CHAPTER 3

Trigonometric Functions
of an Acute Angle
3.1  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle
In dealing with any right triangle, it will be convenient (see Fig. 3.1) to denote the vertices as A, B, and C with
C the vertex of the right angle; to denote the angles of the triangles as A, B, and C, with C 5 908; and to denote
the sides opposite the angles; as a, b, and c, respectively. With respect to angle A, a will be called the opposite
side and b will be called the adjacent side; with respect to angle B, b will be called the opposite side and a the
adjacent side. Side c will always be called the hypotenuse.
If now the right triangle is placed in a coordinate system (Fig. 3.2) so that angle A is in standard posi-
tion, the point B on the terminal side of angle A has coordinates (b, a), and the distance c 5 Ïa2 1 b2,
then the trigonometric functions of angle A may be defined in terms of the sides of the right triangle, as
follows:

Fig. 3.1 

Fig. 3.2 

26

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CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle 27

a opposite side b adjacent side

sin A 5 c 5 cot A 5 a 5
hypotenuse opposite side
b adjacent side c hypotenuse
cos A 5 c 5 sec A 5 5
hypotenuse b adjacent side
a opposite side c hypotenuse
tan A 5 5 csc A 5 a 5
b adjacent side opposite side

3.2  Trigonometric Functions of Complementary Angles

The acute angles A and B of the right triangle ABC are complementary; that is, A 1 B 5 908. From Fig. 3.1,
we have

sin B 5 b/c 5 cos A cot B 5 a/b 5 tan A

 cos B 5 a/c 5 sin A sec B 5 c/a 5 csc A
 tan B 5 b/a 5 cot A csc B 5 c/b 5 sec A

These relations associate the functions in pairs—sine and cosine, tangent and cotangent, secant and
cosecant—each function of a pair being called the cofunction of the other.
Thus, any function of an acute angle is equal to the corresponding cofunction of the complementary
angle.

EXAMPLE 3.1  Find the values of the trigonometric functions of the angles of the right triangle ABC in Fig. 3.3.

Fig. 3.3

opposite side a 60 hypotenuse c 109

sin A 5 5c5 csc A 5 5 5
hypotenuse 109 opposite side a 60
adjacent side b 91 hypotenuse c 109
cos A 5 5c5 sec A 5 5 5
hypotenuse 109 adjacent side b 91
opposite side a 60 adjacent side b 91
tan A 5 5 5 cot A 5 5a5
adjacent side b 91 opposite side 60
opposite side b 91 hypotenuse c 109
sin B 5 5c5 csc B 5 5 5
hypotenuse 109 opposite side b 91
ajcacent side a 60 hypotenuse c 109
cos B 5 5c5 sec B 5 5 5
hypotenuse 109 adjacent side a 60
opposite side b 91 adjacent side a 60
tan B 5 5a5 cot B 5 5 5
adjacent side 60 opposite side b 91

3.3  Trigonometric Functions of 308, 458, and 608

The special acute angles 308, 458, and 608 (see App. 1, Geometry) have trigonometric function values that can be
computed exactly. The following results are obtained in Probs. 3.8 and 3.9. For each fraction that had an irrational
number denominator, only the equivalent fraction with a rational number denominator is stated in the table.

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28 CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle

Angle u sin u cos u tan u cot u sec u csc u

1 Ï3 Ï3 2Ï3
308 2 2 3 Ï3 3 2

Ï2 Ï2
458 2 2 1 1 Ï2 Ï2
Ï3 1 Ï3 2Ï3
608 2 2 Ï3 3 2 3

3.4  Trigonometric Function Values

For many application problems, values of trigonometric functions are needed for angles that are not special
angles. These values may be found in tables of trigonometric functions or by using a scientific calculator. Prob-
lems 3.10 to 3.15 illustrate a number of simple applications of trigonometric functions. For these problems, a
two-decimal-place table is included below.

