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Trigonometric Ratios

The six trigonometric ratios are sine (sin),

cosine (cos), tangent (tan), cotangent (cot),
cosecant (cosec), and secant (sec). In
geometry, trigonometry is a branch of
mathematics that deals with the sides and
angles of a right-angled triangle. Therefore,
trig ratios are evaluated with respect to
sides and angles.

The trigonometry ratios for a specific angle

‘θ’ is given below:

Trigonometric Ratios

Sin θ Opposite Side to θ/Hypotenuse

Cos θ Adjacent Side to θ/Hypotenuse

Opposite Side/Adjacent Side &

Tan θ
Sin θ/Cos θ

Adjacent Side/Opposite Side &

Cot θ
1/tan θ

Hypotenuse/Adjacent Side &

Sec θ
1/cos θ

Cose Hypotenuse/Opposite Side & 1/sin

cθ θ

Note: Opposite side is the perpendicular side

and the adjacent side is the base of the
right-triangle. Also, check out trigonometric
functions to learn about each of these ratios
or functions in detail.Trigonometric Identities

Definition
Trigonometric Ratios are defined as the
values of all the trigonometric functions
based on the value of the ratio of sides in a
right-angled triangle. The ratios of sides of a
right-angled triangle with respect to any of
its acute angles are known as the
trigonometric ratios of that particular angle.

The three sides of the right triangle are:

Hypotenuse (the longest side)

Perpendicular (opposite side to the

angle)

Base (Adjacent side to the angle)

Related Articles:
Trigonometric Identities

Trigonometric Ratios of
Complementary Angles

Trigonometric Ratios Of Standard

Angles

Trigonometry Angles

Trigonometry Formulas

Trigonometry Values

How to Find Trigonometric

Ratios?
Consider a right-angled triangle, right-
angled at B.

With respect to ∠C, the ratios of trigonometry

are given as:

sine: Sine of an angle is defined as the

ratio of the side
opposite(perpendicular side) to that
angle to the hypotenuse.

cosine: Cosine of an angle is defined

as the ratio of the side adjacent to that
angle to the hypotenuse.

tangent: Tangent of an angle is

defined as the ratio of the side
opposite to that angle to the side
adjacent to that angle.

cosecant: Cosecant is a multiplicative

inverse of sine.

secant: Secant is a multiplicative

inverse of cosine.

cotangent: Cotangent is the

multiplicative inverse of the tangent.

The above ratios are abbreviated as sin, cos,

tan, cosec, sec and tan respectively in the
order they are described. So, for Δ ABC, the
ratios are defined as:

sin C = (Side opposite to

∠C)/(Hypotenuse) = AB/AC

cos C = (Side adjacent

to ∠C)/(Hypotenuse) = BC/AC

tan C = (Side opposite to ∠C)/(Side adjacent

to ∠C) = AB/BC = sin ∠C/cos ∠C

cosec C= 1/sin C = (Hypotenuse)/ (Side

Opposite to ∠C) = AC/AB

sec C = 1/cos C = (Hypotenuse)/ (Side

Opposite to ∠C) = AC/BC

cot C = 1/tan C = (Side adjacent to ∠C)/(Side

opposite to ∠C)= BC/AB

In right Δ ABC, if ∠A and ∠C are assumed as

30° and 60°, then there can be infinite right
triangles with those specifications but all the
ratios written above for ∠C in all of those
triangles will be same. So, all the ratios for
any of the acute angles (either ∠A or ∠C) will
be the same for every right triangle. This
means that the ratios are independent of
lengths of sides of the triangle.

Trigonometric Ratios Table

The trigonometric ratios for some specific
angles such as 0 °, 30 °, 45 °, 60 ° and 90° are
given below, which are commonly used in
mathematical calculations.

0° 30° 45° 60° 90°

Angle

√3/
Sin C 0 1/2 1/√2 1
2

Cos C 1 √3/2 1/√2 1/2 0

Tan C 0 1/√3 1 √3 ∞

1/
Cot C ∞ √3 1 0
√3

Sec C 1 2/√3 √2 2 ∞

Cosec 2/
∞ 2 √2 1
C √3

From this table, we can find the value for the

trigonometric ratios for these angles.
Examples are:

Sin 30° = ½

Cos 90° = 0

Tan 45° = 1

Trigonometry Applications
Trigonometry is one of the most important
branches of mathematics. Some of the
applications of trigonometry are:

Measuring the heights of towers or big

mountains

Determining the distance of the shore

from the sea

Finding the distance between two

celestial bodies

Determining the power output of solar

cell panels at different inclinations

Representing different physical

quantities such as mechanical waves,
electromagnetic waves, etc.

It is evident from the above examples that

trigonometry has its involvement in a major
part of our day-to-day life and much more.
In most of the applications listed above,
something was being measured and that is
what trigonometry is all about.

Solved Problems
Q.1: If in a right-angled triangle ABC, right-
angled at B, hypotenuse AC = 5cm, base BC
= 3cm and perpendicular AB = 4cm and if
∠ACB = θ, then find tan θ, sin θ and cos θ.

Sol: Given,

In ∆ABC,

Hypotenuse, AC = 5cm

Base, BC = 3cm

Perpendicular, AB = 4cm

Then,

tan θ = Perpendicular/Base = 4/3

Sin θ = Perpendicular/Hypotenuse = AB/AC =

⅘

Cos θ = Base/Hypotenuse = BC/AC = ⅗

Q.2: Find the value of tan θ if sin θ = 12/5 and

cos θ = ⅗.

Sol: Given, sin θ = 12/5 and cos θ = ⅗

As we know,

Tan θ = Sin θ/Cos θ

Tan θ = (12/5)/(⅗)

Tan θ = 12/3

Tan θ = 4

Practice Questions
1. Find the value of sin θ, if tan θ = ¾ and
cos θ = ½.

2. Find tan θ if sin θ = 4/3 and cos θ = 3/2

3. Find sec θ, if cos θ = 9/8

4. Find cosec θ, if sin θ 16/5

Video Lesson

Trigonometric Ratios of Compound

Angles

14,750
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Frequently Asked Questions –

FAQs

Q1 What are the three primary trigonometric

ratios?

The three primary trigonometric ratios are

tangent (tan), sine (sin) and cosine (cos).

Q2 What are the six trigonometric ratios?

The six 6 trigonometric ratios are sine,

cosine, tangent, cotangent, cosecant, and
secant.

Q3 What is SOH CAH TOA?

SOH CAH TOA is the mnemonic to remember

the formula for trigonometry ratios, such
that:
SOH: Sine function is the ratio of Opposite
side and Hypotenuse
CAH: Cosine is the ratio of Adjacent Side and
Hypotenuse
TOA: Tangent is the ratio of Opposite side
and Adjacent Side

Q4 What is the formula for Cotangent, Secant

and Cosecant?

Cotangent is the ratio of Adjacent side and

Opposite side, (Base/Perpendicular)
Secant is the ratio of hypotenuse and
adjacent side, (Hypotenuse/Base)
Cosecant is the ratio of hypotenuse and
opposite side (Hypotenuse/Perpendicular)

Q5 What is the relationship between sin, cos

and tan?

Tangent functions is equal to the ratio of

sine and cosine function.
Tan θ = Sin θ/Cos θ

Quiz on Trigonometric
Ratios

Put your
understanding of this
concept to test by
answering a few
MCQs. Click ‘Start
Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and

click on the “Finish” button
Check your score and answers at
the end of the quiz

Start Quiz

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Post My Comment

Remie Banuag
January 31, 2020 at 7:33 am

Tnks for this! Very informative!

Reply

RANI S MARTIN
December 23, 2021 at 11:20 pm

The explanation of trigonometric ratios

is given very neat and illustrative.
It is easy to understand and difficult to
forget.

Reply

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