Stage 25 · Trigonometry

25.3.2 Signs of Trig Values by Quadrant

25.3 Trig Functions on the Unit Circle and the Reduction Formulas

Point 2 of 4

25.3.2 Signs of Trig Values by Quadrant

Core idea

Which quadrant the point lands in settles whether its x and y are positive or negative, and the signs of sin, cos, and tan follow right along.

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 · 25.3.2 Signs of Trig Values by Quadrant