Angle u sin u cos u tan u cot u sec u csc u

158 0.26 0.97 0.27 3.73 1.04 3.86
208 0.34 0.94 0.36 2.75 1.06 2.92
308 0.50 0.87 0.58 1.73 1.15 2.00
408 0.64 0.77 0.84 1.19 1.31 1.56
458 0.71 0.71 1.00 1.00 1.41 1.41
508 0.77 0.64 1.19 0.84 1.56 1.31
608 0.87 0.50 1.73 0.58 2.00 1.15
708 0.94 0.34 2.75 0.36 2.92 1.06
758 0.97 0.26 3.73 0.27 3.86 1.04

When using a calculator to find values for trigonometric functions, be sure to follow the procedure indicated in
the instruction manual for your calculator. In general the procedure is (1) make sure the calculator is in degree
mode, (2) enter the number of degrees in the angle, (3) press the key for the trigonometric function wanted, and
(4) read the function value from the display.

EXAMPLE 3.2  Find tan 158 using a calculator. With the calculator in degree mode, enter 15 and press the (tan) key. The
number 0.267949 will appear on the display; thus tan 158 5 0.267949. The number of digits that are displayed
depends on the calculator used, but most scientific calculators show at least six digits. In this book if the value displayed
on a calculator is not exact, it will be rounded to six digits when stated in a problem or example. Rounding procedures
for final results will be introduced as needed.
Using a calculator to find an acute angle when the value of a trigonometric function is given requires the use of
the inverse (inv) key or the second function (2nd) key. The value of the function is entered, the (inv) key is
pressed, and then the trigonometric function key is pressed. The degree mode is used to get answers in degree
measure.

EXAMPLE 3.3  Find acute angle A when sin A 5 0.2651. With the calculator in degree mode, enter .2651 and press the
(inv) key and the (sin) key. The number 15.3729 on the display is the degree measure of acute angle A. Thus to the nearest
degree A 5 158.

3.5  Accuracy of Results Using Approximations

When using approximate numbers, the results need to be rounded. In this chapter, we will report angles to the
nearest degree and lengths to the nearest unit. If a problem has intermediate values to be computed, wait to
round numbers until the final result is found. Each intermediate value should have at least one more digit than
the final result is to have so that each rounding does not directly involve the unit of accuracy.

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CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle 29

3.6  Selecting the Function in Problem Solving

In finding a side of a right triangle when an angle and a side are known, there are two trigonometric functions
which can be used, a function and its reciprocal. When manually solving the problem, the choice is usually
made so the unknown side is in the numerator of the fraction. This is done so that the operation needed to
solve the equation will be multiplication rather than division. Most tables of values of trigonometric func-
tions do not include values for secant and cosecant. You will need to use cosine instead of secant and sine
instead of cosecant, when your tables only include values for sine, cosine, tangent, and cotangent. When a
calculator is used, the function selected is sine, cosine, or tangent, since these functions are represented by
keys on the calculator.

EXAMPLE 3.4  A support wire is anchored 12 m up from the base of a flagpole, and the wire makes a 158 angle with the
ground. How long is the wire?
From Fig. 3.4, it can be seen that both sin 158 and csc 158 involve the known length 12 m and the requested length x.
Either function can be used to solve the problem. The manual solution, that is, using tables and not a calculator, is easier
using csc 158, but not all trigonometric tables list values for secant and cosecant. The calculator solution will use sin 158
since there is no function key for cosecant.

Fig. 3.4

         Manual Solution         Calculator Solution

x 12 12
csc 158 5    or sin 158 5 x sin 158 5 x
12
12 12
x 5 12 csc 158
        x5      x5
sin 158 sin 158
12 12
x 5 12(3.86)
          x 5      x5
0.26 0.258819
x 5 46.32
           x 5 46.15      x 5 46.3644
x 5 46 m
          x 5 46 m     x 5 46 m

The wire is 46 m long.

In each solution, the result to the nearest meter is the same, but the results of the computations are different
because of the rounding used in determining the value of the function used. Rounding to a few decimal places,
as in the table provided in this section, often leads to different computational results. Using the four-decimal-
place tables in App. 2 will result in very few situations where the choice of functions affects the results of the
computation. Also, when these tables are used, the results will more frequently agree with those found using a
calculator.
For the problems in this chapter, a manual solution and a calculator solution will be shown and an answer
for each procedure will be indicated. In later chapters, an answer for each method will be indicated only when
the two procedures produce different results.

