NURTURE COURSE

TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATION
CONTENTS
TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS & INEQUATIONS

THEORY .................................................................. Page – 1

EXERCISE (O-1) .................................................................. Page – 14

EXERCISE (O-2) .................................................................. Page – 16

EXERCISE (S-1) .................................................................. Page – 17

EXERCISE (S-2) .................................................................. Page – 18

EXERCISE (JM) .................................................................. Page – 18

EXERCISE (JA) .................................................................. Page – 19

IIT-JEE Syllabus :
General solution of trigonometric equations.
 Trigonometric Equation
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TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATION
1. TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATION :
An equation involving one or more trigonometrical ratios of unknown angles is called a trigonometrical
equation.

2. SOLUTION OF TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATION :

A value of the unknown angle which satisfies the given equation is called a solution of the trigonometric
equation.
(a) Principal solution :- The solution of the trigonometric equation lying in the interval [0, 2p).
(b) General solution :- Since all the trigonometric functions are many one & periodic, hence there
are infinite values of q for which trigonometric functions have the same value. All such possible
values of q for which the given trigonometric function is satisfied is given by a general formula.
Such a general formula is called general solution of trigonometric equation.
(c) Particular solution :- The solution of the trigonometric equation lying in the given interval.

3. GENERAL SOLUTIONS OF SOME TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS (TO BE

REMEMBERED) :
(a) If sin q = 0, then q = np, n Î I (set of integers)
p
(b) If cos q = 0, then q = (2n+1) , n Î I
2
(c) If tan q = 0, then q = np, n Î I
é -p p ù
(d) If sin q = sin a, then q = np + (–1)na where a Î ê , ú , n Î I
ë 2 2û
(e) If cos q = cos a, then q = 2np ± a, n Î I, a Î [0,p]
æ -p p ö
(f) If tan q = tan a, then q = np + a, n Î I, a Î ç , ÷
è 2 2ø
p p
(g) If sin q =1, then q = 2np + = (4n + 1) , n Î I
2 2
(h) If cos q = 1 then q = 2np, n Î I
(i) If sin2 q = sin2 a or cos2 q = cos2 a or tan2 q = tan2 a, then q = np ± a, n Î I
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(j) For n Î I, sin np = 0 and cos np = (–1)n, n Î I

sin (np + q) = (–1)n sin q cos (np + q) = (–1)n cos q
(k) cos np = (–1)n, n Î I
n -1
If n is an odd integer, then sin np = (-1) 2 , cos np = 0,
2 2
n -1
æ np ö
sin ç + q ÷ = (-1) 2 cos q
è 2 ø
n +1
æ np ö
cos ç + q ÷ = (-1) 2
sin q
è 2 ø
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tan 3x - tan 2x
Illustration 1 : Find the set of values of x for which =1.
1 + tan 3x.tan 2x
tan 3x - tan 2x
Solution : We have, =1 Þ tan(3x – 2x) = 1 Þ tan x = 1
1 + tan 3x.tan 2x
p p
Þ tan x = tan Þ x = np + , n Î I {using tanq = tana Û q = np + a)
4 4
But for this value of x, tan 2x is not defined.
Hence the solution set for x is f. Ans.
Do yourself-1 :
(i) Find general solutions of the following equations :
1 æ 3q ö æ 3q ö
(a) sin q = (b) cos ç ÷ = 0 (c) tan ç ÷ = 0
2 è 2 ø è 4 ø
æqö
(d) cos22q = 1 (e) 3 sec 2q = 2 (f) cosec ç ÷ = -1
è2ø

4. IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED WHILE SOLVING TRIGONOMETRIC

EQUATIONS :
(a) For equations of the type sin q = k or cos q = k, one must check that | k | < 1.
(b) Avoid squaring the equations, if possible, because it may lead to extraneous solutions. Reject
extra solutions if they do not satisfy the given equation.
(c) Do not cancel the common variable factor from the two sides of the equations which are in a
product because we may loose some solutions.
(d) The answer should not contain such values of q, which make any of the terms undefined or
infinite.
(i) Check that denominator is not zero at any stage while solving equations.
p
(ii) If tan q or sec q is involved in the equations, q should not be odd multiple of .
2
(iii) If cot q or cosec q is involved in the equation, q should not be multiple of p or 0.
5. DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR SOLVING TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS :
(a) Solving trigonometric equations by factorisation.
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e.g. (2 sin x – cos x) (1 + cos x) = sin2x

\ (2 sin x – cos x) (1 + cos x) – (1 – cos2x) = 0
\ (1 + cos x) (2 sin x – cos x – 1 + cos x) = 0
\ (1 + cos x) (2 sin x – 1) = 0
1
Þ cos x = –1 or sin x =
2
Þ cosx = – 1 = cosp Þ x = 2np + p = (2n + 1)p, n Î I
1 p p
or sinx = = sin Þ x = kp + (–1)k ,kÎI
2 6 6
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1
Illustration 2 : If sinq, cosq and tanq are in G.P. then the general solution for q is -
6
p p p
(A) 2np ± (B) 2np ± (C) np ± (D) none of these
3 6 3
1
Solution : Since, sin q, cos q, tan q are in G.P.
6
1
Þ cos2 q = sin q . tan q Þ 6cos3 q + cos2 q – 1 = 0
6
\ (2cos q – 1) (3 cos2 q + 2 cos q + 1) = 0
1
Þ cos q = (other values of cos q are imaginary)
2
p p
Þ cos q = cos Þ q = 2np ± , n Î I. Ans. (A)
3 3
(b) Solving of trigonometric equation by reducing it to a quadratic equation.
e.g. 6 – 10cosx = 3sin2x
\ 6 – 10cosx = 3 – 3cos2x Þ 3cos2x – 10cosx + 3 = 0

