2 Unit Trigonometry HSC Questions

Question 1s

1. ’71 1c ( )( )
Simplify 1 − cos 2 θ 1 + cot 2 θ .

2. ’78 1aiii Find the values of x to the nearest degree in the domain 0° ≤ x ≤ 360° for which sin x > 0.4 .

Show that (sin A + cos A) + (sin A − cos A) = 2 .

2 2
3. ’78 1b

3π
4. ’95 1c Convert radians to degrees.
5

5. ’97 1c Write down the exact value of 135° in radians.

π  2π 
6. ’98 1e Find the exact value of sin   + sin   .
4  3 

π
7. ’00 1c What is the exact value of cos ?
6

8. ’06 1d Find the value of θ in the diagram.

Give your answer to the nearest degree.

π
9. ’08 1a Evaluate 2cos correct to three significant figures.
5

π
10. ’09 1e Find the exact value of θ such that 2 cos θ = 1 , where 0 ≤ θ ≤ .
2
Question 2s

11. ’67 2b Find all solutions of 2 cos 2 x − 3cos x − 2 = 0 with −π < x < π .

cos (180° − A)
12. ’70 2a Simplify .
sin (90° − A)

13. ’78 2c In the triangle ABC the side BC has length 4 cm and the angles at B and C are 60° and
70° respectively. Find to three significant figures the length of AP where P is the midpoint
of BC .

14. ’02 2a In the diagram, XYZ is a triangle where ∠ZYX = 45° and ∠ZXY = 60° .

x
Find the exact value for the ratio .
y

1
15. ’05 2a Solve cos θ = for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π .
2

16. ’11 2a Find the exact values of x such that 2sin x = − 3 , where 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .
Question 3s

17. ’84 3b The figure shows the letter Z which is painted on a wall as part of a sign for a zoo.

(a) How long is the segment AB of the letter?

(b) The right angled isosceles triangle BCD has equal sides of length one metre.
How long is the hypotenuse?

(c) Use the results of (a) and (b) to show that the length EF shown on the diagram is
( )
2 + 2 metres .

(d) Find in square metres the area painted.

(e) Find in metres the perimeter of the painted area.

18. ’95 3b A horizontal bridge is built between two points A and B . The bridge is supported by cables
SP and SR which are attached to the top of a vertical pylon ST .
The section of the pylon SQ above the bridge is 8 metres long and ∠SRQ = 52° .
The distance AQ is 22 metres and P is the midpoint of AQ .

(i) Find the length of the cable SR .

(ii) Find the size of ∠SPQ to the nearest degree.
19. ’99 3c In the diagram, AC is parallel to DB , AB is 6 cm, BC is 3 cm and AC is 7 cm.

(i) Use the cosine rule to find the size of ∠ABC to the nearest degree.
(ii) Hence find the size of ∠DBC , giving reasons for your answer.

20. ’01 3d The diagram shows a triangle with sides 7 cm, 13 cm and x cm, and an angle of 60° as
marked.

Use the cosine rule to show that x 2 − 7 x = 120 and hence find the exact value of x .

21. ’04 3a The diagram shows a point P which is 30 km due west of the point Q.
The point R is 12 km from P and has a bearing from P of 070°.

(i) Find the distance of R from Q.

(ii) Find the bearing of R from Q.

22. ’05 3b The lengths of the sides of a triangle are 7 cm, 8 cm and 13 cm.
(i) Find the size of the angle opposite the longest side.
(ii) Find the area of the triangle.
Question 4s

∠ ∠
23. ’92 4a The diagram shows a trapezium ABCD in which AD is parallel to BC .
AB = 6 , AD = 5 , ABC = 60° , and ADC = 135° .
Perpendiculars are drawn from A and D to meet BC at P and Q .

A 5 D
135°

60°
B P Q C

(i) Show that BP = 3 .

(ii) Show that AP = 3 3 .
(iii) Find the exact value of BC .
(iv) Find the area of the trapezium ABCD . Leave your answer in surd form.

24. ’93 Q4 From position P , Anne finds that the angle of elevation of the top A of a rock pillar AB is
8° . After walking 300 m directly towards the pillar to the point Q she finds that the angle of
elevation of A is 21° .
A

8° Q 21°
P
300 m B

(i) Copy the diagram and find ∠PAQ .

(ii) Calculate the length AQ .
(iii) Find the height of the rock pillar AB .

2
25. ’02 4b Find all values of θ , where 0° ≤ θ ≤ 360° , that satisfy the equation cos θ − = 0.
5
Give your answer(s) to the nearest degree.

