Ah, trigonometry!

It deals with the relationships between the sides and angles of triangles, and
extends to periodic phenomena. Here's a breakdown of common types of trigonometric
questions with examples:
1. Finding Trigonometric Ratios:
These questions involve using the definitions of sine (sin), cosine (cos), tangent (tan), cosecant
(csc), secant (sec), and cotangent (cot) in right-angled triangles.
●​ Example 1.1: In a right-angled triangle, the side opposite to angle \theta is 5 units, and
the hypotenuse is 13 units. Find \sin(\theta), \cos(\theta), and \tan(\theta).Solution: We
have:
○​ Opposite side = 5
○​ Hypotenuse = 13
We need to find the adjacent side using the Pythagorean theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2 a^2 +
5^2 = 13^2 a^2 + 25 = 169 a^2 = 144 a = 12 (adjacent side)Now, we can find the
trigonometric ratios: \sin(\theta) = \frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Hypotenuse}} = \frac{5}{13}
\cos(\theta) = \frac{\text{Adjacent}}{\text{Hypotenuse}} = \frac{12}{13} \tan(\theta) =
\frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Adjacent}} = \frac{5}{12}
●​ Example 1.2: If \tan(\alpha) = \frac{3}{4} in a right-angled triangle, find
\sec(\alpha).Solution: \tan(\alpha) = \frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Adjacent}} = \frac{3}{4}.
Let the opposite side be 3k and the adjacent side be 4k for some positive constant
k.Using the Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse (h): h^2 = (3k)^2 + (4k)^2 = 9k^2
+ 16k^2 = 25k^2 h = 5kNow, we can find \sec(\alpha): \sec(\alpha) =
\frac{\text{Hypotenuse}}{\text{Adjacent}} = \frac{5k}{4k} = \frac{5}{4}
2. Evaluating Trigonometric Functions of Specific Angles:
These questions involve knowing the values of trigonometric functions for common angles like
0^\circ, 30^\circ, 45^\circ, 60^\circ, 90^\circ, and their radian equivalents.
●​ Example 2.1: Evaluate \sin(30^\circ) + \cos(60^\circ).Solution: We know that
\sin(30^\circ) = \frac{1}{2} and \cos(60^\circ) = \frac{1}{2}. Therefore, \sin(30^\circ) +
\cos(60^\circ) = \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{2} = 1.
●​ Example 2.2: Evaluate \tan(\frac{\pi}{4}) - \sec(\frac{\pi}{3}).Solution: We know that
\tan(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \tan(45^\circ) = 1 and \sec(\frac{\pi}{3}) = \sec(60^\circ) =
\frac{1}{\cos(60^\circ)} = \frac{1}{1/2} = 2. Therefore, \tan(\frac{\pi}{4}) - \sec(\frac{\pi}{3}) =
1 - 2 = -1.
3. Using Trigonometric Identities:
These questions require applying fundamental trigonometric identities to simplify expressions,
prove other identities, or solve equations.
●​ Example 3.1: Simplify the expression \sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) +
\tan^2(\theta).Solution: Using the Pythagorean identity \sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1,
we get: \sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) + \tan^2(\theta) = 1 + \tan^2(\theta) We also know
the identity 1 + \tan^2(\theta) = \sec^2(\theta). So, the simplified expression is
\sec^2(\theta).
●​ Example 3.2: Prove the identity \frac{\sin(x)}{1 + \cos(x)} = \frac{1 -
\cos(x)}{\sin(x)}.Solution: We can start with the left-hand side (LHS) and try to transform it
into the right-hand side (RHS): LHS = \frac{\sin(x)}{1 + \cos(x)} Multiply the numerator and
denominator by (1 - \cos(x)): LHS = \frac{\sin(x)(1 - \cos(x))}{(1 + \cos(x))(1 - \cos(x))} =
\frac{\sin(x)(1 - \cos(x))}{1 - \cos^2(x)} Using the identity \sin^2(x) + \cos^2(x) = 1, we have
1 - \cos^2(x) = \sin^2(x). LHS = \frac{\sin(x)(1 - \cos(x))}{\sin^2(x)} = \frac{1 -
\cos(x)}{\sin(x)} = RHS Thus, the identity is proven.
4. Solving Trigonometric Equations:
These questions involve finding the values of an angle that satisfy a given trigonometric
equation. Remember that trigonometric functions are periodic, so there can be infinitely many
solutions. We often need to find solutions within a specific interval (e.g., 0 \le x < 2\pi).
