Trigonometry

Introduction
In this chapter you will learn about secant,
cosecant and cotangent, based on cosine, sine
and tan
We will also look at the inverse functions of
sine, cosine and tan, known as arcsin, arccos
and arctan
We will build on the Trigonometric Equation
solving from C2

Teachings for Exercise 6A

Trigonometry
You need to know the functions
secant, cosecant and
cotangent

sec

1
cos

1
cosec
sin
1
cot
tan

You should remember the

index law:

It is NOT written like

this in Trigonometry
All 3 are
undefined if
cos, sin or
tan = 0

1
x
x
1

cos 1

1
cos

cos 1 sec

Something which will be VERY useful later in the chapter

sin
tan
cos

so

cos
cot
sin
6A

Trigonometry
You need to know the functions
secant, cosecant and
cotangent

sec

1
cos

cosec

1
sin

Example Questions
Will cosec200 be positive or negative?

1
cosec200
sin 200

90

180

270

360

y = Sin

As sin200 is negative, cosec200 will be

as well!

1
cot
tan
6A

Trigonometry
You need to know the functions
secant, cosecant and
cotangent

sec

Example Questions
Find the value of:

sec 280
to 2dp

1
cos

cosec

1
sin

sec 280

1
cos 280

Just use your

calculator!

sec 280 5.76

1
cot
tan
6A

Trigonometry
You need to know the functions
secant, cosecant and
cotangent

sec

Example Questions
Find the value of:

cot115
to 2dp

1
cos

cosec

1
sin

cot115

1
tan115

Just use your

calculator!

cot115 0.47

1
cot
tan
6A

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

You need to know the functions

secant, cosecant and
cotangent

1
cos 210

sec 210
30
-60
90

Example Questions
Work out the exact value of:

sec 210

-60
180

270

360

y = Cos

210

By symmetry, we will get the same value for cos210

at cos30 (but with the reversed sign)

(you may need to use surds)

sec 210
Cos30 =

1
cos 30

/2

sec 210
Flip the
denominator

sec 210

3
2

2
2 3
or
3
3

6A

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

cosec

You need to know the functions

secant, cosecant and
cotangent

/4

3
4

(you may need to use surds)

/2

1
3
sin
4

/2

y = Sin

Sin(3/4) = Sin(/4)

Work out the exact value of:

cosec

/4

Example Questions

cosec
Sin(/4) = Sin45
1/2

cosec
Flip the
denominator

cosec

3
1

4 sin
4
3
1

1
4
2

3
2
4

6A

Teachings for Exercise 6B

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

You need to know the graphs of

sec, cosec and cot

At 90, Sin = 1
Cosec = 1

At 180, Sin = 0
Cosec = undefined

1
cosec
sin

We get an
asymptote wherever
Sin = 0

1
0
-1

90

180

270

360

y = Sin

y = Cosec

6B

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

You need to know the graphs of

sec, cosec and cot

At 0, Cos = 1
Sec = 1
At 90, Cos = 0
Sec = undefined
We get asymptotes
wherever Cos = 0

1
sec
cos

1
0
-1

y = Cos
90

180

270

360

y = Sec

6B

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

At 45, tan = 1

You need to know the graphs of

sec, cosec and cot

Cot = 1
At 90, tan = undefined
Cot =
0

y = Tan

cot

1
tan

90

180

270

360

y = Cot

At 180, tan = 0
Cot = undefined

6B

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

You need to know the graphs of

sec, cosec and cot
1
0
-1

90

180

270

360

y = Sin

Maxima/Minima at (90,1)
and (270,-1)
(and every 180 from then)

1
0
-1

90

180

270

360

Asymptotes at 0, 180, 360

(and every 180 from then)
y = Cosec

6B

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

You need to know the graphs of

sec, cosec and cot
1
0
-1

y = Cos
90

180

270

360

Maxima/Minima at (0,1)
(180,-1) and (360,1)
(and every 180 from then)

1
0
-1

90

180

270

360

Asymptotes at 90 and 270

(and every 180 from then)
y = Sec

6B

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

You need to know the graphs of

sec, cosec and cot
y = Tan

90

180

270

360

Asymptotes at 0, 180 and 360

90

180

270

(and every 180 from then)

360

y = Cot

6B

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

You need to know the graphs of

sec, cosec and cot

y = Sec

Sketch, in the interval 0 360, the

graph of:

