A Maths Revision Notes >>

Solve trigonometric equation

Prerequisite knowledge

Quadrants:

quadrants

sin θ is positive in the first and second quadrants and negative in the third and fourth quadrants.

cos θ is positive in the first and fourth quadrants and negative in the second and third quadrants.

tan θ is positive in the first and third quadrants and negative in the second and fourth quadrants.

Key angles in radians:

$ 180^\circ = $ $ \phantom{.} \pi $ $ \text{ radians}$, $ 360^\circ = $ $ \phantom{.} 2 \pi $ $ \text{ radians}$

Calculation from basic angle

First quadrant:

First quadrant

\begin{align*} \theta & = \alpha \\ \\ \text{Other possible values of } \theta & = ..., \underbrace{\alpha - 720^\circ}_\text{2 rounds clockwise}, \underbrace{\alpha - 360^\circ}_\text{1 round clockwise}, \underbrace{\alpha + 360^\circ}_\text{1 round anti-clockwise}, \underbrace{\alpha + 720^\circ}_\text{2 rounds anti-clockwise}, ... \end{align*}

Second quadrant:

Second quadrant

\begin{align*} \theta & = 180^\circ - \alpha \\ \\ \text{Other possible values of } \theta & = ..., \underbrace{\theta - 720^\circ}_\text{2 rounds clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta - 360^\circ}_\text{1 round clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta + 360^\circ}_\text{1 round anti-clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta + 720^\circ}_\text{2 rounds anti-clockwise}, ... \end{align*}

Third quadrant:

Third quadrant

\begin{align*} \theta & = 180^\circ + \alpha \\ \\ \text{Other possible values of } \theta & = ..., \underbrace{\theta - 720^\circ}_\text{2 rounds clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta - 360^\circ}_\text{1 round clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta + 360^\circ}_\text{1 round anti-clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta + 720^\circ}_\text{2 rounds anti-clockwise}, ... \end{align*}

Fourth quadrant:

Fourth quadrant

\begin{align*} \theta & = 360^\circ - \alpha \\ \\ \text{Other possible values of } \theta & = ..., \underbrace{\theta - 720^\circ}_\text{2 rounds clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta - 360^\circ}_\text{1 round clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta + 360^\circ}_\text{1 round anti-clockwise}, \underbrace{\theta + 720^\circ}_\text{2 rounds anti-clockwise}, ... \end{align*}

Questions

Basic type

1. Solve the equation $ \sqrt{3} \tan x + 1$ for $ 0 < x < 2 \pi $, leaving your answer in terms of $\pi$.

Answer: $ {5 \pi \over 6}, {11 \pi \over 6} $

Solutions


2. Solve the equation $ 3 \sin 2 \theta - 1 = 0 $ for $ -180^\circ < \theta <180^\circ $.

Answer: $ -170.3^\circ, -99.7^\circ, 9.7^\circ, 80.3^\circ $

Solutions

Problem solving strategy: Take square root

3. Solve the equation $ \tan^2 x - 3 = 0$ for $0^\circ < x < 360^\circ$.

Answer: $ 60^\circ, 120^\circ, 240^\circ, 300^\circ $

Solutions

Problem solving strategy: Form tan

4. Solve the equation $ 4 (\sin 2x - \cos 2x) = \cos 2x $ for $ 0^\circ < x < 360^\circ $.

Answer: $ 25.7^\circ, 115.7^\circ, 205.7^\circ, 295.7^\circ $

Solutions

Problem solving strategy: Factorise common factor

5. Solve the equation $ 3\sin x = 2 \sin x \cos x $ for $0 < x < 2 \pi $.

Answer: $ x = \pi $

Solutions

Problem solving strategy: Solve quadratic equation

6. Solve the equation $ 2 \cos^2 x = 5 - 4\cos x $ for $ 0 < x < 2 \pi $.

Answer: $ 0.514, 5.77 $

Solutions

Past year O level questions

Year & paper Comments
2004 P2 Question 6i Form tangent
2002 P1 Question 1 Form tangent


Trigonometry: Find trigonometric ratio without the use of calculator Trigonometry: Real-life problem