By the end of this chapter you'll be able to…

  • 1Define the six trigonometric ratios
  • 2Recall the ratios of standard angles
  • 3Apply complementary-angle relations
  • 4Evaluate simple trigonometric expressions
  • 5Verify sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 for standard angles
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Why this chapter matters
Trigonometry introduces the ratios that connect angles and sides. The standard-angle table and complementary-angle relations are easy, dependable marks in the TN Class 9 exam and essential for Class 10 trigonometry.

Before you start — revise these

A 5-minute refresher here will save you 30 minutes of confusion below.

Trigonometry — Class 9 Maths (Samacheer Kalvi)

TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 9 Mathematics, Chapter 6. Ratios of angles in a right triangle.


1. About this chapter

This chapter introduces the trigonometric ratios, the ratios of specific angles, and the ratios of complementary angles.

2. Trigonometric ratios

For a right triangle with angle θ:

  • sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse, cos θ = adjacent/hypotenuse, tan θ = opposite/adjacent.
  • Reciprocals: cosec θ = 1/sin θ, sec θ = 1/cos θ, cot θ = 1/tan θ; also tan θ = sin θ / cos θ.

3. Ratios of standard angles

θ30°45°60°90°
sin0½1/√2√3/21
cos1√3/21/√2½0
tan01/√31√3

4. Complementary angles

  • sin(90° − θ) = cos θ; cos(90° − θ) = sin θ.
  • tan(90° − θ) = cot θ; sec(90° − θ) = cosec θ (and conversely).

5. Worked examples

Example 1. Evaluate sin 30° + cos 60°. = ½ + ½ = 1.

Example 2. Show that sin 60° = cos 30°. sin 60° = √3/2 and cos 30° = √3/2 → equal (complementary angles).

Example 3. If tan θ = 1, find θ (0° ≤ θ ≤ 90°). tan 45° = 1 → θ = 45°.

6. Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Swapping sin and cos in the standard table. Fix: sin increases 0 → 1; cos decreases 1 → 0 as θ goes 0° → 90°.
  • Mistake: Writing sin(90° − θ) = sin θ. Fix: sin(90° − θ) = cos θ.
  • Mistake: Mixing the sides of a ratio. Fix: Identify opposite, adjacent and hypotenuse relative to θ.

7. Practice (book-back style)

  1. Write the values of sin 45° and cos 45°.
  2. Evaluate tan 30° × tan 60°.
  3. Simplify sin(90° − θ) − cos θ.
  4. If cos θ = ½, find θ.
  5. Evaluate cos² 30° + sin² 30°.

8. Answer key

  1. sin 45° = 1/√2, cos 45° = 1/√2.
  2. (1/√3)(√3) = 1.
  3. sin(90° − θ) = cos θ, so cos θ − cos θ = 0.
  4. cos 60° = ½ → θ = 60°.
  5. (√3/2)² + (½)² = ¾ + ¼ = 1.

9. Quick revision

  • Chapter 6 · ratios, standard angles, complementary angles.
  • sin = opp/hyp, cos = adj/hyp, tan = opp/adj; tan θ = sin θ/cos θ.
  • Standard angles 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90° (learn the table).
  • sin(90° − θ) = cos θ; tan(90° − θ) = cot θ.
  • sin² θ + cos² θ = 1 (check with standard angles).

Key formulas & results

Everything you need to memorise, in one card. Screenshot this for revision.

Trigonometric ratios
sin = opp/hyp, cos = adj/hyp, tan = opp/adj
Reciprocals: cosec, sec, cot.
Standard angles
sin: 0, ½, 1/√2, √3/2, 1 for 0–90°
cos is the reverse order.
Complementary angles
sin(90° − θ) = cos θ; tan(90° − θ) = cot θ
Co-ratios swap.
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Common mistakes & fixes

These are the exact errors that cost students marks in board exams. Read them once, save yourself the trouble.

WATCH OUT
Swapping sin and cos in the standard table
sin increases 0 → 1; cos decreases 1 → 0 as θ goes 0° → 90°.
WATCH OUT
Writing sin(90° − θ) = sin θ
sin(90° − θ) = cos θ.
WATCH OUT
Mixing the sides of a ratio
Identify opposite, adjacent and hypotenuse relative to θ.

Practice problems

Try each one yourself before tapping "Show solution". Active recall > rereading.

Q1EASY· Recall
Write the values of sin 45° and cos 45°.
Show solution
sin 45° = 1/√2 and cos 45° = 1/√2.
Q2EASY· Numerical
Evaluate tan 30° × tan 60°.
Show solution
(1/√3)(√3) = 1.
Q3MEDIUM· Complementary
Simplify sin(90° − θ) − cos θ.
Show solution
sin(90° − θ) = cos θ, so cos θ − cos θ = 0.
Q4EASY· Numerical
If cos θ = ½, find θ.
Show solution
cos 60° = ½ → θ = 60°.
Q5MEDIUM· Identity
Evaluate cos² 30° + sin² 30°.
Show solution
(√3/2)² + (½)² = ¾ + ¼ = 1.
Q6EASY· Numerical
Evaluate sin 30° + cos 60°.
Show solution
½ + ½ = 1.

5-minute revision

The whole chapter, distilled. Read this the night before the exam.

  • Chapter 6 of Samacheer Kalvi Class 9 Mathematics.
  • sin = opp/hyp, cos = adj/hyp, tan = opp/adj.
  • Learn the 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90° table.
  • sin(90° − θ) = cos θ; tan(90° − θ) = cot θ.
  • tan θ = sin θ / cos θ.
  • sin² θ + cos² θ = 1.

Tamil Nadu (TNBSE) marks blueprint

Where the marks come from in this chapter — so you can plan your prep.

Typical chapter weightage: 6-9 marks across MCQ and angle-based problems

Question typeMarks eachTypical countWhat it tests
MCQ11-2Ratios and standard values
Evaluation2-31-2Standard-angle expressions
Complementary21Co-ratio simplification
Prep strategy
  • Memorise the standard-angle table
  • Learn the complementary-angle relations
  • Practise evaluating expressions
  • Identify the sides correctly

Where this shows up in the real world

This chapter isn't just an exam topic — it lives in the world around you.

Surveying

Ratios relate angles to distances for measuring heights.

Navigation

Trigonometry helps compute bearings and positions.

Construction

Ramps and roofs use angle ratios.

Exam strategy

Battle-tested tips from teachers and toppers for this chapter.

  1. Recall the standard-angle table accurately
  2. Apply the complementary relation to simplify
  3. Use tan θ = sin θ / cos θ where helpful
  4. Identify the right sides for each ratio

Going beyond the textbook

For olympiad aspirants and curious learners — topics that build on this chapter.

  • Prove sin(90° − θ) = cos θ using a right triangle.
  • Evaluate an expression mixing several standard angles.

Where else this chapter is tested

CBSE board isn't the only one — other exams test this chapter too.

TN Class 9 Annual ExamHigh
Foundation / NTSE MathematicsMedium
School unit testsHigh

Questions students ask

The real ones — pulled from the Q&A community and tutor sessions.

In a right triangle the two acute angles add to 90°, and the side opposite one is adjacent to the other, so sin θ = cos(90° − θ).

Write sin as √0/2, √1/2, √2/2, √3/2, √4/2 for 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°; cos is the same values in reverse order.
Verified by the tuition.in editorial team
Last reviewed on 3 June 2026. Written and reviewed by subject-matter experts — read about our process.
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