Q.Which of the following is correct?
(A) sin1∘>sin1
(B) sin1∘<sin1
(C) sin1∘=sin1
(D) sin1∘=18∘πsin1
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Trigonometric Functions in Quadrants
Trigonometric Functions in Quadrants
Imagine standing at the centre of a circle, facing east. If you turn by some angle, you end up pointing in a certain direction. That direction has both a horizontal component (east-west) and a vertical component (north-south). Trigonometric functions are just a way to describe those components — and whether they are positive or negative depends entirely on which quadrant you're facing.
The Four Quadrants
The coordinate plane is split into four quadrants, numbered anticlockwise starting from the top-right:
- Quadrant I (0° to 90°): x > 0, y > 0
- Quadrant II (90° to 180°): x < 0, y > 0
- Quadrant III (180° to 270°): x < 0, y < 0
- Quadrant IV (270° to 360°): x > 0, y < 0
Now, recall the definitions on the unit circle (radius = 1):
- cosθ = x-coordinate of the point on the circle
- sinθ = y-coordinate of that point
- tanθ=cosθsinθ
So the sign of cosθ follows the sign of x, and the sign of sinθ follows the sign of y. That's all there is to it.
The Sign Pattern
| Quadrant | sinθ | cosθ | tanθ |
|---|---|---|---|
| I (0–90) | + | + | + |
| II (90–180) | + | – | – |
| III (180–270) | – | – | + |
| IV (270–360) | – | + | – |
The mnemonic "All Students Take Coffee" helps you remember which functions are positive in each quadrant, starting from QI and going anticlockwise: All (all positive), Sine (sin positive), Tan (tan positive), Cos (cos positive).
Why This Matters
Suppose you're solving sinθ=21. The calculator gives you θ=30∘, but that's only one solution. Because sine is positive in both QI and QII, there's a second angle: 180∘−30∘=150∘. If you forget the quadrant rule, you lose half the answers.
Similarly, if cosθ=−23, cosine is negative in QII and QIII. So the solutions are 150∘ and 210∘ (plus full rotations). …
The core idea here is understanding the distinction between angle units (degrees vs. radians) and the behavior of the sine function in the first quadrant.
When an angle is written without a unit, it is conventionally understood to be in radians. Thus, we are comparing sin1∘ with sin(1 radian).
- Convert 1 radian into degrees for a direct comparison. We know that π radians =180∘.
Important
1 radian=π180∘
- Using the approximation π≈3.14159, we find 1 radian≈3.14159180∘≈57.295∘.
- Now we are comparing sin1∘ and sin57.295∘. …
To compare sin1∘ and sin1, we must recognize that 1 refers to 1 radian. Since both angles are in the first quadrant where the sine function is increasing, comparing their magnitudes reveals that 1 radian is greater than 1∘, leading to sin1∘<sin1.
When we encounter trigonometric functions like sinx, the argument x can be expressed in either degrees or radians. If no unit is specified, it is universally understood to be in radians. This distinction is crucial for comparing values.
The core idea here is to compare the magnitudes of the angles 1∘ and 1 radian, and then use the property of the sine function in the relevant quadrant. Both 1∘ and 1 radian fall within the first quadrant (0∘ to 90∘ or 0 to π/2 radians). In this quadrant, the sine function is strictly increasing. This means that if we have two angles, say α and β, such that 0<α<β<π/2, then sinα<sinβ.
Our task simplifies to determining which angle, 1∘ or 1 radian, is larger.
-
Understand the Units:
The notation sin1∘ clearly indicates that the angle is 1 degree.
The notation sin1 (without a degree symbol) implies that the angle is 1 radian. This is a standard convention in mathematics, especially in calculus and higher-level trigonometry.
Watch outA common mistake is to assume that 1 in sin1 also means 1 degree. Always remember that an angle without a unit symbol is in radians.
-
Convert to a Common Unit:
To compare 1∘ and 1 radian, we need to express them in the same unit. Let's convert 1 radian into degrees.
We know the conversion factor: π radians =180∘.
Therefore, 1 radian =π180 degrees.
-
Approximate the Value of 1 Radian in Degrees:
We use the approximation π≈3.14159.
1 radian≈3.14159180 degrees≈57.2958∘.
-
Compare the Angles: …
Showing the 12 most recent of 17 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If tanα=24−7, secβ=6061 and both α,β lie in the same quadrant, then cos(α+β)= (A) 15251363 (B) 15251236 (C) 2423 (D) 6155
›Reveal solutionSolution
Identify the common quadrant (QIV, since tangent is negative and secant/cosine is positive there), find sin,cos of each angle from Pythagorean triples, and apply the cosine addition formula to get 15251363.