26. ’02 4c In the diagram, LMN is a triangle where LM = 5.2 metres, LN = 8.9 metres and
angle MLN = 110°.

(i) Find the length of MN.

(ii) Calculate the area of triangle LMN.
27. ’03 4a In the diagram, the point Q is due east of P. The point R is 38 km from P and
20 km from Q. The bearing of R from Q is 325°.

(i) What is the size of ∠PQR ?

(ii) What is the bearing of R from P?

28. ’07 4a Solve 2 sin x = 1 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .

Question 5s

29. ’84 5d
N

15° 30°
K
L M

(i) Find ∠KNL and ∠LMN , and show that KL = LN .

(ii) Given that the length of NM is 1 unit, write down the lengths of LM and LN , and
deduce that tan15° = 2 − 3 .

30. ’94 5b The figure shows the side view of a bridge opened to let boats pass underneath. When the
equal arms of the bridge PA and QB are lowered, they meet exactly to form the straight
roadway PQ , which is 50 m long. When the arms PA and QB are raised through an angle θ
as shown, the ‘corridor’ AB is 12 m wide.

A 12 m B

θ θ
P 50 m Q

Calculate the size of angle θ .

31. ’00 5a Solve tan x = 2 for 0 < x < 2π .

Express your answer in radian measure correct to two decimal places.
 1 + sin x
32. '10 5b (i) Prove that sec2 x + sec x tan x = .
cos 2 x
1
(ii) Hence prove that sec2 x + sec x tan x = .
1 − sin x
[Part (iii) cannot be done yet.]

Question 6s

33. ’00 6a Sketch the curve y = 1 − sin 2 x for 0 ≤ x ≤ π .

x
34. ’08 6a Solve 2sin 2 = 1 for −π ≤ x ≤ π .
3

Question 7s

35. ’96 7a (i) Sketch the graph of y = 2 cos x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .

(ii) On the same set of axes, sketch the graph of y = 2 cos x − 1 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .
(iii) Find the exact values of the x coordinates of the points where the graph of
y = 2 cos x − 1 crosses the x axis in the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .

36. ’97 7a By expressing sec θ and tan θ in terms of sin θ and cos θ , show that sec2 θ − tan 2 θ = 1 .

Question 8s

37. '04 8a (i) Show that cos θ tan θ = sin θ .

(ii) Hence solve 8sin θ cos θ tan θ = cosec θ for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π .
 ∠
38. ’11 8a In the diagram, the shop at S is 20 kilometres across the bay from the post office at P.
The distance from the shop to the lighthouse at L is 22 kilometres and SPL is 60°.
Let the distance PL be x kilometres.

(i) Use the cosine rule to show that x 2 − 20 x − 84 = 0 .

(ii) Hence, find the distance from the post office to the lighthouse. Give your answer correct
to the nearest kilometre.

Question 9s

39. ’00 9c The diagram shows a square ABCD of side x cm, with a point P within the square such that
PC = 6 cm , PB = 2 cm and AP = 2 5 cm .

Let ∠PBC = α .
x 2 − 32
(i) Using the cosine rule in triangle PBC , show that cos α = .
4x
x 2 − 16
(ii) By considering triangle PBA , show that sin α = .
4x
(iii) Hence or otherwise show that the value of x is a solution of x 4 − 56 x 2 + 640 = 0 .
(iv) Find x . Give reasons for your answer.

40. ’03 9a Solve 2sin 2 x − 3sin x − 2 = 0 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .

Question 10s

41. ’94 10b A triangle ABC is right-angled at B . D is the point on AC such that BD is perpendicular
to AC . Let ∠BAC = θ .
(i) Draw a diagram showing this information.
You are given that 6 AD + BC = 5 AC .
(ii) Show that 6cos θ + tan θ = 5sec θ .

(iii) Deduce that 6sin 2 θ − sin θ − 1 = 0 .

(iv) Find θ .

42. ’95 10a (i) Draw the graphs of y = 4 cos x and y = 2 − x on the same set of axes for −2π ≤ x ≤ 2π .
(ii) Explain why all the solutions of the equation 4 cos x = 2 − x must lie between x = −2
and x = 6 .

π 1
43. ’99 10a (i) Show that x = is a solution of sin x = tan x .
3 2
1
(ii) On the same set of axes, sketch the graphs of the functions y = sin x and y = tan x for
2
−π ≤ x ≤ π .
1 π π
(iii) Hence find all solutions of sin x = tan x for − < x < .
2 2 2
1 π π
(iv) Use your graphs to solve sin x ≤ tan x for − < x < .
2 2 2
44. ’01 10b The diagram shows a farmhouse F that is located 250 m from a straight section of road.

