INTRODUCTION TOTRIGONOMETRY

INTRODUCTION TOTRIGONOMETRY
INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

Introduction

Consider Right angled Triangle ABC right angled at B.

The side opposite to the largest angle 90o is called
the HYPOTENUSE.
With respect to <A, BC is called the OPPOSITE SIDE
and AB is the ADJACENT SIDE.
The Opposite Side and Adjacent sides will change as we change it to <C. With
respect to angle C, AB is the opposite side and BC is the adjacent side.
There are six Trigonometric rations with respect to the acute angles in a right
angled triangle.]
They are Sine (Sin)
Cosine (Cos)
Tangent (Tan)
Cosecant (Cosec)
Secant (Sec)
Cotangent (Cot)
The Trigonometric Ratios are defined as follows: (defined w r t angle A)

S No Trigonometric Definition
Ratios
1 Sin A 𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
2 Cos A 𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
3 Tan A 𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
4 Cosec A 𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
5 Sec A 𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
6 Cot A 𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

Thus from the figure

Sin A 𝑩𝑪
𝑨𝑪
Cos A 𝑨𝑩
𝑨𝑪
Tan A 𝑩𝑪
𝑨𝑩
Cosec A 𝑨𝑪
𝑩𝑪
Sec A 𝑨𝑪
𝑨𝑩
Cot A 𝑨𝑩
𝑩𝑪

Exercise: Students to write the Trigonometric Ratios with respect to <B

TYPE 1

Example: If in a right angled ∆ABC, tan B = 12/5, then find sin B.

A
Step by Step Procedure
First draw a right angled triangle ABC. 12
Make sure B is an acute angle.
C B
We know the definition of Tan B 5
𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
Tan B = 𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒

𝐴𝐶
In figure, tan B = 𝐵𝐶

You can mark these measures on the triangle.

Apply Pythagoras theorem to find the hypotenuse AB.
(𝐴𝐵)2 = (𝐴𝐶)2 + (𝐵𝐶)2
(𝐴𝐵)2 = (12)2 + (5)2 = 144 + 25 = 169
AB = 169 = 13 cm
𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒 12
Now Sin B = =
𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 13
Note: Use the above problem to find the other trigonometric function with
respect to <A and <B.
Practice Problems
1 1
1. If 5 sin θ = 4, prove that + =3
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ 𝑐𝑜tθ

4 4
2. If sin A = ⅗, then find the value of cos A and cot A. [Ans: and ]
5 3

3
3. If Sin A = 1/3, find Sec A [Ans: ]
√8

tanθ−sinθ 4
4. If cos θ = 3 /5, find the value of [Ans: ]
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐θ+cotθ 15
−1
5. If tan A = 3, find cos2 A – 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 A [Ans: ]
2
6. If s𝑖𝑛2 A = ½ , find 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 A ? [Ans: 1]
From the definitions of trigonometric ratios we have the following
relations
Reciprocal Relation
S No Trigonometric Ratios Relation

𝟏
1 sin θ 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜 θ

𝟏
2 cos θ 𝐬𝐞𝐜 θ

𝟏
3 tan θ 𝐜𝐨𝒕 θ

𝟏
4 cosec θ 𝐬𝐢𝐧 θ

𝟏
5 sec θ 𝐜𝐨𝐬 θ

𝟏
6 cot θ 𝐭𝐚𝐧 θ
INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

Quotient Relations

S No Trigonometric Ratios Relation

1 tanθ 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
2 cotθ 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ

TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES
1.sin2A + cos2A = 1
2.1 + tan2A = sec2A
3. 1 + cot2A = cosec2A

From the above Identity, we can deduce the following results:

(i). sin2A = 1 – cos2A
(ii) cos2A = 1 – sin2A

(iii) tan2A = sec2A – 1

(iv) sec2A – tan2A = 1

(v) cot2A = cosec2A – 1

(vi) cosec2A – cot2A = 1

TYPE 2
Practice Problems
1. Prove that

𝟏+𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨 𝟏−𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨
+ = 2secA
𝟏−𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨 𝟏+𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨
INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

