1.1: Angles

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 59541

$ \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } $

$ \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} $

$ \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}$ $ \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}$

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) $ \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}$

$ \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}$ $ \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}$

$ \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}$ $ \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}$

$ \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}$

$ \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}$

$ \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}$

$ \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}$

$ \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}$

$ \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}$

$ \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}$

$ \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}$

$ \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}$

$ \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}$

$ \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}$

$ \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}$ $ \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}$

$ \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow$

$ \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow$

$ \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } $

$ \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} $

$ \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} $

$ \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} $

$ \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} $

$ \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } $

$ \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} $

$\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}$ $\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}$ $\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}$ $\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}$ $\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}$ $\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}$ $\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}$ $\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}$ $\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}$ $\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}$ $\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}$ $\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}$ $\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}$ $\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}$ $\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}$ $\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}$ $\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}$ $\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}$ $\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}$ $\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}$ $\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}$ $\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}$ $\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}$ $\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}$ $\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}$ $\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}$ $\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}$ $\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}$ $\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}$ $\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}$ $\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}$ $\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}$ $\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}$ $\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}$ $\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}$ $\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}$ $\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}$ $\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}$ $\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}$ $\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}$ $\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}$ $\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}$ $\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}$ $\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}$ $\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}$ $\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}$ $\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}$ $\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}$ $\newcommand{\lt}{<}$ $\newcommand{\gt}{>}$ $\newcommand{\amp}{&}$ $\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}$

Learning Objectives

Draw angles in standard position.
Convert between degrees and radians.
Find coterminal angles.
Find the length of a circular arc.
Find the area of a sector of a circle

A golfer swings to hit a ball over a sand trap and onto the green. An airline pilot maneuvers a plane toward a narrow runway. A dress designer creates the latest fashion. What do they all have in common? They all work with angles, and so do all of us at one time or another. Sometimes we need to measure angles exactly with instruments. Other times we estimate them or judge them by eye. Either way, the proper angle can make the difference between success and failure in many undertakings. In this section, we will examine properties of angles.

Drawing Angles in Standard Position

Properly defining an angle first requires that we define a ray. A ray consists of one point on a line and all points extending in one direction from that point. The first point is called the endpoint of the ray. We can refer to a specific ray by stating its endpoint and any other point on it. The ray in Figure $\PageIndex{1}$ can be named as ray EF, or in symbol form $\overrightarrow{EF}$.

Illustration of Ray EF, with point F and endpoint E. — Figure $\PageIndex{1}$

An angle is the union of two rays having a common endpoint. The endpoint is called the vertex of the angle, and the two rays are the sides of the angle. The angle in Figure $\PageIndex{2}$ is formed from $\overrightarrow{ED}$ and $\overrightarrow{EF}$. Angles can be named using a point on each ray and the vertex, such as angle DEF, or in symbol form $∠DEF.$

Illustration of Angle DEF, with vertex E and points D and F. — Figure $\PageIndex{2}$

Greek letters are often used as variables for the measure of an angle. Table $\PageIndex{1}$ is a list of Greek letters commonly used to represent angles, and a sample angle is shown in Figure $\PageIndex{3}$.

Table $\PageIndex{1}$
$θ$	$φ \text{ or }ϕ$	$α$	$β$	$γ$
theta	phi	alpha	beta	gamma

$Illustration of angle theta.$

Figure $\PageIndex{3}$: Angle theta, shown as $∠θ$

Angle creation is a dynamic process. We start with two rays lying on top of one another. We leave one fixed in place, and rotate the other. The fixed ray is the initial side, and the rotated ray is the terminal side. In order to identify the different sides, we indicate the rotation with a small arc and arrow close to the vertex as in Figure $\PageIndex{4}$.

Illustration of an angle with labels for initial side, terminal side, and vertex. — Figure $\PageIndex{4}$

As we discussed at the beginning of the section, there are many applications for angles, but in order to use them correctly, we must be able to measure them. The measure of an angle is the amount of rotation from the initial side to the terminal side. Probably the most familiar unit of angle measurement is the degree. One degree is $\frac{1}{360}$ of a circular rotation, so a complete circular rotation contains 360 degrees. An angle measured in degrees should always include the unit “degrees” after the number, or include the degree symbol °. For example, 90 degrees = 90°.