1
Þ (3cosx – 1) (cosx – 3) = 0 Þ cosx = or cosx = 3
3
Since cosx = 3 is not possible as – 1 £ cosx £ 1

1 æ1ö
= cos æç cos-1 ö÷ Þ
1
\ cosx = x = 2np ± cos–1 ç ÷ , n Î I
3 è 3ø è3ø

1
Illustration 3 : Solve sin2q - cosq = for q and write the values of q in the interval 0 £ q £ 2p.
4
Solution : The given equation can be written as
1
1 – cos2q – cosq = Þ cos2q + cosq – 3/4 = 0
4
2
Þ 4cos q + 4cosq – 3 = 0 Þ (2cosq – 1)(2cosq + 3) = 0
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1 3
Þ cosq = ,–
2 2
Since, cosq = –3/2 is not possible as –1 £ cosq £ 1
1 p p
\ cos q = Þ cos q = cos Þ q = 2np ± ,nÎI
2 3 3
For the given interval, n = 0 and n = 1.

p 5p
Þ q= , Ans.
3 3
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Illustration 4 : Find the number of solutions of tanx + secx = 2cosx in [0, 2p].
Solution : Here, tanx + secx = 2cosx Þ sinx + 1 = 2 cos2x
1
Þ 2sin2x + sinx – 1 = 0 Þ sinx = ,–1
2
3p
But sinx = –1 Þ x = for which tanx + secx = 2 cosx is not defined.
2
1 p 5p
Thus sinx = Þx= ,
2 6 6
Þ number of solutions of tanx + secx = 2cos x is 2. Ans.
2 2
Illustration 5 : Solve the equation 5sin x – 7sinx cosx + 16cos x = 4
Solution : To solve this equation we use the fundamental formula of trigonometric identities,
sin2x + cos2x = 1
writing the equation in the form,
5sin2x – 7sinx . cosx + 16cos2x = 4(sin2x + cos2x)
Þ sin2x – 7sinx cosx + 12cos2 x = 0
dividing by cos2x on both side we get,
tan2x – 7tanx + 12 = 0
Now it can be factorized as :
(tanx – 3)(tanx – 4) = 0
Þ tanx = 3, 4
i.e., tanx = tan(tan–13) or tanx = tan(tan–1 4)
Þ x = np + tan–1 3 or x = np + tan–1 4, n Î I. Ans.
np
If x ¹ , n Î I and (cos x)sin x -3sin x + 2 = 1 , then find the general solutions of x.
2
Illustration 6 :
2
np
Solution : As x ¹ Þ cos x ¹ 0, 1, – 1
2
(cos x)sin x -3sin x + 2 = 1 Þ sin2x – 3sinx + 2 = 0
2
So,
\ (sinx – 2) (sinx – 1) = 0 Þ sinx = 1, 2
np
where sinx = 2 is not possible and sinx = 1 which is also not possible as x ¹
2
\ no general solution is possible. Ans.
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7
Illustration 7 : Solve the equation sin4x + cos4 x = sinx . cosx.
2
7 7
Solution : sin4x + cos4x = sinx . cosx Þ (sin2x + cos2x)2 – 2sin2x cos2x = sinx . cosx
2 2
1 7
Þ 1 - (sin 2x) 2 = ( sin 2x ) Þ2sin22x + 7sin2x – 4 = 0
2 4
1
Þ (2sin2x –1)(sin2x + 4) = 0 Þ sin2x = or sin2x = –4 (which is not possible)
2

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p
Þ 2x = np + (–1)n , n Î I
6
np n p
i.e., x= + ( - 1) ,nÎI Ans.
2 12
Do yourself-2 :
(i) Solve the following equations :
(a) 3sinx + 2cos2x = 0 (b) sec22a = 1 – tan2a
(c) 7cos2q + 3sin2q = 4 (d) 4cosq – 3secq = tanq
(ii) Solve the equation : 2sin2q + sin22q = 2 for q Î ( -p, p) .

(c) Solving trigonometric equations by introducing an auxilliary argument.

Consider, a sin q + b cos q = c .............. (i)
a b c
\ sin q + cos q =
a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2
equation (i) has a solution only if |c| £ a2 + b2
a b b
let = cos f , = sin f & f = tan -1
a +b2 2
a +b 2 2
a
by introducing this auxillary argument f, equation (i) reduces to
c
sin (q + f) = Now this equation can be solved easily.
a 2 + b2

Illustration 8 : Find the number of distinct solutions of secx + tanx = 3 , where 0 £ x £ 3p.
Solution : Here, sec x + tanx = 3 Þ 1 + sinx = 3 cosx
or 3 cosx – sinx = 1
dividing both sides by a 2 + b 2 i.e. 4 = 2 , we get
3 1 1
Þ cosx – sinx =
2 2 2
p p 1
Þ cos cos x - sin sin x = Þ cos çæ x + p ÷ö = 1 7p/3
6 6 2
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è 6ø 2 p/3

As 0 £ x £ 3p p/6
3p p 2p
p p p
£ x + £ 3p +
6 6 6
3p+ p/6
p p 5p 7 p p 3p 13p 5p/3
Þ x+ 6 = 3, 3 , 3 Þ x= , ,
6 2 6
3p
But at x = , tanx and secx is not defined.
2
\ Total number of solutions are 2. Ans.

