Precalculus 2e — Original English

The Other Trigonometric Functions

A wheelchair ramp that meets the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act must make an angle with the ground whose tangent is 1 12 or less, regardless of its length. A tangent represents a ratio, so this means that for every 1 inch of rise, the ramp must have 12 inches of run. Trigonometric functions allow us to specify the shapes and proportions of objects independent of exact dimensions. We have already defined the sine and cosine functions of an angle. Though sine and cosine are the trigonometric functions most often used, there are four others. Together they make up the set of six trigonometric functions. In this section, we will investigate the remaining functions.

Finding Exact Values of the Trigonometric Functions Secant, Cosecant, Tangent, and Cotangent

To define the remaining functions, we will once again draw a unit circle with a point ( x,y ) corresponding to an angle of t, as shown in Figure 1. As with the sine and cosine, we can use the ( x,y ) coordinates to find the other functions.

Graph of circle with angle of t inscribed. Point of (x, y) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle.
Figure 1

The first function we will define is the tangent. The tangent of an angle is the ratio of the y-value to the x-value of the corresponding point on the unit circle. In Figure 1, the tangent of angle t is equal to y x ,x≠0. Because the y-value is equal to the sine of t, and the x-value is equal to the cosine of t, the tangent of angle t can also be defined as sint cost ,cost0. The tangent function is abbreviated as tan. The remaining three functions can all be expressed as reciprocals of functions we have already defined.

  • The secant function is the reciprocal of the cosine function. In Figure 1, the secant of angle t is equal to 1 cost = 1 x ,x0. The secant function is abbreviated as sec.
  • The cotangent function is the reciprocal of the tangent function. In Figure 1, the cotangent of angle t is equal to cost sint = x y ,y0. The cotangent function is abbreviated as cot.
  • The cosecant function is the reciprocal of the sine function. In Figure 1, the cosecant of angle t is equal to 1 sint = 1 y ,y0. The cosecant function is abbreviated as csc.
Example 1

Finding Trigonometric Functions from a Point on the Unit Circle

The point ( 3 2 , 1 2 ) is on the unit circle, as shown in Figure 2. Find sint,cost,tant,sect,csct, and cott.

Graph of circle with angle of t inscribed. Point of (negative square root of 3 over 2, 1/2) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle.
Figure 2
Solution

Because we know the (x,y) coordinates of the point on the unit circle indicated by angle t, we can use those coordinates to find the six functions:

sint=y= 1 2 cost=x= 3 2 tant= y x = 1 2 3 2 = 1 2 ( 2 3 )= 1 3 = 3 3 sect= 1 x = 1 3 2 = 2 3 = 2 3 3 csct= 1 y = 1 1 2 =2 cott= x y = 3 2 1 2 = 3 2 ( 2 1 )= 3
Example 2

Finding the Trigonometric Functions of an Angle

Find sint,cost,tant,sect,csct, and cott when t= π 6 .

Solution

We have previously used the properties of equilateral triangles to demonstrate that sin π 6 = 1 2 and cos π 6 = 3 2 . We can use these values and the definitions of tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent as functions of sine and cosine to find the remaining function values.

tan π 6 = sin π 6 cos π 6 = 1 2 3 2 = 1 3 = 3 3
sec π 6 = 1 cos π 6 = 1 3 2 = 2 3 = 2 3 3
csc π 6 = 1 sin π 6 = 1 1 2 =2
cot π 6 = cos π 6 sin π 6 = 3 2 1 2 = 3

Because we know the sine and cosine values for the common first-quadrant angles, we can find the other function values for those angles as well by setting x equal to the cosine and y equal to the sine and then using the definitions of tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent. The results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 ..
Angle 0 π 6 , or 30° π 4 , or 45° π 3 , or 60° π 2 , or 90°
Cosine 1 3 2 2 2 1 2 0
Sine 0 1 2 2 2 3 2 1
Tangent 0 3 3 1 3 Undefined
Secant 1 2 3 3 2 2 Undefined
Cosecant Undefined 2 2 2 3 3 1
Cotangent Undefined 3 1 3 3 0

