Trigonometry
🔒 Log in to trackComplementary angles
🔒 Log in to trackAngles adding to 90 degrees swap each ratio with its co-partner: sine becomes cosine, tangent becomes cotangent, secant becomes cosecant. This single swap collapses long sums, product chains and paired differences, and it solves for unknown angles by matching partners.
The swap rules
For complementary angles, and :
The 'co-' in cosine literally means 'complement's sine'. Any ratio of one angle equals the co-ratio of its partner.
Check at : , and because the tangents are reciprocal partners. One complement, three identities confirmed on the spot.
Rule: In a right triangle the two acute angles are complementary, so each angle's sine is the other's cosine.
Collapsing sums
, so the first term is . The second term is the same way. Total: .
Convert everything to one angle, then watch the expression fold.
Another shape: . Since , the first fraction is ; the second equals the same product. The sum is .
Tip: Choose one target angle (say ) and rewrite every piece in it before simplifying.
Product chains
because the angles are complementary. So:
Chains pair off from the ends; the middle term is on its own. Four-factor chains work identically: , since and .
Twin differences die
: since , . The difference is exactly .
Sums of twins double instead of vanishing: . And a long chain like pairs into ones around the middle , so the whole product is .
Watch: Check the angle sum first. If it is , the answer may need no computation at all.
Solving for the angle
: the partners rule needs , so and . Check: .
Same layout with tangents: gives , so . A negative argument also resolves: gives , so .
Remember: Convert the cosine or cotangent to its partner first, then solve the plain linear equation in the angle.
Question types you will see
Each type: how to recognise it, the method step by step, and one question to try.
Pair conversion to collapse a sum
A sum of products mixing two complementary angles.
Convert every piece to one target angle.
Simplify each product to or a square.
Add what is left.
After conversion the products collapse to constants, so the sum is usually small.
The value of is:
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, so term one .
, so term two .
Total .
2
Product chains pairing to one
A long product of tangents of several angles.
Add pairs of angles from the ends.
Each 90^\\circ pair multiplies to .
Evaluate any lone 45^\\circ factor as .
Chains are built to pair off; recognising the pairing avoids every computation.
The value of is:
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and : both pairs give .
.
Product .
1
Finding the angle from complementary equality
An equation linking a ratio of one angle to a co-ratio of another.
Convert one side to the other's partner type.
Set the angle expressions to sum to 90^\\circ.
Solve the linear equation.
Partner equality forces the angle arguments to be complementary, which is a linear equation.
If , the value of is:
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.
.
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25 degrees
Difference of complementary twins
A difference of two co-functions of two angles.
Add the two angles.
If they sum to 90^\\circ, the functions are equal.
The difference is .
Twins subtract to zero without arithmetic, which makes these the fastest marks on the paper.
The value of is:
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.
.
Difference .
0
Angles of one right triangle as partners
A triangle question linking the two acute angles' ratios.
Mark the right angle and name the acute angles.
Write the partner relation .
Substitute the given angle or solve.
The complement rule is just the right triangle's own structure, so geometry questions fall out directly.
In right-angled at , holds. The value of is:
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.
.
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20 degrees
Formula sheet
Drop the co- or add it.
The two acute angles are partners.
Complementary tangents multiply to 1.
Shortcuts that save time
Before computing anything, add the two angles. Ninety degrees means the terms are twins.
The value of is:
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.
.
Difference .
0
tan 5 with tan 85, tan 25 with tan 65: each pair multiplies to 1, and the lone tan 45 is 1.
The value of is:
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; .
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Product .
1
sin of something = cos of something: the two somethings must add to 90. That gives a linear equation.
If , the value of is:
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25 degrees
Mistakes to avoid
Where most students lose marks on this subtopic.
Writing .
The complement swaps to cosine: . No swap, no collapse.
Pairing with as complements.
Partners are , , .
Solving by eye.
Convert first: , then .
Missing the middle term in chains.
Unpaired middle terms still contribute their value; contributes .
Leaving answers in degrees and radians mixed.
Exam angles are degrees; keep the symbol consistent throughout.
Quick revision
Read this the night before the exam.
Complement rule: ; same shape for / and /.
Two acute angles of a right triangle are complementary.
Convert a mixed expression to one angle before simplifying.
Product chains pair from the ends to ; stands alone.
Twin sums to mean differences of .
Angle equations: partners first, then a linear solve.
Practice: 14 questions
Sets of 10, mixed across the question types above. Every answer has a step-by-step explanation.
Topic test · 10 questions
Suggested time 6 min · wrong answers go to your mistake notebook automatically.