In this article, let us discuss in detail about the value for sec 60 degrees and how the values are derived geometrically.The trigonometric functions are generally defined as an angle function which involves the study of triangles and it relates the angles of a triangle and the dimension of the triangles. The trigonometric functions play an important role in our career and the application of trigonometric functions is used in various fields like engineering and architecture fields.

The three most familiar trigonometric ratios are sine function, cosine function, and tangent function and the inverse function are cosecant function(cos), secant function(sec) and cotangent function(cot) respectively. For the angles, less than a right angle where the trigonometric functions are defined as the ratio of two sides and an angle of a right triangle in which the values can be found the values obtained from the unit circle and sometimes the values can be obtained geometrically using triangle properties. Generally, the degrees are represented in the form of 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°.

## Sec 60 Degrees

To define the secant function of an acute angle, consider a right triangle ABC provided with the angle of interest and the sides of a triangle. The sides of the triangle are defined as follows:

• The side opposite to the angle of interest is stated as the opposite side
• The longest side of a right triangle is called the hypotenuse side which is the opposite side of the right angle.
• The side in which both the angle of interest and the right angle forms is called the adjacent side and it is the remaining side of a triangle

The secant function is the reciprocal of the cosine function and the sec function of an angle is defined as a ratio of the length of the hypotenuse side to the length of the adjacent side and the formula is given by

Sec θ = 1 / cos θ

Therefore,

Sec θ = Hypotenuse Side / Adjacent Side

Since cosine function is defined as

Cos θ = Adjacent Side / Hypotenuse Side

## Derivation to Find Sec 60 Degree Value

Let us now calculate the value of sec 60°. Consider an equilateral triangle ABC. Since each angle in an equilateral triangle is 60°, therefore ∠A=∠ B=∠ C=60°

From the figure, draw the perpendicular line AD from A to the side BC

Now  △ ABD≅ △ACD

So, BD=DC and also

It is observed that the triangle ABD is a right triangle, right angled at D with

To find the trigonometric ratios, we need to know the lengths of the sides of the triangle. So, let us assume that AB=2a

BD = BC/2 = a

To find the value of cos 60°, it becomes

Cos θ = Adjacent Side / Hypotenuse Side

Cos 60° = a/2a = ½

We know that secant function is the inverse function of the cosine function, it becomes

Sec 60° = 1/cos 60°

Sec 60° = 1/(½) = 2

Therefore, the value of sec 60 = 2

Sec 60°= 2

In the same way, we can derive other values of sec degrees like 0°, 30°, 45°, 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°. The values of secant function along with other trigonometric ratios are given in the below trigonometry table.

## Sample Example

Question:

Find the value of sec 15°

Solution:

We know that sec function is the inverse function of cos function, first find the value of cos 15°.

So,

Cos 15°= cos(45°-30°)

Now, take the values

a = 45°and b = 30°

By using the formula,

Cos (a-b) = cos a cos b + sin a sin b

So, it becomes Cos 15° = cos 45° cos 30° +sin 45° sin 30°

$\cos 15^{\circ}= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\frac{1}{2}$ $\cos 15^{\circ}= \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2\sqrt{2}}+\frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}$ $\cos 15^{\circ}= \frac{\sqrt{3}+1}{2\sqrt{2}}$

Therefore, sec 15° = 1/cos 15°

$Sec 15^{\circ} = \frac{1}{\frac{\sqrt{3}+1}{2\sqrt{2}}}$

Therefore, $sec 15^{\circ}=\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}+1}$