Solving Trig Equations

EQUATION SOLVING: Example 1: Find all possible values of so that cos = Solution: =

+ 2n , =

5 + 2n , where n is an integer. 3

1 . 2

Solution Method #1 Graphically: There are an infinite number of solutions which are represented by the value of intersection points of the cosine curve and the constant function 1 y= . 2

y = cos x

1 ( , ) 3 2

5 1 ( , ) 3 2

y=

1 2

For 0 2 , there are two solutions: =

Generalizing, =

( 60 ) and =

5 + 2n , where n is an integer. Thus all 3 3 solutions differ from the original two solutions by multiples of the period of the cosine function.

5 3

( 300 ).

+ 2n , =

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Solution Method #2 Unit Circle Approach: 1 1 cos = occurs when x = for point(s) on the unit circle. 2 2 1 3 . The corresponding , The two points are 2 2 5 angles are = (QI) and = (QIV). 3 3 5 Generalizing, = + 2n , = + 2n . 3 3

1 3 ) P=( , 2 2

1 3 P = ( , ) 2 2

Solution Method #3 Triangle Approach: 1 cos = is a special case that involves 30 o - 60 o - 90 o triangles. 2 adj 1 Since cos = = , this implies must be 60 or hyp 2 3 radians. Generalizing, cos is also positive in QIV with a reference angle of 60 . Generalizing completely, 5 = + 2n , = + 2n . 3 3

30

2
60 1

Solution Method #4 Calculator: Set the calculator to degree mode. (It will be easier to recognize the answers in degrees, which can then be converted to radian measure.) 1 Solving cos = is equivalent to solving: 2 1 1 inverse cos = cos 1 = . 2 2 (This is explained in more detail in the handout on inverse trigonometric 1 functions.) Use the INV key (or 2nd function key) and the COS key with 2 to get an answer of 60 .

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Example 2: Find 3 positive and 2 negative solutions for sin =

1 . 2 Solution: There are many different correct solutions. One solution set is 11 7 5 13 , , , , = 6 6 6 6 6
Solution Method #1 Graphically: Five solutions are the values of the 5 points of intersection of the sine 1 curve and the horizontal line y = shown below. 2

y = sin x (3 positive solutions are depicted in the graph)

1 ( , ) 6 2

5 1 , ) 6 2

13 1 ( , ) 6 2

y=

1 2

Thus, =

11 7 5 13 . , , , , 6 6 6 6 6

Solution Method #2 Unit Circle Approach: 1 1 sin = occurs when y = for point(s) on 2 2 3 1 P = ( the unit circle. The two points are 2 , 2 5 for angles = , . The corresponding 6 6 5 angles are = (QI) and = (QII). 6 6 5 + 2n . Generalizing, = + 2n , = 6 6 11 7 5 13 , , , , = 6 6 6 6 6

y
3 1 , ) 2 2 P=( 3 1 , ) 2 2

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Solution Method #3 Triangle Approach: 1 sin = is a special case that involves 30 o - 60 o - 90 o 2 opp 1 = , this implies must triangles. Since sin = hyp 2 be 30 or

60

2
1 30 3

6 positive in QII with a reference angle of 30 (so 5 = , or 150 ). The other solutions can be found 6 by adding or subtracting multiples of the period.
Solution Method #4 Calculator: Set the calculator to degree mode. Solving sin = solving:

radians. Generalizing, sin is also

1 is equivalent to 2

1 1 inverse sin = sin 1 = . 2 2 (This is explained in more detail in the handout on inverse trigonometric 1 functions.) Use the INV key (or 2nd function key) and the SIN key with 2 to get an answer of 30 .

Example 3: Solve for x : 3 sin x 2 sin x cos x = 0 , 0 x < 2 . Solution: Factor the expression on the left and set each factor to zero. sin x 3 2 sin x cos x = 0

(sin x )(

3 2 cos x) = 0
or

sin x = 0

3 2 cos x = 0 cos x = 3 2 11 x= , 6 6

x = 0,

Answers: x = 0,

, ,

11 6

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Example 4: Solve for x : sin 2 x sin x 2 = 0 , 0 x < 2 . Solution: Factor the quadratic expression on the left and set each factor to zero. sin 2 x sin x 2 = 0 (sin x 1)(sin x + 2) = 0 sin x 1 = 0 or sin x + 2 = 0 sin x = 1 sin x = 2

x=

No solution. (Since the minimum value

of sinx is -1, it cannot equal -2.)

Answer: x =

Example 5: Solve for x : tan 2 x = 1 , 0 x < 2 . Solution: Solving tan = 1 first, we know that tan

= 1 (QI) and

5 = 1 (QIII). So = + n , where n is integer multiples of 4 4 the period of the tangent function.

tan
For our problem:

= 2x =

4 n x= + 8 2

+ n

for n = ... 1,0,1,2,... (dividing by 2)

x=

(if n = 0 ),

5 9 13 (if n = 1 ), (if n = 2 ), (if n = 3 ) 8 8 8

Note: If n < 0 or n > 3 , the resulting x values are not in the interval of 0 x < 2 .

Answer: x =

5 9 13 , , 8 8 8

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Problems: Solving Trigonometric Equations

1 1. Find all possible values of so that sin = . 2

2. Find one negative and two positive solutions for tan x = 1 .

3. Find x , 0 x 2 , for the following: 3 a. cos x = 2

b. cos 2 x =

3 2

c. 2 cos 2 x cos x 1 = 0

d. cos 2 x sin x cos x = 0

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SOLUTIONS: 1.

7 11 + 2n , + 2n for integer n or 210 + 360n , 330 + 360n . 6 6

2.

3 7 , , since the values of tangent are negative in QII and QIV. 4 4 4

3. a)

11
6
,

b) 2 x =

11 13
6
,

11 13 23 23 so x = , , , 6 12 12 12 12

c) (2 cos x + 1)(cos x 1) = 0 1 cos x = or cos x = 1 2 2 4 x= , , 0 , 2 3 3

d) cos x(cos x sin x) = 0 cos x = 0 or cos x = sin x 3 5 (note that cosx and sinx have the same sign x= , x= , 2 2 4 4 in quadrants I and III)

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