Solution:

𝟐 𝟐
𝟏+𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨 𝟏−𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨 ( 𝟏+𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐀 ))+( 𝟏−𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨)
+ = (by taking the LCM)
𝟏−𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨 𝟏+𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨 𝟏−𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨 𝟏+𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨

1+𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴+1−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴
= (simplifying)
1−𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐴

2
= ( 1-sin2A=cos2A)
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐴

2
=
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴
1
= 2secA [ as = secA]
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴

Hence Proved.
Practice Problems:
1. If sec θ – tan θ = 1/3, then the value of (sec θ + tan θ)
a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 3 (d) 2
Ans: (c) using the identity sec2 θ – tan2 θ = 1
2. If x=a cos θ and y= b sin θ, then b2x2+a2y2 =
(a) ab (b) b2+a2 (c) a2b2 (d) a4b4
Ans: (c) substitute, take the common factor and apply the identity
cos2θ + sin2θ=1
3. 5 tan² A – 5 sec² A + 1 is equal to
(a) 6 (b) -5 (c) 1 (d) -4
Ans: (d) [since sec A – tan A =1, tan2A – sec2A = -1
2 2

so 5 x -1 + 1 = -4]
1+𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝐴
4. =
1+𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝐴
a) tan2A b) sec2A c) cot2A d) -1
Ans: (a)
1 1
5. – =
𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐴
A)1 B) -1 C) sin2A D) Sec2A
Ans: (B) using the identity cosec2A – cot2A = 1
6. If sin2θ = ½, then tan2 θ =
A)1/ 3 B) 3 C) 0 D) 1
Ans: (D)
INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

30 45
2 1 2
3

90 60 90 45
1 1

In a 30:60:90 triangle, the sides are in the ratio 1: 3 :2 and in a 45:45:90

triangle, the sides are in the ratio 1:1: 2
The students can easily remember the trigonometric ratios of angles 30, 45,
60 using the above two figures making use of the definition of trigonometric
functions.

TYPE 3
Example:
Evaluate : sin 30° cos 60° + cos 30° sin 60° – cot 45°
Step by step method
1 1 3
Write values of Sin 30 = cos 60 = cos 30 =
2 2 2
INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

3
sin 60 = cot 45 = 1
2

1 1 3 3
Now sin 30° cos 60° + cos 30° sin 60° – cot 45° = 𝑥 + x -1
2 2 2 2

1 3
= + -1
4 4
= 1–1
= 0
Example
For θ = 30°, verify that cos 2 θ = cos 2 θ– sin2 θ
Step by Step Method
If θ = 30°, then 2θ = 2 x 30° = 60°
1
LHS = cos 2θ = cos 60 =
2
RHS = cos2 θ– sin2 θ
= cos 2 30 – sin2 30

2 2
3 3 1 2 1 2
= x - x
2 2 2 2

3 3 1 1
= x - x
4 4 4 4
9 1
= -
16 16
8 1
= =
16 2
Thus LHS = RHS, verified
Note: Students must keep in mind that 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 θ means 𝒄𝒐𝒔θ 𝟐

Questions for Practice

1−cot245∘
1. Evaluate: [ Ans: 0 ]
1+sin290∘
2. What is the value of sin2θ + sec2θ + cos2θ - tan2θ where θ is an acute angle?
[Ans: Rearrange and apply the identities to get 2 as answer.]
3. Find the value of θ for which the below statement is true. θ is acute angle.
√3tan θ - cot 45° = 0 [Ans: θ = 30º]
INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY
4
4. Which of these triangles have sin θ =
5

A) only Q and R B) only Q and S

C) only Q, R and S D) all - P, Q, R and S

Ans: A
5. If x tan 45° sin 30° = cos 30° tan 30°, then find x ?
Ans: 3
6. If θ = 45°, then what is the value of 2 sec2θ + 3 cosec2θ ?
5
Ans: 2

7. 8. If θ = 30°, verify the following: (i) cos 3θ = 4 cos3 θ – 3 cos θ

(ii) sin 3θ = 3 sin θ – 4 sin3θ
Ans: (i) get LHS = RHS = 0 (ii) Get LHS = RHS = 1
2 𝑡𝑎𝑛30
8. The value of is equal to
1+𝑡𝑎𝑛2 30

