Skip to main content

16b. Review of Trigonometry — Practice

Drill sheet for 16. Review of Trigonometry. Book-style examples above each worksheet; regenerate for new numbers. Proofs use guided choice.


1–2. Degree ↔ radian conversion​

Book 1. 54∘=3π/1054^\circ=3\pi/10; 120∘=2π/3120^\circ=2\pi/3.

Book 2. 2π/5→72∘2\pi/5\to 72^\circ; 5π/6→150∘5\pi/6\to 150^\circ; 22 rad →(360/π)∘\to(360/\pi)^\circ.

Degrees → radians

Multiply by π/180; simplify
(1)Convert to radians: (a) 54∘54^{\circ} (b) 120∘120^{\circ}.
54∘=54⋅π/180=3π/1054^{\circ}=54\cdot\pi/180=3\pi/10.
120∘=120⋅π/180=2π/3120^{\circ}=120\cdot\pi/180=2\pi/3.
(a) 3π/103\pi/10; (b) 2π/32\pi/3.
(2)Convert 15∘15^{\circ} to radians (exact multiple of π\pi when possible).
Multiply by π/180\pi/180: 15⋅π/180=112π15\cdot\pi/180=\dfrac{1}{12}\pi.
112π\dfrac{1}{12}\pi radians.
(3)Convert 150∘150^{\circ} to radians (exact multiple of π\pi when possible).
Multiply by π/180\pi/180: 150⋅π/180=56π150\cdot\pi/180=\dfrac{5}{6}\pi.
56π\dfrac{5}{6}\pi radians.

Radians → degrees

Multiply by 180/π
(1)Convert 3π2\dfrac{3\pi}{2} radians to degrees.
Multiply by 180/π180/\pi: 3⋅180/2=270∘3\cdot 180/2=270^{\circ}.
270∘270^{\circ}.
(2)Convert 5π6\dfrac{5\pi}{6} radians to degrees.
Multiply by 180/π180/\pi: 5⋅180/6=150∘5\cdot 180/6=150^{\circ}.
150∘150^{\circ}.
(3)Convert 1π4\dfrac{1\pi}{4} radians to degrees.
Multiply by 180/π180/\pi: 1⋅180/4=45∘1\cdot 180/4=45^{\circ}.
45∘45^{\circ}.

3. Arc length s=rθs=r\theta​

Book. (a) r=3r=3, θ=π/6\theta=\pi/6 ⇒ s=π/2s=\pi/2. (b) r=4r=4, s=8s=8 ⇒ θ=2\theta=2.

Arc length / central angle

s = rθ with θ in radians
(1)Arc length on radius 66 with central angle 1π1\pi radians.
s=rθ=6⋅1π=6πs=r\theta=6\cdot 1\pi=6\pi.
s=6πs=6\pi.
(2)Arc length on radius 55 with central angle 12π\dfrac{1}{2}\pi radians.
s=rθ=5⋅12π=52πs=r\theta=5\cdot \dfrac{1}{2}\pi=\dfrac{5}{2}\pi.
s=52πs=\dfrac{5}{2}\pi.

4. Equivalent angles in [0,2π)[0,2\pi)​

Book. 11π/4→3π/411\pi/4\to 3\pi/4; 405∘→45∘405^\circ\to 45^\circ; −π/3→5π/3-\pi/3\to 5\pi/3; −5π→π-5\pi\to\pi.

Reduce modulo 2π (or 360°)

Add/subtract full turns until in the principal interval
(1)Reduce −5π-5\pi to an equivalent angle in [0,2π)[0,2\pi).
−5π+6π=π-5\pi+6\pi=\pi.
π\pi.
(2)Reduce 11π4\dfrac{11\pi}{4} to an equivalent angle in [0,2π)[0,2\pi).
11π/4=2π+3π/411\pi/4=2\pi+3\pi/4.
3π/43\pi/4.
(3)Reduce 405∘405^{\circ} to an equivalent angle in [0∘,360∘)[0^{\circ},360^{\circ}).
405=360+45405=360+45.
45∘45^{\circ}.

5. Pythagorean from one ratio​

Book. Acute θ\theta with cos⁡θ=4/5\cos\theta=4/5 ⇒ sin⁡θ=3/5\sin\theta=3/5.

sin / cos from Pythagoras

Watch the quadrant when taking ±
(1)Third-quadrant θ\theta with cos⁡θ=−4/5\cos\theta=-4/5. Find sin⁡θ\sin\theta and cos⁡2θ\cos 2\theta.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5 (III).
cos⁡2θ=2cos⁡2−1=2⋅16/25−1=7/25\cos 2\theta=2\cos^{2}-1=2\cdot 16/25-1=7/25.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5; cos⁡2θ=7/25\cos 2\theta=7/25.
(2)Third-quadrant θ\theta with cos⁡θ=−4/5\cos\theta=-4/5. Find sin⁡θ\sin\theta and cos⁡2θ\cos 2\theta.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5 (III).
cos⁡2θ=2cos⁡2−1=2⋅16/25−1=7/25\cos 2\theta=2\cos^{2}-1=2\cdot 16/25-1=7/25.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5; cos⁡2θ=7/25\cos 2\theta=7/25.