0
-1

90

180

270

360

y 1 sec 2
y = 1 + Sec2

y sec

y sec 2

Horizontal stretch,
scale factor 1/2

y 1 sec 2

Vertical translation,
1 unit up

y = Sec2

1
0
-1

90

180

270

360

6B

Teachings for Exercise 6C

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

tan

Trigonometry

cosec

sin
cos

cot

cos
sin

1
sin

You need to be able to

simplify expressions, prove
identities and solve equations
involving sec, cosec and
cot
This is similar to the work covered
in C2, but there are now more
possibilities
As in C2, you must practice as
much as possible in order to get a
feel for what to do and when

Example Questions
Simplify
Remember how
we can rewrite
cot from
earlier?
Group up as a
single fraction
Numerator and
denominator
are equal

sin cot sec

sin

cos
1

sin
cos

sin cos

sin cos
1

6C

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

tan

Trigonometry

cosec

sin
cos

cot

cos
sin

1
sin

You need to be able to

simplify expressions, prove
identities and solve equations
involving sec, cosec and
cot

Example Questions
Simplify
Rewrite the part in
brackets

Multiply each fraction

by the opposites
covered denominator

This is similar to the work

in C2, but there are now more
possibilities

As in C2, you must practice as

much as possible in order to get a
feel for what to do and when

Group up since the

denominators are now
the same
Multiply the part on
top by the part
outside the bracket
Cancel the common
factor to the top
and bottom

sin cos sec cosec

1
1

cos sin

sin cos

sin
cos

sin cos sin cos

sin cos

sin cos

sin cos

sin cos

sin cos sin cos

sin cos

sin cos
6C

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

tan

Trigonometry

cosec

cot cosec
3

cos

2
2
sec cosec

cos
sin

Putting them together

cot cosec
sec 2 cosec 2

Replace
numerator
and
denominator

Left side

cot cosec
sec 2 cosec 2
Numerator
cot cosec

Group
up

cot

1
sin

Show that:

Rewrite
both

sin
cos

cos
1

sin
sin

cos
sin 2

Denominator

This is just
a division

sec 2 cosec 2
Rewrite
both
Multiply by
the
opposites
denominator
Group
up
From C2

sin2+ cos2 = 1

1
1
2
2
cos sin

sin cos
cos 2 sin 2

Group
up

1
cos 2 sin 2

cos
sin 2

cos
sin 2

cos 2 sin 2

Change to a
multiplication

sin
cos

2
2
cos sin cos 2 sin 2
2

cos
sin 2

1
2
cos sin 2

Simplify

1
cos sin 2
2

cos3 sin 2

sin 2
cos3

6C

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

tan

Trigonometry

cosec

sin
cos

cot

cos
sin

1
sin

sec 2.5

You need to be able to

simplify expressions, prove
identities and solve equations
involving sec, cosec and
cot
You can solve equations by
rearranging them in terms of sin,
cos or tan, then using their
respective graphs
Example Question
Solve the equation: sec 2.5
In the range:

0 360

Rewrite
using cos
Rearrange

Work out
the fraction
Inverse cos

1
2.5
cos
1
cos
2.5
cos 0.4

cos 1 0.4

Work out the first answer. Add

360 if not in the range we want

113.6

Subtract from 360 (to find the

equivalent value in the range

246.4

1
0
-1

y = Cos
90

180

270

360

6C

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

tan

Trigonometry

cosec

sin
cos

cot

cos
sin

1
sin

cot 2 0.6

You need to be able to

simplify expressions, prove
identities and solve equations
involving sec, cosec and
cot
You can solve equations by
rearranging them in terms of sin,
cos or tan, then using their
respective graphs

Rewrite
using tan

tan 2

Inverse tan
Work out the first value,
and others in the original
range (0-360)
You can add 180 to these
as the period of tan is 180
Divide all by 2 (answers to 3sf)

Example Question

1
0.6

2 tan 1

1
0.6

2 59.04 , 239.04
2 419.04 , 599.04

29.5, 120, 210, 300

Solve the equation: cot 2 0.6

In the range:

