# trigonometry help

• July 4th 2008, 11:46 AM
Dave1234
trigonometry help
find the value of the 6 trig functions of an angle in standard position whose terminal ray passes through the given point:(-2,-2)
• July 4th 2008, 12:05 PM
Jhevon
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1234
find the value of the 6 trig functions of an angle in standard position whose terminal ray passes through the given point:(-2,-2)

did you draw the diagram? note that you can get a right triangle with these measurements.

recall that sine = opposite/hypotenuse, cosine = adjacent/hypotenuse, and tangent = opposite/adjacent. that's what SOHCAHTOA is all about.

then remember that secant = 1/cosine, cosecant = 1/sine and cotangent = 1/tangent

thus you can find all the trig ratios. note that you will need Pythagoras' theorem to solve for the missing side of the triangle
• July 4th 2008, 12:16 PM
Chop Suey
You got the coordinates (x,y) = (-2, -2). Apply Pythagorean Theorem and find the value of r.

$x^2 + y^2 = r^2$

Where x being the adjacent side, y being the opposite side, and r is the hypotenuse.

Now that you got the values of x, y, and r, simply replace it in the 6 trigonometric ratios.

$\sin{\theta} = \frac{y}{r}$

$\cos{\theta} = \frac{x}{r}$

$\tan{\theta} = \frac{y}{x}$

$\csc{\theta} = \frac{r}{y}$

$\sec{\theta} = \frac{r}{x}$

$\cot{\theta} = \frac{x}{y}$