Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The sine function, denoted as sin(t), is a mathematical function that relates the angle t of a right triangle to the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse.
The cosine function, denoted as cos(t), is another trigonometric function that relates an angle t to the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the length of the hypotenuse in a right triangle.
Tan(t): The tangent function, denoted as tan(t), is a trigonometric function that represents the ratio between sin(t) and cos(t). It relates an angle t to the ratio of sin(t) divided by cos(t).
Periodicity: In trigonometry, periodicity refers to how certain functions repeat their values after specific intervals. For example, sin(t) has a period of 2π radians or 360 degrees, meaning it repeats its values every 2π radians or 360 degrees.