Trigonometric functions

Revision sheet

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Lesson 1 · Radian measure and arc length

Radians

  • 180∘=π180^\circ = \pi rad.
  • Degrees → radians: ×π180\times \dfrac{\pi}{180}. Radians → degrees: ×180π\times \dfrac{180}{\pi}.
  • Arc length: s=rθs = r\theta, θ\theta in radians.

Watch out: never put degrees into s=rθs = r\theta.

Lesson 2 · Sine and cosine on the unit circle: special angles

The unit circle

  • The point at angle θ\theta is (cos⁡θ,sin⁡θ)(\cos\theta, \sin\theta).
  • π6\dfrac{\pi}{6}: (32,12)\left(\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, \dfrac{1}{2}\right); π4\dfrac{\pi}{4}: (22,22)\left(\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, \dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right); π3\dfrac{\pi}{3}: (12,32)\left(\dfrac{1}{2}, \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right).

Watch out: cosine is xx, sine is yy.

Lesson 3 · Reference angles and signs in each quadrant

Reference angles

  1. Find the quadrant.
  2. Reference angle: acute angle to the xx-axis (180∘−θ180^\circ - \theta, θ−180∘\theta - 180^\circ or 360∘−θ360^\circ - \theta).
  3. Value of the reference angle, with the quadrant's sign.

Watch out: cosine is negative on the left (II, III), sine below (III, IV).

Lesson 4 · The Pythagorean identity and simplifying

The Pythagorean identity

  • sin⁡2x+cos⁡2x=1\sin^2 x + \cos^2 x = 1 for every xx.
  • From one value: square, subtract from 1, take the root, choose the sign by quadrant.

Watch out: the identity needs the squares.

Lesson 5 · Sinusoidal graphs: amplitude, period, midline

Sinusoidal graphs y=Asin⁡(Bx)+Dy = A\sin(Bx) + D

  • Amplitude ∣A∣|A|, midline y=Dy = D.
  • Period 2πB\dfrac{2\pi}{B}.
  • Maximum D+∣A∣D + |A|, minimum D−∣A∣D - |A|.

Watch out: a bigger BB means a shorter period.

Lesson 6 · Phase shift and sinusoidal models

Phase shift and models

  • Asin⁡(B(x−h))+DA\sin\big(B(x - h)\big) + D: shift hh right.
  • sin⁡(Bx−C)\sin(Bx - C): shift CB\dfrac{C}{B}, after factoring out BB.
  • Model: AA = half the range, DD = middle value, B=2πperiodB = \dfrac{2\pi}{\text{period}}.

Watch out: factor out BB before reading the shift.

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