Sunday, March 25, 2012

6.3 Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers

Definition of the Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers: the value of a trigonometric function at a real number t is its value at an angle of t radians

because of this, "sin 2" could be the sine of the real number 2, OR the sine of an angle of 2 radians

You can interpret trigonometric functions of real numbers geometrically by using a unit circle: 



 The radius of the circle is 1, with the center at the origin of a rectangular coordinate plane. 

=  theta

We will use the variable t as the radian measure of the angle theta or as the lenght of the black-highlighted circular arc on the circle above.

Definition of the Trigonometric Functions in Terms of a Unit Circle:

sin t = y               cos t = x             tan t = y/x

csc t = 1/y           sec t = 1/x         cot t = x/y

Finding values of trigonometric functions:
If point P is at the coordinates (-3/5, -4/5), find the values of the trigonometric functions at t (theta).
Use the definition of trigonometric functions in terms of a unit circle to get your answers.....
sin t = y = -4/5               cos t = x = -3/5             tan t = y/x = (-4/5)/(-3/5) = 4/3

csc t = 1/y = 1/(-4/5)           sec t = 1/x = 1/(-3/5)        cot t = x/y = (-3/5)/(-4/5) = 3/4


Theorem on Repeated Function Values for sine and cosine:  If n is any integer, then

                                        sin (t + 2n) = sin t        and          cos (t = 2n) = cos t


Graphing Functions

Graph of y = sin x:


y = cos x:


The part of the graph of the sine or cosine function where x is greater or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 2 is called one cycle. These cycles are sometimes refered to as a sine wave  or a cosine wave.

y = tan x:




y = csc x:

y = sec x:

y = cot x:



Formulas for Negatives:  

                            
                           

Theorem on Even and Odd Trigonometric Functions: 

1. The cosine and secant functions are even.
2. The sine, tangent, cosecant, and cotangent functions are odd.


That's All Folks!

-Henry Burg 





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