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TRIGONOMETRY

2D/3D
GRADE 12
PAST EXAM PAPERS
EMAILBY
ADDRESS: melulekishabalala@gmail.com
MR M. SHABALALA CELLPHONE NUMBER: 0733318802 Page 1
@NOMBUSO
 THREE PROOFS TO BE KNOWN FOR EXAM PURPOSES

PROOF 1 (AREA RULE)

CASE 1 (IF IS ACUTE ANGLE) CASE 2 (IF IS OBTUSE ANGLE)

Area of ABC …………….eq 1

Area of ABC ………………..eq 1
But th h h ……eq 2
But sin ………………..eq 2
sin
sin
Substitute into equation 1.
Substitute into equation 1.

Area of ABC th
Area of ABC th

Similarly
Similarly
Area of ABC th
Area of ABC th

th
th

4 or 5 MARKS 4 or 5 MARKS

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 2

 PROOF 2 (SINE RULE)
CASE 1
Draw BD AC
In ‫ޣ‬

sin 
sin …………..equation 1
In ‫ޣ‬

sin 
sin …………..equation 2
sin sin …equate BD from 1 &2
th th

CASE 2 (EASY FROM AREA RULE)

Using area rule for ABC:

th th th

Divide all terms by

th th th

4 or 5 MARKS
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 3
 PROOF 3 (COSINE RULE)
CASE 1 (IF IS ACUTE ANGLE) CASE 2 (IF IS OBTUSE ANGLE)

Let AD
Let AD
height of ABC with base BC
height of ABC with base BC
Let DC t
Let DC t
BD t
BD t
USE Pythagoras theorem in ABD to
USE Pythagoras theorem in ABD to
find
find
th
th
t t
t t
t t
t t
But t (Pythagoras in )
But t (Pythagoras in )

t ……….equation 1
t ……….equation 1

t
t cos h h
cos
t cos (cos(180 )= cosC)
t cos …………equation 2

t t

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 4

 .

CLUES/APPROACHES IN SOLVING PROBLEMS IN 2D/3D

1. SOLVING PROBLEMS
 In this question it is where by we use sine, cosine and area rule to solve for sides or angles in
triangle. Trig rules are there to help us in solving problems mostly if triangle is not right
angled triangle. If it is right angled triangle use trig ratios.
 The problem usually involves two triangles with a common side
 Most of the time, one of the triangles is right-angled
 Geometry of triangles might be used to calculate angles
 Decide which triangle required occur. Start with the other triangle and calculate the common
side using the sine or cosine formula

2. PROVING A FORMULA EXCEPT EXAMINABLE ONES

 Sometimes we are required to prove some sort of a formula, before calculating a side or an angle.
 Look out for trig identities like: th h t
th t h
th t th h t h t h
t t h

3. PROBLEMS IN THREE DIMENSIONS

 In three-dimensional problems right angles often don’t look like right angles.
 Right angled triangle might look like the following where vertical lines are drawn.

 Always shade the horizontal plane roughly.

 Where you encounter problems with three triangles, you must work from the one with the most
information via the second to the third.
 The cosine formula is used more often than in problems in two dimensions.

Source used( KZN MIP GRADE 12 2017)

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 5

QUESTION 1 (FEB/MARCH 2010)
In the diagram below A, B and C are three points in the same horizontal plane. D is vertically
above B and E is vertically above C. The angle of elevation of E from D is θ°. F is a point
on EC such that DF || BC. , and AC metres.

sin
1.1 Prove that DE (6)
sin ⸱㜶
1.2 Calculate DE if metres, , h and . (3)
[9]
QUESTION 2 (NOVEMBER 2010)
The angle of elevation from a point C on the ground, at the centre of the goalpost, to the highest
point A of the arc, directly above the centre of the Moses Mabhida soccer stadium, is 64,75°.
The soccer pitch is 100 metres long and 64 metres wide as prescribed by FIFA for world cup
stadiums. Also AC PC. In the figure below PQ = 100 metres and PC = 32 metres.

2.1 Determine AC. (3)

2.2 Calculate PAC. (3)
2.3 A camera is positioned at point D, 40 metres directly below A. Calculate the
distance from D to C. (4)
[10]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 6
QUESTION 3 (FEB/MARCH 2011)
The sketch below shows one side of the elevation of a house. Some dimensions (in metres)
are indicated on the figure. Calculate, rounded off to ONE decimal place

3.1 EC (3)
3.2 (3)
3.3 Area of (2)
3.4 The height EF (3)
[11]
QUESTION 4 (NOVEMBER 2011)
The figure below represents a triangular right prism with BA = BC = 5 units,
h and h

4.1 Determine the area of ΔABC. (2)

4.2 Calculate the length of AC. (3)
4.3 Hence, determine the height FC of the prism. (3)
[8]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 7
QUESTION 5 (FEB/MARCH 2012)
A rectangular birthday card is tied with a ribbon at the midpoints, G and H, of the longer sides.
The card is opened to read the message inside and then placed on a table in such a way that the
angle AFE between the front cover and the back cover of the card is 90° . The points G and H
are joined by straight lines to the point C inside the card, as shown in the sketch.

