Trigonometry: Evaluating Angles

Related Pages
Lessons On Trigonometry
Trigonometric Ratios of Special Angles
Inverse trigonometry
Trigonometry Worksheets

Special Angles

We will first look into the trigonometric functions of the angles 30°, 45° and 60°.

Let us consider 30° and 60°.

These two angles form a 30°-60°-90° right triangle as shown.

The ratio of the sides of the triangle is
1 : √3 : 2

From the triangle we get the ratios as follows:

Next, we consider the 45˚ angle that forms a 45°-45°-90° right triangle as shown. The ratio of the sides of the triangle is

Combining the two tables we get:

Example:
Evaluate the following without using a calculator:
a) 2 sin 30˚ + 3 cos 60˚ – 3 tan 45˚
b) 3(cos 30˚)² + 2 (sin 30˚ )²

Solution:
a) 2 sin 30˚ + 3 cos 60˚ – 3 tan 45˚

b) 3(cos 30˚)² + 2 (sin 30˚)²

How to find the trig ratios of the special angles?

Using a 45-45-90 triangle and a 30-60-90 triangle find sine, cosine and tangent values of 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees

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Find exact values of expressions involving sine, cosine and tangent values of 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees

Example:
Determine the exact values of each of the following:
a) sin30°tan45° + tan30°sin60°
b) cos30°sin45° + sin30°tan30°

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How To Use A Calculator To Find Trig Ratios And Angles?

We could make use of a scientific calculator to obtain the trigonometric value of an angle. (Your calculator may work in a slightly different way. Please check your manual.)

Example:
Find the value of cos 6.35˚.

Solution:
Press

<cos 6.35˚ = 0.9939 (correct to 4 decimal places)

Example:
Find the value of sin 40˚ 32’.

Solution:

sin 40˚ 32’ = 0.6499 (correct to 4 decimal places)

Example:
Find the value of x for the following triangle. (Give your answer correct to 4 decimal places)

Solution:

x = 6.21 × sin 31.3˚ = 3.2262

Finding trig ratios and angles using your calculator

Examples:

1. Use a calculator to find the function value. Use the correct number of significant digits.
   a) cos 369.18°
   b) tan 426,62°
   c) sin 46.6°
   d) cot 17.9°

2. Determine θ in degrees. Use the correct number of significant digits.
   a) sin θ = 0.42
   b) cos θ = 0.29
   c) tan θ = 0.91

3. Determine θ in decimal degrees, 0° ≤ θ ≤ 90°. Use the correct number of significant digits.
   a) csc θ = 3.6
   b) cot θ = 2.1
   c) csc θ = 1.63
   d) sec θ = 7.25

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Determining Trigonometric Function Values on the Calculator

Using the TI 84 to find function values for sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent.

Examples:

1. sin 30°
2. cos 45°
3. tan(-264°)
4. sec(102.5°)
5. csc(432°)
6. cot(-23.45°)

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Inverse Trigonometric Functions

We can use inverse trigonometric functions to find an angle with a given trigonometric value. We can also inverse trigonometric functions to solve a right triangle.

Examples:

1. Use the calculator to find an angle θ in the interval [0, 90] that satisfies the equation.
   a) sin θ = 0.7523
   b) tan θ = 3.54

2. Solve the given right triangle if a = 44.3 cm and b = 55.9 cm

3. Find each angle in a 3, 4, 5 right triangle.

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Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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