The road begins at the bus depot D which is situated 2000 m from the front gate G of the
farmhouse. The school bus leaves the depot at 8 am and travels along the road at a speed of
15 ms −1 . Claire lives in the farmhouse, and she can run across the open paddock between the
house and the road at a speed of 4 ms−1 . The bus will stop for Claire anywhere on the road,
but will not wait for her.

Assume that Claire catches the bus at the point P on the road where ∠GFP = θ .
(i) Find two expressions in terms of θ , one expression for the time taken for the bus to
travel from D to P and the other expression for the time taken by Claire to run from
F to P .

[Part (ii) cannot be done yet.]

45. '02 10a A circular pizza of radius 20 cm is cut into sectors. Each sector is to be placed on a circular
plate that is just large enough to contain that sector.
π
(i) A sector of pizza is cut where the angle θ at its centre satisfies 0 < θ ≤.
2
It is placed on a circular plate or radius r cm and centre C as shown below.

θ π
Show that r = 10sec for 0 < θ ≤ .
2 2
 π
(ii) Another sector of pizza is cut where the angle θ at its centre satisfies < θ < π.
2
This sector of pizza is placed on a circular plate as shown below. Again we let the
radius of the plate be r cm, and we let the centre be C .

θ π
Show that r = 20sin for < θ < π .
2 2

(iii) Sketch the graph of r as defined by the equations in parts (i) and (ii) for 0 < θ < π .

46. ’04 10b The diagram shows a triangular piece of land ABC with dimensions AB = c metres, AC = b
metres and BC = a metres, where a ≤ b ≤ c .

The owner of the land wants to build a straight fence to divide the land into two pieces of
equal area. Let S and T be points on AB and AC respectively so that ST divides the land into
two pieces of equal area. Let AS = x metres, AT = y metres and ST = z metres.

1
(i) Show that xy = bc .
2
b2c 2
(ii) Use the cosine rule in triangle AST to show that z 2 = x 2 + − bc cos A .
4x2

[Rest of question cannot be done yet.]

 ∠
47. ’08 10b The diagram shows two parallel brick walls KJ and MN joined by a fence from J to M. The
wall KJ is s metres long and KJM = α . The fence JM is l metres long.

A new fence is to be built from K to a point P somewhere on MN. The new fence KP
will cross the original fence JM at O. Let OJ = x metres, where 0 < x < l .

(i) Show that the total area, A square metres, enclosed by ∆OKJ and ∆OMP is given by
 l2 
A = s  x − l +  sin α .
 2x 

[Rest of question cannot be done yet.]

∠
48. ’10 10a In the diagram ABC is an isosceles triangle with AC = BC = x. The point D on the interval AB
is chosen so that AD = CD. Let AD = a, DB = y and ADC = θ .

(i) Show that ∆ABC is similar to ∆ACD .

(ii) Show that x 2 = a 2 + ay .

(iii) Show that y = a (1 − 2cos θ) .

(iv) Deduce that y ≤ 3a .

Extension 1

1. ’98 2c The triangle ABC has sides of length a, b and c, as shown in the diagram. The point D lies on
AB, and CD is perpendicular to AB.

(i) Show that a sin B = b sin A .

(ii) Show that c = a cos B + b cos A .
(iii) Given that c 2 = 4ab cos A cos B , show that a = b .

2. '97 3a (i) On the same set of axes, sketch the graphs of y = 2sin θ and y = θ for −π ≤ θ ≤ π .
(ii) Use your sketch to find the number of solutions of the equation 2sin θ = θ for
−π ≤ θ ≤ π .

3. ’99 3d(i) By equating the coefficients of sin x and cos x, or otherwise, find constants A and B satisfying
the identity A ( 2sin x + cos x ) + B ( 2 cos x − sin x ) ≡ sin x + 8cos x .

∠ ∠
4. ’97 4a The triangle ABC is isosceles, with AB = BC, and BD is perpendicular to AC.
Let ABD = CBD = α and ∠BAD = β , as shown in the diagram.

(i) Show that sin β = cos α .

