Solving Trigonometric Equations

Solving trigonometric equations are similar to solving algebraic techniques. In algebra, we solve linear
and quadratic equations in different ways. We do the same for trigonometric equations
Type
Linear

How to solve
Isolate x to one side.

Algebraic Example

Quadratic Bring all terms to one side

and try to factor or use
quadratic formula.

Type
Linear
(single
angle)

How to solve
Isolate the trig expression to
one side.
Once the trig value is isolated,
go back to the unit circle to
find which values of the angle
give you a value of the
number on the right.

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Trigonometric Example

From the unit circle, sin is -1/2 at 7/6 and 11/6.

It repeats every 2, so we write that the angle
could be:
{

Quadratic
(single
angle,
same
function)

Bring all terms to one side and

try to factor or use quadratic
formula.
You are using the substitution
that x= sin, to factor.
Once you solve for the trig
expression, use the unit circle
to find the actual angles.
*If there is no middle linear
term for a quadratic form, you
can also solve using square
root method.

)(

Type
Quadratic
(single
angle,
different
functions)

Linear
(multiple
angle)

How to solve
Bring all terms to one side . Cannot
factor since we have different terms
sine and cosine. We need to convert
the squared term to be the same
function by using an identity. Once
you have converted, try to factor or
use quadratic formula.
You are using the substitution that x=
sin, to factor.
Once you solve for the trig
expression, use the unit circle to find
the actual angles.

Isolate the trig expression with the

multiple angle to one side.
Once the trig value is isolated, go
back to the unit circle to find which
values of the multiple angle give you
a value of the number on the right.
The last step divides everything by
the multiple angle. Make sure you
divide the period as well since it
affects the period of the function as
well.

Trigonometric Example
(

)(

(
(

)
)

From the unit circle, cos(x)is 1/2 at /3 and 5/3. It repeats

every 2, so we write that the angle 3 could be:

{
The last step is to divide by 3. NOW WE have to divide both
portions by 3, since the 3 affect the PERIOD of the function.
{

Solve the following equations.

1.

Linear term, solve for sinx!

From the unit circle,

at

2.

Quadratic term, but no middle term! So easier to solve with

Square root method

From the unit circle,

at

You can compact this to the first 2 since the period of tanx is !
3.

Quadratic term, same terms so bring everything to one side and

factor
(
So,

)(

)
and
and

So,

and

4.

Quadratic term, different terms. Need to substitute identity.

Add like terms
Mulitply by -1 throughout.
Factor
(
So,

)(

So, the range of

And 2 is outside that range, so no
Solution to this part of the problem.

5.

Already in factored form and equal to 0!

So,
{

So,

and

at