Chapter - 33

Trigonometric Ratios and Identities

1. Angle
Consider a ray OA. If this ray rotates about its end-point O and
takes the position OB, then we say that the angle AOB has been
generated.

Thus, an angle is considered as the figure obtained by rotating a

given ray about its end-point.
The revolving ray is called the generating line of the angle. The
initial position OA is called the initial side and the final position
OB is called the terminal side of the angle. The end-point O
about which the ray rotates is called the vertex of angle.
2. Positive and Negative Angles
If the ray OA rotates in anticlockwise direction a positive angle
is formed and when the ray OA rotates in clockwise direction
negative angle is formed.

3. Four Quadrants
Let XOX and YOY be two lines perpendicular to each other. The
intersecting point O is called the origin. The lines XOX and
YOY are respectively called x-axis and y-axis. These lines divide
the plane into four parts called the quadrants. The parts XOY,
YOX, XOY and YOX are known as first, second, third and fourth
quadrants respectively as shown in the figure. An angle is said
to be in a particular quadrant, if the terminal side of the angle
lies in that quadrant.
224 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae

4. Different Units For Measuring Angles

There are three systems for measuring angles in trigonometry.
(i) Sexagesimal or English System: In this system a right
angle is sub-divided as under,
(a) One right angle = 90 degrees, symbolically written as 90°.
(b) One degree = 1° = 60 minutes, symbolically written as
60.
(c) One minute = 1 = 60 seconds, symbolically written as
60.
The unit of measurement in this system is degree.
(ii) Centesimal System or the French System: In this system,
we have,
(a) One right angle = 100 grades, written as 100g.
(b) One grade = 1g = 100 minutes, written as 100.
(c) One minute = 1 = 100 seconds, written as 100.
The unit of measurement in this system is gradian or grades.
Note: Formula for conversion from English to French system
is 90° = 100g
(iii)Circular System: In this system angle is measured in
radians and we have,

1 right angle = radians
2
It is also called circular measure or radian measure.
Note:
(a) The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc of
length equal to its radius is 1 radian, written as 1c.
c = 180° = 2 right angles
 c
 180    
1c =  and 1° = 
    180 

22
(b) Value of = or = 3.1416 nearly.
7
(c) The units of measurement in the circular system is
radian.
Trigonometric Ratios and Identities 225
(d) Radian measure of some common angles are:
Angles in Degrees 30° 45° 60° 90° 180° 270° 360°
    3
Angles in Radians  2
6 4 3 2 2
(e) 1 radian = 57° 1622 (approximately)
(f) 1 degree = 0.01746 radian
5. Relation Between Angle, Radius and Arc Length
If  (radian) is the angle made by an arc of length s at the centre
s
of a circle of radius r, then  =
r

s
Note: While using the above result  = , the angle must be
r
expressed in radians, if given in any other unit.
6. Trigonometric Ratios
The most important task of trigonometry is to find the remaining
sides and angles of a triangle when some of its sides and angles
are given. This problem is solved by using some ratios of the
sides of a triangle with respect to its acute angles. These ratios
of acute angles are called trigonometric ratios of angles.

Consider an acute angle YAX = with initial side AX and terminal

side AY. Let P be any point on the terminal side AY. PM
perpendicular from P on AX to get the right-angled triangle AMP
in which PAM = .
In the right-angled triangle AMP, Base = AM = b, Perpendicular =
PM = p and Hypotenuse = AP = h.
We define the following six trigonometric ratios:
Perpendicular p
(i) Sine =  , and is written as sin.
Hypotenuse h
226 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae

Base b
(ii) Cosine =  , and is written as cos.
Hypotenuse h

Perpendicular p
(iii) Tangent =  , and is written as tan.
Base b
Hypotenuse h
(iv) Cosecant =  , and is written as cosec.
Perpendicular p
Hypotenuse h
(v) Secant =  , and is written as sec.
Base b

