Stage 25 · Trigonometry

25.3.1 Defining Trig Functions on the Unit Circle

25.3 Trig Functions on the Unit Circle and the Reduction Formulas

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25.3.1 Defining Trig Functions on the Unit Circle

Core idea

On a circle of radius 1, the y-coordinate where the angle's terminal side meets the circle is sinα, and the x-coordinate is cosα.

Module goal. We upgrade trig functions from the right triangle to the coordinates of a point on the unit circle, so they make sense for any angle, and we use the circle's symmetry to read off the reduction formulas all at once.
eastmath.com · 25.3 Trig Functions on the Unit Circle and the Reduction Formulas · 25.3.1 Defining Trig Functions on the Unit Circle