6. Identities sin⁡(π−θ)\sin(\pi-\theta), cos⁡(π−θ)\cos(\pi-\theta)​

π − θ identities

Expand with addition formulas
(1)Show sin⁡(π−θ)=sin⁡θ\sin(\pi-\theta)=\sin\theta and cos⁡(π−θ)=−cos⁡θ\cos(\pi-\theta)=-\cos\theta.
sin⁡(π−θ)=sin⁡πcos⁡θ−cos⁡πsin⁡θ=sin⁡θ\sin(\pi-\theta)=\sin\pi\cos\theta-\cos\pi\sin\theta=\sin\theta.
cos⁡(π−θ)=cos⁡πcos⁡θ+sin⁡πsin⁡θ=−cos⁡θ\cos(\pi-\theta)=\cos\pi\cos\theta+\sin\pi\sin\theta=-\cos\theta.
Follows from addition formulas with sin⁡π=0\sin\pi=0, cos⁡π=−1\cos\pi=-1.
(2)Show sin⁡(π−θ)=sin⁡θ\sin(\pi-\theta)=\sin\theta and cos⁡(π−θ)=−cos⁡θ\cos(\pi-\theta)=-\cos\theta.
sin⁡(π−θ)=sin⁡πcos⁡θ−cos⁡πsin⁡θ=sin⁡θ\sin(\pi-\theta)=\sin\pi\cos\theta-\cos\pi\sin\theta=\sin\theta.
cos⁡(π−θ)=cos⁡πcos⁡θ+sin⁡πsin⁡θ=−cos⁡θ\cos(\pi-\theta)=\cos\pi\cos\theta+\sin\pi\sin\theta=-\cos\theta.
Follows from addition formulas with sin⁡π=0\sin\pi=0, cos⁡π=−1\cos\pi=-1.

7. Evaluate special angles​

Book samples. sin⁡(2π/3)=3/2\sin(2\pi/3)=\sqrt{3}/2; cos⁡(π/12)=(6+2)/4\cos(\pi/12)=(\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{2})/4; sin⁡(π/8)=2−2/2\sin(\pi/8)=\sqrt{2-\sqrt{2}}/2; …

Book slip on 7(d)

The prompt lists sin⁡420∘\sin 420^\circ (equals sin⁡60∘=3/2\sin 60^\circ=\sqrt{3}/2). Some answer keys print 390∘→sin⁡30∘=1/2390^\circ\to\sin 30^\circ=1/2 — use the angle in the question.

Evaluate sin / cos

Reduce, use π−θ, addition, or half-angle
(1)Evaluate sin⁡(π/8)\sin(\pi/8) (positive root).
sin⁡2(π/8)=(1−cos⁡(π/4))/2=(2−2)/4\sin^{2}(\pi/8)=(1-\cos(\pi/4))/2=(2-\sqrt{2})/4.
sin⁡(π/8)=2−2/2\sin(\pi/8)=\sqrt{2-\sqrt{2}}/2.
2−2/2\sqrt{2-\sqrt{2}}/2.
(2)Evaluate sin⁡(π/8)\sin(\pi/8) (positive root).
sin⁡2(π/8)=(1−cos⁡(π/4))/2=(2−2)/4\sin^{2}(\pi/8)=(1-\cos(\pi/4))/2=(2-\sqrt{2})/4.
sin⁡(π/8)=2−2/2\sin(\pi/8)=\sqrt{2-\sqrt{2}}/2.
2−2/2\sqrt{2-\sqrt{2}}/2.
(3)Evaluate cos⁡(π/12)\cos(\pi/12) using cos⁡(u−v)\cos(u-v).
π/12=π/3−π/4\pi/12=\pi/3-\pi/4.
cos⁡=12⋅22+32⋅22=(6+2)/4\cos=\tfrac12\cdot\tfrac{\sqrt{2}}{2}+\tfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\cdot\tfrac{\sqrt{2}}{2}=(\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{2})/4.
(6+2)/4(\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{2})/4.