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Illustration 9 : Prove that the equation kcosx – 3sinx = k + 1 possess a solution iff k Î (–¥, 4].
Solution : Here, k cosx – 3sinx = k + 1, could be re-written as :

k 3 k +1
cos x - sin x =
k +9
2
k +92
k2 + 9

k +1 3
or cos(x + f) = , where tanf =
k +9
2 k

k +1
which possess a solution only if – 1 £ £1
k2 + 9

k +1
i.e., £1
k2 + 9

i.e., (k + 1)2 £ k 2 + 9
i.e., k2 + 2k + 1 £ k2 + 9
or k£4
Þ The interval of k for which the equation (kcosx – 3sinx = k + 1) has a solution is (–¥, 4]. Ans.
Do yourself-3 :
(i) Solve the following equations :
(a) sinx + 2 = cosx.
(b) cosecq = 1 + cotq.

(d) Solving trigonometric equations by transforming sum of trigonometric functions into

product.
e.g. cos 3x + sin 2x – sin 4x = 0
cos 3x – 2 sin x cos 3x = 0
Þ (cos3x) (1 – 2sinx) = 0

1
Þ cos3x = 0 or sinx =
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p 1 p
Þ cos3x = 0 = cos or sinx = = sin
2 2 6

p p
Þ 3x = 2np ± or x = mp + (–1)m
2 6

2np p p
Þ x= ± or x = mp + (–1)m ; (n, m Î I)
3 6 6

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Illustration 10 : Solve : cosq + cos3q + cos5q + cos7q = 0
Solution : We have cosq + cos7q + cos3q + cos5q = 0
Þ 2cos4qcos3q + 2cos4qcosq = 0 Þ cos4q(cos3q + cosq) = 0
Þ cos4q(2cos2qcosq) = 0
Þ Either cosq = 0 Þ q = (2n1 + 1) p/2, n1 Î I
p
or cos2q = 0 Þ q = (2n2 + 1) , n2 Î I
4
p
or cos4q = 0 Þ q = (2n3 + 1) , n3 Î I Ans.
8
(e) Solving trigonometric equations by transforming a product into sum.
e.g. sin5x. cos3x = sin6x. cos2x
sin8x + sin2x = sin8x + sin4x
\ 2sin2x . cos2x – sin2x = 0
Þ sin2x(2 cos 2x – 1) = 0
1
Þ sin2x = 0 or cos2x =
2

1 p
Þ sin2x = 0 = sin0 or cos2x = = cos
2 3

p
Þ 2x = np + (–1)n × 0, n Î I or 2x = 2mp ± , mÎI
3

np p
Þ x= ,nÎI or x = mp ± ,mÎI
2 6

1
Illustration 11 : Solve : cosq cos2q cos3q = ; where 0 £ q £ p .
4

1 1 1
Solution : (2cosq cos3q) cos2q = Þ (cos2q + cos4q) cos2q =
2 4 2

1 1
Þ [2cos22q + 2cos4q cos2q]= Þ 1 + cos4q + 2cos4q cos2q = 1
2 2
\ cos4q (1+ 2cos2q) = 0
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cos4q = 0 or (1 + 2cos2q) = 0
Now from the first equation : 2cos4q = 0 = cos(p/2)

æ 1ö p
\ 4q = ç n + ÷ p Þ q = (2n + 1) , n Î I
è 2ø 8

p 3p 5p 7p
for n = 0, q = ; n = 1, q = ; n = 2, q = ; n = 3, q = (Q 0 £ q £ p )
8 8 8 8
and from the second equation :

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1
cos2q = - = –cos(p/3) = cos(p-p/3) = cos (2p/3)
2
\ 2q = 2kp ± 2p/3 \ q = kp ± p/3, k Î I
p 2p
again for k = 0, q = ; k = 1, q = (Q 0 £ q £ p )
3 3

p p 3 p 5p 2 p 7 p
\ q= , , , , , Ans.
8 3 8 8 3 8

Do yourself-4 :
(i) Solve 4sinq sin2q sin4q = sin3q.
(ii) Solve for x : sinx + sin3x + sin5x = 0.

(f) Solving equations by a change of variable :

(i) Equations of the form P (sin x ± cos x, sin x. cos x) = 0, where P (y,z) is a polynomial, can be
solved by the substitution :
cos x ± sin x = t Þ 1 ± 2 sin x. cos x = t2.

Illustration 12 : Solve : sin x + cos x = 1 + sin x. cos x.

