How to Solve Trig Ratios of General Angles? (+FREE Worksheet!)

How to Solve Trig Ratios of General Angles? (+FREE Worksheet!)

Trig Ratios of General Angles – Example 1:

Find the trigonometric function: \(cos\) \(120^\circ\)

Tutor-style math help

Solve Trig Ratios of General Angles: what to notice and how to work it

Trigonometry skill
Trigonometry connects an angle to a triangle ratio, a unit-circle coordinate, or a repeating graph. Choosing the right picture makes the problem much easier.

What to notice first

Decide whether the problem is triangle-based, circle-based, or graph-based. Then use the matching definition.

Common student mistake

Do not mix degrees and radians. The angle unit must match the formula, graph scale, or calculator setting.

Key formulas and cues

\(\sin\theta=\frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\)
\(\cos\theta=\frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\)
\(\tan\theta=\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}\)
\(\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta=1\)
(cos theta, sin theta)

A reliable path

  1. Choose the modelUse a right triangle, the unit circle, or a transformed graph.
  2. Track unitsConvert degrees and radians when needed.
  3. Use identitiesReplace complicated trig expressions with equivalent simpler ones.

Worked examples

Right-triangle sine

Example: opposite = 5, hypotenuse = 13
  1. Sine is opposite over hypotenuse.
  2. Substitute 5 and 13.
  3. Leave the ratio simplified.
Answer: \(\sin\theta=\frac5{13}\)

Unit-circle cosine

Example: \(\cos(0)\)
  1. At angle 0, the point is (1, 0).
  2. Cosine is the x-coordinate.
  3. Read the x-value.
Answer: \(1\)
Try one before moving on
Try: In a right triangle, tangent equals which ratio?
Answer: Opposite over adjacent.
Next step: do the matching worksheet or quiz while the method is still fresh, then come back and explain the first step in your own words.

Solution:

\(cos\) \(120^{\circ}\)
Use the following property: \(cos\)\((x)=\) \(sin\)\((90^{\circ}-x)\)
\(cos\) \(120^{\circ} =\) \(sin\) \(( 90^{\circ} -120^{\circ})=\) \(sin ( -30^{\circ}) \)

Now use the following property: \(sin (-x)\)\(=- sin (x)\)

Then: \(sin ( -30^{\circ})=-sin (30^{\circ}\))\(=-\frac{1}{2 }\)

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Trig Ratios of General Angles – Example 2:

Find the trigonometric function: \(sin\) \(135^\circ\)

Solution:

Use the following property: \(sin\)\((x)=\) \(cos\)\((90^\circ-x)\)
\(sin\) \(135^\circ=\) \(cos\)\((90^\circ-135^\circ)=\) \(cos\)\((-45^\circ)\)
Now use the following property: \(cos\)\((-x)=cos x\)
Then: \(cos\)\((-45^\circ)=\) \(cos\)\((45^\circ)=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2 }\)

Trig Ratios of General Angles – Example 3:

Find the trigonometric function: \(sin\) \(-120^\circ\)

Solution:

Use the following property: \(sin\)\((-x)=-\) \(sin\)\((x)\)
\(sin\)\(-120^\circ=-\) \(sin\) \(120^\circ\), \(sin\)⁡\(120^\circ=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\)

Then: \(sin\)\(-120^\circ=-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\)

Trig Ratios of General Angles – Example 4:

Find the trigonometric function: \(cos\) \(150^\circ\)

Solution:

\(cos\) \(150^{\circ}\)
Use the following property: \(cos\)\((x)=\) \(sin\)\((90^{\circ}-x)\)
\(cos\) \(150^{\circ} =\) \(sin\) \(( 90^{\circ} -150^{\circ})=\) \(sin ( -60^{\circ}) \)

Now use the following property: \(sin (-x)\)\(=- sin (x)\)

Then: \(sin ( -60^{\circ})=-sin (60^{\circ}\))\(= -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\)

Exercises

Use a calculator to find each. Round your answers to the nearest ten–thousandth.

  • \(\color{blue}{sin \ – 120^\circ}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{sin \ 150^\circ}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{cos \ 315^\circ}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{cos \ 180^\circ}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{sin \ 120^\circ}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{sin \ – 330^\circ }\)

Download Trig Ratios of General Angles Worksheet

  • \(\color{blue}{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{\frac{1}{2}}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{-1}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}\)
  • \(\color{blue}{\frac{1}{2}}\)

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