# Introduction to Trigonometry

Just the mention of Trigonometry strikes fear in your heart? Fret not, you are not alone. However, this is a problem that can be easily solved. Trigonometry is an easy topic to understand if you follow its real-life applications. Let us familiarize ourselves with the basis of trigonometry.

Q1. What are the six basic trigonometric functions?

A1. The six basic trigonometric function are:

• Sine (sin) – opposite/ hypotenuse
• Cosine (cos) – adjacent/ hypotenuse
• Tangent (tan) – opposite/ adjacent
• Secant (sec) – hypotenuse/ adjacent
• Cosecant (cosec) – hypotenuse/ opposite
• Cotangent (cot) – adjacent/ opposite

Apart from these there are some other function of trigonometry.

Q2. What are the three trigonometric ratios?

A2. The three basic trigonometric ratios are: sine, cosine, and tangent commonly known as sin, cos, and tan. In a right triangle you can find sine, cosine, and tangent of either of the non-90-degree angles, that is angles of perpendicular and hypotenuse.

Q3. What is the value of tan?

A3. Tangent is an angle length of the opposite side that we divide by the length of the adjacent side, in a right triangle. Moreover, the tangent of an angle is the length of the opposite side divided by the length of the adjacent side.

Q4. Is trigonometry applicable to all the triangles?

A4.  Basically, trigonometric functions are defined for right triangles, but they also work for non-right triangles. Furthermore, we know them as the law of sines and law of cosines.  However, they work as follows for any triangle:

These are: Sin (a)/A = Sin (b)/ B = Sin (c)/ C. Here c equals 90 degrees, and then we can reduce it to Pythagorean’s theorem.

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