Trigonometry Class 11: Complete Guide, All Formulas & Free PDF Download (JEE & Boards)
Trigonometry — Competishun
Trigonometry Class 11: Complete Guide, All Formulas & Free PDF Download (JEE & Boards)
Trigonometry is one of the most important and scoring chapters in Class 11 Maths. It carries significant weightage in JEE and is a guaranteed source of marks in board exams. The word "trigonometry" comes from the Greek words "trigon" (triangle) and "metron" (measure), meaning the measurement of triangles.[reference:0]
This chapter covers angle measurement (degrees and radians), trigonometric ratios (sin, cos, tan, etc.), fundamental identities, compound angle formulas, multiple and submultiple angles, transformation formulas, trigonometric equations (principal and general solutions), and graphs of trigonometric functions. Understanding these concepts is essential for success in calculus, physics, and engineering.
This page gives you the complete guide to Trigonometry with all concepts explained in depth. You will find clear definitions, formulas, visual diagrams, and practice questions. Download the free PDF below and keep it handy for quick revision before your JEE Main, board exams, or any other test.
Download the Trigonometry Complete Guide PDF
Get all Trigonometry concepts, formulas, identities, compound angles, equations, and practice questions in one clean PDF, free. Perfect for JEE and board revision.
Download Free PDFWhat is Trigonometry?
Trigonometry is used extensively in mathematics, physics, engineering, astronomy, and architecture.[reference:3] It forms the foundation for calculus and many other advanced topics.
Angle Measurement
Angles are measured in degrees (sexagesimal system) or radians (circular system).[reference:4]
Trigonometric Ratios
The six ratios (sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec, cot) relate the angles to the sides of a right-angled triangle.[reference:5]
Glossary of Trigonometry Terms — Complete A to Z
Before diving deep into each topic, let's understand the key terminology used in this chapter:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Angle | The measure of rotation of a revolving line with respect to a fixed line.[reference:6] |
| Degree | A unit of angle measurement where 1° = 60′ and 1′ = 60″.[reference:7] |
| Radian | The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc equal in length to the radius.[reference:8] |
| sin θ | Sine of angle θ = Opposite / Hypotenuse.[reference:9] |
| cos θ | Cosine of angle θ = Adjacent / Hypotenuse.[reference:10] |
| tan θ | Tangent of angle θ = Opposite / Adjacent.[reference:11] |
| cosec θ | Cosecant of angle θ = 1/sin θ.[reference:12] |
| sec θ | Secant of angle θ = 1/cos θ.[reference:13] |
| cot θ | Cotangent of angle θ = 1/tan θ.[reference:14] |
| Pythagorean Identity | sin²θ + cos²θ = 1.[reference:15] |
| Compound Angle | An angle formed by the sum or difference of two or more angles.[reference:16] |
| General Solution | A formula that gives all possible solutions of a trigonometric equation.[reference:17] |
| Mastering these terms is essential for understanding Trigonometry. | |
