Learning Module for Pre-Calculus

LESSON Circular Functions and Reference Angles

EXPECTATIONS

1. Illustrates the different circular functions.

2. Uses reference angles to find exact values of circular functions.

Specifically, this module will help you to:

❖ Enumerate the six circular functions and apply the properties of unit circle
to find their exact values.
❖ Use reference angle to find exact values of circular functions.

PRETEST

Multiple choice. Write the number of the correct choice on the line provided.

_____ 1. What is the reference angle of 120°

a. 30° b. 45° c. 60° d. 90°
_____ 2. Evaluate sin0°

a. -1 b. -1/2 c. 0 d. 1
_____ 3. Evaluate cos180°

a. -1 b. -1/2 c. 0 d. 1

_____ 4. Evaluate sec

a. -1 b. -1/2 c. 0 d. 1
2𝛱
_____ 5. Evaluate sin
3

√3 √2 1
a. b. c. d. 1
2 2 2

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LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Trigonometry comes from the

Greek word “tri” and “metri” which
means triangle and measurement.
Simply it is the study of relationships in
mathematics involving lengths, heights
and angles of different triangles. This
branch of Mathematics emerged during
the 3rd century BC. It has wide
application to different fields like
astronomical studies, architecture,
Image: https://byjus.com/physics/projectile-motion/

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 Learning Module for Pre-Calculus
engineering, and even in crime scene
investigations.
In physics, like in projectile motion, trigonometry is used to find the components
of vectors, model the mechanics of waves both physical and electromagnetic and
oscillations, sum the strength of fields, and use dot and cross products. In this lesson,
we will study about circular functions where in the measurement among the sides of
triangles is applied combining the concept of the unit circle.

DISCUSSION
Circular functions are defined having domains that are sets of numbers that
correspond to the measures in radian units of the angles of similar trigonometric
functions. While, the ranges, is the same as of trigonometric functions, which is the set
of real numbers. These functions are called circular functions because radian measures
of angles are determined by the lengths of arcs of circles. To be precise, trigonometric
functions defined using the unit circle lead directly to these circular functions. These
circular functions are periodic, meaning they repeat over and over again after a
specified period.
Let’s recall your lesson in Junior High School Math about the six trigonometric
ratios given an angle  in a right triangle.

adj hyp
cos  = sec  =
hyp adj

opp hyp
sin  = csc  =
hyp opp

opp adj
tan  = cot  =
adj opp

Placing the right triangle in the coordinate system, taking note that the given
angle  is in standard position and the hypotenuse of the tringle is always equal to 1
representing the radius of the unit circle.

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x adj r hyp
cos  = = sec  = =
r hyp x adj

y opp r hyp
sin  = = csc  = =
r hyp y opp

y opp x adj
tan  = = cot  = =
x adj y opp

Now we have the six circular functions derived using the trigonometric ratios.
Since in a unit circle the radius is equal to 1 we can write,
1
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑥 sec𝜃=
𝑥
1
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑦 csc𝜃=
𝑦

𝑥 𝑦
tan𝜃= cot𝜃=
𝑦 𝑥

We have to note that the denominators should not be equal to zero. From these
circular functions we can derive the reciprocal identities
1 1 1
sec𝜃= csc𝜃= cot𝜃=
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃

Since 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑥 and 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑦 we can also write

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
tan𝜃= cot𝜃=
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

The equation of unit circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 , since 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑥 and 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑦 we can derive the
following Pythagorean identity

𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = 1

The Correspondence of Function P (  ) = ( x, y) on the Unit Circle

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The correspondence of function P on the unit circle is defined as:

P (  ) = ( x, y)

Where the domain  is any angle in standard position which is the length of the arc
from (1,0) a point on the unit circle in the initial side of  to P(x,y), the terminal point of
the arc  and the range is an ordered pair which is the terminal point of  , that lies on
the unit circle.

The sine function (sin  ) is the function which associates each arclength  with the y-
value of the corresponding point on the unit circle.