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30 CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle

The decision to use or not to use a calculator is a personal one for you to make. If you will not be able to
use a calculator when you apply the procedures studied, then do not practice them using a calculator.
Occasionally there will be procedures discussed that are used only with tables, and others that apply to
calculator solutions only. These will be clearly indicated and can be omitted if you are not using that
solution method.

3.7  Angles of Depression and Elevation

An angle of depression is the angle from the horizontal down to the line of sight from the observer to an
object below. The angle of elevation is the angle from the horizontal up to the line of sight from the observer to
an object above.
In Fig. 3.5, the angle of depression from point A to point B is a and the angle of elevation from point B
to point A is b. Since both angles are measured from horizontal lines, which are parallel, the line of sight
AB is a transversal, and since alternate interior angles for parallel lines are equal, a 5 b (See App. 1,
Geometry.)

Fig. 3.5

Solved Problems

 3.1 Find the trigonometric functions of the acute angles of the right triangle ABC, Fig. 3.6, given b 5 24
and c 5 25.

Fig. 3.6

Since a2 5 c2 2 b2 5 (25)2 2 (24)2 5 49, a 5 7. Then

opposite side 7 adjacent side 24

sin A 5 5 cot A 5 5
hypotenuse 25 opposite side 7
adjacent side 24 hypotenuse 25
cos A 5 5 sec A 5 5
hypotenuse 25 adjacent side 24
opposite side 7 hypotenuse 25
tan A 5 5 csc A 5 5
adjacent side 24 opposite side 7

and
sin B 5 24/25 cot B 5 7/24
cos B 5 7/25 sec B 5 25/7
tan B 5 24/7 csc B 5 25/24

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CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle 31

 3.2 Find the values of the trigonometric functions of the acute angles of the right triangle ABC, Fig. 3.7,
given a 5 2 and c 5 2Ï5.

Fig. 3.7

2
Since b2 5 c2 2 a2 5 (2Ï5) 2 (2)2 5 20 2 4 5 16, b 5 4. Then
sin A 5 2/2Ï5 5 Ï5y5 5 cos B cot A 5 4/2 5 2 5 tan B
cos A 5 4/2Ï5 5 2Ï5y5 5 sin B sec A 5 2Ï5y4 5 Ï5y2 5 csc B

tan A 5 2/4 5 1/2 5 cot B csc A 5 2Ï5y2 5 Ï5 5 sec B

 3.3 Find the values of the trigonometric functions of the acute angle A, given sin A 5 3/7.
Construct the right triangle ABC, Fig. 3.8, with a 5 3, c 5 7, and b 5 Ï72 2 3 2 5 2Ï10 units. Then

sin A 5 3/7 cot A 5 2Ï10y3

cos A 5 2Ï10y7 sec A 5 7/2Ï10 5 7Ï10y20

tan A 5 3/2Ï10 5 3Ï10y20 csc A 5 7/3

Fig. 3.8

 3.4 Find the values of the trigonometric functions of the acute angle B, given tan B 5 1.5.
Refer to Fig. 3.9. Construct the right triangle ABC having b 5 15 and a 5 10 units. (Note that 1.5 5 32, and
therefore a right triangle with b 5 3 and a 5 2 will serve equally well.)
Then c 5 Ïa2 1 b2 5 Ï102 1 152 5 5Ï13 and

sin B 5 15/5Ï13 5 3Ï13y13 cot B 5 2/3

cos B 5 10/5Ï13 5 2Ï13y13 sec B 5 5Ï13y10 5 Ï13y2

tan B 5 15/10 5 3/2 csc B 5 5Ï13y15 5 Ï13y3 5 Ï13y3

Fig. 3.9

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32 CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle

 3.5 If A is acute and sin A 5 2x/3, determine the values of the remaining functions.
Construct the right triangle ABC having a 5 2x < 3 and c 5 3, as in Fig. 3.10