A) sin60 B) cos60 C) Tan60 D) sin30 Ans: A

𝑐𝑜𝑠2 θ 1
9. Simplify - ? Ans: 1
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 θ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 θ

4
11. Assertion(A): The value of sin θ = is not possible
3

Reason(R) : Hypotenuse is the longest side in any right angled triangle

Ans: Bothe A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRY

TYPE 4
3
If cos (A + B) = 0 and sin (A – B) = , then find the value of A and B where
2
A and B are acute angles.
Ans: cos (A + B) = 0 gives cos (A + B) = cos 90
i.e A + B = 90

3
sin (A – B) = gives sin (A – B) = sin 60
2
i.e A – B = 60
Solve for A and B to get A = 75o and B = 15o

Practice Questions
1. If tan (A + B) = √3 and tan (A – B) = 1/√3 where 0 < A + B < 90°, A > B,
find A and B
Ans: A = 45o B = 15o
2. If tan(A+B)=1 and tan(A−B)= 1 where A and B are acute angles, find A and
B.
Ans: A = 45o B = 45o
SOME APPLICATIONS OF TRIGONOMETRY

Heights and Distances

Angle of Elevation
The angle of elevation is the angle formed between the horizontal line (eye
level) and the line of sight when you look
upward at an object. Imagine standing on
the ground and looking at the top of a
Lamp post. The angle your line of sight
makes with the horizontal (level ground) as
you look up at the Lamp post is the angle
of elevation.
For example:
You’re 10 meters away from the base of a building
and looking up at the top of it. The line from your eye to the top of the
building forms an angle with the horizontal line (the ground).
The angle between this horizontal line and the line of sight to the top of the
building is the angle of elevation.
Angle of Depression
The angle of depression is the
angle formed between the horizontal
Horizontal
line and the line of sight when you
look downward at an object.
Imagine you’re standing at the
top of a cliff and looking down at a
boat on the water. The angle
between your horizontal line (eye
level) and the line of sight down to the boat is the angle of depression.
Remember, in case of angle of elevation, the observer is looking to an object
at the top while for angle of depression, the observer is looking from the top to
an object at bottom.
Memorize the Trigonometric Ratios of 30o, 45o and 60o before attempting
problems on heights and distance.
APPLICATIONS OF TRIGONOMETRY
sin30 𝟏 sin45 𝟏 sin60 3
𝟐 𝟐 2
cos30 3 cos45 𝟏 cos60 𝟏
2 𝟐 𝟐
tan30 1 tan45 1 tan60 3
3

Type 1
1. A pole 7 3 m high casts a shadow 21 m long on the ground, then the
sun’s elevation is :
A) 30° (B) 45° (C) 60° (D) 90°
Solution: Here connect the given measurements with some
trigonometric ratios.
𝐴𝐵 A
Wrt angle C, tanC =
𝐵𝐶

7 3m
7 3
=
21
B C
3 1 21 m
= or
3 3

1
We know tan 30o =
3

Thus tanC = tan30o

or <C = 30o
i.e sun’s elevation is 30o. Correct answer (A)
Practice Questions:
1. A tree that is 10 meters tall casts a shadow that is 10 meters long.
Find the angle of elevation of the sun.? (Ans: 45o)
2. A lighthouse stands 40 meters tall and casts a 40 meter long shadow.
Determine the sun’s angle of elevation. (Ans: 45o)
3. A pole is 15 meters high and casts a shadow of 15 3 meters. What is
the angle of elevation of the sun? (Ans: 30o)
4. A flagpole that is 25 meters tall casts a shadow of 25 2 meters on the
ground. Calculate the angle of elevation of the sun. (Ans: 30o)
TYPE 2
From a point on the ground, the angles of elevation of the bottom and
the top of a transmission tower fixed at the top of a 25 m high building
are 30° and 60° respectively. Find the height of the transmission tower.
Step by Step Method
Here AB is the building and BC is the tower and D be the point
on the ground. Let h be the height C
of the tower.
h
In △ADB,
𝐴𝐵 B
tan 30o =
𝐴𝐷

