In the Polar Coordinates section, we will be introduced to polar coordinates and equations. Here we will review how to evaluate sine and cosine functions at specific angle measures, evaluate inverse trigonometric functions, draw angles, and write the equation of a circle in standard form.

Find Reference Angles

It is easiest to evaluate trigonometric functions when an angle is in the first quadrant. When the original angle is given in quadrant two, three, or four, a reference angle should be found.

An angle’s reference angle is the acute angle, [latex]t[/latex], formed by the terminal side of the angle [latex]t[/latex] and the horizontal axis. A reference angle is always an angle between [latex]0[/latex] and [latex]90^\circ[/latex], or [latex]0[/latex] and [latex]\frac{\pi }{2}[/latex] radians. As we can see in the figure below, for any angle in quadrants II, III, or IV, there is a reference angle in quadrant I.

A visual of the corresponding reference angles for each of the quadrants.

We can evaluate trigonometric functions of angles outside the first quadrant using reference angles. The quadrant of the original angle determines whether the answer is positive or negative. To help us remember which of the six trigonometric functions are positive in each quadrant, we can use the mnemonic phrase “A Smart Trig Class.” Each of the four words in the phrase corresponds to one of the four quadrants, starting with quadrant I and rotating counterclockwise. In quadrant I, which is “A,” all of the six trigonometric functions are positive. In quadrant II, “Smart,” only sine and its reciprocal function, cosecant, are positive. In quadrant III, “Trig,” only tangent and its reciprocal function, cotangent, are positive. Finally, in quadrant IV, “Class,” only cosine and its reciprocal function, secant, are positive.

An illustration of which trigonometric functions are positive in each of the quadrants.

Evaluate Trigonometric Functions Using the Unit Circle

The unit circle tells us the value of cosine and sine at any of the given angle measures seen below. The first coordinate in each ordered pair is the value of cosine at the given angle measure, while the second coordinate in each ordered pair is the value of sine at the given angle measure. You will learn in Section 1.3 that all trigonometric functions can be written in terms of sine and cosine. Thus, if you can evaluate sine and cosine at various angle values, you can also evaluate the other trigonometric functions at various angle values. Take time to learn the [latex]\left(x,y\right)[/latex] coordinates of all of the major angles in the first quadrant of the unit circle.

Remember, every angle in quadrant two, three, or four has a reference angle that lies in quadrant one. The quadrant of the original angle only affects the sign (positive or negative) of a trigonometric function’s value at a given angle.

Evaluate Inverse Trigonometric Functions

(also in Module 1, Skills Review for Integrals Resulting in Inverse Trigonometric Functions)

In order to use inverse trigonometric functions, we need to understand that an inverse trigonometric function “undoes” what the original trigonometric function “does,” as is the case with any other function and its inverse. In other words, the domain of the inverse function is the range of the original function, and vice versa, as summarized below.

For example, if [latex]f(x)=\sin x[/latex], then we would write [latex]f^{-1}(x)={\sin}^{-1}{x}[/latex]. Be aware that [latex]{\sin}^{-1}x[/latex] does not mean [latex]\frac{1}{\sin{x}}[/latex]. The following examples illustrate the inverse trigonometric functions:

• Since [latex]\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=\frac{1}{2}[/latex], then [latex]\frac{\pi}{6}=\sin^{−1}(\frac{1}{2})[/latex].
• Since [latex]\cos(\pi)=−1[/latex], then [latex]\pi=\cos^{−1}(−1)[/latex].
• Since [latex]\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)=1[/latex], then [latex]\frac{\pi}{4}=\tan^{−1}(1)[/latex].

Just as we did with the original trigonometric functions, we can give exact values for the inverse functions when we are using the special angles, specifically [latex]\frac{\pi}{ 6} (30^\circ)\text{, }\frac{\pi}{ 4} (45^\circ),\text{ and } \frac{\pi}{ 3} (60^\circ)[/latex], and their reflections into other quadrants.

Draw an Angle in Standard Position

Angle creation is a dynamic process. We start with two rays lying on top of one another. We leave one fixed in place, and rotate the other. The fixed ray is the initial side, and the rotated ray is the terminal side. The measure of an angle is the amount of rotation from the initial side to the terminal side. Probably the most familiar unit of angle measurement is the degree. One degree is [latex]\frac{1}{360}[/latex] of a circular rotation, so a complete circular rotation contains 360 degrees. An angle measured in degrees should always include the unit “degrees” after the number, or include the degree symbol °. For example, 90 degrees = 90°.

An angle has both an initial side and a terminal side.

When drawing an angle on an x–y coordinate plane, an angle is in standard position if its vertex is located at the origin, and its initial side extends along the positive x-axis. 

If the angle is measured in a counterclockwise direction from the initial side to the terminal side, the angle is said to be a positive angle. If the angle is measured in a clockwise direction, the angle is said to be a negative angle.

Write the Equation of a Circle in Standard Form

A circle is all points in a plane that are a fixed distance from a given point in the plane. The given point is called the center, (h,k), and the fixed distance is called the radius, r, of the circle.

Given a circle with center (h,k) and radius r, the equation of the circle in standard form is:

[latex](x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2[/latex]