The cosine function (cos  ) is the function which associates each arclength  with the
x-value of the corresponding point on the unit circle.

Where the domain of the function is the set of real numbers and the range is -1 to 1.

cos  = x, the abscissa of P(  )

sin  = y, the ordinate of P(  )

Illustration: P (  ) = ( x, y) → P (90˚) = ( 0, 1) → P (  ) = ( cos  , sin  ) = (0,1)

So, cos 90 ˚= 0 and sin90˚= 1

Quadrantal Angles

Quadrantal angle is an angle that has its terminal side on one of the coordinate
axes. The angles 90˚, 180 ˚, 270 ˚ and 0 ˚ or 360 ˚ are quadrantal angles.
Illustrating the correspondence on the unit circle
P (  ) = ( x, y) B (0,1)

We have to remember the if the given arclength is

greater than 2Π, the sine and cosine of  are equivalent
to the sine and cosine of the remainder after subtracting
from  all the multiples of 2Π, that is C (-1,0) A (1,0)

sin (  +2kΠ) = sin 

cos (  +2kΠ) = cos 
D (0,-1)
The following table shows the cosine and sine values at a given  .

 in Degrees  in Radian cos  sin 

0 0 1 0
90 𝜋 0 1
2
180 𝜋 -1 0
270 3𝜋 0 -1
2
360 2𝜋 1 0

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EXAMPLE:
1. Give the values of sin  and cos  for the following points.
19𝜋 34𝜋
a. P(20 𝜋) b. P(- ) c. P( )
2 2
Solution:
a. P(20 𝜋) = (cos20 𝜋, sin20 𝜋)= (cos (0+10(2 𝜋), sin (0+10(2 𝜋)) = (cos0, sin0)= (1,0)

hence, cos0=1 and sin0=0

19𝜋 19𝜋 19𝜋 16𝜋 3𝜋 16𝜋 3𝜋

b. P(− ) = (cos− , sin− )= (cos − + (− ), sin − + (− ),)
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3𝜋 3𝜋
= (cos− , sin− )= (0,1)
2 2
3𝜋 3𝜋
hence, cos− = 0 and sin− = 1
2 2

33𝜋 33𝜋 33𝜋 32𝜋 𝜋 32𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋

c. P( ) = (cos , sin ) = (cos + , sin + ) =(cos 8(2 𝜋)+ , sin 8(2 𝜋)+ )
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

𝜋 𝜋
= (cos ,sin )= (0,1)
2 2

𝜋 𝜋
hence, cos = 0 and sin = 1
2 2

2. Evaluate the following

7𝜋 9𝜋
a. cos b. sin c. sin540˚
2 2

Solution:
7𝜋 4𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
a. cos = cos( + ) = cos(2𝜋 + )= cos =0
2 2 2 2 2

9𝜋 8𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
b. sin = sin ( + ) = sin(2(2𝜋) + )= sin = 1
2 2 2 2 2

c. sin 540˚ = sin (360 ˚+180 ˚)= sin 180 ˚= 0

The Circular Functions of Special Angles

𝜫
a. Special Angle or 30˚
𝟔

√3 1
P( , )
2 2 1
y
1
30˚
2
x 30˚

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 Learning Module for Pre-Calculus

√3
2
In a 30˚-60˚-90˚ right triangle the side opposite the 30˚ angle is half of
the hypotenuse and the side opposite the 60˚ angle is equal to the shortest side, the side
opposite the 30˚ angle multiply by √3. Since the hypotenuse is equal to 1, which is the
1
radius of the unit circle, therefore the length of the side opposite the 30˚ angle is and
2
√3 𝛱 𝛱 𝛱 √3 1
the side opposite the 60˚ angle is . So we have, P( ) = (cos , sin ) = ( , )
2 6 6 6 2 2