Fig. 3.10

Then b 5 Ïc2 2 a2 5 Ï9 2 4x2 and

2x Ï9 2 4x2 2x 2xÏ9 2 4x2

sin A 5 cos A 5 tan A 5 5
3 3 Ï9 2 4x2 9 2 4x2

Ï9 2 4x2 3 3Ï9 2 4x2 3

cot A 5 sec A 5 5 csc A 5
2x Ï9 2 4x2 9 2 4x2 2x

 3.6 If A is acute and tan A 5 x/1, determine the values of the remaining functions.
Construct the right triangle ABC having a 5 x and b 5 1, as in Fig. 3.11. Then c 5 Ïx2 1 1 and

x xÏx2 1 1 1 Ïx2 1 1
sin A 5 5 2 cos A 5 5 2 tan A 5 x
Ïx 1 12 x 11 Ïx 1 1
2 x 11

1 Ïx2 1 1
cot A 5 x sec A 5 Ïx2 1 1 csc A 5 x

Fig. 3.11

 3.7 If A is an acute angle:

(a) Why is sin A < 1? (d)  Why is sin A < tan A?
(b) When is sin A 5 cos A? (e)  When is sin A < cos A?
(c) Why is sin A < csc A? (f)  When is tan A > 1?
In the right triangle ABC:

(a) Side a < side c; therefore sin A 5 a/c < 1.

(b) Sin A 5 cos A when a/c 5 b/c; then a 5 b, A 5 B, and A 5 458.
(c) Sin A < 1 (above) and csc A 5 1/sin A > 1.
(d) Sin A 5 a/c, tan A 5 a/b, and b < c; therefore a/c < a/b or sin A < tan A.
(e) Sin A < cos A when a < b; then A < B or A < 908 2 A and A < 458.
(f) Tan A 5 a/b > 1 when a > b; then A > B and A > 458.

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CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle 33

 3.8 Find the exact values of the trigonometric functions of 458. (See Fig. 3.12.)

Fig. 3.12

In any isosceles right triangle ABC, A 5 B 5 458 and a 5 b. Let a 5 b 5 1; then c 5 Ï1 1 1 5 Ï2 and
sin 458 5 1yÏ2 5 12Ï2 cot 458 5 1
1
cos 458 5 1yÏ2 5 2 Ï2 sec 458 5 Ï2
tan 458 5 1/1 5 1 csc 458 5 Ï2

 3.9 Find the exact values of the trigonometric functions of 308 and 608. (See Fig. 3.13.)

Fig. 3.13

In any equilateral triangle ABD, each angle is 608. The bisector of any angle, like B, is the perpendicular
bisector of the opposite side. Let the sides of the equilateral triangle be of length 2 units. Then in the right triangle ABC,
AB 5 2, AC 5 1, and BC 5 Ï22 2 12 5 Ï3.
sin 308 5 1/2 5 cos 608 cot 308 5 Ï3 5 tan 608
cos 308 5 Ï3y2 5 sin 608 sec 308 5 2yÏ3 5 2Ï3y3 5 csc 608
tan 308 5 1yÏ3 5 Ï3y3 5 cot 608 csc 308 5 2 5 sec 608

(NOTE:  In Probs. 3.10 to 3.15 two solution procedures are shown, one for manual solution and one for calculator
solution, whenever the two are different. Which one you use depends upon your access to a calculator during your
problem-solving work. If your access to a calculator is restricted, then focus only on the manual solutions. In the
calculator solutions, steps are shown to illustrate the procedures rather than as a guide to work steps that need to be
shown. The steps shown in each solution are to allow you to see all the details of the procedure used.)

3.10 When the sun is 208 above the horizon, how long is the shadow cast by a building 50 m high?

Fig. 3.14

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34 CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle

In Fig. 3.14, A 5 208, CB 5 50, and AC is to be found.

Manual Solution Calculator Solution

AC CB
cot A 5 tan A 5
CB AC
CB
   AC 5 CB cot A AC 5
tan A
50
   AC 5 50 cot 208 AC 5
tan 208
50
   AC 5 50(2.75) AC 5
0.363970
   AC 5 137.5 AC 5 137.374
   AC 5 138 m AC 5 137 m

(NOTE:  The difference in the answers for the two procedures is because cot 208 was rounded to two decimal places
in the table. Each answer is the correct one for that procedure.)