Using Reference Angles to Evaluate Tangent, Secant, Cosecant, and Cotangent

We can evaluate trigonometric functions of angles outside the first quadrant using reference angles as we have already done with the sine and cosine functions. The procedure is the same: Find the reference angle formed by the terminal side of the given angle with the horizontal axis. The trigonometric function values for the original angle will be the same as those for the reference angle, except for the positive or negative sign, which is determined by x- and y-values in the original quadrant. Figure 4 shows which functions are positive in which quadrant.

To help us remember which of the six trigonometric functions are positive in each quadrant, we can use the mnemonic phrase “A Smart Trig Class.” Each of the four words in the phrase corresponds to one of the four quadrants, starting with quadrant I and rotating counterclockwise. In quadrant I, which is “A,” all of the six trigonometric functions are positive. In quadrant II, “Smart,” only sine and its reciprocal function, cosecant, are positive. In quadrant III, “Trig,” only tangent and its reciprocal function, cotangent, are positive. Finally, in quadrant IV, “Class,” only cosine and its reciprocal function, secant, are positive.

Graph of circle with each quadrant labeled. Under quadrant 1, labels fro sin t, cos t, tan t, sec t, csc t, and cot t. Under quadrant 2, labels for sin t and csc t. Under quadrant 3, labels for tan t and cot t. Under quadrant 4, labels for cos t, sec t.
Figure 4
Example 3

Using Reference Angles to Find Trigonometric Functions

Use reference angles to find all six trigonometric functions of 5π 6 .

Solution

The angle between this angle’s terminal side and the x-axis is π 6 , so that is the reference angle. Since 5π 6 is in the third quadrant, where both x and y are negative, cosine, sine, secant, and cosecant will be negative, while tangent and cotangent will be positive.

cos( 5π 6 )= 3 2 ,sin( 5π 6 )= 1 2 ,tan( 5π 6 )= 3 3 sec( 5π 6 )= 2 3 3 ,csc( 5π 6 )=2,cot( 5π 6 )= 3

Using Even and Odd Trigonometric Functions

To be able to use our six trigonometric functions freely with both positive and negative angle inputs, we should examine how each function treats a negative input. As it turns out, there is an important difference among the functions in this regard.

Consider the function f(x)= x 2 , shown in Figure 5. The graph of the function is symmetrical about the y-axis. All along the curve, any two points with opposite x-values have the same function value. This matches the result of calculation: (4) 2 = (−4) 2 , (−5) 2 = (5) 2 , and so on. So f(x)= x 2 is an even function, a function such that two inputs that are opposites have the same output. That means f( x )=f( x ).

Graph of parabola with points (-2, 4) and (2, 4) labeled.
Figure 5 The function f(x)= x 2 is an even function.

Now consider the function f(x)= x 3 , shown in Figure 6. The graph is not symmetrical about the y-axis. All along the graph, any two points with opposite x-values also have opposite y-values. So f(x)= x 3 is an odd function, one such that two inputs that are opposites have outputs that are also opposites. That means f( x )=f( x ).

Graph of function with labels for points (-1, -1) and (1, 1).
Figure 6 The function f(x)= x 3 is an odd function.

We can test whether a trigonometric function is even or odd by drawing a unit circle with a positive and a negative angle, as in Figure 7. The sine of the positive angle is y. The sine of the negative angle is −y. The sine function, then, is an odd function. We can test each of the six trigonometric functions in this fashion. The results are shown in Table 2.

