# Math Help - sec, csc, cot

1. ## sec, csc, cot

I know that sine generally corresponds to the "y" values of the unit circle, and cosine to the "x" values, and tangent is the "slope" of these two values...however, I've always been kind of mystified by the other three major trigonometric functions: sec, csc, cot. I know these functions can be used to find missing sides and angles of a right trangle, but I was wondering if anyone can give some more insight to these functions (such as the x = cos (theta) stuff I mentioned before). Or heck, just something cool I may not know!

Thanks!

-Andy-

2. Originally Posted by TheBerkeleyBoss
I know that sine generally corresponds to the "y" values of the unit circle, and cosine to the "x" values, and tangent is the "slope" of these two values...however, I've always been kind of mystified by the other three major trigonometric functions: sec, csc, cot. I know these functions can be used to find missing sides and angles of a right trangle, but I was wondering if anyone can give some more insight to these functions (such as the x = cos (theta) stuff I mentioned before). Or heck, just something cool I may not know!

Thanks!

-Andy-
nothing mysterious ...secant, cosecant, and cotangent are just the reciprocal functions of cosine, sine, and tangent respectively.