Co-Functions

High School Math based on the topics required for the Regents Exam conducted by NYSED.

What are Cofunctions?
Cofunctions are pairs of trigonometric functions that have equal values when their arguments are complementary angles.
Sine and Cosine are cofunctions because sin θ = cos (90° - θ)
Secant and Cosecant are cofunctions because sec θ = csc 90° - θ)
Tangent and Cotangent are cofunctions because tan θ = cot 90° - θ)

What are Cofunction Identities?
A function f is cofunction of a function g if f(A) = g(B) when A and B are complementary angles.
sin(A) = cos(B), if A + B = 90°
sec(A) = scs(B), if A + B = 90°
tan(A) = cot(B), if A + B = 90°

The following figures give the cofunction identities. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions on how to use cofunction identities.

 

Cofunctions
What is a cofunction?
Finding the cofunction.
Using the cofunction relationship

Cofunction Identities
This video explains the cofunction identities and how to determine cofunctions given a function value. Most cofunction values are verified on a calculator.

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

Cofunction Identities - Solving Trigonometric Equations
This video explains how to use cofunction identities to solve trigonometric equations.

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