Trig Functions on a Unit Circle Name: _____________________

Note: This entire assignment should be done without a calculator. It’s OK to check your answers on a
calculator, but you should not need a calculator to find them.
Previously, we defined the trig functions on a right triangle by SOHCAHTOA: for instance,
sin θ is the opposite over the hypotenuse.

1. Based on this definition, what is the domain of the sin function? That is, how small can θ get on
this drawing, and how big can θ get on this drawing?

Then we moved to a different definition, which goes something like this. Draw a unit circle—a circle
with radius 1, centered on the origin. Draw a line going from the origin at an angle θ. This line will
cross the unit circle at the point (x,y). We define cos θ as the x–value of this point, and sin θ as the y–
value of this point.

Answer by looking at the unit circle. Then check your answers on your calculator.

2. sin 0o = ____
3. cos 0o = ____
4. sin 90o = ____
5. cos 90o = ____
6. sin 180o = ____
7. cos 180o = ____
8. sin 270o = ____
9. cos 270o = ____
10. sin 360o = ____
11. sin –90o = ____
12. cos 720o = ____
13. sin –810o = ____
14. Based on this definition, what is the domain of the sin function? That is, how small can θ get on
this drawing, and how big can θ get on this drawing?

Now, here are some harder problems.

16. Name at least three angles that satisfy the equation sin θ = 0. (For extra stud points, name all such
angles.)

sin  
17. For what angles θ is tan θ undefined? (Remember that tan θ = .
cos  

18. What is the range of the sin function? That is, what are the biggest and smallest numbers that the
sin can ever give?

19. Below is a circle where I have drawn an angle at roughly 15o.

a. Draw in an angle at –15o.

b. Draw in an angle at 165o.
Now, suppose I tell you that cos(15o)=0.966 and sin(15o)=0.259. And suppose I’m not lying. And
remember that you can answer without a calculator, but check with one!
c. What is cos(–15o)?

d. What is sin(–15o)?

e. What is cos(165o)?

f. What is sin(165o)?

20. What are the sine, cosine, and tangent of 45o? Hint: draw a 45o angle on a unit circle, and look at it
for a while!