Module 1

Circular Functions and Trigonometry

What this module is about

This module is about the unit circle. From this module you will learn the
trigonometric definition of an angle, angle measurement, converting degree
measure to radian and vice versa. The lessons were presented in a very simple
way so it will be easy for you to understand and be able to solve problems alone
without difficulty. Treat the lesson with fun and take time to go back if you think
you are at a loss.

What you are expected to learn

This module is designed for you to:

1. define a unit circle, arc length, coterminal and reference angles.

2. convert degree measure to radian and radian to degree.
3. visualize rotations along the unit circle and relate these to angle
measures.
4. illustrate angles in standard position, coterminal angles and reference
angles.

How much do you know

A. Write the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the circumference of a circle in terms of π ?

a. π b. 2π c. 3π d. 4π

2. An acute angle between the terminal side and the x-axis is called ______
a. coterminal b. reference c. quadrantal d. right
 3. 60 ° in radian measure is equal to
π π π π
a. b. c. d.
2 3 4 6

4. 2.5 rad express to the nearest seconds is equal to

a.143° 14′ 24″ b. 143° 14′ 26″ c. 43° 14′ 26″ d. 43° 14′ 27″

5. What is the measure of an angle subtended by an arc that is 7 cm if the

radius of the circle is 5 cm?

a. 1. 4 rad b. 1.5 rad c. 1.6 rad d. 1.7 rad

24
6. Point M ( , y) lie on the unit circle and M is in Q II. What is the value of
25
y?
6 −6 7 −7
a. b. c. d.
25 25 25 25

7. What is the measure of the reference angle of a 315o angle?

a. 45 o b. 15 o c. -45 o d. -15 o

5π
8. In which quadrant does the terminal side of lie?
6

a. I b. II c. III d. IV

9. A unit circle is divided into 10 congruent arcs. What is the length of each
arc?

π π 2π
a. b. c. d. 10π
10 5 5

B. Solve:

10. The minute hand of the clock is 12 cm long. Find the length of the arc traced
by the minute hand as it moved from its position at 3:00 to 3:40.

2
 What you will do

Lesson 1

The Unit Circle

A unit circle is defined as a circle whose radius is equal to one unit and
whose center is at the origin. Every point on the unit circle satisfies the equation
x2 + y2 + 1.

The figure below shows a circle with radius equal to 1 unit. If the
circumference of a circle is defined by
the formula c = 2πr and r = 1, then
c = 2π or 360° or 1 revolution.
r =1
If 2π = 360°, then π = 180° or º
one-half revolution.

Example:

1. Imagine the Quezon Memorial Circle as a venue for morning joggers. The
maintainers have placed stopping points where they could relax.

B
If each jogger starts at
Point A, the distance he would
travel at each terminal point C A
is shown in table below.

Stopping
B C D A
Point
Distance or π 3π
π 2π
Arclength 2 2

This illustrates the circumference of the unit circle 2π when divided by 4:

2π π
will give = , the measure of each arc.
4 2

3
 Similarly, the measure of each arc of a unit circle divided into:

2π π
a. 6 congruent arcs = =
6 3

2π π
b. 8 congruent arcs = =
8 4

π
c. 12 congruent arcs =
6

These measurements are called arclengths.

Let’s go back to the unit circle which we divided into 4 congruent arcs.
From A, the length of each arc in each terminal points is given as:

π B
B:
2 +

2π
C: =π C A
2

3π -
D: D
2

4π
A: = 2π
2

This is true in a counterclockwise rotation. If the rotation goes clockwise,

the arclengths would be negative.

Thus, the arclengths of the terminal points in a clockwise direction would

yield:

π 3π
D=- B=-
2 2

C = -π A = -2π

We call these measurements as directed arclengths.

4
2. Suppose a point is allowed to move around the circle starting from point A,
find the arclength of each terminal point.
C
The unit circle is divided into D B
8 congruent arcs. Therefore,
π
each arc measures . E A
4

F H
G

A counterclockwise move that A clockwise move that

terminates at: terminates at:

Terminal pt. Arclength Terminal pt. Arclength

π π
B H -
4 4
2π π 2π π
C or G − or −
4 2 4 2
3π 3π
D F -
4 4
4π 4π
E orπ E − or − π
4 4
5π 5π
F D -
4 4
6π 3π 6π 3π
G or C − or −
4 2 4 2
7π 7π
H B -
4 4
8π 8π
A or 2π A − or − 2π
4 4

A rotation can be repeated. For example a two complete rotation is equal

to 4π. A one and a half revolution is equal to 3π.

