Trigonometry: Class 10 Notes

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies the relationships between the angles and sides of a triangle, especially right-angled triangles. It is a fundamental concept used widely in geometry, physics, engineering, and various applied sciences.


Key Terminology in Trigonometry:

  1. Angle: An angle is formed when two rays meet at a common point (vertex). The unit of measurement for angles is degrees (°) or radians.

  2. Right-Angled Triangle: A triangle in which one of the angles is 90°. In such a triangle, the side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse, and the other two sides are called base and perpendicular (also known as opposite).

  3. Hypotenuse: The longest side of a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.

  4. Base: One of the two sides that form the right angle in a right-angled triangle.

  5. Perpendicular: The other side that forms the right angle in a right-angled triangle.


Trigonometric Ratios:

In a right-angled triangle, given an angle (say θ\theta), we define the following trigonometric ratios:

1. Sine (sin) of an angle θ\theta:

sinθ=OppositeHypotenuse\sin \theta = \frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Hypotenuse}}

This ratio relates the length of the side opposite the angle θ\theta to the length of the hypotenuse.

2. Cosine (cos) of an angle θ\theta:

cosθ=BaseHypotenuse\cos \theta = \frac{\text{Base}}{\text{Hypotenuse}}

This ratio relates the length of the adjacent side (base) to the length of the hypotenuse.

3. Tangent (tan) of an angle θ\theta:

tanθ=OppositeBase\tan \theta = \frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Base}}

This ratio relates the length of the side opposite the angle θ\theta to the length of the adjacent side (base).

4. Cosecant (csc) of an angle θ\theta:

cscθ=1sinθ=HypotenuseOpposite\csc \theta = \frac{1}{\sin \theta} = \frac{\text{Hypotenuse}}{\text{Opposite}}

The reciprocal of sine.

5. Secant (sec) of an angle θ\theta:

secθ=1cosθ=HypotenuseBase\sec \theta = \frac{1}{\cos \theta} = \frac{\text{Hypotenuse}}{\text{Base}}

The reciprocal of cosine.

6. Cotangent (cot) of an angle θ\theta:

cotθ=1tanθ=BaseOpposite\cot \theta = \frac{1}{\tan \theta} = \frac{\text{Base}}{\text{Opposite}}

The reciprocal of tangent.


Trigonometric Ratios Table:

Here’s a quick reference for the six trigonometric ratios for any angle θ\theta in a right-angled triangle:

RatioFormulaReciprocal
Sine (sin)sinθ=OppositeHypotenuse\sin \theta = \frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Hypotenuse}}Cosecant (csc)
Cosine (cos)cosθ=BaseHypotenuse\cos \theta = \frac{\text{Base}}{\text{Hypotenuse}}Secant (sec)
Tangent (tan)tanθ=OppositeBase\tan \theta = \frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Base}}Cotangent (cot)

Trigonometric Identities:

There are several important identities in trigonometry that help in simplifying and solving problems. These include:

1. Pythagorean Identity:

For any angle θ\theta in a right-angled triangle:

sin2θ+cos2θ=1\sin^2 \theta + \cos^2 \theta = 1

This identity forms the basis of several trigonometric derivations.

2. Reciprocal Identities:

  • cscθ=1sinθ\csc \theta = \frac{1}{\sin \theta}

  • secθ=1cosθ\sec \theta = \frac{1}{\cos \theta}

  • cotθ=1tanθ\cot \theta = \frac{1}{\tan \theta}

3. Quotient Identities:

  • tanθ=sinθcosθ\tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}

  • cotθ=cosθsinθ\cot \theta = \frac{\cos \theta}{\sin \theta}


Trigonometric Values for Special Angles:

There are certain common angles whose trigonometric values are frequently used. These are:

Angle (θ)30°45°60°90°
sinθ\sin \theta012\frac{1}{2}22\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}32\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}1
cosθ\cos \theta132\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}22\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}12\frac{1}{2}0
tanθ\tan \theta013\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}13\sqrt{3}Undefined

These values should be memorized for quick reference.


Applications of Trigonometry:

Trigonometry has several practical applications:

  1. Height and Distance Problems: Trigonometry helps calculate the height of objects when the distance to the object and the angle of elevation/depression are known.

  2. Navigation: Trigonometry is used in navigation, for example, to determine positions and course directions.

  3. Architecture and Engineering: Trigonometric concepts are used to measure structural angles, lengths, and heights.

  4. Surveying: Trigonometry helps in land surveying and determining distances and areas of land.


Example Problems:

Problem 1:

Find the height of a building if the angle of elevation to the top of the building from a point 50 meters away from the base is 30°.

Solution:

Let the height of the building be hh.

Using the formula for tangent:

tan(30)=h50\tan(30^\circ) = \frac{h}{50}

From the table, tan(30)=13\tan(30^\circ) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}.

So,

13=h50\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{h}{50}

Multiplying both sides by 50:

h=503=503328.87 meters.h = \frac{50}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{50\sqrt{3}}{3} \approx 28.87 \text{ meters}.

Thus, the height of the building is approximately 28.87 meters.


Conclusion:

Trigonometry is an essential part of geometry and has various real-life applications. Understanding the fundamental trigonometric ratios, identities, and their use in problem-solving is key to mastering this topic.


These notes should help you get a solid foundation of trigonometry in Class 10. If you have specific questions or need more examples, feel free to ask!