Trigonometric value

Sin(30°) = 1/2

Sine — the y-coordinate of the corresponding unit-circle point, or opposite/hypotenuse in a right triangle.

How to derive sin(30°)

sin(30°)=12sin(30°) = \dfrac{1}{2}

Take an equilateral triangle of side 2 and drop an altitude — you get a 30-60-90 triangle with sides 1, √3, 2. The side opposite 30° has length 1, so sin(30°) = opposite/hypotenuse = 1/2.

Unit-circle context

The angle 30° corresponds to π/6 radians and sits Quadrant I on the unit circle.

Other trig values at 30°

Related sin values

Frequently asked

What is the exact value of sin(30°)?
The exact value is 1/2. Its decimal approximation is 0.5.
How do you derive sin(30°)?
Take an equilateral triangle of side 2 and drop an altitude — you get a 30-60-90 triangle with sides 1, √3, 2. The side opposite 30° has length 1, so sin(30°) = opposite/hypotenuse = 1/2.
What is 30° in radians?
30° equals π/6 radians (multiply degrees by π/180).

Need to solve any sin problem step by step?

Open the AI Trigonometry Solver — type or upload any problem, get step-by-step explanations free.