9π
An arclength of will also be at terminal point B. This is also equal to
4
π
2π + .
4

5
 Try this out
A. Find the length of each arc of a unit circle divided into:

1. 10 4. 18
2. 14 5. 20
3. 16 6. 24

B. Given the unit circle: Identify the terminal points of each arclength:

π 5π
1. 6. 11. -2 π
3 6 D
E C
7π − 5π −π F B
2. 7. 12.
6 6 3
G A
11π 3π − 2π
3. 8. 13.
6 2 3 L
H

− 7π π I K
4. 9. π 14. J
6 2

− 11π π
5. 10. - π 15. -
6 2

Lesson 2

Conversion of Degree to Radian and Vice Versa

Before discussing conversion of angle measures, you have to understand

that there are two unit of angle measure that are commonly used:

1. Degree measure
2. Radian measure.

A complete revolution is divided into 360 equal parts. A degree is

subdivided to minutes and seconds.

6
 1 rev = 360° ° is the symbol for degrees
1° = 60′ ′ is the symbol for minutes
1′ = 60″ ″ is the symbol for seconds

For all circles, the radian measure of the circumference is 2π

radians. But the angle has a measure of 360°.

hence, 2π rad = 360°

π rad = 180°

180
1 rad = or 57.296°
π

π
1° = rad or 0.017453 rad
180

Now, you are to convert degrees to radians. To convert from degrees to

π
radians, multiply the number of degrees by . Then simplify.
180

Examples:

Convert the measure of the following angles from degrees to radians.

π 7π
1. 70° = 70° x = rad
180 18

π − 5π
2. -225° = -225° x = rad
180 4

π π
3. 90° = 90° x = rad
180 2

π 3π
4. 135° = 135° x = rad
180 4

π 3π
5. 270° = 270° x = rad
180 2

7
 180
To convert from radians to degree, multiply the number of radians by .
π
Then simplify.

Examples:

Express each radian measure in degrees

2π 2π 180
1. = x = 90°
4 4 π

5π 5π 180
2. = x = 300°
3 3 π

2π 2π 180
3. = x = 120°
3 3 π

− 11π − 11π 180

4. = x = -330°
6 6 π

− 23π − 23π 180

5. = x = 1380°
3 3 π

Try this out

A. Convert the following to radian measure:

1. 60° 6. -366°
2. 150° 7. 22.5°
3. 240° 8. 720°
4. 780° 9. 225°
5. -300° 10. 612°

8
 B. Express each radian measure in degrees:

7π − 7π
1. 6.
2 5

13π − 5π
2. 7.
6 9

20π − 23π
3. 8.
3 3

12π − 4π
4. 9.
5 5

7π − 7π
5. 10.
2 4

Lesson 3

Angles Intercepting an Arc

A radian is defined as the measure of an angle intercepting an arc whose

length is equal to the radius of the circle. An arc length is the distance between
two points along a circle expressed in linear units.

arclength
angle in radian =
radius of the circle r s
θ)
s
or θ =
r

You can now use this knowledge to solve problems.

9
Examples:

1. A wheel of radius 80 cm rolls along the ground without slipping and

rotates through an angle of 45°. How far does the wheel move?
s
Solution: Use the formula θ = to solve for the distance s.
r

Let: radius = 80 cm θ = 45°

Convert 45° to π radians:

π π
45° x rad = rad
180 4

s
θ =
r

π s
rad =
4 80

π
s = rad x 80
4

s = 20π

2. The minute hand of a clock is 5 cm long. How far does the tip of the
hand travel in 35 min?

Solution:
deg ree
Arc length formula = ( 2πr )
180

360
360° in 60 min time or = 6°
60

35 min ⇒ 35 x 6° = 120°

120
L = ( 2 ) ( 3.1416 ) ( 5 cm )
360

= 18.33 cm

10
 Try this out
Solve the following:

1. The pendulum of a clock swings through an angle of 0.15 rad. If it

swings a distance of 30 cm, what is the length of the pendulum?