To formalize our work, we will begin by drawing angles on an x-y coordinate plane. Angles can occur in any position on the coordinate plane, but for the purpose of comparison, the convention is to illustrate them in the same position whenever possible. An angle is in standard position if its vertex is located at the origin, and its initial side extends along the positive x-axis. See Figure $\PageIndex{5}$.

Graph of an angle in standard position with labels for the initial side and terminal side. The initial side starts on the x-axis and the terminal side is in Quadrant II with a counterclockwise arrow connecting the two. — Figure $\PageIndex{5}$

If the angle is measured in a counterclockwise direction from the initial side to the terminal side, the angle is said to be a positive angle. If the angle is measured in a clockwise direction, the angle is said to be a negative angle.

Drawing an angle in standard position always starts the same way—draw the initial side along the positive x-axis. To place the terminal side of the angle, we must calculate the fraction of a full rotation the angle represents. We do that by dividing the angle measure in degrees by 360°. For example, to draw a 90° angle, we calculate that $\frac{90°}{360°}=\frac{1}{4}$. So, the terminal side will be one-fourth of the way around the circle, moving counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. To draw a 360° angle, we calculate that $\frac{360°}{360°}=1$. So the terminal side will be 1 complete rotation around the circle, moving counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. In this case, the initial side and the terminal side overlap. See Figure $\PageIndex{6}$ .

Side by side graphs. Graph on the left is a 90 degree angle and graph on the right is a 360 degree angle. Terminal side and initial side are labeled for both graphs. — Figure $\PageIndex{6}$

Since we define an angle in standard position by its initial side, we have a special type of angle whose terminal side lies on an axis, a quadrantal angle. This type of angle can have a measure of 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° or 360°. See Figure $\PageIndex{7}$.

Four side by side graphs. First graph shows angle of 0 degrees. Second graph shows an angle of 90 degrees. Third graph shows an angle of 180 degrees. Fourth graph shows an angle of 270 degrees. — Figure $\PageIndex{7}$: Quadrantal angles are angles in standard position whose terminal side lies along an axis. Examples are shown.

QUADRANTAL ANGLES

Quadrantal angles are angles in standard position whose terminal side lies on an axis, including 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°, or 360°.

Given an angle measure in degrees, draw the angle in standard position

Express the angle measure as a fraction of 360°.
Reduce the fraction to simplest form.
Draw an angle that contains that same fraction of the circle, beginning on the positive x-axis and moving counterclockwise for positive angles and clockwise for negative angles.

Example $\PageIndex{1}$: Drawing an Angle in Standard Position Measured in Degrees

Sketch an angle of 30° in standard position.
Sketch an angle of −135° in standard position.

Solution

Divide the angle measure by 360°.
\[\dfrac{30°}{360°}=\dfrac{1}{12}\]

To rewrite the fraction in a more familiar fraction, we can recognize that

\[\dfrac{1}{12}=\dfrac{1}{3}(\frac{1}{4})\]

One-twelfth equals one-third of a quarter, so by dividing a quarter rotation into thirds, we can sketch a line at 30° as in Figure $\PageIndex{8}$. $Graph of a 30 degree angle on an xy-plane.$
Figure $\PageIndex{8}$
Divide the angle measure by 360°.
\[\dfrac{−135°}{360°}=−\dfrac{3}{8}\]

In this case, we can recognize that

\[−\dfrac{3}{8}=−\dfrac{3}{2}(\dfrac{1}{4})\]

Negative three-eighths is one and one-half times a quarter, so we place a line by moving clockwise one full quarter and one-half of another quarter, as in Figure $\PageIndex{9}$.
$Graph of a negative 135 degree angle with a clockwise rotation to the terminal side instead of counterclockwise.$
Figure $\PageIndex{9}$

$\PageIndex{1}$:

Show an angle of 240° on a circle in standard position.

