Trigonometry for Specific Angles

In this section we will discuss about trigonometry for specific angles.

We have already learned that trigonometry is the study of relationships between the sides and angles of a triangle. The ratios of the sides in a right triangle with respect to some acute angles are called trigonometry for specific-angles. The angles 00, 300, 450, 600 and 900 are useful angles in trigonometry, and their numerical values are easy to remember.These are trigonometry for specific angles.
When two angles add up to 900, then any one angle is the complement of the other. Trigonometric ratios of complementary angles help in simplifying problems.
Trigonometric Ratios of 00

sin 00 = 0
cos 00 = 1
tan 00 = 0
csc 00 = Not defined
sec 00 = 1
cot 00 = undefined
Trigonometric Ratios of 300

sin 300 = 1 / 2
cos 300 = √3 / 2
tan 300 = 1 / √3
csc 300 = 2
sec 300 = 2 / √3
cot 300 = √3
Trigonometric Ratios of 450

sin 450 = 1 / √2
cos 450 = 1 / √2
tan 450 = 1
csc 450 = √2
sec 450 = √2
cot 450 = 1
Trigonometric Ratios of 600

sin 600 = √3 / 2
cos 600 = 1 / 2
tan 600 = √3
csc 600 = 2 / √3
sec 600 = 2
cot 600 = 1 / √3

Some Solved Examples on trigonometry for specific angles:
1) Evaluate : ( sin2 450 + cos2 450) / tan2 600
Solution :
( sin2 450 + cos2 450) / tan2 600
= 1 / tan2 600 [ since sin2θ + cos2θ = 1 ]
= 1/ (√3)2
= 1 / 3
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2) 2 sin2300tan 600 - 3 cos2600sec20
Solution :
2 sin2300 - 3 cos2600sec20
= 2 ( 1/ 2)2 x √3 – 3 ( ½)2 x (2 / √3)2
= 2 x 1 / 4 x √ 3 – 3 x ¼ x 4 / 3
= √3 / 2 – 1
= ( √3 – 2 ) / 2
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3) Solve tan 5A = 1 for 00 < A < 900
Solution :
tan 5A =1
5A = 45
A = 45/5
A = 90
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4) Find the acute angles A and B, if sin(A + 2B) = √3 / 2 and
cos (A + 4B ) = 0, A>B.

Solution :
sin(A + 2B) = √3 / 2
sin(A + 2B) = sin 600
A + 2B = 60 ------> (1)
cos (A + 4B ) = 0
cos (A + 4B ) = cos 900
A + 4B = 90 -----------> (2)
Subtract equation (1) from (2) we get
2B = 30
B = 15
Equation (1)
A + 2(15) = 60
A + 30 = 60
A = 60 – 30
A = 30

Trigonometry

SOHCAHTOA -Introduction to Trigonometry
Trigonometric ratios and their Relation
Trigonometry for specific angles
Complementary angles in Trigonometry
Trigonometric Equations

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