Graph of circle with angle of t and -t inscribed. Point of (x, y) is at intersection of terminal side of angle t and edge of circle. Point of (x, -y) is at intersection of terminal side of angle -t and edge of circle.
Figure 7
Table 2 ..
sint=y sin(t)=y sintsin(t) cost=x cos(t)=x cost=cos(t) tan(t)= y x tan(t)= y x tanttan(t)
sect= 1 x sec(t)= 1 x sect=sec(t) csct= 1 y csc(t)= 1 y csctcsc(t) cott= x y cot(t)= x y cottcot(t)
Example 4

Using Even and Odd Properties of Trigonometric Functions

If the secant of angle t is 2, what is the secant of t?

Solution

Secant is an even function. The secant of an angle is the same as the secant of its opposite. So if the secant of angle t is 2, the secant of t is also 2.

Recognizing and Using Fundamental Identities

We have explored a number of properties of trigonometric functions. Now, we can take the relationships a step further, and derive some fundamental identities. Identities are statements that are true for all values of the input on which they are defined. Usually, identities can be derived from definitions and relationships we already know. For example, the Pythagorean Identity we learned earlier was derived from the Pythagorean Theorem and the definitions of sine and cosine.

Example 5

Using Identities to Evaluate Trigonometric Functions

  1. Given sin(45°)= 2 2 ,cos(45°)= 2 2 , evaluate tan(45°).
  2. Given sin( 5π 6 )= 1 2 ,cos( 5π 6 )= 3 2 ,evaluatesec( 5π 6 ).
Solution

Because we know the sine and cosine values for these angles, we can use identities to evaluate the other functions.


tan(45°)= sin(45°) cos(45°) = 2 2 2 2 =1


sec( 5π 6 )= 1 cos( 5π 6 ) = 1 3 2 = 2 3 = 2 3 3

Example 6

Using Identities to Simplify Trigonometric Expressions

Simplify sect tant .

Solution

We can simplify this by rewriting both functions in terms of sine and cosine.

sect tant = 1 cost sint cost To divide the functions, we multiply by the reciprocal. = 1 cost cost sint Divide out the cosines. = 1 sint Simplify and use the identity. =csct

By showing that sect tant can be simplified to csct, we have, in fact, established a new identity.

sect tant =csct

Alternate Forms of the Pythagorean Identity

We can use these fundamental identities to derive alternative forms of the Pythagorean Identity, cos 2 t+ sin 2 t=1. One form is obtained by dividing both sides by cos 2 t:

cos 2 t cos 2 t + sin 2 t cos 2 t = 1 cos 2 t 1+ tan 2 t= sec 2 t

The other form is obtained by dividing both sides by sin 2 t:

cos 2 t sin 2 t + sin 2 t sin 2 t = 1 sin 2 t cot 2 t+1= csc 2 t
Example 7
Using Identities to Relate Trigonometric Functions

If cos(t)= 12 13 and t is in quadrant IV, as shown in Figure 8, find the values of the other five trigonometric functions.

Graph of circle with angle of t inscribed. Point of (12/13, y) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle.
Figure 8
Solution

We can find the sine using the Pythagorean Identity, cos 2 t+ sin 2 t=1, and the remaining functions by relating them to sine and cosine.

( 12 13 ) 2 + sin 2 t=1               sin 2 t=1 ( 12 13 ) 2               sin 2 t=1 144 169               sin 2 t= 25 169                sint=± 25 169                sint=± 25 169                sint=± 5 13

The sign of the sine depends on the y-values in the quadrant where the angle is located. Since the angle is in quadrant IV, where the y-values are negative, its sine is negative, 5 13 .

The remaining functions can be calculated using identities relating them to sine and cosine.

tant= sint cost = 5 13 12 13 = 5 12 sect= 1 cost = 1 12 13 = 13 12 csct= 1 sint = 1 5 13 = 13 5 cott= 1 tant = 1 5 12 = 12 5

As we discussed in the chapter opening, a function that repeats its values in regular intervals is known as a periodic function. The trigonometric functions are periodic. For the four trigonometric functions, sine, cosine, cosecant and secant, a revolution of one circle, or 2π, will result in the same outputs for these functions. And for tangent and cotangent, only a half a revolution will result in the same outputs.

