DEFINITIONS - Trigonometric Functions and Their Inverses - Functions - REVIEW OF MAJOR TOPICS - SAT SUBJECT TEST MATH LEVEL 2

SAT SUBJECT TEST MATH LEVEL 2

PART 2

REVIEW OF MAJOR TOPICS

CHAPTER 1
Functions


1.3 Trigonometric Functions and Their Inverses

DEFINITIONS

The general definitions of the six trigonometric functions are obtained from an angle placed in standard position on a rectangular coordinate system. When an angle is placed so that its vertex is at the origin, its initial side is along the positive x-axis, and its terminal side is anywhere on the coordinate system, it is said to be in standard position. The angle is given a positive value if it is measured in a counterclockwise direction from the initial side to the terminal side, and a negative value if it is measured in a clockwise direction.

Let P(x,y) be any point on the terminal side of the angle, and let r represent the distance between O and P. The six trigonometric functions are defined to be:

TIP

sin θ and cos θ are always between –1 and 1.

From these definitions it follows that:

The distance OP is always positive, and the x and y coordinates of P are positive or negative depending on which quadrant the terminal side of lies in. The signs of the trigonometric functions are indicated in the following table.

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All trig functions are positive in quadrant I.

Sine and only sine is positive in quadrant II.

Tangent and only tangent is positive in quadrant III.

Cosine and only cosine is positive in quadrant IV.

Just remember:
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Each angle whose terminal side lies in quadrant II, III, or IV has associated with it an angle called its reference angle , which is formed by the x-axis and the terminal side.

Any trig function of = ± the same function of . The sign is determined by the quadrant in which the terminal side lies.

EXAMPLES

1. Express sin 320° in terms of .

Since the sine is negative in quadrant IV, sin 320° = –sin 40°.

2. Express cot 200° in terms of .

Since the cotangent is positive in quadrant III, cot 200° = cot 20°.

3. Express cos 130° in terms of .

Since the cosine is negative in quadrant II, cos 130° = –cos 50°.

Sine and cosine, tangent and cotangent, and secant and cosecant are cofunction pairs. Cofunctions of complementary angles are equal. If and are complementary, then trig () = cotrig () and trig () = cotrig () .

4. If both the angles are acute and sin (3x + 20°) = cos (2x – 40°), find x.

Since these cofunctions are equal, the angles must be complementary.

Therefore,

EXERCISES

1. Express cos 320° as a function of an angle between 0° and 90°.

  (A) cos 40°

  (B) sin 40°

  (C) cos 50°

  (D) sin 50°

  (E) none of the above

2. If point P(–5,12) lies on the terminal side of in standard position, sin =

  (A)

  (B)

  (C)

  (D)

  (E)

3. If and sin , then tan =

  (A)

  (B)

  (C)

  (D)

  (E) none of the above

4. If x is an angle in quadrant III and tan (x – 30°) = cot x, find x.

  (A) 240°

  (B) 225°

  (C) 210°

  (D) 60°

  (E) none of the above

5. If 90° < < 180° and 270° < < 360°, then which of the following cannot be true?

  (A) sin = sin

  (B) tan = sin

  (C) tan = tan

  (D) sin = cos

  (E) sec = csc

6. Expressed as a function of an acute angle, cos 310° + cos 190° =

  (A) –cos 40°

  (B) cos 70°

  (C) –cos 50°

  (D) sin 20°

  (E) –cos 70°