Sine (sin) function - Trigonometry

In a right triangle, the sine of an angle is the length of the opposite side divided by the length of the hypotenuse.

The sine function, along with cosine and tangent, is one of the three most common trigonometric functions. In any right triangle, the sine of an angle x is the length of the opposite side (O) divided by the length of the hypotenuse (H). In a formula, it is written as 'sin' without the 'e':

As an example, let's say we want to find the sine of angle C in the figure above (click 'reset' first). From the formula above we know that the sine of an angle is the opposite side divided by the hyupotenuse. The opposite side is AB and has a length of 15. The hypotenuse is AC with a length of 30. So we can write which comes out to 0.5. So we can say "The sine of 30° is 0.5 ", or

Calculator

Example - using sine to find the hypotenuse

If we look at the general definition - we see that there are three variables: the measure of the angle x, and the lengths of the two sides (Opposite and Hypotenuse). So if we have any two of them, we can find the third.

In the figure above, click 'reset'. Imagine we didn't know the length of the hypotenuse H. We know that the sine of A (60°) is the opposite side (26) divided by H. From our calculator we find that sin60 is 0.866, so we can write Transposing: which comes out to 30.02 *

* Note: The lengths and angles in the figure above are rounded for clarity. Using a calculator, they will be slightly different. The calculator is correct.

The inverse sine function - arcsin

For every trigonometry function such as sin, there is an inverse function that works in reverse. These inverse functions have the same name but with 'arc' in front. (On some calculators the arcsin button may be labelled asin, or sometimes sin^-1.) So the inverse of sin is arcsin etc. When we see "arcsin A", we understand it as "the angle whose sin is A"

Large and negative angles

In a right triangle, the two variable angles are always less than 90° (See Interior angles of a triangle). But we can find the sine of any angle, no matter how large, and also the sine of negative angles. For more on this see Functions of large and negative angles.

Graphing the sine function

When the sine of an angle is graphed against the angle, the result is a shape similar to that on the right, called a sine wave.

For more on this see Graphing the sine function.

The derivative of sin(x)

In calculus, the derivative of sin(x) is cos(x). This means that at any value of x, the rate of change or slope of sin(x) is cos(x). For more on this see Derivatives of trigonometric functions together with the derivatives of other trig functions. See also the Calculus Table of Contents.

Other trigonometry topics

Angles

• Angle definition, properties of angles
• Standard position on an angle
• Initial side of an angle
• Terminal side of an angle
• Quadrantal angles
• Coterminal angles
• Reference angle

Trigonometric functions

• Introduction to the six trig functions
• Functions of large and negative angles
• Inverse trig functions
• SOH CAH TOA memory aid


• Sine function (sin) in right triangles
• Inverse sine function (arcsin)
• Graphing the sine function
• Sine waves


• Cosine function (cos) in right triangles
• Inverse cosine function (arccos)
• Graphing the cosine function


• Tangent function (tan) in right triangles
• Inverse tangent function (arctan)
• Graphing the tangent function


• Cotangent function cot (in right triangles)
• Secant function sec (in right triangles)
• Cosecant function csc (in right triangles)

Solving trigonometry problems

• The general approach
• Finding slant distance along a slope or ramp
• Finding the angle of a slope or ramp

Calculus

• Derivatives of trigonometric functions