Unit Circle and Reference Angles

1 3 , 2 2 2 2 2 , 2 3 4
135

(0,1)
2 3
120

1 3 , 2 2

2
90

3
60 45

2 2 2 , 2

cosine value

3 1 2 , 2 5 6

150

Numerator is always one less than denominator times

Numerator is always

30

6
0 2

3 1 2 , 2 sine value

( 1,0)
3 1 2 , 2

7 6

180

210

225

Numerator is always one more than denominator times

240 270

2 2 , 2 2

5 4

Numerator is always one less than twice denominator times 315

300

360 330

(1,0)
3 1 2 , 2

11 6

7 4

4 3

1 3 , 2 2

3 2

5 3

2 2 , 2 2

(0,1)

1 3 , 2 2

Some hints when dealing with radians.

Value of Denominator ? 6 ? 4 ? 3

Reference Angle
30 45 60

A. Reference Angles: Example:

Draw 60 in Quadrant II. 3

1. (a) We are in the Quadrant II with a reference angle of 60 degrees. The angle in radians has a denominator of 3. Thus, the angle in Quadrant II is 120 degrees or 2/3. (b)Formulas for Reference Angles: Note: Let be the reference angle given.

Quadrant II 180 -

Quadrant I

Quadrant II -180

Quadrant II 360-

In this example, we in are in Quadrant II. Thus, the angle is 180 degrees-60 degrees = 120 degrees. Solution:

120 (2/3)

60

Note: Knowing reference angles speeds up things considerably.

Positive and Negative Quadrants

S Quadrant II (+) sine and cosecant (-) cosine secant tangent cotangent

A Quadrant I All trigonometric functions are positive

T Quadrant III (+) tangent and cotangent (-) sine cosecant cosine secant

C Quadrant IV (+) cosine and secant (-) sine cosecant tangent cotangent

All trigonometric functions are positive in Quadrant I

Sine and cosecant are positive in Quadrant II Tangent and cotangent are positive in Quadrant III Cosine and secant are positive in Quadrant IV
*Note: This information is used in conjunction with reference angles.

B. Using Reference Angles To Solve Trigonometric Equations. Example: Solve :

sin 2 =

2 . 2 2 sin -1 (sin 2 ) = sin 1 2

To solve this equation, take the inverse sine (arcsin) of both sides.

Note: 2 means you have to make two revolutions around the unit circle. n determines the number of revolutions. Steps: 1. Determine which quadrants your desired angles lie in. In this example, sine is negative in Quadrants III and IV.

2. Find corresponding angles in those quadrants. In this example, we need an angle in Quadrant III and an angle in Quadrant IV which has a sine of

of four.

2 . The reference angle is 45 degrees which means the angles have a denominator 2

First time around: --Quadrant III (angle in radians is one more than denominator)

5 4

--Quadrant IV (angle in radians is 1 less and twice denominator)

7 4

Second time around (just add 2 to the previous angles): --Quadrant III (angle in radians is one more than denominator)

5 13 + 2 = 4 4

7 15 + 2 = 4 4 5 7 13 15 , , , Solution: 4 4 4 4

--Quadrant IV (angle in radians is 1 less and twice denominator)