General solutions:

1.
If sin = x
= sin
1
x + k . 360

or =

180

sin
1
x

+ k . 360

2.
If cos = x
= cos
1
x + k . 360

or =

360

cos
1
x

+ k . 360

3.
If tan = x
= tan
1
x + k . 180

for k Z.
Worked example 9: Finding the general solution
QUESTION
Determine the general solution for sin = 0,3 (correct to one decimal place).
SOLUTION
Step 1: Use a calculator to nd the reference angle
sin = 0,3
ref = sin
1
0,3
= 17,5

Step 2: Use CAST diagram to determine in which quadrants sin is positive

The CAST diagram indicates that sin is positive in the rst and second quadrants.
Using reduction formulae, we know that sin(180

) = sin .
In the rst quadrant:
= 17,5

= 17,5

+ k . 360

In the second quadrant:

= 180

17,5

= 162,5

+ k . 360

where k Z.
155 Chapter 4. Trigonometry