2. The minute hand of the clock is 10 cm long. How far does the tip of the
hand move after 12 minutes?

3. An arc 15 cm long is measured on the circumference of a circle of radius

10 cm. Find an angle subtended at the center.

Lesson 4

Rotations Along the Unit Circle

An angle can be thought of as the amount of rotation generated when a ray

is rotated about its endpoints. The initial position of the ray is called the initial
side of the angle and the position of the ray at the endpoint is called terminal
side. A clockwise rotation generates a negative angle while a counterclockwise
rotation generates a positive angle.

Imagine the terminal side of an angle whose terminal side is on the

positive x-axis being rotated along the unit circle.

Positive angle Negative angle

Y Y

X
X

11
Example 1:

5π
Illustrate 1. radians 5. 30°
2

9π
2. radians 6. -90°
4

3. 3π radians 7. -500°

− 13π
4. radians 8. 270°
4

The positive side of the x-axis is the initial side

5π 9π
1. radians 2. radians
2 Y 4 Y

X
X

− 13π
3. 3π radians 4. radians
4
Y Y

X X

12
 5. 6.
Y Y

30° X
X
-90°

7. Y 8.
Y

X X
-500° 270°

Example 2:

How many degrees is the angle formed when the rotating ray makes

a. 3 complete counterclockwise turns?

5
b. 2 complete clockwise turns?
6

Solutions:

a. 3 ( 360 )° = 1080°

5
b. 2 ( -360°) = -1020°
6

13
Try this out
A. Draw an arc whose length is:

1. 4π units
5π
2. units
4
3. -3π units
− 3π
4. units
2
7π
5. units
12

B. Draw the following angle measures.

1. 115° 3. -620°
2. -250° 4. 300°

Lesson 5

Angles
An angle whose vertex lies at the origin of the rectangular coordinate
system and whose initial side is positive along the positive x-axis is said to be in
standard position.

Terminal side

X
Vertex initial side

14
Angles in standard position.

Examples:

Y Y
a. b.

S
X X
O

Y
c. Y d.

N
X X
A

Angles not in standard position:

Y Y
a. b.

J A
X X

c. Y d. Y

S
X
X

15
Quadrantal Angles:

A quadrantal angle is an angle in standard position and whose terminal

side lies on the x-axis or y-axis.

Example:

Y Y

F X G
X

∠F is not a quadrantal angle, since the terminal side does not lie on the
x – axis or y - axis.

∠G is a quadrantal angle since its terminal side lie on the x - axis.

Coterminal Angles:

Coterminal angles are angles having the same initial side and the same
terminal side.

Y Y

C
B A D
X X

Examples:

Determine the measure of the smallest positive angle coterminal with:

a. 65° b. 128°

c. -213° d. 654°

16
Solution:
Angles coterminal with a given angle θ may be derived using the
formula θ + 360n for all integers n.

a. 65° + 360° = 425° b. 128° + 360° = 488°

Y
Y
128o
65o
X
X
o
488o
425

c. -213° + 360° = 147° d. 654° - 360° = 294°

Y Y

294o
147o
X X
o
654o
-213

Finding coterminal angle less than 360°

Examples:

a. 750° = 755° - 360°(20) c. 660° = 660° - 360°

= 35° = 300°

b. 380° = 380° - 360° d. 820° = 820° - 360°(2)

= 20° = 100°

17
Reference Angles

A reference angle (A) is a positive acute angle formed between the x-

axis and the terminal side of a given angle.

Examples:

Let: A = reference angle

a. Y b.
Y

A
X A
X

c. Y d. Y

X
X
A A

Examples:

In each of the following determine the quadrant in which the angle lies
and determine the reference angle.

a. 73° b. 135°

c. 300° d. 920°

18
Solution:

The reference angle can be derived using the formula 180°n ± θ.

Y
a. 73°

180°n ± θ 73°

. 73° terminates in Ql, hence X

180°( 0 ) - θ = 73°

θ = 73°, the reference angle itself

b. 135°
Y
135° terminates in Qll, hence
135°
180°( 1 ) - θ = 135° 45°
X
θ = 180° - 135°

θ = 45° is the reference angle

c. 300° Y

300° terminates in Q1V , hence

180°( 2 ) - θ = 300° 300°

X
θ = 360° - 300° 60°

θ = 60° is the reference angle

19
 d. 920°

First find the number of multiples of 180° in 920°

900° has 4 multiples of 180° and a remainder of 200°

The terminal side of 200° is in Qlll.