3.11 A tree 100 ft tall casts a shadow 120 ft long. Find the angle of elevation of the sun.
In Fig. 3.15, CB 5 100, AC 5 120, and we want to find A.

Fig. 3.15

Manual Solution Calculator Solution

CB CB
tan A 5 tan A 5
AC AC
100 100
tan A 5 tan A 5
120 120
tan A 5 0.83 tan A 5 0.833333
A 5 408 A 5 39.80568
A 5 408

(Since tan 408 has the closest value to 0.83, we used A 5 408.)

3.12 A ladder leans against the side of a building with its foot 12 ft from the building. How far from
the ground is the top of the ladder and how long is the ladder if it makes an angle of 708 with the
ground?
From Fig. 3.16, tan A 5 CB/AC; then CB 5 AC tan A 5 12 tan 708 5 12(2.75) 5 33. The top of the ladder is 33 ft
above the ground. Manual: sec A 5 AB/AC; then AB 5 AC sec A 5 12 sec 708 5 12(2.92) 5 35.04. The calculator
solution procedure is the same.

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CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle 35

Fig. 3.16

Calculator: cos A 5 AC/AB; then AB 5 AC/(cos A) 5 12/(cos 708) 5 12/0.342020 5 35.0857.

The ladder is 35 ft long.

3.13 From the top of a lighthouse 120 m above the sea, the angle of depression of a boat is 158. How far is the
boat from the lighthouse?
In Fig. 3.17, the right triangle ABC has A 5 158 and CB 5 120.

Manual: cot A 5 AC/CB and AC 5 CB cot A 5 120 cot 158 5 120(3.73) 5 447.6.

Calculator: tan A 5 CB/AC and AC 5 CB/(tan A) 5 120/(tan 158) 5 120/0.267949 5 447.846.

The boat is 448 m from the lighthouse.

Fig. 3.17

3.14 Find the length of the chord of a circle of radius 20 cm subtended by a central angle of 1508.
In Fig. 3.18, OC bisects /AOB. Then BC 5 AC and OCA is a right triangle.

Manual: In DOAC, sin /COA 5 AC/OA and AC 5 OA sin /COA 5 20 sin 758 5 20(0.97) 5 19.4;
BA 5 2(19.4) 5 38.8.

Calculator: AC 5 OA sin /COA 5 20 sin 758 5 20(0.965926) 5 19.3185; BA 5 2(19.3185) 5 38.6370.

The length of the chord is 39 cm.

B
C
75
A
O 20

Fig. 3.18

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36 CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle

3.15 Find the height of a tree if the angle of elevation of its top changes from 208 to 408 as the observer
advances 75 ft toward its base. See Fig. 3.19.

Fig. 3.19

In the right triangle ABC, cot A 5 AC/CB; then AC 5 CB cot A or DC 1 75 5 CB cot 208.

In the right triangle DBC, cot D 5 DC/CB; then DC 5 CB cot 408.

Manual: DC 5 CB cot 208 2 75 5 CB cot 408
CB(cot 208 2 cot 408) 5 75
 CB(2.75 2 1.19) 5 75
and CB 5 75/1.56 5 48.08
Calculator: cot 208 5 1/tan 208 5 1/0.363970 5 2.74748
cot 408 5 1/tan 408 5 1/0.839100 5 1.19175
 CB(cot 208 2 cot 408) 5 75
 CB(2.74748 2 1.19175) 5 75
CB(1.55573) 5 75
CB 5 75/1.55573 5 48.2089
The tree is 48 ft tall.

3.16 A tower standing on level ground is due north of point A and due west of point B, a distance c ft from A.
If the angles of elevation of the top of the tower as measured from A and B are a and b, respectively, find
the height h of the tower.
In the right triangle ACD of Fig. 3.20, cot a 5 AC/h; and in the right triangle BCD, cot b 5 BC/h. Then
AC 5 h cot a and BC 5 h cot b.
Since ABC is a right triangle, (AC)2 1 (BC)2 5 c2 5 h2(cot a)2 1 h2(cot b)2 and
c
h5
Ï(cot a)2 1 (cot b)2

Fig. 3.20

3.17 If holes are to be spaced regularly on a circle, show that the distance d between the centers of two suc-
cessive holes is given by d 5 2r sin (1808/n), where r 5 the radius of the circle and n 5 the number of
holes. Find d when r 5 20 in and n 5 4.

