Find the exact values of sin(225°), cos(225°), and tan(225°).

Solution

Trigonometry · Medium

The angle 225° lies in Quadrant III.

First, find the reference angle:
225° - 180° = 45°

So the reference angle is 45°.

For a 45° reference angle:
sin(45°) = √2/2
cos(45°) = √2/2
tan(45°) = 1

Now determine the signs in Quadrant III.

In Quadrant III, both x and y coordinates are negative. Therefore, sine and cosine are negative, while tangent is positive.

Thus:
sin(225°) = -√2/2
cos(225°) = -√2/2
tan(225°) = 1

Therefore, the exact values are -√2/2, -√2/2, and 1, respectively.

Result

sin(225°) = -√2/2; cos(225°) = -√2/2; tan(225°) = 1