cot (90o – θ ) = Cos θ
 Tan (90o + θ ) = – Cot  θ
 Tan (90o – θ ) = Cot  θ
 Sec (90o + θ ) = Cosec θ
 Sec (90o + θ ) = Cosec θ
 Sin (270o – θ ) = – Cos θ
 Sin (270o – θ ) = – Cos θ

This is because any angle that is 2700+θ will fall in quadrant 4 and in this quadrant
only trigonometric ratios of cos
and sec are positive. So the above will be negative. 2700-θ will fall in the quadrant 3
and in this quadrant trigonometric ratios of tan and cot are positive, so it will again
be negative. For 180o ± θ and for 360o ± θ, the signs will remain the same.
  Sin (360o + θ ) = Sin θ
 Sin (360o – θ ) = – Sin θ

For 3600+θ, the angle will complete one full rotation and then lie in quadrant 1 where
all trigonometric ratios are positive. So there are 2 important things to remember-

 The sign of the trigonometric ratios change based on the value of θ.

 sin becomes cos and cos becomes sin for 900+θ and for 2700+θ and it
remains the same for 1800+θ
and for 3600+θ.

Trigonometry Formulas | Trigonometric Identities

After looking at the trigonometric ratios, let us move on to trigonometric identities,
which are the basics of most trigonometry formulas. The above identities hold true
for any value of θ.

Product Identities:

Trigonometry Formulas | Sum and Difference of Angles

Trigonometry Formulas | Double Angle Formulas

Trigonometry Formulas | Triple Angle Formulas

Trigonometry Formulas | Converting Product into Sum and
Difference

Trigonometry Formulas | Values of Trigonometric Ratios

Summary of Trigonometric Identities

Periodicity and Periodic Identities

Half angle identities

Complex relations
Inverse trigonometric functions
Complimentary angle

Negative arguments

Reciprocal arguments
Values of Trigonometric Functions