0 360
90

0 360
0 2 720

180

270

360

y = Tan

Remember to adjust
the acceptable range
for 2

6C

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

tan

Trigonometry

cosec

sin
cos

cot

cos
sin

1
sin

You need to be able to

simplify expressions, prove
identities and solve equations
involving sec, cosec and
cot
You can solve equations by
rearranging them in terms of sin,
cos or tan, then using their
respective graphs
Example Question
Solve the equation:
In the range:

Rewrite
each side

Cross
multiply

Divide by
Cos

Divide by 2

Rewrite the
right-hand side

0 360

6C

Teachings for Exercise 6D

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

Example Question
Given that:
5
tan A
12

Replace A and H from

the triangle

and A is obtuse, find the

exact value of secA

12

Adj
Hyp

cos

12
13

1
0

Cos is negative in this

-1
range

Opp
tan
Adj
13

A is obtuse (in the 2nd

quadrant)

cos

cot

cos
sin

tan

sin
cos

y = Cos
90

Flip the fraction to get

Sec

180

270

cos

12
13

sec

13
12

360

Ignore the negative, and use Pythagoras

to work out the missing side

6D

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

Example Question
Given that:
5
tan A
12

Replace A and H from

the triangle

and A is obtuse, find the

exact value of cosecA

Opp
Hyp

sin

5
13

90

180

sin
5

12

cos
sin

tan

sin
cos

Sin is positive in this

-1
range

Opp
tan
Adj
13

A is obtuse (in the 2nd

quadrant)

sin

cot

Flip the fraction to get

Sec

270

360

y = Sin

5
13

cosec

13
5

Ignore the negative, and use Pythagoras

to work out the missing side

6D

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

tan

Trigonometry

cosec

sin
cos

cot

cos
sin

1
sin

You need to know and be able to use the

following identities

1 tan sec
2

1 cot 2 cosec 2
You might be asked to show where these come
from

sin 2 cos 2 1
Divide all by
cos2
Simplify
each part

sin 2 cos 2
1

2
2
cos cos cos 2

tan 2 1 sec 2

6D

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

tan

Trigonometry

cosec

sin
cos

cot

cos
sin

1
sin

You need to know and be able to use the

following identities

1 tan sec
2

1 cot 2 cosec 2
You might be asked to show where these come
from

sin 2 cos 2 1
Divide all by
sin2
Simplify
each part

sin 2 cos 2
1

2
2
sin sin sin 2
1 cot 2 cosec 2

6D

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

1 tan 2 sec 2

1 cot 2 cosec 2

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

cot

cos
sin

tan

sin
cos

sin 2 cos 2 1

Left hand side

Example Question
Prove that:

cosec 4 cot 4

1 cos
1 cos 2
2

Factorise into
a double
bracket
Replace
cosec2
The second
bracket = 1

Rewrite

Group up into
1 fraction
Rearrange
the bottom
(as in C2)

cosec 4 cot 4
cosec 2 cot 2 cosec 2 cot 2
cosec 2 cot 2 1 cot 2 cot 2
cosec 2 cot 2

1
cos 2

2
sin sin 2
1 cos 2

sin 2
1 cos 2

1 cos 2

6D

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

1 tan 2 sec 2

1 cot 2 cosec 2

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

cot

cos
sin

tan

sin
cos

sin 2 cos 2 1

Right hand side

Example Question
Prove that:

sec 2 cos 2 sin 2 (1 sec 2 )

Multiply out
the bracket
Replace sec2

Rewrite the
second term

sin 2 (1 sec 2 )

sin 2 sin 2 sec 2

sin 2 sin 2

1
cos 2

sin 2
sin
cos 2
2

This requires a lot of

practice and will be slow
to begin with. The more
questions you do, the
faster you will get!

Replace the
fraction
Rewrite both
terms based on
the inequalities
The 1s cancel
out

sin 2 tan 2
1 cos 2 sec 2 1

sec2 cos 2
6D

cot

1
tan

sec

1
cos

1 tan 2 sec 2

1 cot 2 cosec 2

Trigonometry

cosec

1
sin

cot

cos
sin

tan

sin
cos

sin 2 cos 2 1

Example Question
Solve the Equation:
in the interval:

4cosec 2 9 cot
0 360

A general strategy is to replace terms

until they are all of the same type (eg
cos, cot etc)