Concept and Intuition
Given tanα and secβ (magnitudes only fix the reference triangle; the quadrant fixes the actual signs of sin and cos). Once both angles' full sine and cosine are pinned down, the compound-angle formula cos(α+β)=cosαcosβ−sinαsinβ finishes the problem.
Step-by-Step Solution
- tanα=−247 is negative, and secβ=6061 is positive so cosβ>0. The only quadrant where tangent is negative and cosine is positive is the fourth quadrant (cos +, sin −, tan −). So both α and β are in QIV.
- For α: reference triangle with legs 7, 24, hypotenuse 25 (since 72+242=49+576=625=252). In QIV, cosα=2524 (positive), sinα=−257 (negative), consistent with tanα=−7/24.
- For β: secβ=61/60⇒cosβ=60/61. Find sinβ: sin2β=1−(6160)2=612612−602=3721121, so ∣sinβ∣=6111. In QIV, sine is negative: sinβ=−6111. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If sinA=53 and A lies in the second quadrant, then cotA+cosecAtanA−secA= (A) 52 (B) 1511 (C) 34 (D) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a straightforward trig-ratio evaluation using quadrant sign rules. Answer: 23.
Concept and Intuition
In the second quadrant, sine is positive but cosine (and everything derived from it, like tangent, secant) is negative. Once we pin down sinA and cosA with correct signs, every other ratio follows directly from their definitions.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given sinA=53, and using sin2A+cos2A=1: cos2A=1−259=2516, so cosA=±54.
- Since A is in the second quadrant, cosA<0, so cosA=−54.
- Compute the other ratios:
tanA=cosAsinA=−4/53/5=−43,secA=cosA1=−45
cotA=tanA1=−34,cscA=sinA1=35 …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If 630°<θ<810° and tanθ=−247, then cos(4θ)= (A) −1027+52 (B) 227+52 (C) −10252−7 (D) 2252−7
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a two-step half-angle problem where correctly tracking the quadrant at each stage is the crux. The answer is (A).
Concept and Intuition
Half-angle formulas give cos(ϕ/2)=±21+cosϕ, and the sign must be fixed by knowing which quadrant ϕ/2 actually lies in — it cannot be read off from ϕ's quadrant alone. Here we must apply the half-angle formula twice (once to get θ/2 from θ, once to get θ/4 from θ/2), pinning the sign each time.
Step-by-Step Solution
- tanθ=−7/24<0 means θ (reduced mod 360°) lies in QII or QIV. The given range 630°<θ<810° reduces (subtract 360°) to 270°<θ−360°<450°, i.e. θ−360° spans QIV (270°–360°) then QI (360°–450°). Only the QIV portion has negative tangent, so θ−360°∈(270°,360°), i.e. θ∈(630°,720°).
- In that range θ behaves like a QIV angle: cosθ=24/25>0, sinθ=−7/25<0 (the 7-24-25 triple).
- Then θ/2∈(315°,360°), which is QIV: cos(θ/2)>0, sin(θ/2)<0. cos(θ/2)=21+24/25=249/25=527. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If cosθ=5−3 and θ does not lie in second quadrant, then tan2θ= (A) 2 (B) 1 (C) -2 (D) -1
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests quadrant analysis combined with the half-angle tangent formula. Answer: tan2θ=−2.
Concept and Intuition
Given only cosθ, there are two possible quadrants (here Q2 or Q3, since cosine is negative in both); the extra condition ("not in Q2") pins down the sign of sinθ, which then plugs directly into the half-angle formula tan2θ=1+cosθsinθ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cosθ=−53 is negative, so θ lies in Q2 or Q3. Given it's not Q2, θ is in Q3, where both sine and cosine are negative.
- sin2θ=1−cos2θ=1−259=2516, so sinθ=±54; in Q3, sinθ=−54.
- Apply the half-angle identity tan2θ=1+cosθsinθ: tan2θ=1−3/5−4/5=2/5−4/5=−2. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution satisfying both the equations sinx=−53 and cosx=−54 is (A) x=(2n+1)π+Tan−1(43),n∈Z (B) x=2nπ+Tan−1(43),n∈Z (C) x=nπ+Tan−1(43),n∈Z (D) x=nπ±Tan−1(43),n∈Z
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests finding the general solution when both sine and cosine (not just one) are specified, which pins the angle to one specific quadrant per period. Answer: x=(2n+1)π+Tan−1(43).
