Section 7.

4: Basic Trigonometric Equations

Section 7.5: More Trigonometric Equations

Example (1): Find the solution of each of the following equations in the interval
[0, 360°) in Degrees OR [0, 2𝜋) Rad

1. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝟎
Solution
𝜃 = 0°, 180° 𝜃 = 0, 𝜋
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2. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝟏
Solution
𝜋
𝜃 = 90° 𝜃=
2
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3. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = −𝟏
Solution
3𝜋
𝜃 = 270° 𝜃=
2
__________________________________________________________________
4. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝟎
Solution
𝜋 3𝜋
𝜃 = 90°, 270° 𝜃= ,
2 2
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5. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝟏
Solution
𝜃 = 0° 𝜃= 0
__________________________________________________________________

1
 6. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = −𝟏
Solution
𝜃 = 180° 𝜃= 𝜋
__________________________________________________________________
7. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝟎
Solution
𝜃 = 0°, 180° 𝜃 = 0, 𝜋
__________________________________________________________________

𝟏
8. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 =
𝟐

Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 30° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
6

𝜋
𝜃 = 30° 𝜃=
6

is the solution in the 1st quadrant is the solution in the 1st quadrant

and and
𝜋 5𝜋
𝜃 = 180° − 30° = 150° 𝜃=𝜋− =
6 6

is the solution the 2nd quadrant is the solution in the 2nd quadrant

𝜋 5𝜋
𝑆 = {30°, 150°} 𝑆= { , }
6 6
__________________________________________________________________

2
 −𝟏
9. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 =
𝟐

Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 30° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
6

𝜋 7𝜋
𝜃 = 180° + 30° = 210° 𝜃= 𝜋+ =
6 6

is the solution in the 3rd quadrant is the solution in the 3rd quadrant

and and
𝜋 11𝜋
𝜃 = 360° − 30° = 330° 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
6 6

is the solution the 4th quadrant is the solution in the 4th quadrant

7𝜋 11𝜋
𝑆 = {210°, 330°} 𝑆= { , }
6 6
__________________________________________________________________
√𝟐
10. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 =
𝟐

Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 45° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
4

𝜋
𝜃 = 45° 𝜃=
4

is the solution in the 1st quadrant is the solution in the 1st quadrant

and and
𝜋 3𝜋
𝜃 = 180° − 45° = 135° 𝜃=𝜋− =
4 4

is the solution the 2nd quadrant is the solution in the 2nd quadrant

𝜋 3𝜋
𝑆 = {45°, 135°} 𝑆= { , }
4 4
__________________________________________________________________
3
 −√𝟑
11. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 =
𝟐

Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 60° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
3

𝜋 4𝜋
𝜃 = 180° + 60° = 240° 𝜃= 𝜋+ =
3 3

is the solution in the 3rd quadrant is the solution in the 3rd quadrant

and and
𝜋 5𝜋
𝜃 = 360° − 60° = 300° 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
3 3

is the solution the 4th quadrant is the solution in the 4th quadrant

4𝜋 5𝜋
𝑆 = {240°, 300°} 𝑆= { , }
3 3
__________________________________________________________________
𝟏
12. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝟐
Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 60° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
3

𝜋
𝜃 = 60° 𝜃=
3

is the solution in the 1st quadrant is the solution in the 1st quadrant

and and
𝜋 5𝜋
𝜃 = 360° − 60° = 300° 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
3 3

is the solution the 4th quadrant is the solution in the 4th quadrant

𝜋 5𝜋
𝑆 = {60°, 300°} 𝑆= { , }
3 3
__________________________________________________________________

4
 −𝟏
13. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝟐

Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 60° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
3

𝜋 2𝜋
𝜃 = 180° − 60° = 120° 𝜃=𝜋− =
3 3

is the solution the 2nd quadrant is the solution in the 2nd quadrant
𝜋 4𝜋
𝜃 = 180° + 60° = 240° 𝜃= 𝜋+ =
3 3

is the solution in the 3rd quadrant is the solution in the 3rd quadrant

and and

2𝜋 4𝜋
𝑆 = {120°, 240°} 𝑆= { , }
3 3
__________________________________________________________________
√𝟑
14. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝟐

Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 30° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
6

𝜋
𝜃 = 30° 𝜃=
6

is the solution in the 1st quadrant is the solution in the 1st quadrant

and and
𝜋 11𝜋
𝜃 = 360° − 30° = 330° 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
6 6

is the solution the 4th quadrant is the solution in the 4th quadrant

𝜋 11𝜋
𝑆 = {30°, 330°} 𝑆= { , }
6 6
__________________________________________________________________

5
 −√𝟐
15. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝟐

Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 45° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
4

𝜋 3𝜋
𝜃 = 180° − 45° = 135° 𝜃=𝜋− =
4 4

is the solution the 2nd quadrant is the solution in the 2nd quadrant

and and
𝜋 5𝜋
𝜃 = 180° + 45° = 225° 𝜃= 𝜋+ =
4 4

is the solution in the 3rd quadrant is the solution in the 3rd quadrant

3𝜋 5𝜋
𝑆 = {135°, 225°} 𝑆= { , }
4 4
__________________________________________________________________
16. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝟏
Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 45° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
4

𝜋
𝜃 = 45° is the solution 𝜃= is the solution
4

in the 1st quadrant in the 1st quadrant

and and
𝜋 5𝜋
𝜃 = 180° + 45° = 225° 𝜃=𝜋+ =
4 4

is the solution the 3rd quadrant is the solution in the 3rd quadrant

𝜋 5𝜋
𝑆 = {45°, 225°} 𝑆= { , }
4 4
__________________________________________________________________

6
 17. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = −𝟏
Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 45° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
4

𝜋 3𝜋
𝜃 = 180° − 45° = 135° 𝜃=𝜋− =
4 4

is the solution in the 2nd quadrant is the solution in the 2nd quadrant

and and
𝜋 7𝜋
𝜃 = 360° − 45° = 315° 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
4 4

is the solution the 4th quadrant is the solution in the 4th quadrant

3𝜋 7𝜋
𝑆 = {135°, 315°} 𝑆= { , }
4 4
__________________________________________________________________
−√𝟑 −𝟏
18. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝟑
=
√𝟑

Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 30° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
6

𝜋 5𝜋
𝜃 = 180° − 30° = 150° 𝜃=𝜋− =
6 6

is the solution the 2nd quadrant is the solution in the 2nd quadrant

and and
𝜋 11𝜋
𝜃 = 360° − 30° = 330° 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
6 6

is the solution in the 4th quadrant is the solution in the 4th quadrant

5𝜋 11𝜋
𝑆 = {150°, 330°} 𝑆= { , }
6 6
__________________________________________________________________

7
 19. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = √𝟑
Solution
In Degrees OR In Radians
𝜋
Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ = 60° Reference angle is: 𝜃̂ =
3

𝜋
𝜃 = 60° is the solution 𝜃= is the solution
3

in the 1st quadrant in the 1st quadrant

and and
𝜋 4𝜋
𝜃 = 180° + 60° = 240° 𝜃=𝜋+ =
3 3

is the solution the 3rd quadrant is the solution in the 3rd quadrant

𝜋 4𝜋
𝑆 = {60°, 240°} 𝑆= { , }
3 3
__________________________________________________________________
20. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = √𝟑

OR 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = −𝟐

OR 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝟓

OR 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = √𝟓
𝟕
OR 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 =
𝟐

OR 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = −𝟔
Solution
No solution. Because
For any angle 𝜃,

−1 ≤ sin 𝜃 ≤ 1

and

−1 ≤ cos 𝜃 ≤ 1
8
Example (2): Find the solution of each of the following equations in the interval
[0, 360°) in Degrees; OR [0, 2𝜋) Rad

1. 𝟑 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟐 𝜽 − 𝟏 = 𝟎
Solution:
1
3 tan2 𝜃 − 1 = 0 ⟹ 3 tan2 𝜃 = 1 ⟹ tan2 𝜃 =
3
1 1
⟹ tan 𝜃 = + 𝐎𝐑 tan 𝜃 = −
√3 √3