Angle Measurement — Degrees and Radians
Two Systems of Angle Measurement
Sexagesimal System
1° = 60′ (minutes)
1′ = 60″ (seconds)
Full rotation = 360°
Circular System
1 radian = angle subtended by an arc equal to the radius[reference:19]
Full rotation = 2π radians
Basic Trigonometric Ratios
| Ratio | Formula | Reciprocal |
|---|---|---|
| sin θ | Opposite / Hypotenuse | cosec θ = 1/sin θ |
| cos θ | Adjacent / Hypotenuse | sec θ = 1/cos θ |
| tan θ | Opposite / Adjacent = sinθ/cosθ | cot θ = 1/tan θ |
| cosec θ | Hypotenuse / Opposite | sin θ = 1/cosec θ |
| sec θ | Hypotenuse / Adjacent | cos θ = 1/sec θ |
| cot θ | Adjacent / Opposite = cosθ/sinθ | tan θ = 1/cot θ |
| These six ratios form the foundation of all trigonometry.[reference:22] | ||
Table of Standard Angles
| Angle | 0° | 30° | 45° | 60° | 90° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sin | 0 | 1/2 | 1/√2 | √3/2 | 1 |
| cos | 1 | √3/2 | 1/√2 | 1/2 | 0 |
| tan | 0 | 1/√3 | 1 | √3 | ∞ |
| cosec | ∞ | 2 | √2 | 2/√3 | 1 |
| sec | 1 | 2/√3 | √2 | 2 | ∞ |
| cot | ∞ | √3 | 1 | 1/√3 | 0 |
| These values must be memorised for quick problem solving.[reference:23] | |||||
Fundamental Trigonometric Identities
Pythagorean Identities
Reciprocal and Quotient Identities
Negative Angle Identities (Even-Odd)
Signs of Trigonometric Functions in Different Quadrants
Quadrant I
sin: +
cos: +
tan: +
All positive
Quadrant II
sin: +
cos: -
tan: -
sin positive
Quadrant III
sin: -
cos: -
tan: +
tan positive
Quadrant IV
sin: -
cos: +
tan: -
cos positive
Compound Angle Formulas
sin(A + B)
sin(A − B)
cos(A + B)
cos(A − B)
tan(A + B)
tan(A − B)
Additional Compound Angle Results
sin(A+B) sin(A−B)
cos(A+B) cos(A−B)
Multiple and Submultiple Angles
Double Angle Formulas
sin 2θ
cos 2θ
tan 2θ
Triple Angle Formulas
sin 3θ
cos 3θ
tan 3θ
Transformation Formulas — Sum to Product & Product to Sum
Product to Sum Formulas
sinA sinB
cosA cosB
sinA cosB
cosA sinB
Sum to Product Formulas
sinC + sinD
sinC − sinD
cosC + cosD
cosC − cosD
Trigonometric Equations — Principal and General Solutions
General Solutions of Standard Equations
sin θ = sin α
cos θ = cos α
tan θ = tan α
Special Cases
sin θ = 0
cos θ = 0
tan θ = 0
sin²θ = sin²α
cos²θ = cos²α
tan²θ = tan²α
Conditional Identities — When A + B + C = π
sin(A+B)
cos(A+B)
sin2A + sin2B + sin2C
cos2A + cos2B + cos2C
cosA + cosB + cosC
sinA + sinB + sinC
tanA + tanB + tanC
cotA cotB + cotB cotC + cotC cotA
Maximum and Minimum Values of Trigonometric Expressions
a cosθ + b sinθ
a sinθ + b cosθ
(a cosθ + b sinθ)²
a sin²θ + b sinθcosθ + c cos²θ
Practice Questions — From JEE and Boards
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1: Find the value of sin 75° using compound angle formulas.[reference:88] | sin75° = sin(45°+30°) = sin45°cos30° + cos45°sin30° = (√6+√2)/4. |
| Q2: Simplify: (sin75° + sin15°)/(cos75° + cos15°).[reference:89] | Using sum-to-product formulas, the expression simplifies to tan45° = 1. |
| Q3: Find the general solution of sin x = 1/2. | sin x = sin(π/6). General solution: x = nπ + (−1)ⁿ(π/6), n ∈ Z.[reference:90] |
| Q4: Find the maximum value of sin x + cos x. | Max = √(1²+1²) = √2.[reference:91] |
| Q5: Prove that: (sinA + sinB)/(cosA + cosB) = tan((A+B)/2).[reference:92] | Using sum-to-product formulas: LHS = [2sin((A+B)/2)cos((A−B)/2)]/[2cos((A+B)/2)cos((A−B)/2)] = tan((A+B)/2). |
| Q6: If A + B + C = π, find sin2A + sin2B + sin2C. | = 4 sinA sinB sinC (conditional identity).[reference:93] |
| Q7: Find the general solution of cos x = cos(π/3). | x = 2nπ ± π/3, n ∈ Z.[reference:94] |
| Q8: Simplify: sin7x + sin3x into product form.[reference:95] | 2 sin5x cos2x. |
| Practise these types of questions to become comfortable with applying Trigonometry concepts in exam scenarios. | |
All Trigonometry Formulas at a Glance
| Category | Formula |
|---|---|
| Pythagorean | sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 · 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ · 1 + cot²θ = cosec²θ[reference:96] |
| Reciprocal | cosecθ = 1/sinθ · secθ = 1/cosθ · cotθ = 1/tanθ[reference:97] |
| Compound Angles | sin(A±B) = sinA cosB ± cosA sinB · cos(A±B) = cosA cosB ∓ sinA sinB[reference:98] |
| Double Angle | sin2θ = 2sinθcosθ · cos2θ = cos²θ−sin²θ = 2cos²θ−1 = 1−2sin²θ[reference:99] |
| Triple Angle | sin3θ = 3sinθ−4sin³θ · cos3θ = 4cos³θ−3cosθ[reference:100] |
| Product to Sum | sinA sinB = ½[cos(A−B)−cos(A+B)] · cosA cosB = ½[cos(A−B)+cos(A+B)][reference:101] |
| Sum to Product | sinC+sinD = 2sin[(C+D)/2]cos[(C−D)/2] · cosC+cosD = 2cos[(C+D)/2]cos[(C−D)/2][reference:102] |
| General Solutions | sinθ=sinα → θ=nπ+(−1)ⁿα · cosθ=cosα → θ=2nπ±α · tanθ=tanα → θ=nπ+α[reference:103] |
| Max-Min | −√(a²+b²) ≤ a cosθ + b sinθ ≤ √(a²+b²)[reference:104] |
| Memorise these formulas for Trigonometry. They are the key to scoring full marks in this chapter. | |
Common Mistakes in Trigonometry
- Confusing degrees and radians: Always check whether the angle is in degrees or radians before applying formulas. In calculus, radians are always used.
- Forgetting the signs in different quadrants: Use the ASTC rule to determine the sign of trigonometric functions.[reference:105]
- Misapplying compound angle formulas: Pay attention to the signs in sin(A−B) and cos(A−B).[reference:106]
- Forgetting the general solution formulas: sinθ = sinα gives θ = nπ + (−1)ⁿα, not nπ ± α.[reference:107]
Not checking the domain of inverse trigonometric functions: sin⁻¹x is defined only for x ∈ [-1, 1]. Understanding the domain and range is essential for solving ITF problems correctly.
Important Properties of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
1. Negative Arguments
sin⁻¹(−x)
tan⁻¹(−x)
cos⁻¹(−x)
cot⁻¹(−x)
2. Complementary Pairs (Sum = π/2)
sin⁻¹x + cos⁻¹x
tan⁻¹x + cot⁻¹x
sec⁻¹x + cosec⁻¹x
3. Reciprocal Arguments
sin⁻¹(1/x)
cos⁻¹(1/x)
tan⁻¹(1/x)
4. Conversion Formulas
sin⁻¹x
cos⁻¹x
tan⁻¹x
tan⁻¹x
Addition and Subtraction Formulas for ITF
tan⁻¹x + tan⁻¹y
tan⁻¹x + tan⁻¹y
tan⁻¹x + tan⁻¹y
tan⁻¹x − tan⁻¹y
2tan⁻¹x
2tan⁻¹x
2tan⁻¹x
sin⁻¹x + sin⁻¹y
cos⁻¹x + cos⁻¹y
Graphs of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Practice Questions — From JEE and Boards
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1: Find the principal value of sin⁻¹(1/2). | sin⁻¹(1/2) = π/6 (since sin π/6 = 1/2 and π/6 ∈ [-π/2, π/2]). |
| Q2: Find the principal value of cos⁻¹(−1/2). | cos⁻¹(−1/2) = 2π/3 (since cos 2π/3 = −1/2 and 2π/3 ∈ [0, π]). |
| Q3: Evaluate sin⁻¹(1/2) + cos⁻¹(1/2). | sin⁻¹(1/2) + cos⁻¹(1/2) = π/2 (complementary pair property). |
| Q4: Find the value of tan⁻¹(1) + cot⁻¹(1). | tan⁻¹(1) + cot⁻¹(1) = π/2. |
| Q5: Evaluate sin⁻¹(−1/2). | sin⁻¹(−1/2) = −sin⁻¹(1/2) = −π/6. |
| Q6: Find the value of cos⁻¹(−1/2) using the property. | cos⁻¹(−1/2) = π − cos⁻¹(1/2) = π − π/3 = 2π/3. |
| Q7: Evaluate tan⁻¹(1) + tan⁻¹(2) + tan⁻¹(3). | tan⁻¹(1) = π/4. tan⁻¹(2) + tan⁻¹(3) = tan⁻¹((2+3)/(1−6)) = tan⁻¹(−1) = −π/4. Sum = 0. |
| Q8: Find the domain of f(x) = sin⁻¹(2x). | Domain: −1 ≤ 2x ≤ 1 → x ∈ [-1/2, 1/2]. |
| Practise these types of questions to become comfortable with applying Inverse Trigonometric Functions concepts in exam scenarios. | |
All ITF Formulas at a Glance
| Formula | What It Means |
|---|---|
| sin⁻¹(−x) = −sin⁻¹x | Odd function |
| cos⁻¹(−x) = π − cos⁻¹x | Even function (shifted) |
| tan⁻¹(−x) = −tan⁻¹x | Odd function |
| sin⁻¹x + cos⁻¹x = π/2 | Complementary pairs |
| tan⁻¹x + cot⁻¹x = π/2 | Complementary pairs |
| sec⁻¹x + cosec⁻¹x = π/2 | Complementary pairs |
| sin⁻¹(1/x) = cosec⁻¹x | Reciprocal arguments |
| cos⁻¹(1/x) = sec⁻¹x | Reciprocal arguments |
| tan⁻¹(1/x) = cot⁻¹x | Reciprocal arguments |
| tan⁻¹x + tan⁻¹y = tan⁻¹((x+y)/(1−xy)) | Addition formula |
| 2tan⁻¹x = sin⁻¹(2x/(1+x²)) | Double angle (sin) |
| 2tan⁻¹x = cos⁻¹((1−x²)/(1+x²)) | Double angle (cos) |
| Memorise these formulas for Inverse Trigonometric Functions. They are the key to scoring full marks in this chapter. | |
Common Mistakes in ITF
- Confusing domain and range: Remember that the domain of sin⁻¹x is [-1, 1] and the range is [-π/2, π/2]. The domain of tan⁻¹x is R and the range is (-π/2, π/2).
- Forgetting the principal value branch: Always use the principal value branch when evaluating inverse trigonometric functions.
- Misapplying the addition formulas: The formula tan⁻¹x + tan⁻¹y = tan⁻¹((x+y)/(1−xy)) has conditions on xy. Check the conditions before applying.
- Confusing sin⁻¹x with (sin x)⁻¹: sin⁻¹x is the inverse sine function, not the reciprocal of sine (which is cosec x).
- Not checking the domain of composite functions: When dealing with composite functions like sin⁻¹(2x), always check the domain of the inner function.
- Forgetting the complementary pair properties: sin⁻¹x + cos⁻¹x = π/2 is a very useful property. Memorise it.
Why ITF Matters for JEE and Boards
- Moderate weightage: Inverse Trigonometric Functions appears in 1-2 questions in JEE Main and is a guaranteed source of marks in board exams.
- Foundation for calculus: Inverse trigonometric functions are used in integration and differentiation, making them essential for advanced mathematics.
- Conceptual clarity: This chapter rewards students who understand the definitions and properties rather than just memorizing formulas.
- Practical relevance: Inverse trigonometric functions are used in physics, engineering, and computer graphics.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Trigonometry
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