Solution

Graph of a 240-degree angle with a counterclockwise rotation. — Figure $\PageIndex{10}$

Converting Between Degrees and Radians

Dividing a circle into 360 parts is an arbitrary choice, although it creates the familiar degree measurement. We may choose other ways to divide a circle. To find another unit, think of the process of drawing a circle. Imagine that you stop before the circle is completed. The portion that you drew is referred to as an arc. An arc may be a portion of a full circle, a full circle, or more than a full circle, represented by more than one full rotation. The length of the arc around an entire circle is called the circumference of that circle.

The circumference of a circle is $C=2πr$. If we divide both sides of this equation by $r$, we create the ratio of the circumference to the radius, which is always $2π$ regardless of the length of the radius. So the circumference of any circle is $2π≈6.28$ times the length of the radius. That means that if we took a string as long as the radius and used it to measure consecutive lengths around the circumference, there would be room for six full string-lengths and a little more than a quarter of a seventh, as shown in Figure $\PageIndex{11}$.

Illustration of a circle showing the number of radians in a circle. A circle with points on it and between two points in counterclockwise rotation is a number which represents how many radians in that arc. — Figure $\PageIndex{11}$

This brings us to our new angle measure. One radian is the measure of a central angle of a circle that intercepts an arc equal in length to the radius of that circle. A central angle is an angle formed at the center of a circle by two radii. Because the total circumference equals $2π$ times the radius, a full circular rotation is $2π$ radians. So

\[\begin{align} 2π \text{ radians } & =360^∘ \\ π \text{ radians } & =\dfrac{360^∘}{2}=180^∘ \\ 1 \text{ radian } & =\dfrac{180^∘}{π}≈57.3^∘ \end{align}\]

See Figure $\PageIndex{12}$. Note that when an angle is described without a specific unit, it refers to radian measure. For example, an angle measure of 3 indicates 3 radians. In fact, radian measure is dimensionless, since it is the quotient of a length (circumference) divided by a length (radius) and the length units cancel out.

Illustration of a circle with angle t, radius r, and an arc of r. The — Figure $\PageIndex{12}$: The angle $t$ sweeps out a measure of one radian. Note that the length of the intercepted arc is the same as the length of the radius of the circle.

Relating Arc Lengths to Radius

An arc length $s$ is the length of the curve along the arc. Just as the full circumference of a circle always has a constant ratio to the radius, the arc length produced by any given angle also has a constant relation to the radius, regardless of the length of the radius.

This ratio, called the radian measure, is the same regardless of the radius of the circle—it depends only on the angle. This property allows us to define a measure of any angle as the ratio of the arc length s s to the radius $r$. See Figure $\PageIndex{13}$.

\[\begin{align} s &=rθ \\ θ &=\dfrac{s}{r} \end{align}\]

If $ s=r$, then $θ=\frac{r}{r}= 1 \text{ radian.}$

Three side-by-side graphs of circles. First graph has a circle with radius r and arc s, with equivalence between r and s. The second graph shows a circle with radius r and an arc of length 2r. The third graph shows a circle with a full revolution, showing 6.28 radians. — Figure $\PageIndex{13}$: (a) In an angle of 1 radian, the arc length $s$ equals the radius $r.$ (b) An angle of 2 radians has an arc length $s=2r$. (c) A full revolution is 2π or about 6.28 radians.

To elaborate on this idea, consider two circles, one with radius 2 and the other with radius 3. Recall the circumference of a circle is $C=2πr$,where $r$ is the radius. The smaller circle then has circumference $2π(2)=4π$ and the larger has circumference $2π(3)=6π$. Now we draw a 45° angle on the two circles, as in Figure $\PageIndex{14}$.

Graph of a circle with a 45-degree angle and a label for pi/4 radians. — Figure $\PageIndex{14}$: A 45° angle contains one-eighth of the circumference of a circle, regardless of the radius.