Let the shorter side of the card, t and the longer side, t

t
Prove that cos [8]
t t
QUESTION 6 (NOVEMBER 2012)
ABCD is a parallelogram with AB = 3 units, BC = 2 units and for

6.1 Prove that the area of parallelogram ABCD is 6sin . (3)

6.2 Calculate the value of θ for which the area of the parallelogram is square units. (3)
6.3 Determine the value of θ for which the parallelogram has the maximum area. (2)
[8]

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 8

QUESTION 7 (FEB/MARCH 2013)
In the diagram below, ABC is a right-angled triangle. KC is the bisector of ACB.
AC ㄠ units and BCK t.

7.1 Write down AB in terms of t and ㄠ. (2)

7.2 Give the size of AKC in terms of t. (1)
AK
7.3 If it is given that , calculate the value of t. (8)
AB
[11]
QUESTION 8 (NOVEMBER 2013)
The Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt was built around 2 500 BC. The pyramid has a squares base
(ABCD) with sides 232,6 metres long. The distance from each corner of the base to the apex (E)
was originally 221,2 metres.

8.1 Calculate the size of the angle at the apex of a face of the pyramid (for example CEB) (3)

8.2 Calculate the angle each face makes with the base (for example , where

EF AB in AEB) (6)
[9]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 9
QUESTION 9 (FEB/MARCH 2014)
In the diagram below, RS is the height of a vertical tower. T and Q are two points in the same
horizontal plane as the foot S of the tower. From point T the angle of elevation to the top of the
tower is 60 . RTQ θ , h and TQ metres.

9.1 Express TR in terms of θ and (3)

9.2 Show that RS (7)

⸱㜶 sin
[10]
QUESTION 10 (NOVEMBER 2014)
In the figure below, ACP and ADP are triangles with , CP , AP h and
DP 4. PA bisects DPC. Let CAP t and DAP t.

10.1 Show, by calculation, that t h (2)

10.2 Calculate the length of AD. (4)
10.3 Determine t. (3)
[9]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 10
QUESTION 11 (FEB/MARCH 2015)
11.1 In the figure, points K, A and F lie in the same horizontal plane and TA represents a
vertical tower. t, t and t where t . TK
units.

11.1.1 Express AK in terms of sint. (2)

11.1.2 Calculate the numerical value of KF. (5)
11.2 In the diagram below, a circle with centre O passes through A, B and C.
BC AC 15 units. BO and OC are joined. OB units and BOC t.

11.2.1 Calculate the size of t. (4)

11.2.2 Calculate the size of ACB (3)
11.2.3 Calculate the area of ABC (2)
[16]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 11
QUESTION 12 (JUNE 2015)
Consider the right cylindrical silos shown below:

The diagram alongside represents one of the right

Cylindrical silos above. M is the centre of the circular
base with BA and BC tangents to the base at A and C.
The points M, A, B and C lie in the same horizontal
plane. DC represents the vertical height of the
cylindrical part of the silo

and . DC , BC 㤵

12.1 Prove that AC 㤵 ⸱㜶 . (5)

⸱㜶
12.2 Also prove that AC (5)
h
12.3 If h metres, 㤵 metres and h , calculate the volume of the
cylindrical section of the silo (Round off to the nearest cubic metre). (7)
[17]

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 12

QUESTION 13 (NOVEMBER 2015)
A corner of a rectangular block of wood is cut off and shown in the diagram below
The inclined plane, that is, , in an isosceles triangle having
Also , AC t and CD t.

13.1 Determine an expression for in terms of . (1)

t
13.2 Prove that cos
t
. (4)
13.3 If it is given that t , calculate AB, the height of the piece of wood. (5)
[10]
QUESTION 14 (JUNE 2016)
In the diagram below, PQ is a vertical mast. R and S are two points in the same horizontal
plane as Q, such that: h t t

t sin tan
14.1 Show that: PQ (5)
sin
14.2 14.2.1 If h , show that the area of t t (3)
14.2.2 Determine the value of t for which the area of will maximum. (3)
14.2.3 Calculate the length of QR if the area of is maximum. (3)
[14]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 13
QUESTION 15 (FEB/MARCH 2016)
15.1 In the diagram below, PQR is drawn with PQ t RQ t and h .

