PRECAL FINALS NOTES

● UNIT CIRCLE
- The basis for defining the circular functions (Sine,
Cosine, Tangent, Cosecant, Secant and Cotangent)
- a circle whose center is at the origin and with a
radius of 1 unit. Every point on the unit circle
2 2
satisfies the equation: 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1

Ex 1. Determine whether each point is inside, on or outside the unit

circle

a. (− 1
2
, 2
3
) b. (− 4
,−
5
)
9 9
2 2
𝑥 +𝑦 = 1 2 2
𝑥 +𝑦 = 1
2
1 2 3
(− 2
) +( 2
) =1 4 2 5 2
(− 9
) + (9) = 1
1 3
4
+ 4
=1 16 25
81
+ 81
=1

1=1
41
81
≠1
- Since the result is exactly 1, - Since the result is
41
, which is less
81
therefore the coordinates − ( 1
2
, 2
3
) than 1, therefore the coordinates
is ON the unit circle (− 4
9
,−
5
9 ), is INSIDE the circle
TRIGONOMETRIC POINT

------> If point P is moving on the unit circle, and starts at

(1,0) and terminates at (x,y), then the point generates an
arc. This arc corresponds to a central angle 𝜃 in
standard position.

The terminal point (x,y) is referred to as the

Trigonometric Point which is usually denoted by P(𝜃) ,
that is P(𝜃) = (𝑥, 𝑦).
Ex 1. 𝑃(θ) = 𝑥, − ( 3
5 ), 𝑃(θ) is in Quadrant Ex 2. 𝑃(θ) = − ( 4
3
)
,𝑦 ,
π
2
< 𝑃(θ) < π
III
2 2
2 2
𝑥 +𝑦 = 1
𝑥 +𝑦 = 1
2 3 2
2 3 2
𝑥 + (− 5
) =1
𝑥 + (− 5
) =1
3 2
2 9 16
+𝑦 = 1
𝑥 + 25
=1
2 3
2 9
𝑦 =1− 16
𝑥 =1− 25 2 13
2 16
𝑦 = 16
𝑥 = 25 13
4 𝑦 = 4
𝑥= − 5

π
- Since P(θ) is between and 𝜋 (in
- Since P(θ) is in Quadrant III, the 2

x-coordinate should be negative. degrees, 90˚ and 180˚ respectively),

this means that P(θ) is in Quadrant
II, therefore the y-coordinate should
be positive.
 ● CIRCULAR FUNCTIONS
- defined in terms of the coordinates of trigonometric points on the unit circle

π π π π
------> Real numbers, such as π, , , ,
2 3 4 5
or any value of 𝜃 is associated with ordered pairs
(𝑥,𝑦). Hence, A function 𝜃 may be defined in terms of x and y.

𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ and 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ

[REFER TO THE PIC]

π 3π
Ex 1. 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2
Ex 2. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 4

Coordinates: (0,1) Coordinates: (−

2
,
2
)
2 2

Since 1 is the y-coordinate, therefore

2
π Since − is the x-coordinate, therefore
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2
=1 2
3π 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 4
=− 2
-----> The other four circular functions are also defined in terms of the trigonometric points in the
unit circle.

𝑦 𝑥
𝑡𝑎𝑛θ = 𝑥
and 𝑐𝑜𝑡θ = 𝑦

1 1
𝑠𝑒𝑐θ = 𝑥
and 𝑐𝑠𝑐θ = 𝑦

Ex 1. 𝑡𝑎𝑛 π Ex 2. 𝑐𝑠𝑐 60°

Coordinates: (-1,0), x-coordinate is -1 and

y-coordinate is 0
𝑐𝑠𝑐 60° has the coordinates ( 1
2
, 2
3
)
1
𝑡𝑎𝑛θ =
𝑦 𝑐𝑠𝑐θ = 𝑦
𝑥

𝑡𝑎𝑛 π =− 1 𝑜 1
𝑐𝑠𝑐60 = 3
2

𝑡𝑎𝑛 π = 0
𝑜 2 2 3
𝑐𝑠𝑐60 = = 3
3

WHEN SOLVING IN A CALCULATOR:

-----> Always remember to set your calculators to the mode:

RADIAN (RAD) MODE, when computing with problems that has fractions and π,

DEGREE (DEG) MODE, when computing with problems that has degrees or just numbers

EXAMPLE:

1. 𝑡𝑎𝑛 π 2. 𝑐𝑠𝑐 60°

- Use the mode RAD - Use the mode DEG

π
3. 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2
- Use the mode RAD
 GRAPHS OF CIRCULAR FUNCTIONS