𝛱 √3 𝛱 2 2 √3 2√3
𝑐𝑜𝑠 = sec = = . =
6 2 6 √3 √3 √3 3

𝛱 1 𝛱 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 = csc = = 2
6 2 6 1

1 √3
𝛱 1 √3 √3 𝛱
tan = 2
√3
= . = cot = 2
1 = √3
6 √3 √3 3 6
2 2

𝜫
b. Special Angle or 60˚
𝟑

1 √3
P( , )
2 2
1
√3
y
60˚ 2
x
60˚

1
2

Since the hypotenuse is equal to 1, which is the radius of the unit circle, therefore
1
the length of the side opposite the 30˚ angle is and the side opposite the 60˚ angle is
2
√3 𝛱 𝛱 𝛱 1 √3
. So we have, P( ) = (cos , sin ) = ( , ) )
2 3 3 3 2 2
𝛱 1 𝛱 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 = sec = = 2
3 2 3 1

𝛱 √3 𝛱 2 2 √3 2√3
𝑠𝑖𝑛 = csc = = . =
3 2 3 √3 √3 √3 3

√3 1
𝛱 𝛱 1 √3 √3
tan = 2
1 = √3 cot = 2
√3
= . =
3 3 √3 √3 3
2 2

𝜫
c. Special Angle
𝟒

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 Learning Module for Pre-Calculus

√2 √2
P( , )
2 2

1 √2
y
45˚
2
x
45˚

√2
2

In a 45˚-45˚-90˚ triangle the length of the legs is equal to half of the hypotenuse
and multiply by √2. Since the hypotenuse is equal to 1, which is the radius of the unit
√2 𝛱 𝛱 𝛱 √2 √2
circle, therefore the length of the legs is so P( ) = (cos , sin ) = ( , ).
2 4 4 4 2 2

𝛱 √2 𝛱 2 2 √2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 = sec = = . =√2
4 2 4 √2 √2 √2

𝛱 √2 𝛱 2 2 √2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 = csc = = . =√2
4 2 4 √2 √2 √2

√2 √2
𝛱 𝛱
tan = 2
√2
=1 cot = 2
√2
=1
4 4
2 2

Using Reference Angle to Find Exact Values of Circular Functions

Definition of Reference Angle: Let  be a non-quadrantal angle in standard position.

The reference angle of  is the acute angle  ' that the terminal side of  makes with
the x-axis.

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In using reference angles to find the exact value of circular functions we should be
mindful of the signs, below are the signs of the six circular functions.

Examples: Find the reference angle for the following angles.

1. 𝜃 = 30° the answer is the angle itself  ' = 30°

2.  = 140  The angle  is in the II quadrant

 ' = 180˚ -  =180˚-140˚ =40˚

2.  = − 350  The angle  is in the I quadrant.

' = 360  − 350  = 10 

9
3.  = The angle  is in the III quadrant.
7
9 9 7
' = − = − =
2
7 7 7 7

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 Learning Module for Pre-Calculus

79 
4.  = The angle  is in the IV
42
quadrant.

79  5
' = 2 − =
84 
−
79 
=
42 42 42 42

5.  = − 150 
 ' =180  − 150  = 30 

Examples Use a reference angle to find the exact value of the six trigonometric
functions of the following angles.

1.  = 300  (This is the 5  angle in units of radians.)

3

The angle  = 300  is in the IV quadrant. The reference angle of the angle  = 300  is
the angle  ' = 60  . Since the angle will terminate at quadrant IV, the only function that
will have positive signs are cosine and secant.

1
cos 300  = cos 60  = sec 300  = 2
2
3 2 2 √3 2√3
sin 300  = − sin 60  = − 𝑐𝑠𝑐300° = − =− . =−
2 √3 √3 √3 3

1
tan 300  = − tan 60  = − 3 cot 300  = − =−
1 √3
. =
−√3
√3 √3 3
3

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2
2.  = (This is the 12 0  angle in units of degrees.)
3
2
The angle  = is in the II quadrant. The reference angle of the angle  = 2  is the
3 3
 2 
angle  ' = . Since the terminal side of the angle  = is in the II quadrant, then only
3 3
sine and cosecant have positive signs.

