
What is the Exact Value of Sec 30 and How to Find It
Trigonometric Ratios-
What are Trigonometric Ratios?
Trigonometric ratios in trigonometry are derived from the three sides of a right-angled triangle basically the hypotenuse, the base (adjacent), and the perpendicular which is also known as the opposite.
According to the trigonometric ratio in maths, there are three basic or primary trigonometric ratios also known as trigonometric identities.
To be more specific, they are used in right-angled triangles, the triangles where the value of one angle is equal to 90 degrees.
There are six trigonometric ratios where sine, cosine, and tangent are known as the primary trigonometric functions.
The Primary Trigonometric Functions are Defined as Follows:
The Six Trigonometric Ratios are Defined as Follows:
Reciprocal Relations -
Before Moving Ahead a Little Information About what a Right-Angled Triangle is?
To understand what a right angle triangle is, let us consider a right-angle triangle named ABC, with its three sides namely the opposite, adjacent, and the hypotenuse. In a right-angled triangle, we generally refer to the three sides according to their relation with the angle. The little box in the right corner of the triangle given below denotes the right angle which is equal to 90o.
The three sides of a right-angled triangle are as follows-
The side opposite to the right angle is the longest side of the triangle which is known as the hypotenuse (H).
The side that is opposite to the angle θ is known as the opposite (O).
The side which lies next to the angle is known as the Adjacent(A)
Pythagoras theorem states that,
In any right-angled triangle,
Trigonometric Ratios for Sec 30-
The six trigonometric functions are sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant of any angle. To calculate the trigonometric ratios of 30°, the knowledge of trigonometric ratios of standard angles and half angles is mandatory. Also, one should have knowledge of a few important trigonometric formulas.
As our angle of interest is sec 30, so accordingly sec of an angle is the ratio of the length of the longest side that is known as hypotenuse to the adjacent side of the angle. Secant is the reciprocal of cosine. To find the sec 30 degrees value, knowing the sine and cosine values of standard angles are important.
Sec 30 Formula -
Derivation of Sec 30 value –
Let’s consider a right-angled triangle; the secant of \[\angle \alpha \] in the triangle below is a ratio of the length of the hypotenuse (longest side) and the adjacent side to the angle.
Here, angle \[\angle \alpha \] is the angle formed between the adjacent side and the hypotenuse.
We know that, secant \[\angle \alpha {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\frac{{Hypotenuse}}{{Adjacent{\text{ }}Side}}{\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\frac{{Hypotenuse}}{{Base}}\]
Secant\[\angle \alpha = \frac{h}{b}\]
From the reciprocal relation we know that, sec \[\angle \alpha \] can be written as = \[\frac{1}{{\cos \angle \alpha }}\]
\[sec{\text{ }}{30^o}\; = \frac{1}{{cos{\text{ }}{{30}^o}}}.\]
Therefore, the value of sec \[{30^o} = \frac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}\]
In the same way, we can write values of the important functions of Sin can also be determined by the given method:
\[Sin{\text{ }}0^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\sqrt {\left( {\frac{0}{4}} \right)} \]
\[\;Sin{\text{ }}30^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\sqrt {\left( {\frac{1}{4}} \right)} \]
\[\;Sin{\text{ }}45^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\sqrt {\left( {\frac{2}{4}} \right)} \]
\[\;Sin{\text{ }}60^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\sqrt {\left( {\frac{3}{4}} \right)} \]
\[\;Sin{\text{ }}90^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\sqrt {\left( {\frac{4}{4}} \right)} \]
Simplifying in a Tabular Form:
The value of cosine functions is opposite if sine functions as in:
\[\;Cos{\text{ }}0^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}Sin{\text{ }}90^\circ {\text{ }} = 1\]
\[\;Cos{\text{ }}30^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}Sin{\text{ }}60^\circ = \frac{{\sqrt 3 }}{2}\]
\[\;Cos{\text{ }}45^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}sin{\text{ }}45^\circ = \frac{1}{{\sqrt 2 }}\]
\[\;Cos{\text{ }}60^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}sin{\text{ }}30^\circ = {\text{ }}\frac{1}{2}\]
\[Cos{\text{ }}90^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}sin{\text{ }}0^\circ = 0\]
The value of secant functions is the reciprocal of cosine functions as in:
\[Sec\;0^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\frac{1}{{{\text{ }}Cos{\text{ }}0^\circ }} = 1\]
\[Sec{\text{ }}30^\circ = {\text{ }}\frac{1}{{Cos{\text{ }}30^\circ }} = \frac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}\]
\[\;Sec{\text{ }}45^\circ {\text{ }} = \frac{1}{{Cos{\text{ }}45^\circ }} = \sqrt 2 \]
\[\;Sec{\text{ }}60^\circ = \frac{1}{{Cos{\text{ }}60^\circ }} = 2\]
\[\;\;Sec{\text{ }}90^\circ {\text{ }} = {\text{ }}\frac{1}{{Cos{\text{ }}90^\circ }} = \;\infty \]
Summary Table of the Value of Sin, Cos, Sec, Tan and Cosec Angles:
Questions to be Solved on Sec 30 Degree-
Question 1) Compute the value of the given question:
\[\;2sec30{\;^o} + {\text{ }}2cos{60^o}\]
Solution) The given information is, 2 sec 30o + 2 cos 60o
We know that the value of sec 30o = \[\frac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}\] and the value of cos 60o= \[\frac{1}{2}\]
Now let’s substitute the values of the following,
\[ = 2 \times \frac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }} + 2 \times \frac{1}{2}\]
\[ = \frac{4}{{\sqrt 3 }} + 1\]
Therefore, the value of \[2sec{30^0} + 2cos{60^0}is{\text{ }}equal{\text{ }}to\;4 + \frac{{\sqrt 3 }}{3}.\]
FAQs on Sec 30 in Trigonometry Explained Clearly
1. What is the value of sec 30°?
The exact value of sec 30° is 2/√3 or 2√3/3 after rationalization. Since secant is the reciprocal of cosine:
- sec θ = 1 / cos θ
- cos 30° = √3/2
- So, sec 30° = 1 / (√3/2) = 2/√3 = 2√3/3
2. How do you find sec 30° using the cosine function?
You find sec 30° by taking the reciprocal of cos 30°. Use these steps:
- Step 1: Recall that sec θ = 1 / cos θ
- Step 2: Substitute cos 30° = √3/2
- Step 3: Compute 1 / (√3/2) = 2/√3
3. Why is sec 30° equal to 2√3/3?
Sec 30° equals 2√3/3 because it is the reciprocal of cos 30°, which equals √3/2. Mathematically:
- sec 30° = 1 / cos 30°
- = 1 / (√3/2)
- = 2/√3
- Rationalizing gives 2√3/3
4. What is the formula for sec θ in trigonometry?
The formula for sec θ is sec θ = 1 / cos θ. Key related identities include:
- sec² θ = 1 + tan² θ
- cos θ = 1 / sec θ
5. What is the value of sec 30° in decimal form?
The decimal value of sec 30° is approximately 1.155. Since:
- sec 30° = 2√3/3
- √3 ≈ 1.732
- So, (2 × 1.732)/3 ≈ 1.155
6. How is sec 30° derived from a 30°–60°–90° triangle?
Sec 30° is derived from the 30°–60°–90° triangle using side ratios 1 : √3 : 2. In this triangle:
- Adjacent side to 30° = √3
- Hypotenuse = 2
- cos 30° = √3/2
- sec 30° = 1 / cos 30° = 2/√3
7. What is the relationship between sec 30° and tan 30°?
The relationship between sec 30° and tan 30° is given by the identity sec² θ = 1 + tan² θ. For 30°:
- tan 30° = 1/√3
- tan² 30° = 1/3
- sec² 30° = 1 + 1/3 = 4/3
- sec 30° = √(4/3) = 2/√3
8. Is sec 30° positive or negative?
Sec 30° is positive because 30° lies in the first quadrant, where all trigonometric functions are positive. Since:
- cos 30° > 0
- sec θ = 1 / cos θ
9. What is sec 30° in radians?
Sec π/6 has the same value as sec 30° because 30° = π/6 radians. Therefore:
- sec (π/6) = sec 30°
- = 2/√3 = 2√3/3
10. Can you give a simple example using sec 30°?
Yes, if cos θ = √3/2, then sec θ = 2√3/3 when θ = 30°. Example:
- Given: cos 30° = √3/2
- Find sec 30°
- Solution: sec 30° = 1 / (√3/2) = 2/√3 = 2√3/3





