180°( 1 ) - θ = 200°

θ = 200° - 180°

θ = 20° is the reference angle

Illustration is left for you.

Try this out

A. Determine the smallest positive coterminal angle with the given angle.

1. 57° 6. -349°
2. -250° 7. 100°
3. 94° 8. 207°
4. -175° 9. 185°
5. 116° 10. 409°

B. Determine the quadrant in which the angle lies and find the reference angle.

1. 84° 6. 480°
2. -140° 7. -650°
3. 355° 8. 740°
4. -365° 9. 330°
5. 290° 10. 204

20
 Let’s summarize

The circle of radius one with center at origin is called the unit circle

To convert from degrees to radians, multiply the number of degrees

π
by . Then simplify.
180

To convert from radians to degree, multiply the number of radians

180
by . Then simplify.
π

An angle is the amount of rotation where one side is called the initial
side and the other is the terminal side.

An angle is in standard position if it is constructed in a rectangular

coordinate system with vertex at the origin and the initial side on the
positive side of the x-axis.

Coterminal angle are angles having the same initial side and the
same terminal side.

Reference angle is an acute angle between the terminal side and

the x-axis.

To find the reference angle, write the angle in the form 180n ± θ
where θ is the reference angle.

21
 What have you learned
Answer the following correctly:

1. A circle is divided into 6 congruent arcs. What is the measure of each

arc?

2. Express 120° in radian measure.

3. What is the reference angle of -380°?

4. The coterminal angle less than 360° of 820° is __________.

− 7π
5. Convert rad to degree measure.
6
1
6. On a circle of radius 20cm, the arc intercepts a central angle of rad.
5
What is the arclength?

7. At what quadrant is the terminal side of - 1080° located?

1
8. How many degrees is the angle formed by a ray that makes 3 complete
5
rotations counterclockwise?

2
9. How many degrees is the angle formed by a ray that makes 2 complete
3
rotations clockwise?

10. A minute hand of a clock is 5 cm long. How far does the tip of the hand
travel in 50 min?

22
 Answer Key
How much do you know

1. b 6. c
2. b 7. a
3. d 8. Qll
5π
4. a 9.
20
5. a 10. 20.57 cm

Try this out

Lesson 1

π π
A. 1. 4.
5 9

π π
2. 5.
7 10

π π
3. 6.
8 12

B. 1. C 6. F 11. A
2. H 7. H 12. K
3. L 8. J 13. I
4. F 9. G 14. D
5. B 10. G 15. J

23
Lesson 2

π 61π
A. 1. rad 6. rad
3 30
5π π
2. rad 7. rad
3 8
4π
3. rad 8. 4π
3
13π 5π
4. rad 9.
3 4
− 5π 17π
5. rad 10.
3 5
B. 1. 63° 6. -252°
2. 390° 7. -100°
3. 1200° 8. -1300°
4. 432° 9. -144°
5. 105° 10. -315°

Lesson 3

1. 200 cm
2. 12.57 cm
3. 1.5 rad

Lesson 4
Y
Y
5π
A. 1. 4π 2.
4

X
X

24
 Y − 3π Y
3. 3π 4.
2

X X

7π Y
5.
12

B. 1. 2. Y
Y

115°
X
X
-250o

3. 4.
Y Y

300°
X X

-620°

25
Lesson 5

A. 1. 417° 6. 11°
2. 110° 7. 460°
3. 454° 8. 567°
4. 185° 9. 545°
5. 476° 10. 769°

B. 1. Ql , 84° 6. Q1, 60°

2. Qlll, 35° 7. Qll, 10°
3. Q lV, 5° 8. Q ll, 20°
4. QlV, 5° 9. Q1, 30°
5. Q lll, 70° 10. Q lll, 24°

What have you learned

π
1. 6. s = 4 cm
3
2π
2. rad 7. Q1
3
3. 20° 8. -960°
4. 100° 9. 1152°
5. -21π rad 10. 26.18 cm

26