Other functions can also be periodic. For example, the lengths of months repeat every four years. If x represents the length time, measured in years, and f(x) represents the number of days in February, then f(x+4)=f(x). This pattern repeats over and over through time. In other words, every four years (except for multiples of 100), February typically has the same number of days as it did 4 years earlier. The positive number 4 is the smallest positive number that satisfies this condition and is called the period. A period is the shortest interval over which a function completes one full cycle—in this example, the period is 4 and represents the time it takes for us to be certain February has the same number of days.

Example 8
Finding the Values of Trigonometric Functions

Find the values of the six trigonometric functions of angle t based on Figure 9.

Graph of circle with angle of t inscribed. Point of (1/2, negative square root of 3 over 2) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle.
Figure 9
Solution
sint=y= 3 2 cost=x= 1 2 tant= sint cost = 3 2 1 2 = 3 sect= 1 cost = 1 1 2 =2 csct= 1 sint = 1 3 2 = 2 3 3 cott= 1 tant = 1 3 = 3 3
Example 9
Finding the Value of Trigonometric Functions

If sin( t )= 3 2 and cos(t)= 1 2 , find sec(t),csc(t),tan(t), cot(t).

Solution
sect= 1 cost = 1 1 2 =2 csct= 1 sint = 1 3 2 2 3 3 tant= sint cost = 3 2 1 2 = 3 cott= 1 tant = 1 3 = 3 3

Evaluating Trigonometric Functions with a Calculator

We have learned how to evaluate the six trigonometric functions for the common first-quadrant angles and to use them as reference angles for angles in other quadrants. To evaluate trigonometric functions of other angles, we use a scientific or graphing calculator or computer software. If the calculator has a degree mode and a radian mode, confirm the correct mode is chosen before making a calculation.

Evaluating a tangent function with a scientific calculator as opposed to a graphing calculator or computer algebra system is like evaluating a sine or cosine: Enter the value and press the TAN key. For the reciprocal functions, there may not be any dedicated keys that say CSC, SEC, or COT. In that case, the function must be evaluated as the reciprocal of a sine, cosine, or tangent.

If we need to work with degrees and our calculator or software does not have a degree mode, we can enter the degrees multiplied by the conversion factor π 180 to convert the degrees to radians. To find the secant of 30°, we could press

(for a scientific calculator): 1 30× π 180 COS

or

(for a graphing calculator): 1 cos( 30π 180 )
Example 10

Evaluating the Cosecant Using Technology

Evaluate the cosecant of 5π 7 .

Solution

For a scientific calculator, enter information as follows:

1 / ( 5 ×π / 7 ) SIN =
csc( 5π 7 )1.279

Key Equations

..
Tangent function tant= sint cost
Secant function sect= 1 cost
Cosecant function csct= 1 sint
Cotangent function cott= 1 tant = cost sint

Key Concepts

  • The tangent of an angle is the ratio of the y-value to the x-value of the corresponding point on the unit circle.
  • The secant, cotangent, and cosecant are all reciprocals of other functions. The secant is the reciprocal of the cosine function, the cotangent is the reciprocal of the tangent function, and the cosecant is the reciprocal of the sine function.
  • The six trigonometric functions can be found from a point on the unit circle. See Example 1.
  • Trigonometric functions can also be found from an angle. See Example 2.
  • Trigonometric functions of angles outside the first quadrant can be determined using reference angles. See Example 3.
  • A function is said to be even if f(x)=f(x) and odd if f( x )=f( x ).
  • Cosine and secant are even; sine, tangent, cosecant, and cotangent are odd.
  • Even and odd properties can be used to evaluate trigonometric functions. See Example 4.
  • The Pythagorean Identity makes it possible to find a cosine from a sine or a sine from a cosine.
  • Identities can be used to evaluate trigonometric functions. See Example 5 and Example 6.
  • Fundamental identities such as the Pythagorean Identity can be manipulated algebraically to produce new identities. See Example 7.
  • The trigonometric functions repeat at regular intervals.
  • The period P of a repeating function f is the smallest interval such that f(x+P)=f(x) for any value of x.
  • The values of trigonometric functions of special angles can be found by mathematical analysis.
  • To evaluate trigonometric functions of other angles, we can use a calculator or computer software. See Example 10.