Base b
(vi) Cotangent =  , and is written as cot.
Perpendicular p
Note:
(a) It should be noted that sin is an abbreviation for “sine
of angle ”, it is not the product of sin and .
Similar is the case for other trigonometric ratios.
(b) The above trigonometric ratios are defined for an acute
angle .
(c) The trigonometric ratios are same for the same angle.
7. Relations Between Trigonometric Ratios
The trigonometric ratios sin, cos and tan of an acute angle 
are very closely connected by a relation. If any one of them is
known, the other two can be easily calculated. Now, look at the
some important formulae given below:
1 1
(i) (a) sin = (ii) (a) cos =
cos ec  sec 

1 1
(b) cosec = sin  (b) sec = cos 
(c) sin. cosec = 1 (c) cos. sec = 1
1 sin 
(iii) (a) tan = cot  (iv) (a) tan = cos 

1
(b) cot = (b) sin = tan . cos
tan 
sin 
(c) tan. cot = 1 (c) cos = t an 

cos 
(v) (a) cot = sin 
(b) cos = cot . sin
cos 
(c) sin = cot 
Trigonometric Ratios and Identities 227
8. Trigonometric Ratios of Some Special Angles
Values of the trigonometric ratios for some special angles are
given below:

9. Trigonometric Ratios of Complementary Angles

We know that two angles are said to be complementary, if their
sum is 90°. Thus,  and (90° – ) are complementary angles for an
acute angle .
If is an acute angle, then
(i) sin (90° – ) = cos 
(ii) cos (90° – ) = sin 
(iii) tan (90° – ) = cot 
(iv) cot (90° – ) = tan 
(v) sec (90° – ) = cosec 
(vi) cosec (90° – ) = sec 
10. Trigonometric Identities
We know that an equation is called an identity if it is true for all
values of the variable(s) involved. For example, x2 – 4 = (x – 2)
(x + 2) is an algebraic identity as it is satisfied by every value of
the variable x.
Similarly, an equation involving trigonometric ratios of an angle
(say) is said to be a trigonometric identity if it is satisfied for all
values of  for which the given trigonometric ratios are defined.
1  1
For example, sin2 – sin = sin  sin    is a trigonometric
2  2
228 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae
 1
identity, whereas sin  sin     = 0 is an equation. Also,
 2
1
sec = is a trigonometric identity, because it holds for all
cos 
values of  except for which cos = 0. For cos = 0, sec is not
defined.
Following are some fundamental trigonometric identities:
(i) (a) sin2 cos2  = 1
(b) sin2 = 1 – cos2 
(c) cos2 = 1 –sin2 
(ii) (a) sec2 = 1 + tan2 
(b) sec2 – tan2 = 1
(c) sec2 – 1 = tan2 
1
(d) sec+ tan =
sec   tan 
1
(e) sec– tan =
sec   tan 
(iii) (a) cosec2 = 1 + cot2
(b) cosec2 – cot2= 1
(c) cosec2 – 1 = cot2
1
(d) cosec+ cot =
cos ec  cot
1
(e) cosec– cot =
cos ec  cot
11. Trigonometric Ratios in Terms of other Trigonometric
Ratios
Trigonometric Ratios and Identities 229
12. Sign of Trigonometric Ratios

(i) First Quadrant: All trigonometric ratios are positive.

(ii) Second Quadrant: sin and cosec are positive.
(iii) Third Quadrant: tan and cot are positive.
(iv) Fourth Quadrant: cos and sec are positive.
Remember: I II III IV
All sin tan cos
13. Range of Trigonometric Ratios
(i) –1 < sin < 1 and –1 < cos < 1. Thus |sin| < 1 and |cos|
< 1.
The value of sin is never greater than 1 and never less
than –1. The value of cos is never greater than 1 and never
less than –1.
(ii) cosec > 1 and cosec < –1.
(iii) sec > 1 and sec < –1.
(iv) tan can assume any value.
14. Trends of Trigonometric Ratios in Various Quadrant
I. First Quadrant (As  increases from 0° to 90°)
sine : increases from 0 to 1
cosine : decreases from 1 to 0
tangent : increases from  to 
cotangent : decreases from  to 0
secant : increases from 1 to 
cosecant : decreases from  to 1
II. Second Quadrant (As  increases from 90° to 180°)
sine : decreases from 1 to 0
cosine : decreases from 0 to – 1
tangent : increases from –  to 0
230 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae
cotangent : decreases from 0 to – 
secant : increases from –  to – 1
cosecant : increases from 1 to 
III. Third Quadrant (As  increases from 180° to 270°)
sine : decreases from 0 to – 1
cosine : increases from –1 to 0
tangent : increases from 0 to 
cotangent : decreases form  to 0
secant : decreases from – 1 to – 
cosecant : increases from –  to –1
IV. Fourth Quadrant (As  increases from 270° to 360°)
sine : increases from – 1 to 0
cosine : increases from 0 to 1
tangent : increases from –  to 0
cotangent : decreases form 0 to – 
secant : decreases from  to 1
cosecant : increases from –1 to – 
15. Trigonometric Ratios of Negative, Complementary and
Supplementary Angles
The following results are useful for finding the values of
trigonometric ratios in various quadrants.
(i) sin(–) = –sin, tan(–) = –tan, sec(–) = sec
cos(–) =cos, cot(–) = –cot ,
cosec(–) = –cosec 
(ii) (90° – ) lies in Ist Quadrant. Here, all the t-ratios are
positive. Therefore,
sin (90° –) = cos, tan(90° – ) = cot,
sec (90° – ) = cosec
cos (90° – ) = sin, cot (90° – ) = tan,
cosec (90° – ) = sec
(iii) (90° + ) lies in IInd Quadrant. Here, sin and cosec are
positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (90° + ) = cos, tan(90° + ) = –cot,
sec(90° +) = –cosec 
cos (90° + ) = –sin, cot (90° + ) = – tan,
cosec(90° + ) = sec 
(iv) (270° – ) lies in IIIrd Quadrant. Here, tan and cot are positive
and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (270° – ) = –cos, tan (270° – ) = cot,
sec (270° – ) = –cosec
cos (270° – ) = –sin, cot (270° – ) = tan,
cosec (270° – ) = –sec
(v) (270° + ) lies in IVth Quadrant. Here, cos and sec are
positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
Trigonometric Ratios and Identities 231
sin (270° + ) = –cos, tan (270° + ) = –cot,
sec (270° + ) = cosec
cos (270° + ) = sin, cot (270° + ) = –tan,
cosec (270° + ) = –sec
(vi) (180° – ) lies in IInd Quadrant. Here, sin and cosec are
positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (180° – ) = sin , tan (180° – )
= –tan, sec (180° – ) = – sec
cos (180° – ) = –cos , cot (180° – ) = –cot ,
cosec (180° – ) = cosec 
(vii) (180° + ) lies in IIIrd Quadrant. Here, tan and cot are
positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (180° + )= – sin, tan (180° + )
= tan, sec (180° + ) = – sec 
cos (180° + ) = – cos , cot(180° + )
= cot , cosec (180° + ) = – cosec 
(viii) (360° – ) lies in IVth Quadrant. Here, cos and sec are
positive and rest are negative. Therefore,
sin (360° – ) = – sin, tan(360° – ) = – tan ,
sec (360° – ) = sec 
cos(360° – ) = cos , cot(360° – ) = –cot,
cosec(360° – ) = – cosec 
Note:
It may be noted that final position of revolving line for
the angle (360° – ) occupy the same position as for
same angle (–). Therefore, t-ratios of (360° – ) have the
value as of (–).
(ix) (360° + ) lies in Ist Quadrant. Here, all the t-ratios are
positive. Therefore,
sin (360° + ) = sin , tan (360° + ) = tan ,
sec (360° + ) = sec 
cos (360° + ) = cos, cot (360° + ) = cot,
cosec (360° + ) = cosec 
16. Sum and Difference Formulae For Trigonometric Ratios
(i) sin (A + B) = sinA cosB + cosA sinB
(ii) sin (A – B) = sinA cosB – cosA sinB
(iii) cos (A + B) = cosA cosB – sinA sinB
(iv) cos (A – B) = cosA cosB + sinA sinB
(v) sin (A + B) + sin (A – B) = 2 sinA cosB
(vi) sin (A + B) – sin (A – B) = 2 cosA sinB
(vii) cos (A + B) + cos (A – B) = 2 cosA cosB
(viii) cos (A – B) – cos (A + B) = 2 sinA sinB
(ix) sin2A – sin2B = sin (A + B) sin (A – B)
(x) cos2A – sin2B = cos (A + B) cos (A – B)
232 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae
17. Some More Formulae