1 25 25 m
=
3 𝐴𝐷
60
AD = 25 3 cm …..(1) 30
D A
In △ADC,
𝐴𝐶
tan60o =
𝐴𝐷

25+ℎ
3 =
25 3

25 3 x 3 = 25 + h
75 = 25 + h
h = 75 – 25
= 50 metre
Height of the tower is 50 metre
Practice Questions
1. From a point on the ground, the angles of elevation to the bottom and
top of a water tank mounted on a 30 m high tower are 45° and 60°,
respectively. Find the height of the water tank. Ans: 30( 3​−1) meters.
2. A flagpole is mounted on top of a 20 m high building. The angles of
elevation to the bottom and top of the flagpole from a point on the
ground are 45° and 60°, respectively. Determine the height of the
flagpole. Ans: 20( 3 ​−1) meters.
TYPE 3
As observed from the top of a 75 m light house from the sea-level, the
angles of depression of two ships are 30° and 45°. If one ship is exactly
behind the other on the same side of the light house, find the distance
between the two ships. [Use 3 = 1.732]
B
Step by Step Method
Let AB be the light house, C and D are the position of the
ship. We need to find the distance between C and D
75m
say x.
In △BAC,
𝐴𝐵 30 45 A
tan 45o = D x
𝐴𝐶 C
75
1 =
𝐴𝐶
AC = 75 metre
In △BAD,
𝐴𝐵
tan 30o = 𝐴𝐷

1 75
=
3 𝐴𝐶+𝑥

75 + x = 75 3

x = 75 3 - 75
= 75( 3 - 1)
= 75(1.732 – 1)
= 75 x 0.732
= 54.9 m
Distance between the ships = 54.9 metre
Questions for practice
1. From the top of a 60 m tall tower, the angles of depression of two cars
on the ground are observed to be 30° and 45°. If the cars are on the
same side of the tower and one car is behind the other, find the
distance between the two cars.
2. The angles of elevation of the top of a building from two points on the
ground, 20 m apart, are 30° and 45°. Find the height of the building.
[Hint: the figure for this question also is same as the figure given in
example. Here instead of giving the height, the distance between the
two points is provided. Put the values accordingly in the figure, apply
trigonometric ratios and find the height of the tower]
3. A man observes the top of a lighthouse from a boat. The angle of
elevation to the top of the lighthouse is 45°. After moving 50 m further
away from the lighthouse, the angle of elevation changes to 30°. Find
the height of the lighthouse.
4. A man stands at a point where the angle of elevation to the top of a
tower is 30°. After walking 50 m towards the tower, the angle of
elevation becomes 60°. Find the height of the tower.
Type 4
From a hill 100 m high, the angles of depression of two objects on the
ground are 30° and 45°. If the objects are on the same side of the hill,
find the distance between the two objects.
B
Step by step method 30
45
[In this problem, the observer is at the top and
objects are on the ground. So when we draw the 100 m

figure, the horizontal is to be drawn from the eye

30 45 A
of the observer and the angle measurements D x C
to be shown with the horizontal. Since the horizontal and AD are parallel
the same angles can be shown at base angles as alternate interior angles
are equal]
Let AB be the hill and C and D are the position of the objects on the
ground.
𝐴𝐵
In △BAC, tan45o =
𝐴𝐶