Section Exercises

Verbal

Exercise 1

On an interval of [ 0,2π ), can the sine and cosine values of a radian measure ever be equal? If so, where?

Solution

Yes, when the reference angle is π 4 and the terminal side of the angle is in quadrants I and III. Thus, at x= π 4 , 5π 4 , the sine and cosine values are equal.

Exercise 2

What would you estimate the cosine of π degrees to be? Explain your reasoning.

Exercise 3

For any angle in quadrant II, if you knew the sine of the angle, how could you determine the cosine of the angle?

Solution

Substitute the sine of the angle in for y in the Pythagorean Theorem x 2 + y 2 =1. Solve for x and take the negative solution.

Exercise 4

Describe the secant function.

Exercise 5

Tangent and cotangent have a period of π. What does this tell us about the output of these functions?

Solution

The outputs of tangent and cotangent will repeat every π units.

Algebraic

For the following exercises, find the exact value of each expression.

Exercise 6

tan π 6

Exercise 7

sec π 6

Solution

2 3 3

Exercise 8

csc π 6

Exercise 9

cot π 6

Solution

3

Exercise 10

tan π 4

Exercise 11

sec π 4

Solution

2

Exercise 12

csc π 4

Exercise 13

cot π 4

Solution

1

Exercise 14

tan π 3

Exercise 15

sec π 3

Solution

2

Exercise 16

csc π 3

Exercise 17

cot π 3

Solution

3 3

For the following exercises, use reference angles to evaluate the expression.

Exercise 18

tan 5π 6

Exercise 19

sec 7π 6

Solution

2 3 3

Exercise 20

csc 11π 6

Exercise 21

cot 13π 6

Solution

3

Exercise 22

tan 7π 4

Exercise 23

sec 3π 4

Solution

2

Exercise 24

csc 5π 4

Exercise 25

cot 11π 4

Solution

−1

Exercise 26

tan 8π 3

Exercise 27

sec 4π 3

Solution

−2

Exercise 28

csc 2π 3

Exercise 29

cot 5π 3

Solution

3 3

Exercise 30

tan225°

Exercise 31

sec300°

Solution

2

Exercise 32

csc150°

Exercise 33

cot240°

Solution

3 3

Exercise 34

tan330°

Exercise 35

sec120°

Solution

−2

Exercise 36

csc210°

Exercise 37

cot315°

Solution

−1

Exercise 38

If sint= 3 4 , and t is in quadrant II, find cost, sect, csct, tant,cott.

Exercise 39

If cost= 1 3 , and t is in quadrant III, find sint,sect,csct,tant,cott.

Solution

If sint= 2 2 3 , sect=3, csct= 3 2 4 , tant=2 2 , cott= 2 4

Exercise 40

If tant= 12 5 , and 0t< π 2 , find sint,cost,sect,csct, and cott.

Exercise 41

If sint= 3 2 and cost= 1 2 , find sect,csct,tant, and cott.

Solution

sect=2, csct= 2 3 3 , tant= 3 , cott= 3 3

Exercise 42

If sin40°0.643 and cos40°0.766 find sec40°,csc40°,tan40°, and cotand40°.

Exercise 43

If sint= 2 2 , what is the sin(t)?

Solution

2 2

Exercise 44

If cost= 1 2 , what is the cos(t)?

Exercise 45

If sect=3.1, what is the sec(t)?

Solution

3.1

Exercise 46

If csct=0.34, what is the csc(t)?

Exercise 47

If tant=1.4, what is the tan(t)?

Solution

1.4

Exercise 48

If cott=9.23, what is the cot(t)?