(ii) By applying the sine rule in ∆ABC , show that sin 2α = 2 sin α cos α .
[Part (iii) cannot be done yet.]
5. ’11 5a In the diagram, Q ( x0 , y0 ) is a point on the unit circle x 2 + y 2 = 1 at an angle θ from the
π π
positive x -axis, where − < θ < . The line through N ( 0,1) and Q intersects the line
2 2
y = −1 at P . The points T ( 0, y0 ) and S ( 0, −1) are on the y -axis.

2cos θ
(i) Use the fact that ∆TQN and ∆SPN are similar to show that SP = .
1 − sin θ
cos θ
(ii) Show that = sec θ + tan θ .
1 − sin θ
θ π
(iii) Show that ∠SNP = + .
2 4
[Requires circle geometry.]
θ π
(iv) Hence or otherwise show that sec θ + tan θ = tan  +  .
2 4
π π
(v) Hence or otherwise solve sec θ + tan θ = 3 where − < θ < .
2 2
Extension 2

1 π
1. ’93 4b Suppose k is a constant greater than 1. Let f ( x ) = where 0 ≤ x ≤
1 + ( tan x )
k
2
 π
[You may assume f   = 0 .]
2
π  π
(i) Show that f ( x) + f  − x  = 1 for 0 ≤ x ≤ .
2  2
π
(ii) Sketch y = f ( x) for 0 ≤ x ≤ .
2

2. ’06 6a ∠
In ∆ABC , CAB = α , ∠ABC = β and ∠BCA = γ . The point O is chosen inside ∆ABC so
∠ ∠ ∠
that OAB = OBC = OCA = θ , as shown in the diagram.

OA sin ( β − θ )
(i) Show that = .
OB sin θ

(ii) Hence show that sin 3 θ = sin ( α − θ ) sin ( β − θ ) sin ( γ − θ ) .

sin ( y − x )
(iii) Prove the identity cot x − cot y = .
sin x sin y
[You can’t do this yet, but use the result in the next part.]

(iv) Hence show that ( cot θ − cot α )( cot θ − cot β )( cot θ − cot γ ) = cosec α cosec β cosec γ .

(v) Hence find the value of θ when ∆ABC is an isosceles right triangle.
Answers
3π
1. tan 2 θ 2. 24 < x < 156 4. 108° 5.
4
2+ 3 3
6. 7. 8. 18° 9. 1.62
2 2
π 2π  π
10. θ= 11. x=± 12. −1  A not an odd multiple of 
3 3  2

6 π 7π 4π 5π
13. 4.27 cm 14. 15. θ= , 16. x= ,
2 4 4 3 3
17. (a) 2m (b) 2m (d) (
4 1+ 2 m ) (e) (
6 2+ 2 m )
18. (i) 10.15 m (ii) 36°
19. (i) 96° (ii) 122° 20. x = 15
21. (i) 19.2 km (ii) 282°22′T 22. (i) 120° (ii) 14 3 cm 2

39 3 + 27
23. (iii) 8 + 3 3 (iv) 24. (i) 13° (ii) 185.6 m (iii) 66.5 m
2
25. θ = 66°, 294° 26. (i) 11.7 m (ii) 21.7 m 2
π 3π
27. (i) 55° (ii) 064°28′T 28. x= , 30. 40°32′
4 4
3π
31. x = 1.11, 4.25 33. 34. x=±
4

35.
2 y = 2 cos x

1 y = 2 cos x − 1
π 3π
2 π 2
π 2 π 2π
3 3

−2

−3
 π 5π
37. (ii) θ= , 38. 24 km
6 6

7 π 11π
39. (iv) x = 2 10 (Make sure you explain why you disregarded x = 4 ) 40. ,
6 6
41. (iv) 30°

π
42. (i) [Make sure your scale on the x -axis is correct: ≈ 1.57 which is just to the left of 2]
2
( −2π, 2 + 2π )

y = 2− x

4 y = 4 cos x

2
−2 π − 3π π π 3π
− 2π
2 2 2 2

( 2π, 2 − 2π )
43. (ii)
1
y= tan x
2

1 y = sin x
π
−
3
−π π π π π
−
2 3 2

−1

π π π π
(iii) x = 0, ± (iv) − ≤ x ≤ 0, ≤ x <
3 3 3 2
400 + 50 tan θ 125sec θ
44. t DP = ; t FP =
3 2
45. (iii)
 r
20

10 2
10

π π θ
2

Extension 1
2. (i) (ii) 3
y
y=θ
( π, π )
2
π
−
−π 2
π θ
π
2
−2
( −π, − π )

π
3. A = 2, B = 3 5. (v) θ=
6

Extension 2
1.

2. (v) θ = 26°34′