TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Trigonometry
x 3
y 4
r
x2
y2
32
42
r
9 16
25 5
Having solved for all three sides of the triangle, the trigonometric functions can now be
determined. Substitute the values for x, y, and r into the trigonometric functions and
solve.
sin q
y
r
4
5
0.800
cos q
x
r
3
5
0.600
tan q
y
x
4
3
1.333
csc q
r
y
5
4
1.250
sec q
r
x
5
3
1.667
cot q
x
y
3
4
0.750
Although the trigonometric functions of angles are defined in terms of lengths of the sides of
right triangles, they are really functions of the angles only. The numerical values of the
trigonometric functions of any angle depend on the size of the angle and not on the length of the
sides of the angle. Thus, the sine of a 30 angle is always 1/2 or 0.500.
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
When the value of a trigonometric function of an angle is known, the size of the angle can be
found. The inverse trigonometric function, also known as the arc function, defines the angle
based on the value of the trigonometric function. For example, the sine of 21 equals 0.35837;
thus, the arc sine of 0.35837 is 21.
MA-04
Page 6
Rev. 0