Notice what happens if we find the ratio of the arc length divided by the radius of the circle.

\[\begin{align} \text{Smaller circle: } \dfrac{\frac{1}{2}π}{2} & =\dfrac{1}{4}π \\[2mm] \text{Larger circle: } \dfrac{\frac{3}{4}π}{3} & =\dfrac{1}{4}π \end{align}\]

Since both ratios are $\frac{1}{4}π$, the angle measures of both circles are the same, even though the arc length and radius differ.

RADIANS

One radian is the measure of the central angle of a circle such that the length of the arc between the initial side and the terminal side is equal to the radius of the circle. A full revolution (360°) equals $2\pi$ radians. A half revolution (180°) is equivalent to $\pi$ radians.

The radian measure of an angle is the ratio of the length of the arc subtended by the angle to the radius of the circle. In other words, if $s$ is the length of an arc of a circle, and $r$ is the radius of the circle, then the central angle containing that arc measures $\frac{s}{r}$ radians. In a circle of radius 1, the radian measure corresponds to the length of the arc.

A measure of 1 radian looks to be about 60°. Is that correct?

Yes. It is approximately 57.3°. Because $2π$ radians equals 360°, $1$ radian equals $\frac{360°}{2π}≈57.3°$.

Using Radians

Because radian measure is the ratio of two lengths, it is a unitless measure. For example, in Figure $\PageIndex{14}$, suppose the radius were 2 inches and the distance along the arc were also 2 inches. When we calculate the radian measure of the angle, the “inches” cancel, and we have a result without units. Therefore, it is not necessary to write the label “radians” after a radian measure, and if we see an angle that is not labeled with “degrees” or the degree symbol, we can assume that it is a radian measure.

Considering the most basic case, the unit circle (a circle with radius 1), we know that 1 rotation equals 360 degrees, 360°. We can also track one rotation around a circle by finding the circumference, $C=2πr$, and for the unit circle $C=2π.$ These two different ways to rotate around a circle give us a way to convert from degrees to radians.

\[\begin{array}{clll} 1 \text{rotation } & =360° & =2π & \text{radians} \\[2mm] \dfrac{1}{2} \text{rotation } & =180° & =π & \text{radians} \\[2mm] \dfrac{1}{4} \text{rotation } & =90° & =\dfrac{π}{2} & \text{radians} \end{array}\]

Identifying Special Angles Measured in Radians

In addition to knowing the measurements in degrees and radians of a quarter revolution, a half revolution, and a full revolution, there are other frequently encountered angles in one revolution of a circle with which we should be familiar. It is common to encounter multiples of 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees. These values are shown in Figure $\PageIndex{15}$. Memorizing these angles will be very useful as we study the properties associated with angles.

A graph of a circle with angles of 0, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 135, 150, 180, 210, 225, 240, 270, 300, 315, and 330 degrees. — Figure $\PageIndex{15}$: Commonly encountered angles measured in degrees

Now, we can list the corresponding radian values for the common measures of a circle corresponding to those listed in Figure $\PageIndex{15}$, which are shown in Figure $\PageIndex{16}$. Be sure you can verify each of these measures.

A graph of a circle with angles of 0, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 135, 150, 180, 210, 225, 240, 270, 300, 315, and 330 degrees. The graph also shows the equivalent amount of radians for each angle of degrees. For example, 30 degrees is equal to pi/6 radians. — Figure $\PageIndex{16}$: Commonly encountered angles measured in radians

Example $\PageIndex{2}$: Finding a Radian Measure

Find the radian measure of one-third of a full rotation.

Solution

For any circle, the arc length along such a rotation would be one-third of the circumference. We know that

\[1 \text{ rotation}=2πr\]

So,

\[\begin{align}s &= \dfrac{1}{3}(2πr) \\[2mm] &=\dfrac{2πr}{3} \end{align}\]

The radian measure would be the arc length divided by the radius.

\[\begin{align} \text{radian measure} & = \dfrac{\frac{2πr}{3}}{r} \\[2mm] &= \dfrac{2πr}{3r} \\[2mm] & = \dfrac{2π}{3} \end{align}\]

$\PageIndex{2}$

Find the radian measure of three-fourths of a full rotation.