Solution : put sinx + cosx = t
Þ sin2x + cos2x + 2sinx . cosx = t2
Þ 2sinx cosx = t2 – 1 (Q sin2x + cos2x = 1)
æ t2 -1 ö
Þ sinx.cosx = ç ÷
è 2 ø
Substituting above result in given equation, we get :
t2 -1
t=1+
2
Þ 2t = t2 + 1 Þ t2 – 2t + 1 = 0
Þ (t – 1)2 = 0 Þ t=1
Þ sin x + cos x = 1
Dividing both sides by 12 + 12 i.e. 2 , we get
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1 1 1 p p 1
Þ sin x + cos x = Þ cosx cos + sinx.sin =
2 2 2 4 4 2
p p p p
Þ cos æç x - ö÷ = cos Þ x– = 2np ±
è 4ø 4 4 4
p p
Þ x = 2np or x = 2np + = (4n + 1) , n Î I
2 2
(ii) Equations of the form of asinx + bcosx + d = 0, where a, b & d are real numbers can be
solved by changing sin x & cos x into their corresponding tangent of half the angle.
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Illustration 13 : Solve : 3 cos x + 4 sin x = 5

æ 1 - tan 2 x / 2 ö æ 2 tan x / 2 ö
Solution : Þ 3ç ÷ + 4ç ÷=5
è 1 + tan 2 x / 2 ø è 1 + tan 2 x / 2 ø

x x
3 - 3 tan 2 8 tan
2+ 2 =5
Þ 2 x 2 x
1 + tan 1 + tan
2 2

x x x x x
Þ 3 – 3tan2 + 8tan = 5 + 5tan2 Þ 8tan2 – 8tan + 2 = 0
2 2 2 2 2
2
x x æ x ö
Þ 4tan2 – 4tan + 1 = 0 Þ ç 2 tan - 1 ÷ = 0
2 2 è 2 ø
x x 1
= tan æç tan -1 ö÷
1
Þ 2tan – 1 = 0 Þ tan =
2 2 2 è 2ø
x 1
= np + tan–1 æç ö÷ , n Î I
1
Þ Þ x = 2np + 2tan–1 ,nÎI
2 è2ø 2

(g) Solving trigonometric equations with the use of the boundness of the functions involved.

Illustration 14 : Solve the equation (sinx + cosx)1+sin2x = 2, when 0 £ x £ p .

Solution : We know, – a 2 + b2 £ a sin q + b cos q £ a 2 + b 2 and –1 £ sinq £ 1.

\ (sinx + cosx) admits the maximum value as 2

and (1 + sin 2x) admits the maximum value as 2.

( 2) = 2.
2
Also
\ the equation could hold only when, sinx + cosx = 2 and 1 + sin 2x = 2
æ pö
Now, sinx + cos x = 2 Þ cos ç x - ÷ = 1
è 4ø
Þ x = 2np + p/4, n Î I ...... (i)
p
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and 1 + sin 2x = 2 Þ sin2x = 1 = sin

2
p mp p
Þ 2x = mp + (–1)m , m Î I Þ x= + ( -1) m ...... (ii)
2 2 4
p
The value of x in [0, p] satisfying equations (i) and (ii) is x = (when n = 0 & m = 0)
4
Ans.
Note : sin x + cos x = - 2 and 1 + sin 2x = 2 also satisfies but as x > 0, this solution is
not indomain.

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1
Illustration 15 : Solve for x and y : 2 cos2 x y 2 - y + 1 / 2 £ 1
1
Solution : 2 cos2 x
y2 - y + 1 / 2 £ 1 ....... (i)

1 2 2
æ 1ö æ1ö
çy - ÷ +ç ÷ £1
cos2 x
2
è 2ø è2ø
1
cos2 x
Minimum value of 2 =2
2 2
æ 1ö æ1ö 1
Minimum value of çy - ÷ +ç ÷ =
è 2ø è2ø 2

1
1
Þ Minimum value of 2 cos2 x
y2 - y + is 1
2

1 2 2
æ 1ö æ1ö
Þ çy - ÷ +ç ÷ =1
2
(i) is possible when 2 cos x
è 2ø è2ø
Þ cos2x = 1 and y = 1/2 Þ cosx = ±1 Þ x = np, where n Î I.
Hence x = np, n Î I and y = 1/2. Ans.
æxö 1
Illustration 16 : The number of solution(s) of 2cos2 ç ÷ sin2x = x2+ 2 , 0 £ x £ p/2, is/are -
è2ø x
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) infinite (D) none of these
æxö 1 1
Solution : Let y = 2cos2 ç ÷ sin2x = x2+ 2 Þ y = (1 + cosx)sin2x and y = x2 + 2
è2ø x x
2
when y = (1 + cosx)sin x = (a number < 2)(a number £ 1) Þ y < 2 ......... (i)
2
1 æ 1ö
and when y = x2 + = çx - ÷ + 2 ³ 2 Þ y³2 .......... (ii)
x 2
è xø
No value of y can be obtained satisfying (i) and (ii), simultaneously
Þ No real solution of the equation exists. Ans. (A)
Note:If L.H.S. of the given trigonometric equation is always less than or equal to k and RHS is
always greater than k, then no solution exists. If both the sides are equal to k for same value of
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q, then solution exists and if they are equal for different values of q, then solution does not exist.

Do yourself-5 :
(i) If x2 – 4x + 5 – siny = 0, y Î [0, 2p) , then -
(A) x = 1, y = 0 (B) x = 1, y = p/2 (C) x = 2, y = 0 (D) x = 2, y = p/2
1
(ii) If sinx + cosx = y + , y > 0, x Î [0, p] , then find the least positive value of x satisfying the
y
given condition.

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6. TRIGONOMETRIC INEQUALITIES :

There is no general rule to solve trigonometric inequations and the same rules of algebra are valid provided
the domain and range of trigonometric functions should be kept in mind.

Illustration 17 : Find the solution set of inequality sin x > 1/2.