●​ Example 4.1: Solve the equation \sin(x) = \frac{1}{2} for 0 \le x < 2\pi.Solution: We know
that \sin(\frac{\pi}{6}) = \frac{1}{2}. Since sine is positive in the first and second quadrants,
the other solution in the interval is x = \pi - \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{5\pi}{6}. The solutions are x
= \frac{\pi}{6} and x = \frac{5\pi}{6}.
●​ Example 4.2: Solve the equation 2\cos^2(\theta) - \cos(\theta) - 1 = 0 for 0 \le \theta <
2\pi.Solution: This is a quadratic equation in terms of \cos(\theta). Let y = \cos(\theta).
The equation becomes: 2y^2 - y - 1 = 0 Factoring the quadratic: (2y + 1)(y - 1) = 0 So, 2y
+ 1 = 0 or y - 1 = 0. This gives y = -\frac{1}{2} or y = 1.
○​ If \cos(\theta) = 1, then \theta = 0.
○​ If \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2}, cosine is negative in the second and third quadrants.
The reference angle is \frac{\pi}{3} (since \cos(\frac{\pi}{3}) = \frac{1}{2}). The
solutions are \theta = \pi - \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{2\pi}{3} and \theta = \pi + \frac{\pi}{3} =
\frac{4\pi}{3}.
The solutions are \theta = 0, \frac{2\pi}{3}, \frac{4\pi}{3}.
5. Applications of Trigonometry:
These questions involve using trigonometric principles to solve real-world problems, often
involving triangles, angles of elevation/depression, distances, and heights.
●​ Example 5.1: A ladder leans against a wall, making an angle of 60^\circ with the ground.
If the foot of the ladder is 2 meters away from the wall, find the length of the
ladder.Solution: Let l be the length of the ladder. We have a right-angled triangle formed
by the wall, the ground, and the ladder. The angle between the ground and the ladder is
60^\circ, and the adjacent side to this angle (distance from the wall) is 2 meters. The
ladder is the hypotenuse.We can use the cosine function: \cos(60^\circ) =
\frac{\text{Adjacent}}{\text{Hypotenuse}} = \frac{2}{l} We know that \cos(60^\circ) =
\frac{1}{2}. \frac{1}{2} = \frac{2}{l} l = 4 meters. The length of the ladder is 4 meters.
●​ Example 5.2: From the top of a cliff 50 meters high, the angle of depression to a boat is
30^\circ. Find the horizontal distance of the boat from the base of the cliff.Solution: Let d
be the horizontal distance of the boat from the base of the cliff. The angle of depression
from the top of the cliff to the boat is 30^\circ, which is equal to the angle of elevation from
the boat to the top of the cliff.We have a right-angled triangle where the height of the cliff
is the opposite side to the angle of elevation, and the horizontal distance is the adjacent
side. We can use the tangent function: \tan(30^\circ) =
\frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Adjacent}} = \frac{50}{d} We know that \tan(30^\circ) =
\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}. \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{50}{d} d = 50\sqrt{3} meters. The horizontal
distance of the boat from the base of the cliff is 50\sqrt{3} meters (approximately 86.6
meters).
6. Graphing Trigonometric Functions:
These questions involve understanding the graphs of sine, cosine, tangent, and their
transformations (amplitude, period, phase shift, vertical shift).
●​ Example 6.1: Sketch the graph of y = 2\sin(x) for 0 \le x \le 2\pi.Solution: This is a sine
function with an amplitude of 2. The graph will oscillate between -2 and 2, with the same
period (2\pi) as the standard sine function.
●​ Example 6.2: Identify the amplitude and period of the function y = 3\cos(2x +
\frac{\pi}{2}).Solution: The general form is y = A\cos(Bx - C) + D. Here, A = 3 (amplitude).
The period is given by \frac{2\pi}{|B|} = \frac{2\pi}{2} = \pi. The phase shift is \frac{C}{B} =
 -\frac{\pi/2}{2} = -\frac{\pi}{4} (shift to the left). The vertical shift D = 0. So, the amplitude is
3 and the period is \pi.
These are some of the main types of trigonometric questions you might encounter. The field
builds upon these fundamentals, leading to more advanced topics like inverse trigonometric
functions, trigonometric series, and applications in calculus and physics. Let me know if you'd
like more examples or have a specific area of trigonometry you'd like to explore further!