15.1.1 Show that the area of PQR h t t . (2)

15.1.2 Determine the value of t for which the area of PQR will
be a maximum. (3)
15.1.3 Calculate the length of PR if the area of is a maximum. (3)
15.2 In the diagram below, BC is a pole anchored by two cables at A and D. A, D and
C are in the same horizontal plane. The height of the pole is and the angle of
elevation from A to the top of the pole, B, is . and BA BD

Determine the distance AD between the two anchors in terms of . (7)

[15]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 14
QUESTION 16 (SEPTEMBER 2016)
ABCD is a trapezium with AD BC, BAD and BCD h . CD is produced

to E. F is point on AD such that BFE is a straight line, and CBE α. The angle of

elevation of E from A is θ , BC t and CE h t

AB cos
16.1 Show that: BE (5)
sin h

t
16.2 Show that the area of t (3)

16.3 Determine, without the use of a calculator, the value of t for which the

area of ΔBCE will be maximum. (3)

16.4 Calculate the length of BE if t (3)

[14]

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 15

QUESTION 17 (NOVEMBER 2016)
E is the apex of a pyramid having a square base ABCD. O is the centre of the base.

, AB 3 m and EO, the perpendicular height of the pyramid, is t.

17.1 Calculate the length of OB. (3)

17.2 Show that cos (5)

t

17.3 If the volume of the pyramid is 15 , calculate the value of . (4)

[12]

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 16

QUESTION 18 (FEB/MARCH 2017)
In the diagram, B, E and D are points in the same horizontal plane. AB and CD are vertical poles.
Steel cables AE and CE anchor the poles at E. Another steel cable connects A and C. CE 8, 6
m, BE 10 m, AEB , AEC and .

18.1 Calculate the height of pole CD. (2)

18.2 Calculate the length of cable AE. (2)
18.3 Calculate the length of cable AC (4)
[8]
QUESTION 19 (JUNE 2017)
In the figure alongside, A, B and C are three points in the same horizontal plane. D is
vertically above B and E is vertically above C. The angle of elevation of E from D is
. F is a point on EC such that FD CB. , and AC metres

19.1 Express DE in terms of DF and . (2)

sin
19.2 Hence show that DE (5)
sin cos
[7]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 17
QUESTION 20 (NOVEMBER 2017)
AB represents a vertical netball pole. Two players are positioned on either side of the netball

pole at points D and E such that D, B and E are on the same straight line. A third player is

positioned at C. The points B, C, D and E are in the same horizontal plane. The angles of

elevation from C to A and from E to A are t and t respectively. The distance from B to E is

20.1 Write down the size of ABC. (1)

tan t
20.2 Show that AC (4)
sin t

20.3 If it is further given that DAC t and AD AC, show that the distance DC

between the players at D and C is tan t (5)

[10]

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 18

QUESTION 21 (FEB/MARCH 2018)
PQ and AB are two vertical towers.

From a point R in the same horizontal plane as Q and B, the angles of elevation to P and A

are and respectively.

AQR θ, and QR t.

21.1 Determine in terms of t and :

21.1.1 QP (2)

21.1.2 AR (2)

21.2 Show that AB t ⸱㜶 (4)

AB
21.3 Determine
QP
if . (2)

[10]

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 19

QUESTION 22 (JUNE 2018)
In the figure alongside, RP is a diameter of
the circle. RPM is a straight line and
PM PN t,

22.1 Show that : t sin h (5)

22.2 If MN units and t units, Show, without using a calculator, that
and RP 4 units. (4)
[9]
QUESTION 23 (SEPTEMBER 2018)
In the diagram QS is a vertical pole. P and R are points in the same horizontal plane as Q
such that QP QR. The angle of elevation of the top of the pole S from P is t
Also SQ and t.

⸱㜶 t
23.1 Prove that: PR [6]
sin t sin t
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 20
QUESTION 24 (NOVEMBER 2018)
A pilot is flying in a helicopter. At point A, which is metres directly above point D on the

ground, he notices a strange object at point B. The pilot determines that the angle of depression

from A to B is 30 . He also determines that the control room at point C is metres from A

and t. Points B, C and D are in the same horizontal plane.

This scenario is shown in the diagram below.

24.1 Determine the distance AB in terms of . (2)

24.2 Show that the distance between the strange object at point B and the control

room at point C is given by BC h ⸱㜶 t. (4)

[6]

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 21

QUESTION 25 (JUNE 2019)
A, B and C are three points in the same horizontal plane. DA is a vertical cliff. The angle of
elevation of the top of the cliff from D is . If ABC ACB

and the distance between B and C is metres.

tan
Prove that AD [6]
cos

QUESTION 26 (SEPTEMBER 2019)

In the diagram, PQRS is a cyclic quadrilateral with and PQ PS 㤵 units.

Use the diagram to prove that:

26.1 QS 㤵 cos h (2)

26.2 The area of QRS 㤵 sin cos h (3)
[5]
BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 22
QUESTION 27 (NOVEMBER 2019)
The diagram below shows a solar panel, ABCD, which is fixed to a flat piece of concrete slab
EFCD. ABCD and EFCD are two identical rhombuses. K is a point on DC such that DK KC
and AK DC. AF and KF are drawn. h and AD t units.

27.1 Determine AK in terms of t. (2)

27.2 Write down the size of KCF. (1)
27.3 It is further given that AKF, the angle between the solar panel and the concrete
slab, is t. Determine the area of AKF in terms of t and t. (7)
[10]

BY MR M. SHABALALA @NOMBUSO Page 23