5.2.2

Properties of Trig Functions

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Properties of the Trigonometric Functions

We can also use the unit circle to investigate the symmetry and repetition of the trigonometric functions.

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Symmetry

  • Consider the coordinates of a point created by angle θ\theta and the coordinates of the point created by θ-\theta.
  • The xx-coodinate is unchanged, so cosθ=cosθ\cos-\theta = \cos\theta.
  • The yy-coordinate changes sign, so sinθ=sinθ\sin-\theta = - \sin\theta.
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Symmetry

  • To determine the symmetry of the tangent function, we substitute θ-\theta for θ\theta:
    • tanθ=sinθcosθ=sinθcosθ=tanθ\tan-\theta = \frac{\sin-\theta}{\cos-\theta} = \frac{-\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} = -\tan\theta
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Beyond 2π

  • For angles of θ\theta greater than 2π2\pi, we go back around to the positive xx-axis.
  • This means each point on the circle can be generated by many different values of θ\theta, namely:
    • θ+2nπ\theta +2n\pi where n=0,1,2,3,...n = 0,1,2,3,....
  • This means we can say that the sine, cosine and tangent are periodic functions on the range 0<θ<2π0<\theta<2\pi.
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Beyond 2π

  • The tangent function is actually periodic over the range 0<θ<π0<\theta<\pi.
  • This is because the negative sign of the coordinated in the third quadrant cancel each other to give:
    • yx=tan(θ+π)=tanθ\frac{-y}{-x} = \tan(\theta+\pi) = \tan\theta

Jump to other topics

1Proof

2Algebra & Functions

2.1Powers & Roots

2.2Quadratic Equations

2.3Inequalities

2.4Polynomials

2.5Graphs

2.6Functions

2.7Transformation of Graphs

2.8Partial Fractions (A2 Only)

3Coordinate Geometry

4Sequences & Series

5Trigonometry

6Exponentials & Logarithms

7Differentiation

8Integration

9Numerical Methods

10Vectors

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