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CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle 37

In Fig. 3.21, let A and B be the centers of two consecutive holes on the circle of radius r and center O. Let the
bisector of the angle O of the triangle AOB meet AB at C. In right triangle AOC,
1
AC 2d d
sin /AOC 5 r 5 r 5
2r

Fig. 3.21 

Then d 5 2r sin /AOC 5 2r sin 12 /AOB

5 2r sin 12 13608
n 2 5 2r sin n
1808

When r 5 20 and n 5 4, d 5 2 ? 20 sin 458 5 2 ? 20 (Ï2y2) 5 20Ï2 in.

Supplementary Problems

3.18 Find the exact values of the trigonometric functions of the acute angles of the right triangle ABC, given:

(a) a 5 3, b 5 1;  (b) a 5 2, c 5 5;  (c) b 5 Ï7, c 5 4

Ans. Answers are in the order sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant.
(a) A: 3yÏ10 5 3Ï10y10, 1yÏ10 5 Ï10y10, 3, 1y3 , Ï10, Ï10y3;
B: 1yÏ10 5 Ï10y10, 3yÏ10 5 3Ï10y10, 1y3 , 3, Ï10y3, Ï10
(b) A: 2y5,Ï21y5, 2yÏ21 5 2Ï21y21, Ï21y2, 5y Ï21 5 5Ï21y21, 5y2;
B: Ï21y5, 2y5, Ï21y2, 2yÏ21 5 2 Ï21y21, 5y2 , 5yÏ21 5 5 Ï21y21
(c) A: 3y4,Ï7y4, 3yÏ7 5 3Ï7y7, Ï7y3, 4y Ï7 5 4 Ï7y7, 4y3;
B: Ï7y4, 3y4, Ï7y3, 3yÏ7 5 3 Ï7y7, 4y3, 4 yÏ7 5 4Ï7y7

3.19 Which is the greater?

(a) sin 558 or cos 558 (c) tan 158 or cot 158
(b) sin 408 or cos 408 (d) sec 558 or csc 558
Ans. (a) sin 558,   (b) cos 408,   (c) cot 158,   (d) sec 558

3.20 Find the exact value of each of the following.

(a) sin 308 1 tan 458

(b) cot 458 1 cos 608
(c) sin 308 cos 608 1 cos 308 sin 608

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38 CHAPTER 3  Trigonometric Functions of an Acute Angle

(d) cos 308 cos 608 2 sin 308 sin 608

tan 608 2 tan 308
(e)
1 1 tan 608 tan 308
csc 308 1 csc 608 1 csc 908
(f)
sec 08 1 sec 308 1 sec 608
Ans. (a) 3/2,  (b) 3/2,  (c) 1,  (d) 0,  (e) 1yÏ3 5 Ï3y3,  (f) 1

3.21 A man drives 500 m along a road which is inclined 208 to the horizontal. How high above his starting point is he?
Ans. Manual: 170 m; calculator: 171 m (manual answer differs because of rounding of table values).

3.22 A tree broken over by the wind forms a right triangle with the ground. If the broken part makes an angle of 508 with
the ground and the top of the tree is now 20 ft from its base, how tall was the tree?
Ans. 55 ft

3.23 Two straight roads intersect to form an angle of 758. Find the shortest distance from one road to a gas station on the
other road that is 1000 m from the intersection.
Ans. Manual: 3730 m; calculator: 3732 (manual answer differs because of rounding of table values).

3.24 Two buildings with flat roofs are 60 m apart. From the roof of the shorter building, 40 m in height, the angle of eleva-
tion to the edge of the roof of the taller building is 408. How high is the taller building?
Ans. 90 m

3.25 A ladder with its foot in the street makes an angle of 308 with the street when its top rests on a building on one side
of the street and makes an angle of 408 with the street when its top rests on a building on the other side of the street.
If the ladder is 50 ft long, how wide is the street?
Ans. 82 ft

3.26 Find the perimeter of an isosceles triangle whose base is 40 cm and whose base angle is 708.
Ans. 157 cm

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