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!
