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Trig Equations

This document discusses how to solve various types of trigonometric equations, including: - First degree equations with one trig function raised to the first power - Second degree equations with one trig function squared - Equations involving multiple trig functions that require using identities - Multiple angle equations with coefficients on the trig function angle Step-by-step methods are provided for setting up and solving examples of each type of equation.

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Krishna Kg
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33 views

Trig Equations

This document discusses how to solve various types of trigonometric equations, including: - First degree equations with one trig function raised to the first power - Second degree equations with one trig function squared - Equations involving multiple trig functions that require using identities - Multiple angle equations with coefficients on the trig function angle Step-by-step methods are provided for setting up and solving examples of each type of equation.

Uploaded by

Krishna Kg
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solving Trigonometric Equations

First Degree Trigonometric Equations:


• These are equations where there is one kind of trig
function in the equation and that function is raised
to the first power.

2 sin( x) = −1
Steps for Solving:
• Isolate the Trigonometric function.

• Use exact values to solve and put answers in terms of


radians.

• If the answer is not an exact value, then use inverse


functions on your calculator to get answers
2 sin( x) = −1
−1
sin( x) =
2

Now figure out where sin = -1/2 on the unit circle.

−1 7 11
sin = at and
2 6 6
Complete the List of Solutions:
• If you are not restricted to a specific interval and are asked to give the
general solutions then remember that adding on any integer multiple
of 2π represents a co-terminal angle with the equivalent
trigonometric ratio.
Solutions :
 7
 6 + 2 k
x=
 11
+ 2k
 6
Where k is an integer and gives all
the coterminal angles of the
solution.
Practice
• Solve the equation. Find the general solutions
3 csc  − 2 = 0

3 csc  = 2
2
csc  = which means that sin =
2
3
3
 2
 =  2k ,  2k
3 3
Second Degree Trigonometric Equations:
• These are equations that have one kind of Trigonometric function
that is squared in the problem.
• We treat these like quadratic equations and attempt to factor or we
can use the quadratic formula.
Solve : 4sin 2 ( x) − 1 = 0 over the int erval [0, 2 )

This is a difference of squares and can factor

(2sin x + 1)(2sin x − 1) = 0
Solve each factor and you should end up with 4 solutions
−1 1
sin x = and sin x =
2 2
 5 7 11
x= , , ,
6 6 6 6
Practice
Find the general solutions for

tan x + 2 tan x = −1
2

tan x + 2 tan x + 1 = 0
2

(tan x + 1)(tan x + 1) = 0
tan x = −1
3 7
x=  k ,  k
4 4
Writing in terms of 1 trig fnc
• If there is more than one trig function involved in the problem, then
use your identities.

• Replace one of the trig functions with an identity so there is only one
trig function being used
Solve the following
2cos x + sin x − 1 = 0
2

Replace cos2 with 1-sin2

2(1 − sin 2 x) + sin x − 1 = 0


2 − 2sin 2 x + sin x − 1 = 0
−2sin 2 x + sin x + 1 = 0
2sin 2 x − sin x − 1 = 0
(2sin x + 1)(sin x − 1) = 0
−1
sin x = and sin x = 1
2
7 11 
x=  2k , x =  2 k  , x =  2k 
6 6 2
Solving for Multiple Angles
• Multiple angle problems will now have a coefficient
on the x, such as sin2x=1

• Solve the same way as previous problems, but divide


answers by the coefficient

• For general solutions divide 2 by the coefficient for


sin and cos. Divide  by the coefficient for tan and
cot.
Find the general solutions for
sin 3x +2= 1

sin 3x = −1
3
3x =
2
3
2 2 k
x= 
3 3
 2
x =  k
2 3
Practice
Solve 2cos 4 x + 3 = 0
− 3
cos 4 x =
2
5 7
4x = and 4 x =
6 6
5 k 7 k
x=  , x= 
24 2 24 2

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