2  1 2
cos = − cos = − sec = −2
3 3 2 3

2  3 2𝜋 2 √3 2√3
sin = sin = 𝑐𝑠𝑐
3
= .
√3 √3
=
3
3 3 2

2  2𝜋 1 1 √3 −√3
tan = − tan = − 3 𝑐𝑜𝑡
3
=−
√3
=− .
√3 √3
=
3
3 3

7
 =
3. 4 (This is the 315 ˚angle in units of degrees.)

7 7 
 =  = '=
The angle 4 is in the IV quadrant. The reference angle of the angle 4 is 4
7
 =
. Since the terminal side of the angle 4 is in the IV quadrant, hence cosine and
secant have positive values, the rest of the values are negative.

7  7 2
cos = cos =
2 sec = = 2
4 4 2 4 2

7  2 7 2
sin = − sin = − csc = − = − 2
4 4 2 4 2

7  7
tan = − tan = − 1 cot = −1
4 4 4

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 Learning Module for Pre-Calculus

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1. A. Complete the following table involving all the points of intersection
between the unit circle and the x and y axis.

Quadrantal Coordinates of sin  cos  tan 

point on unit
circle

00

900

1800

2700

3600

B. Draw the coordinates P(x,y) of quadrantal angles in the unit circle. What
appears to be the maximum and minimum values for cos  and sin  ? Use words and
an inequality to express your answer.

Activity 2. Complete the following table involving the reciprocal of circular functions.
The first one is done for you.

Circular Name of Reciprocal Abbreviation Ratio

Functions Functions

Sine
Cosine Secant secθ 𝟏
𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽

Tangent

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Activity 3. Determine the exact value for each ratio. Include a diagram. The first

one is done for you.

Ratio Reference Diagram Solution

Angle
sec300 cos300˚= cos60˚= ½

60˚ sec300˚=
1 1
= 1= 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠60˚
2

1 √3
P( , − )
2 2

cot ( −225 )
5
csc
6
4
sec
3
3
cot
2

csc 

Activity 4. Draw the angles in standard position of the unit circle in the figure below write the
angles in degree and radian and the coordinates of P(x,y).

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REMEMBER

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

A. Find the reference angle for each of the following.

7 14
1. 2080 __________ 2. 4 ____________ 3. 5 ___________

5
−
4. – 2920 __________ 5. 3 ___________ 6. – 4450 _______

B. Find the exact value of each trigonometric function.

2 2 5
cos tan cos
1. 3 2. 3 3. 3

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 Learning Module for Pre-Calculus

− 5  7 7
cos  sin csc
4.  3  5. 4 6. 3

−  3 11
sec  cot tan
7.  3  8. 2 9. 6

5 2
sin cot
10. 4 11. 3 12. csc(−  )

7 − 
sec cos 
13. 6 14.  2  15. tan 4

POSTTEST
Multiple choice. Write the number of the correct choice on the line provided.
_____ 1. What is the reference angle of 120°
a. 30° b. 45° c. 60° d. 90°

_____ 2. Evaluate sin0°

a. -1 b. -1/2 c. 0 d. 1
_____ 3. Evaluate cos180°

a. -1 b. -1/2 c. 0 d. 1

_____ 4. Evaluate sec

a. -1 b. -1/2 c. 0 d. 1
2𝛱
_____ 5. Evaluate sin
3

√3 √2 1
a. b. c. d. 1
2 2 2
𝛱
_____ 6. What is P( )?
3

1 √3 1 √3 √3 1 √2 √2
a. ( , ) b. (− , ) c. ( , ) d. ( , )
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
𝛱
_____ 7. What is cos ?
3

1 1 √3 √2
a. − b. c. d.
2 2 2 2
𝛱
_____ 8. What is sin ?
3

1 1 √3 √2
a. − b. c. d.
2 2 2 2

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