... sin f = y / r . cos f = x / r . ... They are now viewed as new definitions of the sine and cosine, for the polar angle f given by x and y ( a slightly different way of formulating this definition is described further below ). ... sin 2 f + cos 2 f = 1 . ... Angle . ... Many trigonometry texts define the sine and cosine slightly differently, using the so-called unit circle . ... Then the distance AB ("the sine line") equals sin a , and the distance OA ("the cosine line") equals cos a . ...