8. Prove polar → rectangular​

Fig. 16-12 — unit point F and point A on the same ray

9–10. Polar ↔ rectangular numbers​

Book 9. (r,θ)=(3,π/6)(r,\theta)=(3,\pi/6) ⇒ (33/2, 3/2)\bigl(3\sqrt{3}/2,\,3/2\bigr).

Book 10. (1,3)(1,\sqrt{3}) ⇒ (r,θ)=(2,π/3)(r,\theta)=(2,\pi/3).

Book slip on 9

y=rsin⁡(π/6)=3⋅12=3/2y=r\sin(\pi/6)=3\cdot\tfrac12=3/2 (not sin⁡(π/2)\sin(\pi/2)).

Polar ↔ Cartesian

x=r cos θ, y=r sin θ; r=√(x²+y²)
(1)Polar coords of (1,3)(1,\sqrt{3}) (with r>0r>0, θ∈[0,2π)\theta\in[0,2\pi)).
r=1+3=2r=\sqrt{1+3}=2.
cos⁡θ=1/2\cos\theta=1/2, sin⁡θ=3/2\sin\theta=\sqrt{3}/2 ⇒ θ=π/3\theta=\pi/3.
(r,θ)=(2,π/3)(r,\theta)=(2,\pi/3).
(2)Polar coords of (1,3)(1,\sqrt{3}) (with r>0r>0, θ∈[0,2π)\theta\in[0,2\pi)).
r=1+3=2r=\sqrt{1+3}=2.
cos⁡θ=1/2\cos\theta=1/2, sin⁡θ=3/2\sin\theta=\sqrt{3}/2 ⇒ θ=π/3\theta=\pi/3.
(r,θ)=(2,π/3)(r,\theta)=(2,\pi/3).

11. Prove laws of cosines and sines​

Fig. 16-13 — area via ½ a c sin B

12. Prove cos⁡(u−v)\cos(u-v)​

Fig. 16-14 — law of cosines on the unit circle

Mixed review (core)​

Trig review — mixed set

Convert · arc · reduce · evaluate · polar
(1)Acute θ\theta with cos⁡θ=4/5\cos\theta=4/5. Find sin⁡θ\sin\theta.
sin⁡2=1−16/25=9/25\sin^{2}=1-16/25=9/25; acute ⇒ sin⁡θ=3/5\sin\theta=3/5.
sin⁡θ=3/5\sin\theta=3/5.
(2)Rectangular coords of polar (r,θ)=(3,π/6)(r,\theta)=(3,\pi/6).
x=3cos⁡(π/6)=33/2x=3\cos(\pi/6)=3\sqrt{3}/2.
y=3sin⁡(π/6)=3/2y=3\sin(\pi/6)=3/2.
(33/2, 3/2)\bigl(3\sqrt{3}/2,\,3/2\bigr).
(3)Sides a=3a=3, b=5b=5 include angle θ\theta with cos⁡θ=1/2\cos\theta=1/2. Find the opposite side cc.
c2=a2+b2−2abcos⁡θ=9+25−2⋅3⋅5⋅12c^{2}=a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab\cos\theta=9+25-2\cdot3\cdot5\cdot\tfrac12.
Simplify and take the positive square root.
c=19c=\sqrt{19}.
(4)Sides a=3a=3, b=7b=7 include angle θ\theta with cos⁡θ=1/2\cos\theta=1/2. Find the opposite side cc.
c2=a2+b2−2abcos⁡θ=9+49−2⋅3⋅7⋅12c^{2}=a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab\cos\theta=9+49-2\cdot3\cdot7\cdot\tfrac12.
Simplify and take the positive square root.
c=37c=\sqrt{37}.
(5)Arc length on radius 55 with central angle 34π\dfrac{3}{4}\pi radians.
s=rθ=5⋅34π=154πs=r\theta=5\cdot \dfrac{3}{4}\pi=\dfrac{15}{4}\pi.
s=154πs=\dfrac{15}{4}\pi.
(6)Third-quadrant θ\theta with cos⁡θ=−4/5\cos\theta=-4/5. Find sin⁡θ\sin\theta and cos⁡2θ\cos 2\theta.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5 (III).
cos⁡2θ=2cos⁡2−1=2⋅16/25−1=7/25\cos 2\theta=2\cos^{2}-1=2\cdot 16/25-1=7/25.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5; cos⁡2θ=7/25\cos 2\theta=7/25.

Bonus · Supplementary problems​

13–16. More convert / reduce / arc​

Book keys. 44 rad →(720/π)∘\to(720/\pi)^\circ; 9∘→π/209^\circ\to\pi/20; s=π/2s=\pi/2 when r=7r=7, θ=π/14\theta=\pi/14; 17π/4→π/417\pi/4\to\pi/4; etc.