Replace
cosec2
Multiply out
the bracket
Group terms on
the left side

4cosec 2 9 cot
4 1 cot 2 9 cot

4 4 cot 2 9 cot
4 cot 2 cot 5 0

Factorise
/5

-1

90

180

270

y = Tan
360

(4 cot 5)(cot 1) 0
Solve
Invert so we
can use the tan
graph

Use a calculator for the first

answer
Be sure to check for others
in the given range

cot

5
4

or

cot 1

tan

4
5

or

tan 1

38.7, 219 135, 315

6D

Teachings for Exercise 6E

Trigonometry
Copy and complete, using surds where appropriate

30

Sin

0.5

/2 or 2/2

/2

Cos

/2

/2 or 2/2

0.5

Tan

Undefined

/3 or 3/3

45

60

90

6E

Trigonometry
The same values apply in radians as well

/6

Sin

0.5

Cos

/2

Tan

/3 or 3/3

/4

/2 or 2/2

/2

/2 or 2/2

0.5

Undefined

/3

/2

6E

Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the
inverse trigonometric functions,
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx

These are the inverse functions of

sin, cos and tan respectively
However, an inverse function can
only be drawn for a one-to-one
function
(when reflected in y = x, a many-toone function would become one-to
many, hence not a function)
Remember that from a function to
its inverse, the domain and range
swap round (as do all co-ordinates)

y = arcsinx
/2

-/2

y=x

y = sinx

-1

/2

-1
-/2

y = sinx
Domain: -/2 x /2
Range: -1 sinx 1

y = arcsinx
Domain: -1 x 1
Range: -/2 arcsinx /2

6E

We cant use /2 x /2 as
the domain for cos, since it
is many-to-one

Trigonometry

y = arccosx

You need to be able to use the

inverse trigonometric functions,
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx

y=x

These are the inverse functions of

sin, cos and tan respectively

However, an inverse function can

only be drawn for a one-to-one
function
(when reflected in y = x, a many-toone function would become one-to
many, hence not a function)
Remember that from a function to
its inverse, the domain and range
swap round (as do all co-ordinates)

/2

-1

/2

-1

y = cosx

y = cosx

y = arccosx

Domain: 0 x

Domain: -1 x 1

Range: -1 cosx 1

Range: 0 arccosx

6E

Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the
inverse trigonometric functions,
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx

y = tanx

/2
y = arctanx

These are the inverse functions of

sin, cos and tan respectively
-/2

However, an inverse function can

only be drawn for a one-to-one
function
(when reflected in y = x, a many-toone function would become one-to
many, hence not a function)
Subtle differences
The domain for tanx cannot equal /2
or /2
The range can be any real number!

/2

-/2

y = tanx
Domain: -/2 < x < /2
Range: x R

y = arctanx
Domain: x R
Range: -/2 < arctanx < /2

6E

Trigonometry

y = arccosx

/2 y = arcsinx

-1

/2

/2
y = arctanx

-1

-/2

-/2

6E

Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the
inverse trigonometric functions,
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx
Work out, in radians, the value of:

arcsin(0.5)

Arctan just means

inverse sin
Remember the exact
values from earlier

arcsin(0.5)
sin 1 (0.5)

30
o

6E

Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the
inverse trigonometric functions,
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx
Work out, in radians, the value of:

arctan( 3)

Arctan just means

inverse tan
Remember the exact
values from earlier

arctan( 3)
tan 1 ( 3)

60
o

6E

Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the
inverse trigonometric functions,
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx
Work out, in radians, the value of:

2
arcsin
2

Arcsin just means

inverse sin

Ignore the negative for now,

and remember the values
from earlier
Sin(-) = -Sin
(or imagine the Sine graph)

-/2

-/4

/2

y = sinx

2
arcsin
2

2
sin 1
2

4
2

sin 1

sin 1
4
2

45
o

/4

-2/2

/2

-1

6E

Trigonometry
You need to be able to use the
inverse trigonometric functions,
arcsinx, arccosx and arctanx

Arcsin just means

inverse sin

Work out, in radians, the value of:

Think about what

value you need for
x to get Sin x = 1

cos arcsin 1

Cos(-) = Cos()

-/2

y = sinx

-1

/2

-/2

Remember it,
or read from
the graph

y = cosx

cos arcsin 1
cos sin 1 1

cos
2

cos
2
0

/2

-1

6E

Summary
We have learnt about 3 new functions,
based on sin, cos and tan
We have seen some new identities we
can use in solving equations and proof
We have also looked at the inverse
functions, arc sin/cos/tanx
6E