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Roberto Fronteddu edited this page Apr 28, 2026 · 15 revisions
  • cos(a) = ADJ/HYP
  • sin(a) = OPP/HYP
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Law of sines

  • The law of sines states that in any triangle, the ratio of the sine of an angle to the opposite side length is equal for all three angles and sides.
  • sin(A)/a = sin(B)/b = sin(C)/c
  • Where A, B, C are the angle measures of the triangle, and a, b, and c, are the opposite side lengths.

Reciprocal and quotient identities

  • sec(a) = 1/cos(a)
  • csc(a) = 1/sin(a)
  • cot(a) = 1/tan(a)
  • tan(a) = sin(a)/cos(a)
  • cot(a) = cos(a)/sin(a)

Pythagorean identities

  • $$sin^2(a) + cos^2(a) = 1$$
  • $$tan^2(a) + 1 = sec^2(a)$$
  • $$cot^2(a) + 1 = csc^2(a)$$

Identities from sums, differences, multiples and fractions of angles

Angle sum and difference identities

  • sin(a+b)=sin(a)cos(b)+sin(b)cos(a)

  • sin(a-c)=sin(a)cos(c)-sin(c)cos(a)

  • cos(a+b)=cos(a)cos(b)-sin(a)sin(b)

  • cos(a-b)=cos(a)cos(b)+sin(a)sin(b)

  • tan(x+y)=(tan(x) + tan(y))/(1-tan(x)tan(y)).

  • tan(x-y)=(tan(x) - tan(y))/(1+tan(x)tan(y)).

Double angle identities

  • $$sin(2a)=2sin(a)cos(a)$$
  • $$cos(2a)=cos^2(a)-sin^2(a)$$
  • $$tan(2a)=2tan(a)/(1-tan^2(a))$$

Half angle identities

  • sin(a/2) = +- sqrt((1-cos(a)/2))
  • cos(a/2) = +- sqrt((1+cos(a)/2))
  • tan(a/2) = +- sqrt((1-cos(a))/(1+cos(a))) = (1-cos(a))/sin(a)=sin(a)/(1+cos(a))

Symmetry and periodicity identities

  • sin(-a) = -sin(a)
  • cos(-a) = cos(a)
  • tan(-a) = -tan(a)
  • sin(a+2pi) = sin(a)
  • cos(a+2pi) = cos(a)
  • tan(a+pi) = tan(a)

Cofunction identities

  • sin(a) = cos(pi/2-a)
  • cos(a) = sin(pi/2-a)
  • tan(a) = cot(pi/2 - a)
  • cot(a) = tan(pi/2 - a)
  • sec(a) = csc(pi/2-a)
  • csc(a) = sec(pi/2-a)

More

  • $$2*cos^2(a)-1=cos(2a)$$
  • $$cos^2(a)=(1/2) * (1+cos(2a))$$
  • $$cos^2(a)+sin^2(a)=1$$
  • $$cos(2a)=1-2sin^2(a)$$
  • $$sin^2(a)=(1/2)*(1-cos(2a))$$
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  • The word Sine originates from the Latin word Sinus, and it means curve or bay. Here it is used to mean: The line formed by the inside triangle, that is closest to the curve.
  • The word Secant, is from the Latin word secare, and it means to cut. Here it is used to mean: The line formed by the inside triangle, that when extended, cuts the curve.
  • The word Tangent, in Latin, means touching. Here it is used to mean: The line that touches the curve, at the same point where the inside triangle touches the curve.
  • The "co-" prefix comes from Latin, it literally means "complimentary", or as I like to think of it: "at 90 degrees to something"
    • Cosine for: The line complementary to the Sine. Or stated another way: The line at 90 degrees to the line of the triangle, closest to the curve.
    • Cosecant for: The line complementary to the Secant. Or rather: The line at 90 degrees to Secant that, when extended, also cuts the curve.
    • Cotangent for: The line complementary to the Tangent. Or perhaps better understood as: The line-segment of the extended touching-line.

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