● PERIODIC FUNCTIONS
- Functions whose values are cyclical or repetitive
- values of periodic functions repeat after a certain interval.
- Periodic Phenomena are found in real-life situations. One example is the human
heartbeat, which can be graphed through the electrocardiogram (ECG)

- The graph of a function shown above is periodic. It’s period is 4 , since the value tend to
repeat after an interval of 4

STEPS IN GRAPHING CIRCULAR FUNCTIONS

1. Create a Table of Values.

(use Radian Mode)

2. Plot the points on a Plane; where values in the x-axis are the values of 𝜽

3. Connect the points to form the graph of the given circular function
Ex 1. 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ

Ex 2. 𝑦 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
 TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

● TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITY
- an equation involving a trigonometric function or a combination of trigonometric
functions, which is valid for all values of the variable for which the functions are
defined

EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES

𝑐𝑜𝑠θ = 𝑥 1
𝑠𝑒𝑐θ = 𝑥

𝑠𝑖𝑛θ = 𝑦 1
𝑐𝑠𝑐θ = 𝑦
𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛θ = 𝑥 𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑡θ = 𝑦
Ex 1. 𝑐𝑜𝑡θ𝑡𝑎𝑛θ Ex 2. 𝑐𝑜𝑡θ
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ

𝑐𝑜𝑠θ 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
𝑐𝑜𝑡θ𝑡𝑎𝑛θ = 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ · 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
𝑐𝑜𝑡θ
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ flip the denominator
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
=1
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ · 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ

=1

2 2 2 2 2 2
Ex 3. 𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ𝑐𝑜𝑡 θ𝑡𝑎𝑛 θ𝑐𝑠𝑐 θ Ex 4. (1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ)(1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛 θ)

2 2 2 2
2
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ ·
𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ
·
𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ
·
1 = (𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ)(𝑠𝑒𝑐 θ)
2 2 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ
2 1
=1 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ · 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ
=1

Ex 5. 𝑐𝑜𝑡θ + 𝑡𝑎𝑛θ

𝑐𝑜𝑠θ 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ

𝑐𝑜𝑠θ𝑐𝑜𝑠θ 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
Rewriting as similar rational expressions with denominator of 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 (LCD)

2 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
Simplify the numerators

2 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ+𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
Write the expression as a single fraction

1 2 2
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
Simplify 𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 θ as 1 based on the Pythagorean Identity
 DETERMINING THE SIX CIRCULAR VALUES GIVEN CERTAIN CONDITIONS

------> The signs of the circular /trigonometric functions may be dependent on what Quadrant 𝜃
lies.

Quadrant of P(𝜃) cos𝜃; sin𝜃; tan𝜃;

sec𝜃 csc𝜃 cot𝜃

I + + +

II - + -

III - - +

IV + - -

------> THE HYPOTENUSE will

always be the longest side

------> In order to get the

hypotenuse, we must use the
pythagorean theorem:
2 2 2
𝑎 +𝑏 =𝑐

a= opposite
b= adjacent
c= hypotenuse

Ex 1. if the opposite is 3 and the adjacent is 4, what is the hypotenuse?

2 2 2
𝑎 +𝑏 =𝑐
2 2 2
(3) + (4) = 𝑐
2
9 + 16 = 𝑐
2
25 = 𝑐
2
25 = 𝑐

c=5
Therefore the hypotenuse is 5

RECALL: SOH-CAH-TOA, where;

𝑂𝑃𝑃𝑂𝑆𝐼𝑇𝐸 𝐴𝐷𝐽𝐴𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑇 𝑂𝑃𝑃𝑂𝑆𝐼𝑇𝐸

𝑆𝐼𝑁𝐸 = 𝐻𝑌𝑃𝑂𝑇𝐸𝑁𝑈𝑆𝐸
𝐶𝑂𝑆𝐼𝑁𝐸 = 𝐻𝑌𝑃𝑂𝑇𝐸𝑁𝑈𝑆𝐸
𝑇𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑁𝑇 = 𝐴𝐷𝐽𝐴𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑇

CHO, SHA,CAO, where;

𝐻𝑌𝑃𝑂𝑇𝐸𝑁𝑈𝑆𝐸 𝐻𝑌𝑃𝑂𝑇𝐸𝑁𝑈𝑆𝐸 𝐴𝐷𝐽𝐴𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑇

