Trigonometric Functions

Trigonometric Functions - Formulas & Identities

IB Mathematics Analysis & Approaches (SL & HL)

📐 Basic Trigonometric Ratios

In a Right-Angled Triangle:

\[\sin\theta = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\]

\[\cos\theta = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\]

\[\tan\theta = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\]

Fundamental Relationship:

\[\tan\theta = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}\]

Given in formula booklet

⭕ Unit Circle Definition

On the Unit Circle:

For angle \(\theta\) measured from the positive x-axis:

\[\cos\theta = x\text{-coordinate}\]

\[\sin\theta = y\text{-coordinate}\]

Key Properties:

• Point on unit circle: \((\cos\theta, \sin\theta)\)
• Radius = 1
• Equation: \(x^2 + y^2 = 1\)

🔢 Pythagorean Identities

Fundamental Identity:

\[\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1\]

Given in formula booklet

Tangent Identity:

\[1 + \tan^2\theta = \sec^2\theta\]

Given in formula booklet

Cotangent Identity:

\[1 + \cot^2\theta = \csc^2\theta\]

Given in formula booklet

🔄 Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions

Secant:

\[\sec\theta = \frac{1}{\cos\theta}\]

Given in formula booklet

Cosecant:

\[\csc\theta = \frac{1}{\sin\theta}\]

Given in formula booklet

Cotangent:

\[\cot\theta = \frac{1}{\tan\theta} = \frac{\cos\theta}{\sin\theta}\]

Given in formula booklet

➕ Compound Angle Identities

Sine Addition/Subtraction:

\[\sin(A + B) = \sin A \cos B + \cos A \sin B\]

\[\sin(A - B) = \sin A \cos B - \cos A \sin B\]

Given in formula booklet

Cosine Addition/Subtraction:

\[\cos(A + B) = \cos A \cos B - \sin A \sin B\]

\[\cos(A - B) = \cos A \cos B + \sin A \sin B\]

Given in formula booklet

Tangent Addition/Subtraction:

\[\tan(A + B) = \frac{\tan A + \tan B}{1 - \tan A \tan B}\]

\[\tan(A - B) = \frac{\tan A - \tan B}{1 + \tan A \tan B}\]

Given in formula booklet

✖️ Double Angle Identities

Sine Double Angle:

\[\sin(2A) = 2\sin A \cos A\]

Given in formula booklet

Cosine Double Angle (Three Forms):

\[\cos(2A) = \cos^2 A - \sin^2 A\]

\[\cos(2A) = 2\cos^2 A - 1\]

\[\cos(2A) = 1 - 2\sin^2 A\]

All three forms given in formula booklet

Tangent Double Angle:

\[\tan(2A) = \frac{2\tan A}{1 - \tan^2 A}\]

Given in formula booklet

📐 Sine and Cosine Rules

Sine Rule:

\[\frac{a}{\sin A} = \frac{b}{\sin B} = \frac{c}{\sin C}\]

For any triangle, given in formula booklet

Cosine Rule (for finding sides):

\[c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab\cos C\]

Given in formula booklet

Cosine Rule (for finding angles):

\[\cos C = \frac{a^2 + b^2 - c^2}{2ab}\]

Rearrangement of the cosine rule

📊 Area of a Triangle

Using Two Sides and Included Angle:

\[\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2}ab\sin C\]

Given in formula booklet

Alternative Forms:

\[\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2}bc\sin A\]

\[\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2}ac\sin B\]

⭐ Special Angle Values

Common Angles (in degrees and radians):

Angle\(\sin\theta\)\(\cos\theta\)\(\tan\theta\)
\(0°, 0\)\(0\)\(1\)\(0\)
\(30°, \frac{\pi}{6}\)\(\frac{1}{2}\)\(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\)\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\)
\(45°, \frac{\pi}{4}\)\(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\)\(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\)\(1\)
\(60°, \frac{\pi}{3}\)\(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\)\(\frac{1}{2}\)\(\sqrt{3}\)
\(90°, \frac{\pi}{2}\)\(1\)\(0\)undefined

🔀 Symmetry Properties

Even Function (Cosine):

\[\cos(-\theta) = \cos\theta\]

Odd Functions:

\[\sin(-\theta) = -\sin\theta\]

\[\tan(-\theta) = -\tan\theta\]

🔄 Periodicity

Period of Functions:

Sine and Cosine: Period = \(2\pi\) or \(360°\)

Tangent: Period = \(\pi\) or \(180°\)

General Period Formula:

For \(y = \sin(bx)\) or \(y = \cos(bx)\): Period = \(\frac{2\pi}{|b|}\)
For \(y = \tan(bx)\): Period = \(\frac{\pi}{|b|}\)

💡 Exam Tip: Most trigonometric identities and formulas are given in the IB formula booklet. Memorize the basic definitions, Pythagorean identity, and how to apply compound/double angle formulas. Always sketch triangles and label them clearly. Use your GDC to verify numerical solutions. Remember: angles can be in degrees or radians - check which unit the question requires!