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Using the usual notations for a triangle (see the figure at the upper right), where a, b, c are the lengths of the three sides, A, B, C are the vertices opposite those three respective sides, α, β, γ are the corresponding angles at those vertices, s is the semiperimeter, that is, s = a + b + c / 2 , and r is the radius of the inscribed circle, the law of cotangents states that
Their reciprocals are respectively the cosecant, the secant, and the cotangent functions, which are less used. Each of these six trigonometric functions has a corresponding inverse function , and an analog among the hyperbolic functions .
These identities are useful whenever expressions involving trigonometric functions need to be simplified. An important application is the integration of non-trigonometric functions: a common technique involves first using the substitution rule with a trigonometric function, and then simplifying the resulting integral with a trigonometric identity.
Quadrant 3 (angles from 180 to 270 degrees, or π to 3π/2 radians): Tangent and cotangent functions are positive in this quadrant. Quadrant 4 (angles from 270 to 360 degrees, or 3π/2 to 2π radians): Cosine and secant functions are positive in this quadrant. Other mnemonics include: All Stations To Central [6] All Silly Tom Cats [6]
The proofs given in this article use these definitions, and thus apply to non-negative angles not greater than a right angle. For greater and negative angles , see Trigonometric functions . Other definitions, and therefore other proofs are based on the Taylor series of sine and cosine , or on the differential equation f ″ + f = 0 ...
Using implicit differentiation and then solving for dy/dx, the derivative of the inverse function is found in terms of y. To convert dy / dx back into being in terms of x , we can draw a reference triangle on the unit circle, letting θ be y.
Once an angle opposite a known side is computed, the remaining side c can be computed using the law of sines. In the time before electronic calculators were available, this method was preferable to an application of the law of cosines c = √ a 2 + b 2 − 2 ab cos γ , as this latter law necessitated an additional lookup in a logarithm table ...
The cotangent, or four-part, formulae relate two sides and two angles forming four consecutive parts around the triangle, for example (aCbA) or BaCb). In such a set there are inner and outer parts: for example in the set (BaCb) the inner angle is C, the inner side is a, the outer angle is B, the outer side is b.