 A  B  A  B
(i) sinA + sinB = 2 sin   cos  
2  2 

 A  B  A  B
(ii) sinA – sinB = 2 cos   sin  
2  2 

 A  B  A  B
(iii) cosA + cosB = 2 cos   cos  
2  2 

 A  B  A  B
(iv) cosA – cosB = –2 sin   sin  
2  2 

18. Tangent Formulae

tan A  tan B
(i) tan (A + B) =
1  tan.tan B
tan A  tan B
(ii) tan (A – B) =
1  tan A tan B

19. Trigonometric Ratios of Multiple Angles

(i) sin2A = 2 sinA cosA
(ii) cos2A = cos2A – sin2A = 2 cos2A – 1 = 1 – 2 sin2A
(iii) 1 + cos2A = 2 cos2A and 1 – cos2A = 2 sin2A
(iv) sin3A = 3 sinA – 4 sin3A
(v) cos3A = 4 cos3A – 3 cosA
2 tan A
(vi) tan2A =
1  tan2 A

 3 tan A  tan3 A 
(vii) tan3A = 
 1  3 tan2 A 

1  tan2 A
(viii) cos2A =
1  tan2 A
2 tan A
(ix) sin2A =
1  tan2 A

20. Trigonometric Ratios of Sub-multiple Angles

A A
(i) sinA = 2 sin cos
2 2
A A A A
(ii) cosA = cos2 – sin2 = 2 cos2 – 1 = 1 – 2sin2
2 2 2 2
Trigonometric Ratios and Identities 233

A
2tan
2
(iii) tanA =
2 A
1  tan
2
A A
(iv) 1 – cosA = 2 sin2 and 1 + cosA = 2cos2
2 2

A
2tan
2
(v) sinA =
2 A
1  tan
2
2 A
1  tan
2
(vi) cosA =
2 A
1  tan
2

21. Trigonometric Ratios of Some Special Angles

3 1
(i) sin15° = = cos75°
2 2
3 1
(ii) cos15° = = sin75°
2 2

5 1
(iii) sin18° = = cos72°
4
10  2 5
(iv) cos18° = = sin72°
4
10  2 5
(v) sin36° = = cos54°
4
5 1
(vi) cos36° = = sin54°
4

1 2 2
(vii) sin 22 =
2 2

1 2 2
(viii) cos 22 =
2 2
22. Trigonometric Equations
(i) sin = 0   = n

(ii) cos = 0   = (2n+ 1)
2
(iii) tan = 0   = n
234 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae
23. Periodicity
A function f(x) has periodicity p, if f(x + p) = f(x).
sin x has periodicity 2, since sin (x + 2) = sin x
cos x has periodicity 2, since cos (x + 2) = cos x
24. Important Points to Remember
(i) The values of the trigonometric ratios of an angle do not
vary with the length of the sides of the triangle, if angle
remains the same.
(ii) Maximum value of m sin  n cos = m2  n2
For example, maximum value of
3 sin + 4 cos = 32  42 = 16  9 = 25 = 5
(iii) Maximum value of m sin n sin = m2  n2
(iv) Maximum value of m cos n cos = m2  n2
(v) Minimum value of m sin  n cos = – m 2  n 2
For example, minimum value of
sin – cos = 12  12 =  2
(vi) (a) sin1°.sin2°.sin3°.sin4°..............sin180° = 0
(b) sin1° . sin2° . sin3°.sin4°.............. to
(greater than sin180°) = 0
(vii) (a) cos1°.cos2°.............cos90° = 0
(b) cos1°.cos2°.............to (greater than cos90°) = 0
(viii) (a) tan1°.tan2°.............tan89° = 1
(b) cot1°.cot2°..............cot89° = 1
x2  1
(ix) If sec tan = x, then sec =
2x
(x) If sin + cos = x, then sin – cos = 2  x2
n n
(xi) If sin + cosec = x, then sin  + cosec  = x
(xii) If tan + cot = x, then tann + cotn = x
(xiii) It should be noted that sin2 = (sin)2, sin3 = (sin)3, cos3
= (cos)3, etc.