IB AA SL: core and optional content
Core: angle units, rotation, reference angles and signs of sin, cos and tan. Optional: parenthetical cosec, cot and sec sign entries.
Measure rotations from the positive \(x\)-axis: anticlockwise is positive; clockwise is negative.
Basic angle
The reference angle \(\alpha\) is the acute angle to the \(x\)-axis. The quadrant determines the signs.
Degrees and radians
\(180^\circ=\pi\text{ rad}\)
| Conversion | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Degrees to radians | ||
| Radians to degrees |
\(90^\circ=\dfrac\pi2,\quad270^\circ=\dfrac{3\pi}2,\quad360^\circ=2\pi\).
Set the calculator to the angle unit used in the question.
Signs and quadrants
| Quadrant | Positive there | Angle \(\theta\) from basic angle \(\alpha\) | Sketch |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | |||
| II | |||
| III | |||
| IV |
Negative angles and full revolutions
| Situation | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negative angle (clockwise turn) | ||
| Beyond one revolution |
In the periodic identities, \(k\in\mathbb Z\). Measure the basic angle from the \(x\)-axis.
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