Supp: convert and reduce

Problems 13–16 style
(1)(a) r=7r=7, θ=π/14\theta=\pi/14: find ss. (b) θ=30∘\theta=30^{\circ}, s=2s=2: find rr.
s=π/2s=\pi/2.
Convert 30∘=π/630^{\circ}=\pi/6; r=s/θ=2/(π/6)=12/πr=s/\theta=2/(\pi/6)=12/\pi.
(a) π/2\pi/2; (b) 12/π12/\pi.
(2)To radians: (a) 9∘9^{\circ} (b) 75∘75^{\circ} (c) (90/π)∘(90/\pi)^{\circ}.
π/20\pi/20; 5π/125\pi/12; 1/21/2.
(a) π/20\pi/20; (b) 5π/125\pi/12; (c) 1/21/2.
(3)To radians: (a) 9∘9^{\circ} (b) 75∘75^{\circ} (c) (90/π)∘(90/\pi)^{\circ}.
π/20\pi/20; 5π/125\pi/12; 1/21/2.
(a) π/20\pi/20; (b) 5π/125\pi/12; (c) 1/21/2.

17–19. Evaluate and double/half angle​

Book 18. Acute sin⁡θ=1/4\sin\theta=1/4 ⇒ cos⁡=15/4\cos=\sqrt{15}/4, sin⁡2θ=15/8\sin 2\theta=\sqrt{15}/8, cos⁡2θ=7/8\cos 2\theta=7/8.

Book 19. QIII cos⁡θ=−4/5\cos\theta=-4/5 ⇒ sin⁡=−3/5\sin=-3/5, cos⁡2θ=7/25\cos 2\theta=7/25.

Supp: evaluate / double angle

Quadrant signs + double/half formulas
(1)Acute θ\theta with sin⁡θ=1/4\sin\theta=1/4. Find cos⁡θ\cos\theta, sin⁡2θ\sin 2\theta, cos⁡2θ\cos 2\theta.
cos⁡θ=15/4\cos\theta=\sqrt{15}/4.
sin⁡2θ=2sin⁡cos⁡=15/8\sin 2\theta=2\sin\cos=\sqrt{15}/8; cos⁡2θ=1−2sin⁡2=7/8\cos 2\theta=1-2\sin^{2}=7/8.
cos⁡=15/4\cos=\sqrt{15}/4; sin⁡2θ=15/8\sin 2\theta=\sqrt{15}/8; cos⁡2θ=7/8\cos 2\theta=7/8.
(2)Third-quadrant θ\theta with cos⁡θ=−4/5\cos\theta=-4/5. Find sin⁡θ\sin\theta and cos⁡2θ\cos 2\theta.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5 (III).
cos⁡2θ=2cos⁡2−1=2⋅16/25−1=7/25\cos 2\theta=2\cos^{2}-1=2\cdot 16/25-1=7/25.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5; cos⁡2θ=7/25\cos 2\theta=7/25.
(3)Third-quadrant θ\theta with cos⁡θ=−4/5\cos\theta=-4/5. Find sin⁡θ\sin\theta and cos⁡2θ\cos 2\theta.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5 (III).
cos⁡2θ=2cos⁡2−1=2⋅16/25−1=7/25\cos 2\theta=2\cos^{2}-1=2\cdot 16/25-1=7/25.
sin⁡θ=−3/5\sin\theta=-3/5; cos⁡2θ=7/25\cos 2\theta=7/25.

20. Law of cosines application​

Book. AB=5AB=5, AC=7AC=7, cos⁡(∠ABC)=3/5\cos(\angle ABC)=3/5 ⇒ BC=42BC=4\sqrt{2}.

Supp: law of cosines numeric

c² = a² + b² − 2ab cos θ
(1)In △ABC\triangle ABC, AB=5AB=5, AC=7AC=7, cos⁡(∠ABC)=3/5\cos(\angle ABC)=3/5. Find BCBC.
Law of cosines at BB: AC2=AB2+BC2−2⋅AB⋅BC⋅cos⁡BAC^{2}=AB^{2}+BC^{2}-2\cdot AB\cdot BC\cdot\cos B — or label carefully.
Book setup: side opposite AA etc. With given numbers: BC=42BC=4\sqrt{2}.
Using c2=a2+b2−2abcos⁡Cc^{2}=a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab\cos C with the matching included angle yields 424\sqrt{2}.
BC=42BC=4\sqrt{2}.
(2)Sides a=4a=4, b=6b=6 include angle θ\theta with cos⁡θ=1/2\cos\theta=1/2. Find the opposite side cc.
c2=a2+b2−2abcos⁡θ=16+36−2⋅4⋅6⋅12c^{2}=a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab\cos\theta=16+36-2\cdot4\cdot6\cdot\tfrac12.
Simplify and take the positive square root.
c=28c=\sqrt{28}.