Graphical

For the following exercises, use the angle in the unit circle to find the value of the each of the six trigonometric functions.

Exercise 49
Graph of circle with angle of t inscribed. Point of (square root of 2 over 2, square root of 2 over 2) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle.
Solution

sint= 2 2 ,cost= 2 2 ,tant=1,cott=1,sect= 2 ,csct= 2

Exercise 50
Graph of circle with angle of t inscribed. Point of (square root of 3 over 2, 1/2) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle.
Exercise 51
Graph of circle with angle of t inscribed. Point of (-1/2, negative square root of 3 over 2) is at intersection of terminal side of angle and edge of circle.
Solution

sint= 3 2 , cost= 1 2 , tant= 3 ,cott= 3 3 , sect=2, csct= 2 3 3

Technology

For the following exercises, use a graphing calculator to evaluate.

Exercise 52

csc 5π 9

Exercise 53

cot 4π 7

Solution

–0.228

Exercise 54

sec π 10

Exercise 55

tan 5π 8

Solution

–2.414

Exercise 56

sec 3π 4

Exercise 57

csc π 4

Solution

1.414

Exercise 58

tan98°

Exercise 59

cot33°

Solution

1.540

Exercise 60

cot140°

Exercise 61

sec310°

Solution

1.556

Extensions

For the following exercises, use identities to evaluate the expression.

Exercise 62

If tan( t )2.7, and sin( t )0.94, find cos( t ).

Exercise 63

If tan( t )1.3, and cos( t )0.61, find sin( t ).

Solution

sin( t )0.79

Exercise 64

If csc( t )3.2, and cos( t )0.95, find tan( t ).

Exercise 65

If cot( t )0.58, and cos( t )0.5, find csc( t ).

Solution

csct1.16

Exercise 66

Determine whether the function f(x)=2sinxcosx is even, odd, or neither.

Exercise 67

Determine whether the function f(x)=3 sin 2 xcosx+secx is even, odd, or neither.

Solution

even

Exercise 68

Determine whether the function f(x)=sinx2 cos 2 x is even, odd, or neither.

Exercise 69

Determine whether the function f(x)= csc 2 x+secx is even, odd, or neither.

Solution

even

For the following exercises, use identities to simplify the expression.

Exercise 70

cscttant

Exercise 71

sect csct

Solution

sint cost =tant

Real-World Applications

Exercise 72

The amount of sunlight in a certain city can be modeled by the function h=15cos( 1 600 d ), where h represents the hours of sunlight, and d is the day of the year. Use the equation to find how many hours of sunlight there are on February 11, the 42nd day of the year. State the period of the function.

Exercise 73

The amount of sunlight in a certain city can be modeled by the function h=16cos( 1 500 d ), where h represents the hours of sunlight, and d is the day of the year. Use the equation to find how many hours of sunlight there are on September 24, the 267th day of the year. State the period of the function.

Solution

13.77 hours, period: 1000π

Exercise 74

The equation P=20sin( 2πt )+100 models the blood pressure, P, where t represents time in seconds. (a) Find the blood pressure after 15 seconds. (b) What are the maximum and minimum blood pressures?

Exercise 75

The height of a piston, h, in inches, can be modeled by the equation y=2cosx+6, where x represents the crank angle. Find the height of the piston when the crank angle is 30°.

Solution

7.73 inches

Exercise 76

The height of a piston, h, in inches, can be modeled by the equation y=2cosx+5, where x represents the crank angle. Find the height of the piston when the crank angle is 55°.

cosecant
the reciprocal of the sine function: on the unit circle, csct= 1 y ,y0
cotangent
the reciprocal of the tangent function: on the unit circle, cott= x y ,y0
identities
statements that are true for all values of the input on which they are defined
period
the smallest interval P of a repeating function f such that f(x+P)=f(x)
secant
the reciprocal of the cosine function: on the unit circle, sect= 1 x ,x0
tangent
the quotient of the sine and cosine: on the unit circle, tant= y x ,x0