Solution

\[\dfrac{3π}{2}\]

Converting between Radians and Degrees

Because degrees and radians both measure angles, we need to be able to convert between them. We can easily do so using a proportion.

\[\dfrac{θ}{180}=\dfrac{θ^R}{π}\]

This proportion shows that the measure of angle $θ$ in degrees divided by 180 equals the measure of angle $θ$ in radians divided by $π.$ Or, phrased another way, degrees is to 180 as radians is to $π$. We can use fact that $180^∘=\pi$ radians to convert between degree and radian measure.

CONVERTING BETWEEN RADIANS AND DEGREES

To convert an angle from radian measure to degree measure, multiply the value by the fraction $\dfrac{180^∘}{\pi}$ and simplify

To convert an angle from degree measure to radian measure, multiply the value by the fraction $\dfrac{\pi}{180^∘}$ and simplify

Example $\PageIndex{3}$: Converting Radians to Degrees

Convert each radian measure to degrees.

$\frac{π}{6}$
3

Solution

1. Because we are given radians and we want degrees, we should multiply by $\dfrac{180^∘}{\pi}$ and simplify

\[ (\frac{π}{6}) (\dfrac{180^∘}{\pi}) = \dfrac{\pi180^∘}{6\pi} = \dfrac{180^∘}{6} = 30^∘ \]

2. Because we are given radians and we want degrees, we should multiply by $\dfrac{180^∘}{\pi}$ and simplify

\[ 3 (\dfrac{180^∘}{\pi}) = \dfrac{3*180^∘}{\pi} = \dfrac{540^∘}{\pi} ≈ 171.89^∘ \]

$\PageIndex{3}$

Convert $−\frac{3π}{4}$ radians to degrees.

Solution

−135°

Example $\PageIndex{4}$: Converting Degrees to Radians

Convert $15$ degrees to radians.

Solution

In this example, we start with degrees and want radians, so we multiply by $\dfrac{\pi}{180^∘}$ and simplify

\[ 15 * (\dfrac{\pi}{180^∘}) = \dfrac{15\pi}{180^∘} = \dfrac{\pi}{12} \]

$\PageIndex{4}$

Convert 126° to radians.

Solution

$\frac{7π}{10}$

Finding Coterminal Angles

Converting between degrees and radians can make working with angles easier in some applications. For other applications, we may need another type of conversion. Negative angles and angles greater than a full revolution are more awkward to work with than those in the range of 0° to 360°, or 0 to $2π$. It would be convenient to replace those out-of-range angles with a corresponding angle within the range of a single revolution.

It is possible for more than one angle to have the same terminal side. Look at Figure $\PageIndex{17}$. The angle of 140° is a positive angle, measured counterclockwise. The angle of –220° is a negative angle, measured clockwise. But both angles have the same terminal side. If two angles in standard position have the same terminal side, they are coterminal angles. Every angle greater than 360° or less than 0° is coterminal with an angle between 0° and 360°, and it is often more convenient to find the coterminal angle within the range of 0° to 360° than to work with an angle that is outside that range.

A graph showing the equivalence between a 140 degree angle and a negative 220 degree angle. The 140 degrees angle is a counterclockwise rotation where the 220 degree angle is a clockwise rotation. — Figure $\PageIndex{17}$: An angle of 140° and an angle of –220° are coterminal angles.

Any angle has infinitely many coterminal angles because each time we add 360° to that angle—or subtract 360° from it—the resulting value has a terminal side in the same location. For example, 100° and 460° are coterminal for this reason, as is −260°. Recognizing that any angle has infinitely many coterminal angles explains the repetitive shape in the graphs of trigonometric functions.

An angle’s reference angle is the measure of the smallest, positive, acute angle $t$ formed by the terminal side of the angle $t$ and the horizontal axis. Thus positive reference angles have terminal sides that lie in the first quadrant and can be used as models for angles in other quadrants. See Figure $\PageIndex{18}$ for examples of reference angles for angles in different quadrants. In the figure, $t$ is the given angle and $t'$ is the reference angle.

