Solving Trigonometric Equations

SL3.8
SL 3.8 checklist:

• Solving trigonometric equations both graphically and

analytically.

• Equations leading to quadratic equations in sine,

cosine and tangent.
 Solving Trig Equations

When solving trig equations:

1. draw your quadrants diagram
2. find the reference angle and the next relevant quadrant
3. if the angular frequency > 1, add or subtract 2π as needed
4. rearrange to make x or θ the subject.
Example 1:
a) Solve 2sin x = 1 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
Example 1:
1
b) Solve cos x = − 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
2
Example 1:
c) Solve 2sin 2x = 3cos x 0° ≤ x ≤ 180°
Example 2:
a) Solve 2cosx = 1, − 360° ≤ x ≤ 360°
Example 2:
b) Solve 2cos(x + 40°) = 1, − 360° ≤ x ≤ 360°
Example 2:
⎛ π⎞
c) Solve 2cos 2 ⎜ x − ⎟ = 1, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
⎝ 4⎠
Example 3:
a) Solve sin 2 x − 3sin x + 2 = 0, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
Example 3:
b) Solve 2sin 2 x − 2cos x − 1 = 0, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
 Example 3:
c) (i) Show that cos 2 x − sin 2 x + 3cos x − 4 ≡ 2cos 2 x + 3cos x − 5
(ii) Hence, solve cos 2 x − sin 2 x + 3cos x − 4 = 0, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .