Small Angle Approximations (AQA A-Level Mathematics): Flashcards

Radians

$\sin \theta \approx \theta$

$\cos \theta \approx 1 - \frac{\theta^2}{2}$

$\tan \theta \approx \theta$

Taylor series expansions

Become negligible

Pendulum motion

$1$

$\frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} \approx \frac{\theta}{1} = \theta$

Cosine graph is nearly flat near $\theta = 0$