Concept and Intuition
When only one of sinx or cosx is given, there are two possible quadrants and the general solution has extra branches. But when both are specified simultaneously, exactly one quadrant is consistent every period, so the general solution is a single family 2nπ+(one specific angle) — here re-expressed using odd multiples of π since that angle sits in Q3.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Both sinx=−53 and cosx=−54 are negative ⇒x lies in the third quadrant (Q3).
- Find the reference (acute) angle α where tanα=∣cosx∣∣sinx∣=4/53/5=43, so α=Tan−1(43).
- The Q3 angle with this reference angle is π+α (adding π to the Q1 reference angle lands in Q3, where both sin and cos flip negative — matches).
- The general solution (period 2π) is x=π+α+2nπ=(2n+1)π+α, n∈Z (since (2n+1)π ranges over all odd multiples of π, which is the same set as π+2nπ). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If cosx+sinx=21 and 0<x<π, then tanx= (A) 41+7 (B) 41−7 (C) 34−7 (D) −3(4+7)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Turn the sum-of-trig equation into a quadratic for sinx,cosx, pick the branch consistent with 0<x<π, and simplify tanx; the answer is −34+7.
Concept and Intuition
Given sinx+cosx=s, squaring produces sinxcosx in terms of s, so sinx and cosx become the two roots of a quadratic. The range restriction on x then picks out which root is sinx and which is cosx.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Square: (cosx+sinx)2=41⇒1+2sinxcosx=41⇒sinxcosx=−83.
- sinx and cosx satisfy t2−(21)t−83=0, i.e. 8t2−4t−3=0.
- Solve: t=164±16+96=164±112=164±47=41±7. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If sinθ+2cosθ=1 and θ belongs to 4th quadrant (not lying on the coordinate axes) then 7cosθ+6sinθ= (A) 174 (B) 2 (C) 177 (D) 54
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solve the linear trig equation together with the Pythagorean identity to pin down sinθ,cosθ in the 4th quadrant; the answer is 2.
Concept and Intuition
A single linear equation in sinθ and cosθ combined with sin2θ+cos2θ=1 gives a quadratic in one variable. The quadrant restriction then selects the valid root.
Step-by-Step Solution
- From sinθ+2cosθ=1: sinθ=1−2cosθ.
- Substitute into sin2θ+cos2θ=1: (1−2cosθ)2+cos2θ=1⇒1−4cosθ+4cos2θ+cos2θ=1⇒5cos2θ−4cosθ=0.
- Factor: cosθ(5cosθ−4)=0. Since θ doesn't lie on an axis, cosθ=0, so cosθ=54.
- Then sinθ=1−2(54)=1−58=−53. This is consistent with the 4th quadrant (sinθ<0,cosθ>0). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.If secθ+tanθ=31, then the quadrant in which 2θ lies is (A) 1st quadrant (B) 2nd quadrant (C) 3rd quadrant (D) 4th quadrant
›Reveal solutionSolution
Pair secθ+tanθ with secθ−tanθ (their product is always 1) to solve for θ's trig values, then use double-angle formulas to locate 2θ. Answer: 3rd quadrant.
Concept and Intuition
The identity (secθ−tanθ)(secθ+tanθ)=sec2θ−tan2θ=1 lets you find secθ−tanθ immediately once secθ+tanθ is known, without ambiguity — a much faster route than solving a trig equation directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given secθ+tanθ=31. Since (secθ−tanθ)(secθ+tanθ)=1, we get secθ−tanθ=3.
- Adding: 2secθ=31+3=310⇒secθ=35⇒cosθ=53.
- Subtracting: 2tanθ=31−3=−38⇒tanθ=−34.
- sinθ=tanθ⋅cosθ=−34⋅53=−54 (check: (3/5)2+(4/5)2=1 ✓). So cosθ>0,sinθ<0: θ is in Q4. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.If 540∘<A<630∘ and ∣cosA∣=135 then tan2AtanA= (A) 518 (B) 58 (C) −58 (D) −518
›Reveal solutionSolution
Locate the quadrant of A from the given range, fix the sign of cosA and hence sinA, then compute tan(A/2) via the half-angle formula. Answer: −18/5.
Concept and Intuition
The range 540∘ to 630∘ is just the 3rd quadrant shifted by a full 360∘ rotation, so all trig signs behave exactly as in 180∘–270∘. The half-angle formula tan(A/2)=1+cosAsinA avoids ambiguity about which root/sign to take for A/2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 540∘<A<630∘⇒180∘<A−360∘<270∘: 3rd quadrant, so cosA<0, sinA<0.
