Fundamental Relationship of Trigonometry

An important relationship existing in trigonometry was elaborated by Pythagoras, based on right triangle (triangle with legs forming a right angle). See the relationship that became known as "Pythagorean theorem”:

AB = collared
AC = collared
BC = hypotenuse
avg (AB)² + avg (AC)² = avg (BC)²
At the trigonometric circle, the vertical axis is represented by the sine and the horizontal axis by the cosine. When we determine any point on the extremity of the circle, we have its projection on the axis of sines and cosines. When we draw a straight segment from the axis of the circle's origins to the given point, we form an angle Ө, as shown in the following diagrams:

Based on the right triangle formed, let's apply the fundamentals of Pythagoras' theorem:


sin² Ө + cos² Ө = 1
Application of the fundamental relationship
Example 1:
Whereas , with , determine cos x.


Example 2:
Whereas , with , determine sin x.

by Mark Noah
Graduated in Mathematics
Brazil School Team

Trigonometry - Math - Brazil School

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/matematica/relacao-fundamental-trigonometria.htm

instagram story viewer

François Marie Arouet, the Voltaire

Paris-born French Enlightenment philosopher, one of the most influential in history and famous fo...

read more

Francisco de Melo Franco

Brazilian physician born in Paracatu, Minas Gerais, who published a manual that can be presented ...

read more

Ferdnand Gotthold Max Eisenstein

Mathematician and professor born and died in Berlin, admired by Gauss, with an important contribu...

read more