Four side-by-side graphs. First graph shows an angle of t in quadrant 1 in its normal position. Second graph shows an angle of t in quadrant 2 due to a rotation of pi minus t. Third graph shows an angle of t in quadrant 3 due to a rotation of t minus pi. Fourth graph shows an angle of t in quadrant 4 due to a rotation of two pi minus t. — Figure $\PageIndex{18}$

COTERMINAL AND REFERENCE ANGLES

Coterminal angles are two angles in standard position that have the same terminal side.
An angle’s reference angle is the size of the smallest acute angle, $t′$, formed by the terminal side of the angle $t$ and the horizontal axis.

Given an angle greater than 360°, find a coterminal angle between 0° and 360°

Subtract 360° from the given angle.
If the result is still greater than 360°, subtract 360° again till the result is between 0° and 360°.
The resulting angle is coterminal with the original angle.

Example $\PageIndex{5}$: Finding an Angle Coterminal with an Angle of Measure Greater Than 360°

Find the least positive angle θ that is coterminal with an angle measuring 800°, where $0°≤θ<360°$.

Solution

An angle with measure 800° is coterminal with an angle with measure 800 − 360 = 440°, but 440° is still greater than 360°, so we subtract 360° again to find another coterminal angle: 440 − 360 = 80°.

The angle $θ=80°$ is coterminal with 800°. To put it another way, 800° equals 80° plus two full rotations, as shown in Figure $\PageIndex{19}$.

A graph showing the equivalence between an 80-degree angle and an 800-degree angle where the 800 degree angle is two full rotations and has the same terminal side position as the 80 degree. — Figure $\PageIndex{19}$

$\PageIndex{5}$

Find an angle $α$ that is coterminal with an angle measuring 870°, where $0°≤α<360°$.

Solution

$α=150°$

Given an angle with measure less than 0°, find a coterminal angle having a measure between 0° and 360°.

Add 360° to the given angle.
If the result is still less than 0°, add 360° again until the result is between 0° and 360°.
The resulting angle is coterminal with the original angle.

Example $\PageIndex{6}$: Finding an Angle Coterminal with an Angle Measuring Less Than 0°

Show the angle with measure −45° on a circle and find a positive coterminal angle α such that 0° ≤ α < 360°.

Solution

Since 45° is half of 90°, we can start at the positive horizontal axis and measure clockwise half of a 90° angle.

Because we can find coterminal angles by adding or subtracting a full rotation of 360°, we can find a positive coterminal angle here by adding 360°:

\[−45°+360°=315°\]

We can then show the angle on a circle, as in Figure $\PageIndex{20}$.

A graph showing the equivalence of a 315-degree angle and a negative 45-degree angle. The 315 degree angle is on a counterclockwise rotation while the negative 45 degree angle is on a clockwise rotation. — Figure $\PageIndex{20}$

$\PageIndex{6}$

Find an angle β that is coterminal with an angle measuring −300° such that $0°≤β<360°$.

Solution

$β=60°$

Finding Coterminal Angles Measured in Radians

We can find coterminal angles measured in radians in much the same way as we have found them using degrees. In both cases, we find coterminal angles by adding or subtracting one or more full rotations.

Given an angle greater than $2\pi$, find a coterminal angle between 0 and $2\pi$.

Subtract $2π$ from the given angle.
If the result is still greater than $2π$, subtract $2π$ again until the result is between $0$ and $2π$.
The resulting angle is coterminal with the original angle.

Example $\PageIndex{7}$: Finding Coterminal Angles Using Radians

Find an angle $β$ that is coterminal with $\frac{19π}{4}$, where $0≤β<2π.$

Solution

When working in degrees, we found coterminal angles by adding or subtracting 360 degrees, a full rotation. Likewise, in radians, we can find coterminal angles by adding or subtracting full rotations of $2π$ radians:

\[\begin{align} \dfrac{19π}{4}−2π & =\dfrac{19π}{4}−\dfrac{8π}{4} \\ &=\dfrac{11π}{4} \end{align}\]

The angle $\frac{11π}{4}$ is coterminal, but not less than $2π$, so we subtract another rotation:

\[\begin{align} \dfrac{11π}{4}−2π &= \dfrac{11π}{4}−\dfrac{8π}{4} \\ &= \dfrac{3π}{4} \end{align}\]

The angle $\frac{3π}{4}$ is coterminal with $\frac{19π}{4}$, as shown in Figure $\PageIndex{21}$.