𝜋
Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ = 30°
6
1
Case I: tan 𝜃 = ⟹ 1st quadrant 𝜃 = 30°
√3

3rd quadrant 𝜃 = 180° + 30° = 210°

−1
Case II: tan 𝜃 = ⟹ 2nd quadrant 𝜃 = 180° − 30° = 150°
√3

4th quadrant 𝜃 = 360° − 30° = 330°

𝑺 = {𝟑𝟎°, 𝟏𝟓𝟎°, 𝟐𝟏𝟎°, 𝟑𝟑𝟎°}

Another Solution in Radians

𝜋
Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ =
6
1 𝜋
Case I: tan 𝜃 = ⟹ 1st quadrant 𝜃 =
√3 6
𝜋 7𝜋
3rd quadrant 𝜃 = 𝜋 + =
6 6

−1 𝜋 5𝜋
Case II: tan 𝜃 = ⟹ 2nd quadrant 𝜃 = 𝜋 − =
√3 6 6
𝜋 11 𝜋
4th quadrant 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
6 6

𝝅 𝟓𝝅 𝟕𝝅 𝟏𝟏𝝅
𝑺={ , , , }
𝟔 𝟔 𝟔 𝟔
9
 2. 𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜽 − 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 − 𝟏 = 𝟎

Solution:
2 sin2 𝜃 − sin 𝜃 − 1 = 0 ⟹ (2 sin 𝜃 + 1)(sin 𝜃 − 1) = 0 ⟹

Case I: (2 sin 𝜃 + 1) = 0 OR Case II: (sin 𝜃 − 1) = 0

−1
sin 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 = 1
2

Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ = 30° 𝜃 = 90°

3rd quadrant 𝜃 = 180° + 30° = 210°

4th quadrant 𝜃 = 360° − 30° = 330°

𝑆 = {90°, 210°, 330°}

Another Solution in Radians:

Case I: (2 sin 𝜃 + 1) = 0 OR Case II: (sin 𝜃 − 1) = 0

−1
sin 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 = 1
2

𝜋 𝜋
Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ = 𝜃=
6 2

𝜋 7𝜋
3rd quadrant 𝜃 = 𝜋 + =
6 6

𝜋 11 𝜋
4th quadrant 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
6 6

7𝜋 11𝜋 𝜋
⟹𝑆={ , , }
6 6 2
10
3. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝜽 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝟎

Solution:
sin 2𝜃 − cos 𝜃 = 0 ⟹ 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 − cos 𝜃 = 0
⟹ cos 𝜃 (2 sin 𝜃 − 1) = 0

Case I: (2 sin 𝜃 − 1) = 0 OR Case II: cos 𝜃 = 0

1
sin 𝜃 = 𝜃 = 90°
2

Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ = 30° 𝜃 = 270°

1st quadrant 𝜃 = 30°

2nd quadrant 𝜃 = 180° − 30° = 150°

⟹ 𝑆 = {30°, 90°, 150°, 270°}

Another Solution in Radians:

Case I: (2 sin 𝜃 − 1) = 0 OR Case II: cos 𝜃 = 0
1 𝜋
sin 𝜃 = 𝜃=
2 2

𝜋 3𝜋
Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ = 𝜃=
6 2

𝜋
1st quadrant 𝜃 =
6

𝜋 5𝜋
2nd quadrant 𝜃 = 𝜋 − =
6 6

𝜋 5𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
⟹𝑆={ , , , }
6 6 2 2
__________________________________________________________________

11
4. 𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝜽 + 𝟏 = 𝟎

Solution:
2 cos 2𝜃 + 1 = 0 ⟹ 2(2 cos 2 𝜃 − 1) + 1 = 0 ⟹ 4 cos 2 𝜃 − 2 + 1
=0
1
⟹ 4 cos 2 𝜃 − 1 = 0 ⟹ cos 2 𝜃 =
4
1 1
⟹ cos 𝜃 = 𝐎𝐑 ⟹ cos 𝜃 = −
2 2

Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ = 60°

1 1
Case I: cos 𝜃 = OR Case II: cos 𝜃 = −
2 2

1st quadrant 2nd quadrant

𝜃 = 60° 𝜃 = 180° − 60° = 120°
4th quadrant 3rd quadrant
𝜃 = 360° − 60° = 300° 𝜃 = 180° + 60° = 240°

𝑆 = {60°, 120°, 240°, 300°}

Another Solution in Radians:

𝜋
Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ =
3
1 1
Case I: cos 𝜃 = OR Case II: cos 𝜃 = −
2 2

𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋
1st quadrant 𝜃 = 2nd quadrant 𝜃 = 𝜋 − =
3 3 3

𝜋 5𝜋 𝜋 4𝜋
4th quadrant 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − = 3rd quadrant 𝜃 = 𝜋 + =
3 3 3 3

𝜋 2𝜋 4𝜋 5𝜋
⟹𝑆={ , , , }
3 3 3 3
12
5. 𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝜽 − 𝟕 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 + 𝟑 = 𝟎

Solution:
2 cos 2 𝜃 − 7 cos 𝜃 + 3 = 0 ⟹ (2 cos 𝜃 − 1)(cos 𝜃 − 3) = 0 ⟹

Case I: (2 cos 𝜃 − 1) = 0 OR Case II: (cos 𝜃 − 3) = 0

1
cos 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 = 3
2

Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ = 60° No solution

1st quadrant 𝜃 = 60°

4th quadrant 𝜃 = 360° − 60° = 300°

𝑆 = {60°, 300°}

Another Solution in Radians:

Case I: (2 cos 𝜃 − 1) = 0 OR Case II: (cos 𝜃 − 3) = 0
1
cos 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 = 3
2

𝜋
Reference angle is : 𝜃̂ = No solution
3

𝜋
1st quadrant 𝜃 =
3

𝜋 5𝜋
4th quadrant 𝜃 = 2𝜋 − =
3 3

𝜋 5𝜋
⟹𝑆={ , }
3 3

__________________________________________________________________

13
6. 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑𝜽 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟑𝜽 = 𝟎
Solution:
cos 𝜃 cos 3𝜃 + sin 𝜃 sin 3𝜃 = cos(𝜃 − 3𝜃) = cos(−2𝜃) = cos 2𝜃

𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝜽 = 𝟎

2𝜃 = 90° + 180° 𝑛 ⇒ 𝜃 = 45° + 90° 𝑛

And, since 𝜃 must be in the interval [0, 360°)

𝑛=0⇒ 𝜃 = 45°

𝑛=1⇒ 𝜃 = 45° + 90° (1) = 135°

𝑛=2⇒ 𝜃 = 45° + 90° (2) = 225°

𝑛=3⇒ 𝜃 = 45° + 90° (3) = 315°

𝑛=3⇒ 𝜃 = 45° + 90° (4) = 405° ∉ [0, 360°)

⇒ 𝑆 = {45°, 135°, 225°, 315°}

Another Solution in Radians:

𝜋 𝜋 𝑛𝜋
2𝜃 = + 𝑛𝜋 ⇒ 𝜃= +
2 4 2

And, since 𝜃 must be in the interval [0,2𝜋)

𝜋
𝑛=0⇒ 𝜃=
4
𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
𝑛=1⇒ 𝜃= + =
4 2 4

14
 𝜋 2𝜋 5𝜋
𝑛=2⇒ 𝜃= + =
4 2 4
𝜋 3𝜋 7𝜋
𝑛=3⇒ 𝜃= + =
4 2 4
𝜋 4𝜋 9𝜋
𝑛=3⇒ 𝜃= + = ∉ [0, 2𝜋)
4 2 4

𝜋 3𝜋 5𝜋 7𝜋
⇒𝑆={ , , , }
4 4 4 4

15