Trigonometric Ratios

in Right Triangles

M. Bruley
Trigonometric Ratios are
based on the Concept of
Similar Triangles!
All 45º- 45º- 90º Triangles are Similar!

2
1

45 º
1
2 2
2

1 1
2 45 º
45 º
2
1
2
All 30º- 60º- 90º Triangles are Similar!

2 30º
3 30º
60º 4
1 2 3

60º

1 30º
2
3
2
60º

½
All 30º- 60º- 90º Triangles are Similar!

10 60º
2 60º 5
1
30º
30º
3
5 3

1
60º 1
2
30º
3
2
 The Tangent Ratio

c’ a’
c a


b
b’
a a'
If two triangles are similar, then it is also true that: b  b'

The ratio
a is called the Tangent Ratio for angle 
b
Naming Sides of Right Triangles

 


The Tangent Ratio

Opposite
Tangent 
Adjacent
 

There are a total of six ratios that can be made

with the three sides. Each has a specific name.
The Six Trigonometric Ratios
(The SOHCAHTOA model)
Opposite
Sineθ 
Hypotenuse
Adjacent
  Cosineθ 
Hypotenuse
Opposite
 Tangentθ 
Adjacent
The Six Trigonometric Ratios
Opposite Hypotenuse
Sineθ  Cosecantθ 
Hypotenuse Opposite
Adjacent Hypotenuse
Cosineθ 
Hypotenuse Secantθ 
Adjacent
Opposite
Tangentθ  Adjacent
Adjacent Cotangentθ 
Opposite

The Cosecant, Secant, and Cotangent of 

  are the Reciprocals of
the Sine, Cosine,and Tangent of 

Solving a Problem with
the Tangent Ratio
We know the angle and the
side adjacent to 60º. We want to
know the opposite side. Use the
h=? tangent ratio:
2
3 opp h
60º tan 60  
adj 53
1
53 ft 3 h
 Why?
1 53
h  53 3  92 ft
Trigonometric Functions on a
Rectangular Coordinate System
y
Pick a point on the
terminal ray and drop a
perpendicular to the x-axis.
 x

(The Rectangular Coordinate Model)

Trigonometric Functions on a
Rectangular Coordinate System
y
Pick a point on the
terminal ray and drop a r
y
perpendicular to the x-axis.
 x
x
y r
The adjacent side is x sin   csc  
r y
The opposite side is y
x r
The hypotenuse is labeled r cos   sec  
r x
This is called a
y x
REFERENCE TRIANGLE. tan   cot  
x y
Trigonometric Values for angles in
Quadrants II, III and IV
y
Pick a point on the
terminal ray and drop a
perpendicular
r
y to the x-axis.
 x
x
y r
sin   csc  
r y
x r
cos  sec  
r x
y x
tan   cot  
x y
Trigonometric Values for angles in
Quadrants II, III and IV
y
Pick a point on the
terminal ray and raise a perpendicular
to the x-axis.
 x
Trigonometric Values for angles in
Quadrants II, III and IV
y
Pick a point on the
terminal ray and raise a perpendicular
to the x-axis.
 x
x
y
r
y r
sin   csc  
r y
x r
cos  sec  
r x Important! The is
tan  
y
cot  
x ALWAYS drawn to the x-axis
x y
Signs of Trigonometric Functions
y
Sin (& csc) are All are positive in QI
positive in
QII
x

Tan (& cot) are Cos (& sec) are

positive in positive in
QIII QIV
Signs of Trigonometric Functions
y
Students All

Take Calculus

is a good way to
remember!
Trigonometric Values for Quadrantal
Angles (0º, 90º, 180º and 270º)
y
x=0
Pick a point one unit from (0, 1) y=1
the Origin. r =1
r
º x

sin 90  1 csc 90  1
cos 90  0 sec 90 is undefined
tan 90 is undefined cot 90  0
 Trigonometric Ratios may be found by:

Using ratios of special triangles

2 1
1 sin 45  csc 45  2
2
45 º cos 45 
1
sec 45  2
1 2
tan 45  1 cot 45  1

For angles other than 45º, 30º, 60º or Quadrantal angles, you will
need to use a calculator. (Set it in Degree Mode for now.)
csc   1 sin 
For Reciprocal Ratios, use the facts: sec   1 cos
cot   1 tan 
Acknowledgements
 This presentation was made possible by
training and equipment provided by an
Access to Technology grant from Merced
College.
 Thank you to Marguerite Smith for the model.
 Textbooks consulted were:
 Trigonometry Fourth Edition by Larson & Hostetler
 Analytic Trigonometry with Applications Seventh
Edition by Barnett, Ziegler & Byleen