1
Solution : When sinx = , the two values of x between 0 and 2p are p/6 and 5p/6.
2

From the graph of y = sin x, it is obvious that between 0 and 2p,

1
sinx > for p/6 < x < 5p/6
2
Hence, sin x > 1/2
Þ 2np + p/6 < x < 2np + 5p/6, n Î I
y

1/2
p 2p
x
–2p –p 0 p p 5p
6 2 6

–1

æ p 5p ö
Thus, the required solution set is nÈ ç 2np + , 2np + ÷ Ans.
ÎI è 6 6 ø
Illustration 18 : Find the values of a lying between 0 and p for which the inequality : tan a > tan 3 a is
valid.
We have : tan a - tan a > 0 Þ tana (1– tan2a) > 0
3
Solution :
– + – +
Þ (tana)(tana + 1)(tana – 1) < 0 –1 0 1

So tana < –1, 0 < tana < 1

æ p ö æ p 3p ö
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\ Given inequality holds for a Î ç 0, ÷ È ç , ÷ Ans.

è 4ø è2 4 ø

Do yourself - 6 :

(i) Find the solution set of the inequality : cosx ³ –1/2.

(ii) Find the values of x in the interval [0, 2p] for which 4sin2x – 8sinx + 3 £ 0.

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Miscellaneous Illustration :

Illustration 19 : Solve the following equation : tan2q + sec2q + 3 = 2 ( 2 sec q + tan q)

Solution : We have tan 2 q + sec 2 q + 3 = 2 2 sec q + 2 tan q

Þ tan 2 q - 2 tan q + sec 2 q - 2 2 sec q + 3 = 0

Þ tan 2 q + 1 - 2 tan q + sec 2 q - 2 2 sec q + 2 = 0

Þ (tan q - 1) 2 + (sec q - 2) 2 = 0 Þ tan q = 1 and sec q = 2

As the periodicity of tanq and secq are not same, we get

p
q = 2np + , n Î I
4
Ans.

Illustration 20 : Find the solution set of equation 5(1 + log5 cosx) = 5/2.

Solution : Taking log to base 5 on both sides in given equation :

(1 + log5 cosx). log55 = log5(5/2) Þ log5 5 + log5 cosx = log55 – log52

Þ log5 cos x = –log52 Þ cos x = 1/2 Þ x = 2np ± p/3, n Î I

Ans.

æ p pö æ ap bp ö
Illustration 21 : If the set of all values of x in ç - , ÷ satisfying | 4 sin x + 2 | < 6 is ç , ÷ then
è 2 2ø è 24 24 ø
a-b
find the value of .
3

Solution : | 4 sin x + 2 | < 6

Þ - 6 < 4sin x + 2 < 6 Þ - 6 - 2 < 4 sin x < 6 - 2

node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

-( 6 + 2) 6- 2 5p p æ p pö
Þ < sin x < Þ - <x< for x Î ç - , ÷
4 4 12 12 è 2 2ø

ap bp
Comparing with <x< , we get, a = –10, b = 2
24 24

a-b -10 - 2
\ = =4 Ans.
3 3

12 E
 Trigonometric Equation
ALLEN
Illustration 22 : The number of values of x in the interval [0, 5p] satisfying the equation
3 sin2x – 7 sinx +2 = 0 is - [JEE 98]
(A) 0 (B) 5 (C) 6 (D) 10
Solution : 2
3sin x – 7 sinx + 2 = 0
Þ (3sinx – 1)(sinx – 2) =0
Q sinx ¹ 2
sina=1/3 sin a=1/3
1 4p+a
Þ sin x = = sin a (say) 2p+a
3 p-a a
where a is the least positive value of x a a
5p 3p p 0 2p 4p
1
such that sin a = .
3
p
Clearly 0 < a < . We get the solution,
2
x = a, p - a, 2p + a, 3p - a, 4p + a and 5p - a.
Hence total six values in [0, 5p] Ans. (C)

ANSWERS FOR DO YOURSELF

p p 4np
1: (i) (a) q = np + ( -1) n , n Î I (b) q = (2n + 1) , n Î I (c) q = , nÎI
6 3 3
np p
(d) q = , nÎI (e) q = np ± , n Î I
2 12
(f) q = 2np + (-1) p , n Î I
n +1

p
2: (i) (a) x = np + (–1)n+1 6 , nÎ I (b) a = np or a = kp + 3p , n, k Î I
2 2 8
p
(c) q = np ± , n Î I
3
-1
æ 17 - 1 ö æ
-1 -1 - 17
ö
(d) q = np + (–1)na, where a = sin çç ÷÷ or sin çç ÷÷ , n Î I
è 8 ø è 8 ø
ì p 3p p p 3p p ü
node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

(ii) q = í- , - , - , , , ý
î 4 4 2 4 4 2þ
p p
3: (i) (a) x = 2np – , n Î I (b) 2mp + , m Î I
4 2
mp p np p
4: (i) q = np or q = ± ; n,m Î I (ii) x = , n Î I and kp ± , k Î I
3 9 3 3
p
5: (i) D (ii) x =
4
é 2p 2p ù é p 5p ù
6: (i) È 2np - , 2np + ú (ii) ê ,
nÎI ê 3 3 û ú
ë ë6 6 û

E 13
JEE-Mathematics
ALLEN
EXERCISE # (O-1)
1. The number of solutions of the equation sin 2x – 2cosx + 4 sinx = 4 in the interval [0, 5p] is -
(A) 6 (B) 4 (C) 3 (D) 5
2. Let A = {q : sin (q) = tan (q)} and B = {q : cos (q) = 1} be two sets. Then -
(A) A = B (B) A Ì B and B –A ¹ f
(C) A Ë B (D) B Ë A
3. The complete solution set of the inequality tan 2 x - 2 2 tan x + 1 £ 0 is-
p 3p p 3p
(A) np + £x£ + np, n Î I (B) np + £x£ + np, n Î I
8 8 4 4

p 3p p 2p
(C) np + £x£ + np, n Î I (D) np + £x£ + np, n Î I
16 8 3 3

4. The general solution of the equation tan2 a +2 3 tan a = 1 is given by -

np p
(A) a = (nÎI) (B) a = (2n + 1) (nÎI)
2 2
p np
(C) a = (6n + 1) (nÎI) (D) a = (nÎI)
12 12
5. If 2 tan2 q = sec2 q, then the general solution of q -
p p p p
(A) np + (nÎI) (B) np – (nÎI) (C) np ± (nÎI) (D) 2np ± (nÎI)
4 4 4 4
2
6. Number of principal solution(s) of the equation 4 ·16sin x
= 26 sin x is
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
7. The general solution of equation 4 cos2 x + 6 sin2 x = 5 is -
p p 3p
(A) x = np ± (nÎI) (B) x = np ± (nÎI) (C) x = np ± (nÎI) (D) None of these
2 4 2
8. If tanq + tan4q + tan7q = tanq tan4q tan7q, then q =
np np np
(A) (B) (C) (D) np
4 7 12
where n Î I
node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

1 - cos 2q
9. If = 3, then the general solution of q is -
1 + cos 2q
(A) 2np ± p/6 (B) np ± p/6 (C) 2np ± p/3 (D) np ± p/3
where n Î I
æxö
10. The number of solutions of the equation 2cos ç ÷ = 3x + 3–x is-
è2ø
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) None

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 Trigonometric Equation
ALLEN
11. The number of real solutions of the equation sin(ex) = 5x + 5–x is-
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) infinitely many
5p 5p
12. If x Î éê - , ùú , then the greatest positive solution of 1 + sin4 x = cos2 3x is -
ë 2 2û
5p
(A) p (B) 2p (C) (D) none of these
2
13. The general value of q satisfying sin2 q + sin q = 2 is-
p p p p
(A) np (–1)n (B) 2np + (C) np + (–1)n (D) np + (–1)n
6 4 2 3
14. The number of solutions of the equation tan2x – sec10x + 1 = 0 in (0, 10) is -

(A) 3 (B) 6 (C) 10 (D) 11

15. The solution set of (5 + 4 cos q) (2 cos q + 1) = 0 in the interval [0,2p] is :

ì p 2p ü ìp ü ì 2p 4 p ü ì 2 p 5p ü
(A) í , ý (B) í , pý (C) í , ý (D) í , ý
î3 3 þ î3 þ î3 3 þ î3 3þ
16. The equation sin x cos x = 2 has :
(A) one solution (B) two solutions (C) infinite solutions (D) no solution

17. If tan2 q – (1 + 3 ) tanq + 3 = 0, then the general value of q is :

p p p p p p p p
(A) np + , np + (B) np - , np + (C) np + , np - (D) np - , np -
4 3 4 3 4 3 4 3

where n Î I
18. If 0 < x < 3p, 0 < y < 3p and cos x. sin y =1, then the possible number of values of the ordered pair (x, y)
is-
(A) 6 (B) 12 (C) 8 (D) 15

tan 2q + tan q
19. If = 0 , then the general value of q is -
1 - tan q tan 2q
node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

np np np
(A) np ; n Î I (B) ;nÎI (C) (D) ;nÎI
3 4 6
where n Î I
20. The most general values of x for which sin x + cos x = min
aÎR
{1,a2 – 4a + 6} is given by-
p p p
(A) 2np (B) 2np + (C) np + (–1)n. - (D) None of these
2 4 4
where n Î I

E 15
JEE-Mathematics
ALLEN
EXERCISE # (O-2)
1. Number of values of x satisfying the equation log2(sin x) + log1/2(– cosx) = 0 in the interval (–p,p] is equal
to-
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3
æp ö
2. Given a2 + 2a + cosec2 ç (a + x) ÷ = 0 then, which of the following holds good?
è2 ø
x x
(A) a = 1 ; Î I (B) a = –1 ; Î I
2 2
(C) a Î R ; x Îf (D) a , x are finite but not possible to find
3. 4 2 2
If the equation cot x – 2 cosec x + a = 0 has atleast one solution then, sum of all possible integral
values of 'a' is equal to
(A) 4 (B) 3 (C) 2 (D) 0
4. The set of angles between 0 and 2p satisfying the equation 4 cos2 q - 2 2 cos q - 1 = 0 is

ì p 5p 19p 23p ü ì p 7p 17p 23p ü

(A) í , , , ý (B) í , , , ý
î12 12 12 12 þ î12 12 12 12 þ

ì 5p 13p 19p ü ì p 7p 19p 23p ü

(C) í , , ý (D) í , , , ý
î 12 12 12 þ î 12 12 12 12 þ
5. In which one of the following intervals the inequality, sin x < cos x < tan x < cot x can hold good?