A graph showing a circle and the equivalence between angles of 3pi/4 radians and 19pi/4 radians. The 19pi/4 makes two full rotations before ending in the same place as the 3pi/4. — Figure $\PageIndex{21}$

$\PageIndex{7}$

Find an angle of measure $θ$ that is coterminal with an angle of measure $−\frac{17π}{6}$ where $0≤θ<2π.$

Solution

$\frac{7π}{6}$

Determining the Length of an Arc

Recall that the radian measure $θ$ of an angle was defined as the ratio of the arc length $s$ of a circular arc to the radius $r$ of the circle, $θ=\frac{s}{r}$. From this relationship, we can find arc length along a circle, given an angle.

ARC LENGTH ON A CIRCLE

In a circle of radius r, the length of an arc $s$ subtended by an angle with measure $θ$ in radians, shown in Figure $\PageIndex{22}$, is

\[s=rθ\]

Illustration of circle with angle theta, radius r, and arc with length s. — Figure $\PageIndex{22}$

Given a circle of radius $r,$ calculate the length $s$ of the arc subtended by a given angle of measure $θ$.

If necessary, convert $θ$ to radians.
Multiply the radius $r$ by the radian measure of $θ:s=rθ$.

Example $\PageIndex{8}$: Finding the Length of an Arc

Assume the orbit of Mercury around the sun is a perfect circle. Mercury is approximately 36 million miles from the sun.

In one Earth day, Mercury completes 0.0114 of its total revolution. How many miles does it travel in one day?
Use your answer from part (a) to determine the radian measure for Mercury’s movement in one Earth day.

Solution

Let’s begin by finding the circumference of Mercury’s orbit.
\[\begin{align} C &=2πr \\ &=2π(\text{36 million miles}) \\ &≈226 \text{ million miles} \end{align}\]

Since Mercury completes 0.0114 of its total revolution in one Earth day, we can now find the distance traveled:

\[(0.0114)226 \text{ million miles} = 2.58 \text{ million miles}\]
Now, we convert to radians:
\[\begin{align} \text{radian} & = \dfrac{\text{arc length}}{\text{radius}} \\ &= \dfrac{2.58 \text{ million miles}}{36 \text{ million miles}} \\ & =0.0717 \end{align} \]

$\PageIndex{8}$

Find the arc length along a circle of radius 10 units subtended by an angle of 215°.

Solution

\[\dfrac{215π}{18}=37.525 \text{ units} \]

Finding the Area of a Sector of a Circle

In addition to arc length, we can also use angles to find the area of a sector of a circle. A sector is a region of a circle bounded by two radii and the intercepted arc, like a slice of pizza or pie. Recall that the area of a circle with radius $r$ can be found using the formula $A=πr^2$. If the two radii form an angle of $θ$, measured in radians, then $\frac{θ}{2π}$ is the ratio of the angle measure to the measure of a full rotation and is also, therefore, the ratio of the area of the sector to the area of the circle. Thus, the area of a sector is the fraction $\frac{θ}{2π}$ multiplied by the entire area. (Always remember that this formula only applies if $θ$ is in radians.)

\[\begin{align} \text{Area of sector} & =(\dfrac{θ}{2π})πr^2 \\ &=\dfrac{θπr^2}{2π} \\ & =\dfrac{1}{2}θr^2 \end{align}\]

AREA OF A SECTOR

The area of a sector of a circle with radius $r$ subtended by an angle $θ$, measured in radians, is

\[A=\dfrac{1}{2}θr^2\]

See Figure $\PageIndex{23}$.

Graph showing a circle with angle theta and radius r, and the area of the slice of circle created by the initial side and terminal side of the angle. The slice is labeled: A equals one half times theta times r squared. — Figure $\PageIndex{23}$: The area of the sector equals half the square of the radius times the central angle measured in radians.

