Trigonometry is one of the highest-weightage chapters in the Class 10 Maths board exam. Below is a complete, exam-ready list of every formula you need — trigonometric ratios, identities, complementary angle rules, the standard angle table, and applications in heights and distances.
1. Trigonometric Ratios (of an acute angle in a right triangle)
For a right triangle with angle θ, hypotenuse (H), side opposite to θ (Perpendicular, P), and side adjacent to θ (Base, B):
- sin θ = Perpendicular / Hypotenuse = P/H
- cos θ = Base / Hypotenuse = B/H
- tan θ = Perpendicular / Base = P/B
- cosec θ = Hypotenuse / Perpendicular = H/P
- sec θ = Hypotenuse / Base = H/B
- cot θ = Base / Perpendicular = B/P
Reciprocal Relations
- sin θ = 1 / cosec θ and cosec θ = 1 / sin θ
- cos θ = 1 / sec θ and sec θ = 1 / cos θ
- tan θ = 1 / cot θ and cot θ = 1 / tan θ
Quotient Relations
- tan θ = sin θ / cos θ
- cot θ = cos θ / sin θ
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✅ Get Notes on WhatsApp2. Trigonometric Ratios of Standard Angles
| Angle → | 0° | 30° | 45° | 60° | 90° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sin θ | 0 | 1/2 | 1/√2 | √3/2 | 1 |
| cos θ | 1 | √3/2 | 1/√2 | 1/2 | 0 |
| tan θ | 0 | 1/√3 | 1 | √3 | Not defined |
| cosec θ | Not defined | 2 | √2 | 2/√3 | 1 |
| sec θ | 1 | 2/√3 | √2 | 2 | Not defined |
| cot θ | Not defined | √3 | 1 | 1/√3 | 0 |
Tip: Learn sin θ values as 0, 1/2, 1/√2, √3/2, 1 (increasing pattern), and cos θ is the same list reversed.
3. Trigonometric Identities (Very Important)
- sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
- 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ
- 1 + cot²θ = cosec²θ
Rearranged forms often used in problems
- sin²θ = 1 − cos²θ
- cos²θ = 1 − sin²θ
- sec²θ − tan²θ = 1
- cosec²θ − cot²θ = 1
4. Trigonometric Ratios of Complementary Angles
Two angles are complementary if they add up to 90°.
- sin (90° − θ) = cos θ
- cos (90° − θ) = sin θ
- tan (90° − θ) = cot θ
- cot (90° − θ) = tan θ
- sec (90° − θ) = cosec θ
- cosec (90° − θ) = sec θ
5. Sign/Behavior Notes (for 0° ≤ θ ≤ 90°)
- sin θ increases from 0 to 1 as θ goes from 0° to 90°.
- cos θ decreases from 1 to 0 as θ goes from 0° to 90°.
- tan θ increases from 0 to undefined (∞) as θ goes from 0° to 90°.
6. Heights and Distances — Key Terms & Formulas
This is the main application of trigonometry in Class 10.
- Line of Sight: The line drawn from the eye of the observer to the point being viewed.
- Angle of Elevation: The angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal, when the object is above the horizontal level.
- Angle of Depression: The angle formed by the line of sight with the horizontal, when the object is below the horizontal level.
Common working formula
If height = h, distance from observer = d, and angle = θ:
- tan θ = h / d (most commonly used relation in height–distance problems)
- h = d × tan θ
- d = h / tan θ
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| Formula Type | Formula |
|---|---|
| Basic ratio | sin θ = P/H, cos θ = B/H, tan θ = P/B |
| Reciprocal | cosec θ = 1/sin θ, sec θ = 1/cos θ, cot θ = 1/tan θ |
| Quotient | tan θ = sin θ/cos θ, cot θ = cos θ/sin θ |
| Pythagorean Identity | sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 |
| Pythagorean Identity | 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ |
| Pythagorean Identity | 1 + cot²θ = cosec²θ |
| Complementary | sin(90°−θ) = cos θ, tan(90°−θ) = cot θ, sec(90°−θ) = cosec θ |
| Heights & Distances | tan θ = height / distance |
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📲 Reserve My SeatTips to Score Full Marks in Trigonometry (Class 10)
- Memorize the standard angle table (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°) perfectly — most direct questions come from here.
- Practice identity-based questions daily; they’re the most repeated question type in boards.
- For heights and distances, always draw a clean diagram first — mark angle of elevation/depression correctly before applying formulas.
- Revise complementary angle formulas separately, since students often mix them up with basic ratios.
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