100
1 =
𝐴𝐶
AC = 100 metre ………. (1)
 𝐴𝐵
In △BAD, tan 30o =
𝐴𝐷

1 100
=
3 𝐴𝐶+𝐶𝐷

1 100
=
3 100+𝑥

100 + x = 100 3
x = 100 3 - 100
= 100( 3 - 1)
= 100(1.732 – 1)
= 100 x 0.732
= 73.2 metres
The distance between the two objects = 73.2 metres
Practice Questions:
1. A man is standing on the top of a 50 m high lighthouse. The angles of
depression of two boats in a straight line from the top of the lighthouse
are 45° and 60°. Calculate the distance between the two boats if they
50
are on the same side of the lighthouse. [Ans: 50 – ]
√3
2. From the top of a 40 m high building, the angles of depression of two
objects on the ground are 30° and 45°. If the objects are on the same
side of the building, calculate the distance between the two objects.
Ans: 40(√3−1)
3. From a point on a bridge across a river the angles of depression of the
banks on opposite sides of the river are 30∘ and 45∘ respectively. If the
bridge is at a height of 6 m from the banks find the width of the river.
Ans: 6 + 6 3
4. A kite is flying at a height of 60 m above the ground. The string
attached to the kite is temporarily tied to a point on the ground. The
inclination of the string with the ground is 60o. Find the length of the
string, assuming that there is no slack in the string.
[Refer the figure given next page. Here we need to connect angle 60o
 with its opposite side and hypotenuse. The relation
connecting opposite side and hypotenuse is sin60.]
Ans: 40 3 metres.
5. A car is moving away from the base of a 30 m high tower.
The angle of elevation of the top of the tower from the car at an
instant, when the car is 10 3 m away from the base of the tower, is :
A) 30° (B) 45° (C) 90° (D) 60°
Ans: (D)

Case Study based Question

1. Two poles of different heights stand on level ground and at a
distance of 40 m. Both poles are supported by wires attached from
the top of each pole to the bottom of the other. A coupling is placed at
point C, where the two wires cross (as shown in the figure).
Based on the above information, answer the following questions :
(i) Find the height of pole AB.
(ii) Find the height of pole PQ.
(iii) (a) If the angle of elevation of the top of the pole
PQ from the top of the pole AB is 30°, find
the distance BQ.
OR
R
(b) If the coupling is at a height of 20 m from the

ground, how far down the wire from the smaller pole AB is the
coupling ?
40 40 3
Ans: (i) or m (use tan30 or cot30)
3 3

(ii)40 3 m (use tan60 or cot60)

(iii) (a) Find the distance BQ using trigonometric ratio cos30o

(b)Let CR be the height of the pole = 20 m. In triangle ARC

apply tan60 to find the distance.

Question for practice:
A group of students of class X visited India Gate on an education trip.
The teacher and students had interest in history as well. The teacher
narrated that India Gate, official name Delhi Memorial, originally called
All-India War Memorial, monumental sandstone arch in New Delhi,
dedicated to the troops of British India who died in wars fought
between 1914 and 1919. The teacher also said that India Gate, which is
located at the eastern end of the Rajpath (formerly called the Kingsway),
is about 138 feet (42 metres) in height.

1. What is the angle of elevation if they are standing at a distance of

42m away from the monument?
Ans: 45o
2. They want to see the tower at an angle of 60o. So, they want to know
the distance where they should stand and hence find the distance.
Ans: 25.24 m
3. If the altitude of the Sun is at 60o, then find the height of the vertical
tower that will cast a shadow of length 20 m ?
Ans: 20√3 m
 Things to enhance learning

Understanding Trigonometric Ratios

Define Ratios:
Sine (sin), Cosine (cos), and Tangent (tan):
Opposite
sin = Hypotenuse
Adjacent
cos = Hypotenuse
Opposite
tan=
Adjacent
Special Angles:
A Simple Phrase: Use a catchy phrase to remember the sine and
cosine values:
For Sine: "0, 1/2, √2/2, √3/2, 1"
For Cosine: "1, √3/2, √2/2, 1/2, 0"
Pattern Recognition: Notice that the sine values increase, while
cosine values decrease as the angle increases.
Practice and Repetition
Flashcards: Create flashcards with angles on one side and their
sine, cosine, and tangent values on the other.
Quizzes: Regularly quiz yourself or use apps that help reinforce
these concepts.
Applications: Height and Distance
Real-Life Contexts:
Use scenarios like measuring the height of a tree or
building by using a clinometer to measure the angles of
elevation
Simple Formulas:
Introduce the formula: Height = Distance × tan (angle).
For angles of elevation, demonstrate with diagrams.