æ pö æ 3p ö æ 5p 3p ö æ 7p ö
(A) ç 0, ÷ (B) ç , p ÷ (C) ç , ÷ (D) ç , 2p ÷
è 4ø è 4 ø è 4 2 ø è 4 ø
6. If the equation sin4 x - (k + 2) sin2 x - (k + 3) = 0 has a solution then k must lie in the interval :
(A) (- 4, - 2) (B) [- 3, 2) (C) (- 4, - 3) (D) [- 3, - 2]
7. The smallest positive angle satisfying the equation 1 + cos3x – 2cos2x = 0, is equal to
(A) 15° (B) 22.5° (C) 30° (D) 45°
3x 5y
8. Statement-1: If sin cos = k8 – 4k4 + 5, where x, y Î R then exactly four distinct real values of
2 3
k are possible.
because
3x 5y
Statement-2: sin and cos both are less than or equal to one and greater than or equal to – 1.
2 3
node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.
p
9. The equation 2cos2 æç x ö÷ sin2x = x2 + x–2, 0 < x £ has
è2ø 2
(A) one real solutions (B) more than one real solutions
(C) no real solution (D) none of the above

16 E
 Trigonometric Equation
ALLEN
10. The number of solutions of the equation sinx = x2 + x + 1 is-
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) None
11. Number of integral solution(s) of the inequality 2sin x – 5sinx + 2 > 0 in x Î [0,2p], is-
2

(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 6

12. If tan q – 2 sec q = 3 , then the general solution of q is -

p p p p p p p p
(A) np + (–1)n – (B) np + (–1)n - (C) np + (–1)n + (D) np + (–1)n +
4 3 3 4 3 4 4 3
where n Î I
EXERCISE # (S-1)
1 1 1
+ log 5 (sin x ) + log15 cos x
1. Solve the equation for x, 5 2 + 5 2 = 15 2
2. Find all the values of q satisfying the equation; sin q + sin 5 q = sin 3 q such that 0 £ q £ p.

3. Solve the equality: 2 sin 11x + cos 3x + 3 sin 3x = 0

4. Find all value of q, between 0 & p, which satisfy the equation; cos q . cos 2 q . cos 3 q = 1/4.
5. Solve for x , the equation 13 - 18 tanx = 6 tan x – 3, where – 2p < x < 2p.

6. Determine the smallest positive value of x which satisfy the equation, 1 + sin 2 x - 2 cos 3 x = 0 .
7. Find the number of principal solution of the equation, sin x – sin 3x + sin 5x = cos x – cos 3x + cos 5x.
æ1 ö
ç + log 3 (cos x + sin x ) ÷
è2 ø log (cos x -sin x )
8. Find the general solution of the trigonometric equation 3 -2 2 = 2.
9. Find all values of q between 0° & 180° satisfying the equation ; cos 6q + cos 4q + cos 2q + 1 = 0.
10. Find the general solution of the equation, sin px + cos px = 0. Also find the sum of all solutions
in [0, 100].
11. Find the range of y such that the equation , y + cos x = sin x has a real solution. For y = 1,
find x such that 0 < x < 2p.
cos q + sin q
12. Find the general values of q for which the quadratic function (sinq) x2 + (2cosq)x +
2
is the square of a linear function.
13. Prove that the equations
(a) sin x · sin 2x · sin 3x = 1 (b) sin x · cos 4x · sin 5x = – 1/2
node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

have no solution.
14. Let f (x) = sin6x + cos6x + k(sin4x + cos4x) for some real number k. Determine
(a) all real numbers k for which f (x) is constant for all values of x.
(b) all real numbers k for which there exists a real number 'c' such that f (c) = 0.
(c) If k = – 0.7, determine all solutions to the equation f (x) = 0.
æ pö
15. If the set of values of x satisfying the inequality tanx. tan3x < –1 in the interval ç 0, ÷ is (a,b), then
è 2ø
æ 36(b - a) ö
the value of ç ÷ is
è p ø

E 17
JEE-Mathematics
ALLEN
EXERCISE (S-2)
1. Solve the equation : sin 5x = 16 sin5 x.
2. Find all the solutions of 4 cos2x sin x - 2 sin2x = 3 sin x.
3. Solve for x, (- p £ x £ p) the equation; 2 (cos x + cos 2 x) + sin 2 x (1 + 2 cos x) = 2 sin x.
4. Find the general solution of the following equation :
2(sin x - cos 2x) - sin 2x(1 + 2 sinx) + 2cos x = 0.
3x x
5. Find the values of x, between 0 & 2p, satisfying the equation cos 3x + cos 2x = sin + sin .
2 2
6. Solve: tan22x + cot22x + 2 tan 2x + 2 cot 2x = 6.
x
sec 2
2
7. Solve the equation: 1 + 2 cosecx = – .
2
8. Solve: tan2x . tan23x . tan 4x = tan2x - tan23x + tan 4x.
9. Find the set of values of x satisfying the equality

æ pö æ 3p ö 2 cos 7 x
sin ç x - ÷ – cos ç x + ÷ = 1 and the inequality > 2cos 2 x .
è 4ø è 4 ø cos 3 + sin 3

10. Find the solution set of the equation, log -x 2 -6x (sin 3x + sin x) = log -x 2 -6x (sin 2x).
10 10

EXERCISE (JM)
1. Let A and B denote the statements
A : cos a + cos b + cos g = 0
B : sin a + sin b + sin g = 0
3
If cos (b – g) + cos(g – a) + cos(a – b) = – , then - [AIEEE 2009]
2
(1) Both A and B are true (2) Both A and B are false
(3) A is true and B is false (4) A is false and B is true
2. The possible values of q Î (0, p) such that sin (q) + sin (4q) + sin(7q) = 0 are: [AIEEE 2011]
2 p p 4 p p 3p 8p p 5p p 2p 3p 8p
(1) , , , , , (2) , , , , ,
9 4 9 2 4 9 4 12 2 3 4 9
2p p p 2p 3p 35p 2 p p p 2p 3p 8p
(3) , , , , , (4) , , , , ,
9 4 2 3 4 36 9 4 2 3 4 9
node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