- ∣cosA∣=5/13⇒cosA=−5/13. Since sin2A=1−25/169=144/169 and sinA<0: sinA=−12/13.
- tan2A=1+cosAsinA=1−5/13−12/13=8/13−12/13=−812=−23.
- tanA=cosAsinA=−5/13−12/13=512. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If α is in the 3rd Quadrant, β is in the 2nd Quadrant such that tanα=71, sinβ=101, then sin(2α+β)= (A) 253×10 (B) 103 (C) 25103 (D) 3×2510
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to compute sin(2α+β) using the sine addition formula, which requires sinα, cosα, sinβ, and cosβ. Using quadrant signs and given values, we find sin(2α+β)=25103, matching option (C).
We are given:
- α in Quadrant III, tanα=71
- β in Quadrant II, sinβ=101 We need sin(2α+β).
Concept and Intuition
The formula sin(2α+β)=sin2αcosβ+cos2αsinβ is our path.
To use it, we need sinα, cosα, sinβ, cosβ — but with correct signs based on quadrants.
Quadrant III: both sine and cosine are negative.
Quadrant II: sine positive, cosine negative.
Getting these signs wrong is the classic pitfall.
Step-by-step solution
- Find sinα and cosα from tanα=71 in Quadrant III tanα=adjacentopposite=71 means a right triangle with legs 1 and 7, hypotenuse 12+72=50=52. In Quadrant III, both sine and cosine are negative:
sinα=−521,cosα=−527.
- Find cosβ from sinβ=101 in Quadrant II sinβ=101 gives a triangle with opposite 1, hypotenuse 10, so adjacent = 10−1=3. In Quadrant II, cosine is negative:
cosβ=−103.
- Compute sin2α and cos2α Use double-angle formulas:
sin2α=2sinαcosα=2(−521)(−527)=2⋅25⋅27=257.
cos2α=cos2α−sin2α=(5049)−(501)=5048=2524.
(Note: cos2α is positive; α in QIII means 2α could be in QI or QII, but here it’s QI.)
- Apply the sine addition formula
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.If sinθ=53 and θ is not in the first quadrant, then 15sin2θ−20cos2θ−7tan2θ= (A) −4 (B) −12 (C) 12 (D) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Fixing the correct quadrant for θ (Q2, since sinθ>0 but θ∈/ Q1) determines the sign of cosθ, and from there all the double-angle values follow. Answer: 4.
Concept and Intuition
sinθ=3/5 alone doesn't fix θ's quadrant — it could be Q1 or Q2 since sine is positive in both. The extra condition "θ is not in the first quadrant" forces Q2, where cosine is negative. Getting this sign right is the crux of the whole problem.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since sinθ=3/5>0 and θ is not in Q1, θ must be in Q2, so cosθ=−1−9/25=−4/5.
- sin2θ=2sinθcosθ=2⋅53⋅(−54)=−2524.
- cos2θ=1−2sin2θ=1−2518=257.
- tan2θ=cos2θsin2θ=7/25−24/25=−724. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-FN1 markMCQQ.Which of the following trigonometric values are negative? I) sin(−292∘) II) tan(−193∘) III) cos(−207∘) IV) cot(−222∘) (A) II, III and IV (B) III only (C) I and III (D) II and III
›Reveal solutionSolution
Add 360∘ to each angle: 68∘ (Q1), 167∘, 153∘, 138∘ (all Q2). In Q2 only sine/cosec are positive — so tan,cos,cot are negative: II, III, IV.
Concept and Intuition
Two facts settle every question of this type.
- Coterminal angles: θ and θ+360∘ have the same terminal ray, hence identical values of all six functions. So a negative angle is best replaced by θ+360∘.
- ASTC (All–Sin–Tan–Cos): in Q1 all are +; in Q2 only sin (and csc); in Q3 only tan (and cot); in Q4 only cos (and sec).
Step-by-Step Solution
- I) sin(−292∘): −292∘+360∘=68∘, first quadrant. All functions positive there, so sin(−292∘)=sin68∘>0. Not negative.
- II) tan(−193∘): −193∘+360∘=167∘, second quadrant. In Q2 tangent is negative: tan167∘<0. Negative.
- III) cos(−207∘): −207∘+360∘=153∘, second quadrant. In Q2 cosine is negative. Negative.
- IV) cot(−222∘): −222∘+360∘=138∘, second quadrant. Cotangent shares the sign of tangent, which is negative in Q2. Negative.
- Hence the negative ones are II, III and IV. …
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