𝐶𝑂𝑆𝐸𝐶𝐴𝑁𝑇 = 𝑂𝑃𝑃𝑂𝑆𝐼𝑇𝐸
𝑆𝐸𝐶𝐴𝑁𝑇 = 𝐴𝐷𝐽𝐴𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑇
𝐶𝑂𝑇𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑁𝑇 = 𝑂𝑃𝑃𝑂𝑆𝐼𝑇𝐸

6
Ex 1. If sin𝜃 = 10
, what is cos𝜃 given that 𝜃 is in Quadrant II?

𝑂𝑃𝑃𝑂𝑆𝐼𝑇𝐸 6
Since 𝑆𝐼𝑁𝐸 = 𝐻𝑌𝑃𝑂𝑇𝐸𝑁𝑈𝑆𝐸
, and sin𝜃 = 10
,

therefore 6 is the opposite and 10 is the hypotenuse

𝐴𝐷𝐽𝐴𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑇
Since the problem asks for the 𝐶𝑂𝑆𝐼𝑁𝐸 = 𝐻𝑌𝑃𝑂𝑇𝐸𝑁𝑈𝑆𝐸
, the missing term is the adjacent

a=6
b=?
c= 10

2 2 2
(6) + 𝑏 = (10)
2
36 + 𝑏 = 100
2
𝑏 = 100-36
2
𝑏 = 64
b=8 (adjacent)

𝐴𝐷𝐽𝐴𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑇
Since 𝐶𝑂𝑆𝐼𝑁𝐸 = 𝐻𝑌𝑃𝑂𝑇𝐸𝑁𝑈𝑆𝐸

8
𝑐𝑜𝑠 = − 10

- NEGATIVE since cos in Quadrant II is

 ● INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
- Are defined as the inverse functions of sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant,
and cosecant functions
- Also termed arcus functions, anti trigonometric functions, or cyclometric functions
- Inverse functions used to get the angle with any of theAr trigonometric ratios

−1
➢ Arcsine = 𝑠𝑖𝑛
−1
➢ Arccosine = 𝑐𝑜𝑠
−1
➢ Arctangent = 𝑡𝑎𝑛
−1
➢ Arccotangent = 𝑐𝑜𝑡
−1 1
➢ Arcsecant = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 or −1
𝑐𝑜𝑠
−1 1
➢ Arccosecant = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 or −1
𝑠𝑖𝑛

3
Ex 1. 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 2
Ex 2. Arccosine 0

3
Shift→ Sin → 2
Shift→ cos → 0

−1
−1 3 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (0)
𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 2
)

π
= 60° (in Deg mode) = 90° or 2
π
Or 3
(in Rad mode)

2
Ex 3. 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 2
)
5π
Ex 4. 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠[𝑡𝑎𝑛(− 4
)]
Use Degree mode
Use Radian mode
−1 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 2
)) 5π
𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠((𝑡𝑎𝑛(− 4
))
2
= 2 =π
Ex 1. A flagpole 20ft high is secured with a guy wire and fixed at the peg 8ft from the base of
the pole. What angle does the guy wire make the ground?

---->Since 20 is the measure of the side opposite 𝜃,

and 8 is the measure of the side adjacent to 𝜃,
therefore we can express these values as the value
20
for tan 𝜃. So we have 𝑡𝑎𝑛θ = 8
. We can use this to
solve for 𝜃 (angle that the wire make with the ground).

20
𝑡𝑎𝑛θ = 8

−1 20
θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( 8
)

𝜃 = 68.20° or 1.19 radians

Ex 2. The distance between the base of a tower and a surveyor is 100m. The angle of elevation
to the top of the tower is 34.20 degrees

a. What is the height of the tower?

b. What is the distance of the surveyor from the top of the tower?
SOLUTION:

a.

Since the given theta is in degrees, the mode of your calculators should also be in degrees.

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑡𝑎𝑛θ = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

◦ 𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛(34. 20 ) = 100
cross multiply

◦
100[𝑡𝑎𝑛(34. 20 )] = 𝑦

y = 67.96 m

b.

Since the given theta is in degrees, the mode of your calculators should also be in degrees

𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒

◦ 100
𝑐𝑜𝑠(34. 20 ) = 𝑟
cross multiply

◦
r [𝑐𝑜𝑠(34. 20 )] = 100 separate the r

◦
𝑟 [𝑐𝑜𝑠(34.20 )] 100
◦ = ◦
𝑐𝑜𝑠(34.20 ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠(34.20 )

100
r= ◦
𝑐𝑜𝑠(34.20 )

r = 120.91 m