Given a circle of radius $r,$ find the area of a sector defined by a given angle $θ.$

If necessary, convert $θ$ to radians.
Multiply half the radian measure of $θ$ by the square of the radius $r: A=\frac{1}{2}θr^2.$

Example $\PageIndex{9}$: Finding the Area of a Sector

An automatic lawn sprinkler sprays a distance of 20 feet while rotating 30 degrees, as shown in Figure $\PageIndex{24}$. What is the area of the sector of grass the sprinkler waters?

Illustration of a 30-degree angle with a terminal and initial side with length of 20 feet. — Figure $\PageIndex{24}$: The sprinkler sprays 20 ft within an arc of 30°.

Solution

First, we need to convert the angle measure into radians. Because 30 degrees is one of our special angles, we already know the equivalent radian measure, but we can also convert:

\[\begin{align} \text{30 degrees} &=30⋅\frac{π}{180} \\ &=\frac{π}{6} \text{ radians} \end{align}\]

The area of the sector is then

\[\begin{align} \text{Area} &= \dfrac{1}{2}(\dfrac{π}{6})(20)^2 \\ & ≈104.72 \end{align}\]

So the area is about $\mathrm{104.72 \; ft^2}$.

$\PageIndex{9}$

In central pivot irrigation, a large irrigation pipe on wheels rotates around a center point. A farmer has a central pivot system with a radius of 400 meters. If water restrictions only allow her to water 150 thousand square meters a day, what angle should she set the system to cover? Write the answer in radian measure to two decimal places.

Solution

1.88

Key Concepts

An angle is formed from the union of two rays, by keeping the initial side fixed and rotating the terminal side. The amount of rotation determines the measure of the angle.
An angle is in standard position if its vertex is at the origin and its initial side lies along the positive x-axis. A positive angle is measured counterclockwise from the initial side and a negative angle is measured clockwise.
To draw an angle in standard position, draw the initial side along the positive x-axis and then place the terminal side according to the fraction of a full rotation the angle represents. See Example.
In addition to degrees, the measure of an angle can be described in radians. See Example.
To convert between degrees and radians, use the proportion $\frac{θ}{180}=\frac{θ^R}{π}$. See Example and Example.
Two angles that have the same terminal side are called coterminal angles.
We can find coterminal angles by adding or subtracting 360° or $2π$. See Example and Example.
Coterminal angles can be found using radians just as they are for degrees. See Example.
The length of a circular arc is a fraction of the circumference of the entire circle. See Example.
The area of sector is a fraction of the area of the entire circle. See Example.

Glossary

angle: the union of two rays having a common endpoint

arc length: the length of the curve formed by an arc

area of a sector: area of a portion of a circle bordered by two radii and the intercepted arc; the fraction $\frac{θ}{2π}$ multiplied by the area of the entire circle

coterminal angles: description of positive and negative angles in standard position sharing the same terminal side

degree: a unit of measure describing the size of an angle as one-360th of a full revolution of a circle

initial side: the side of an angle from which rotation begins

measure of an angle: the amount of rotation from the initial side to the terminal side

negative angle: description of an angle measured clockwise from the positive x-axis

positive angle: description of an angle measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis

quadrantal angle: an angle whose terminal side lies on an axis

radian measure: the ratio of the arc length formed by an angle divided by the radius of the circle

radian: the measure of a central angle of a circle that intercepts an arc equal in length to the radius of that circle

ray: one point on a line and all points extending in one direction from that point; one side of an angle

reference angle: the measure of the acute angle formed by the terminal side of the angle and the horizontal axis

standard position: the position of an angle having the vertex at the origin and the initial side along the positive x-axis

terminal side: the side of an angle at which rotation ends

vertex: the common endpoint of two rays that form an angle

Contributors and Attributions

Jay Abramson (Arizona State University) with contributing authors. Textbook content produced by OpenStax College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 license. Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/precalculus.

Search

Text Color

Text Size

Margin Size

Font Type

\(θ\)	\(φ \text{ or }ϕ\)	\(α\)	\(β\)	\(γ\)
theta	phi	alpha	beta	gamma