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Stage 2 Mathematical Methods

Trigonometric
Functions

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Circular Functions Revision

Things you already know….. (Yes, Ms……………, we do!!)

 The Trigonometric Ratios:

 Measuring Angles in Radians:

A radian is the angle that corresponds to the

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 _____________________________________

_____________________________________

So, because the circumference is _____________,

The radius will go around the circle ______ times.

This means:

 Technical notes:

 If 360° = 2 then:

Put the missing degree and radian measures on the arrows!

 Why Radians?

I. Radians are considered to be a more ‘natural’ measure of an angle as they are based on an
actual part of the circle, not an arbitrary unit like degrees.
II. Graphing trigonometric functions in degrees means the x axis stretches out a long way in
proportion to the y axis (try this on your calculator!!)
III. The derivative formulae for trigonometric functions are simpler using radians (!!!)

So……. REAL MATHEMATICIANS USE RADIANS

On calculator: Put into Radian mode!!

SHIFT SET UP  ANGLE  RAD

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  Using the ‘Unit’ Circle:

The Unit Circle is defined as a circle with _______________________________________________

tan =

And remember from Pythagoras....

Therefore….

Trigonometric Functions

As we move the point (x,y) around the unit circle, we find different values for x (cos ) and y (sin ),
remembering that the hypotenuse is the radius of the circle which is always 1

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 These can be worked out using trigonometry and Pythagoras, which I am sure you would have done
last year, but fortunately this year, you have your calculator!

Notes:
1. Denominators are always rationalized in the final answers (and your calculator does this too).
2. Negative values come about depending on which quadrant your triangle is in.
Remember this diagram?? ASTC tells you which quadrant each ratio is positive in

Example 1:
Find the value of the following using appropriate similar triangles and then check your answer on the table
above:

a)

b)

Graphing Functions
Graphs of sin and cos against can be generated from the table of values above (see Demo p22)

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Range of sin and cos : ______________________ Domain of sin and cos : ____________________

General Formula:

Example 2:
Sketch the graphs of:

a) b)

(Ex 1D)

Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

1. Make sure your calculator is in Radians mode

RUN  SHIFT  SET UP  RAD

2. In GRAPH mode, use your calculator to graph the following on the same set of axes:

Remember how to find the derivative of a function: OPT  CALC 

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 3. Now graph these on the same set of axes:

4. What do you notice about the derivatives of these functions?

5. Complete the summary:

6. If , find f’(x)

Applications of Trigonometric Calculus

The following examples will apply our previous knowledge of Calculus to Trigonometric functions.
Previous knowledge includes:

 Chain, Product and Quotient Rules (Ex 2H) Example 3

 Equations of Tangents (Ex 3A) Example 4
 Increasing/ Decreasing Functions (Ex 3B) Example 5 & 6
 Stationary Points (Ex 3C) Example 5, 6, 8 & 9
 Inflections and Shape (Ex 3D) Example 6 & 7
 Kinematics (Ex 3E) Example
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  Rates of Change (Ex 3F) Example 7,9 & 10
 Optimisation (Ex 3G) Example 7,8, 9 & 10
 The Second Derivative (Ex 2I) Example 6
 Modelling Periodic behavior Example 7, 8 & 9

Example 3 (Chain, product and quotient rules)

Find the derivative of the following functions:

a)

b)

c)

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d)

(Ex 2H)

Example 4 (Equations of Tangents)

Find the equation of the tangent to the curve

(Ex 3A)

Example 5 (Increasing/ Decreasing Functions, Stationary points)

Consider the function

a) Find the exact value of the minimum algebraically

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 b) Draw a sign diagram for f’(x) and state the intervals over which the function is increasing and
decreasing

(Ex 3B)

Example 6 (Increasing/ Decreasing Functions, Stationary points, Inflection/Shape, 2nd Derivative)

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(c) Find the exact values of x for which the function is:
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 i) increasing

ii) decreasing

iii) concave up

iv) concave down

(d) Find and classify all stationary points and points of inflection for f(x). Label them on the graph in part (a)

(Ex 2I & 3C)

Example 7 (Inflections & Shape, Rates of Change, Optimisation, Modelling Periodic Behaviour)
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 a) What was the depth of water in the river at 6am?

b) When did the river reach it’s peak and what was the depth of water at that time?

c) When was the river at its lowest and what was the depth of water at that time?

d) Determine the function that represents the rate of change of river height

e) Sketch the function you determined in d) for

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f) At what time was the height of the river falling the fastest? Sketch a geometric interpretation of this on the
graph you have drawn in e)

(Ex 3C & 3D)

Example 8 (Stationary Points, Optimisation, Modelling Periodic Behaviour)

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 (Ex 3G)

Example 9 (Stationary Points, Rates of Change, Optimisation, Modelling Periodic Behaviour)

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A motion detector is used to measure the horizontal distance between a person and a child on a swing. This

distance is modelled by the function, . We will be considering the first cycle of

this function, which is graphed below.

a) How far away from the motion detector is the child when recording begins?

b) What is the child’s closest distance to the motion detector and when does the child first reach this
distance?

c) During what time intervals is the child moving away from the motion detector?

d) Determine the time(s) and speed(s) at which the child was moving the fastest. Sketch a geometric
interpretation of this on the graph above

(Ex 3F & 3G)

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Example 10 (Rates of Change, Optimisation)

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Relevant Textbook Questions:
Exercise Topic Questions
1D Trigonometric Functions All
2H Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions All
2I Second Derivatives Q7, 11, 12
Review 2A Mixed Q14, 16
Review 2B Mixed Q10, 13, 16
3A Equations of Tangents Q11, 12, 13
3B Increasing and Decreasing Functions Q7h, i
3C Stationary Points Q7, 12
3D.1 Inflections and Shape Q12
3E Kinematics Q8, 9
3F Rates of Change Q 10, 11
3G Optimisation Q6, 8, 9, 13
Review 3A Mixed Q7, 10, 15
Review 3B Mixed Q1c, 4ab, 10, 11, 15

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