3. If 0 £ x < 2p, then the number of real values of x, which satisfy the equation
cosx + cos2x + cos3x + cos4x = 0, is :- [JEE(Main) 2016]
(1) 9 (2) 3 (3) 5 (4) 7
æ æp ö æp ö 1ö
4. If sum of all the solutions of the equation 8 cos x· ç cos ç + x ÷ .cos ç - x ÷ - ÷ = 1 in [0, p] is kp,
è6
è ø è6 ø 2 ø
then k is equal to : [JEE(Main) 2018]

13 8 20 2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
9 9 9 3
18 E
 Trigonometric Equation
ALLEN
EXERCISE (JA)
æ -p p ö np
1. The number of values of q in the interval ç , ÷ such that q ¹ for n = 0, ±1,±2 and
è 2 2ø 5
tanq = cot5q as well as sin2q = cos4q, is [JEE 2010, 3]
2. The positive integer value of n > 3 satisfying the equation
1 1 1
= + is [JEE 2011, 4]
æpö æ 2p ö æ 3p ö
sin ç ÷ sin ç ÷ sin ç ÷
ènø è n ø è n ø
3. Let q, j Î [0,2p] be such that
æ q qö
2 cos q(1 - sin j) = sin 2 q ç tan + cot ÷ cos j - 1 , tan ( 2p - q ) > 0 and -1 < sin q < - 3 .
è 2 2ø 2
Then j cannot satisfy- [JEE 2012, 4M]
p p 4p 4p 3p 3p
(A) 0 < j < (B) < j < (C) <j< (D) < j < 2p
2 2 3 3 2 2
4. For x Î (0, p), the equation sinx + 2sin2x – sin3x = 3 has
(A) infinitely many solutions (B) three solutions
(C) one solution (D) no solution [JEE(Advanced)-2014, 3(–1)]
5
5. The number of distinct solutions of equation cos2 2x + cos 4 x + sin 4 x + cos6 x + sin 6 x = 2 in the
4
interval [0, 2p] is [JEE 2015, 4M, –0M]

p
6. Let S = ìíx Î ( -p, p) : x ¹ 0, ± üý . The sum of all distinct solut ion of t he equat ion
î 2þ

3 sec x + cosecx + 2(tan x - cot x) = 0 in the set S is equal to -

[JEE(Advanced)-2016, 3(–1)]
7p 2p 5p
(A) - (B) - (C) 0 (D)
9 9 9
7. Let a, b, c be three non-zero real numbers such that the equation
é p pù
3a cos x + 2b sin x = c, x Î ê – 2 , 2 ú
ë û
node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

p b
has two distinct real roots a and b with a + b = . Then the value of is ______
3 a
[JEE(Advanced)-2018, 3(0)]

E 19
JEE-Mathematics
ALLEN
ANSWERS
EXERCISE (O-1)
1. C 2. C 3. A 4. C 5. C 6. C 7. B 8. C
9. D 10. A 11. A 12. B 13. C 14. A 15. C 16. D
17. A 18. A 19. B 20. C
EXERCISE (O-2)
1. B 2. B 3. D 4. B 5. A 6. D 7. C 8. D
9. C 10. A 11. C 12. D
EXERCISE (S-1)
p p p 2p 5p np p np 7 p
1. x = 2np + , nÎI 2. 0, , , , &p 3. x= - or x = + ,nÎI
6 6 3 3 6 7 84 4 48

p p 3p 5p 2p 7p 2
4. , , , , , 5. a - 2 p ; a - p , a , a + p , where tan a = 6. x = p/16
8 3 8 8 3 8 3

p
7. 10 solutions 8. x = 2np + 9. 30° , 45° , 90° , 135° , 150°
12

1 p p
10. x = n – , n Î I; sum = 5025 11. - 2 £ y £ 2 ; , p 12. 2np + or (2n+1)p – tan–12 , nÎ I
4 2 4

3 é 1ù np p
14. (a) – ; (b) k Î ê - 1, - 2 ú ; (c) x = 2 ± 6 15. 3
2 ë û
EXERCISE (S-2)
p p æ 3p ö ±p -p
1. x = np or x = np ± 2. np ; np + (–1)n or n p + (–1)n çè - 10 ÷ø 3. , ,± p
6 10 3 2
æ pö p p 5p 9 p 13 p
4. x = 2 np or x = n p + (-1)n ç- ÷ or x = n p + (-1)n 5. , ,p, ,
è 2ø 6 7 7 7 7

np p np p p
6. x= + (-1)n or + (-1)n+1 7. x = 2 n p -
4 8 4 24 2
node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

(2 n + 1) p , k p , where n, k Î I 3p 5p
8. 9. x = 2np + , nÎ I 10. x = -
4 4 3
EXERCISE (JM)
1. 1 2. 1 3. 4 4. 1
EXERCISE (JA)
1. 3 2. 7 3. A,C,D 4. D 5. 8 6. C 7. 0.5

20 E
 node06\B0AH-AI\Kota\JEE(Advanced)\Nurture\Maths\Sheet\Trigonometric Equation\Eng.p65

E
ALLEN

Important Notes

21
Trigonometric Equation