21. Prove sin⁡θcos⁡θ=1−cos⁡2θsin⁡2θ\dfrac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}=\dfrac{1-\cos 2\theta}{\sin 2\theta}​

Supp: prove tan identity

Use 1−cos 2θ = 2 sin²θ and sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ
(1)Prove sin⁡θcos⁡θ=1−cos⁡2θsin⁡2θ\dfrac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}=\dfrac{1-\cos 2\theta}{\sin 2\theta}.
RHS: (1−(1−2sin⁡2θ))/(2sin⁡θcos⁡θ)=2sin⁡2θ/(2sin⁡θcos⁡θ)=sin⁡θ/cos⁡θ(1-(1-2\sin^{2}\theta))/(2\sin\theta\cos\theta)=2\sin^{2}\theta/(2\sin\theta\cos\theta)=\sin\theta/\cos\theta.
Or use 1−cos⁡2θ=2sin⁡2θ1-\cos 2\theta=2\sin^{2}\theta and sin⁡2θ=2sin⁡θcos⁡θ\sin 2\theta=2\sin\theta\cos\theta.
Both sides equal tan⁡θ\tan\theta (where defined).
(2)Prove sin⁡θcos⁡θ=1−cos⁡2θsin⁡2θ\dfrac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}=\dfrac{1-\cos 2\theta}{\sin 2\theta}.
RHS: (1−(1−2sin⁡2θ))/(2sin⁡θcos⁡θ)=2sin⁡2θ/(2sin⁡θcos⁡θ)=sin⁡θ/cos⁡θ(1-(1-2\sin^{2}\theta))/(2\sin\theta\cos\theta)=2\sin^{2}\theta/(2\sin\theta\cos\theta)=\sin\theta/\cos\theta.
Or use 1−cos⁡2θ=2sin⁡2θ1-\cos 2\theta=2\sin^{2}\theta and sin⁡2θ=2sin⁡θcos⁡θ\sin 2\theta=2\sin\theta\cos\theta.
Both sides equal tan⁡θ\tan\theta (where defined).

22. Derive π/4\pi/4, π/6\pi/6, π/3\pi/3 values​

Bonus mixed​

Supplementary mixed set

Problems 13–22 style
(1)Evaluate cos⁡(π/12)\cos(\pi/12) using cos⁡(u−v)\cos(u-v).
π/12=π/3−π/4\pi/12=\pi/3-\pi/4.
cos⁡=12⋅22+32⋅22=(6+2)/4\cos=\tfrac12\cdot\tfrac{\sqrt{2}}{2}+\tfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\cdot\tfrac{\sqrt{2}}{2}=(\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{2})/4.
(6+2)/4(\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{2})/4.
(2)Convert to radians: (a) 54∘54^{\circ} (b) 120∘120^{\circ}.
54∘=54⋅π/180=3π/1054^{\circ}=54\cdot\pi/180=3\pi/10.
120∘=120⋅π/180=2π/3120^{\circ}=120\cdot\pi/180=2\pi/3.
(a) 3π/103\pi/10; (b) 2π/32\pi/3.
(3)Convert 36∘36^{\circ} to radians (exact multiple of π\pi when possible).
Multiply by π/180\pi/180: 36⋅π/180=15π36\cdot\pi/180=\dfrac{1}{5}\pi.
15π\dfrac{1}{5}\pi radians.
(4)Sides a=4a=4, b=6b=6 include angle θ\theta with cos⁡θ=1/2\cos\theta=1/2. Find the opposite side cc.
c2=a2+b2−2abcos⁡θ=16+36−2⋅4⋅6⋅12c^{2}=a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab\cos\theta=16+36-2\cdot4\cdot6\cdot\tfrac12.
Simplify and take the positive square root.
c=28c=\sqrt{28}.
(5)Polar coords of (1,3)(1,\sqrt{3}) (with r>0r>0, θ∈[0,2π)\theta\in[0,2\pi)).
r=1+3=2r=\sqrt{1+3}=2.
cos⁡θ=1/2\cos\theta=1/2, sin⁡θ=3/2\sin\theta=\sqrt{3}/2 ⇒ θ=π/3\theta=\pi/3.
(r,θ)=(2,π/3)(r,\theta)=(2,\pi/3).

Self-check​

Quiz

Trig practice review

1 / 4

120° in radians is…

Pick an answer to see if you are right.

Further Reading​