# Math Help - [SOLVED] description question about reference angles.

1. ## [SOLVED] description question about reference angles.

Explain how the reference angle is used to find values of the trigonometric functions for an angle in quadrant III.

?? i don't know.
and also, why is the reference angle always found with reference to the x-axis and not the y-axis?

2. Hello somanyquestions
Originally Posted by somanyquestions
Explain how the reference angle is used to find values of the trigonometric functions for an angle in quadrant III.

?? i don't know.
and also, why is the reference angle always found with reference to the x-axis and not the y-axis?
The reference angle is always measured anti-clockwise from the positive direction of the $x$-axis.

Your question about why not the $y$-axis is pointless. A definition is a definition. You may define a different reference angle starting from the $y$-axis if you wish - or indeed any other line - but in doing so, you will be creating a different definition. You might as well ask "Why doesn't the alphabet start at the letter 'n'?". Without some agreed conventions, we should get nowhere.

OK then. If the point $(x, y)$ is on the unit circle, and the radius joining $(0, 0)$ to $(x,y)$ makes an angle $\theta$ with the positive direction of the $x$-axis, measured anticlockwise, as described above, then, by definition:
$\left\{\begin{array}{l}
\cos\theta = x\\
\sin\theta = y\\
\end{array}\right.$

This definition holds good for all values of $\theta$; i.e. for angles in all quadrants. In particular, in QIII, where $x<0$ and $y<0$, this will mean that $\cos\theta$ and $\sin\theta$ are both negative.

Draw a diagram, showing an angle $\theta$ between $\pi$ and $3\pi/2$ (i.e. $(x,y)$ lies in QIII). Now draw the diameter through $(x,y)$ to meet the circle again in QI. You should be able to see that this shows that:
$\left\{\begin{array}{l}
\cos\theta = - \cos(\theta-\pi)\\
\sin\theta = -\sin(\theta-\pi)\\
\end{array}\right.$

where $0 < (\theta - \pi) < \pi/2$; i.e. $(\theta - \pi)$ is an acute angle. This shows how to relate the values of sine and cosine in QIII to those in QI.