Chapter 15

Trigonometric identities
and equations
Hence cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1 (2)
15.1 Trigonometric identities
Dividing each term of equation (1) by a 2 gives:
A trigonometric identity is a relationship that is true
for all values of the unknown variable. a 2 b2 c2
+ =
a2 a2 a2
sin θ cos θ 1
tan θ = , cot θ = , sec θ = 2
cos θ sinθ cos θ b c 2
i.e. 1+ =
a a
1 1
cosec θ = and cot θ =
sin θ tan θ Hence 1 + tan 2 θ = sec2 θ (3)
are examples of trigonometric identities from Dividing each term of equation (1) by b 2 gives:
Chapter 11.
Applying Pythagoras’ theorem to the right-angled a 2 b2 c2
+ 2= 2
triangle shown in Fig. 15.1 gives: b 2 b b
a 2 + b 2 = c2 (1) a 2 c 2
i.e. +1 =
b b

Hence cot2 θ + 1 = cosec2 θ (4)

c
b Equations (2), (3) and (4) are three further examples
of trigonometric identities. For the proof of further
trigonometric identities, see Section 15.2.
a

Figure 15.1
15.2 Worked problems on
Dividing each term of equation (1) by c2 gives: trigonometric identities
a 2 b 2 c2
+ = 2
c2 c2 c Problem 1. Prove the identity
2 sin2 θ cot θ sec θ = sin θ.
a 2 b
i.e. + =1
c c With trigonometric identities it is necessary to start with
(cos θ)2 + (sin θ)2 = 1 the left-hand side (LHS) and attempt to make it equal to
 Trigonometric identities and equations 153

the right-hand side (RHS) or vice-versa. It is often useful sin θ + cos θ cos θ
=
to change all of the trigonometric ratios into sines and sin θ cos θ + sin θ
cosines where possible. Thus, cos θ
= = cot θ = RHS
2
LHS = sin θ cot θ sec θ sin θ
cos θ 1
= sin2 θ Problem 4. Show that
sin θ cos θ
cos2 θ − sin2 θ = 1 − 2 sin2 θ.
= sinθ (by cancelling) = RHS
From equation (2), cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1, from which,
cos2 θ = 1 − sin2 θ.
Problem 2. Prove that
tan x + sec x Hence, LHS
= 1.
tan x = cos2 θ − sin2 θ = (1 − sin2 θ) − sin 2 θ
sec x 1 +
sec x = 1 − sin2 θ − sin2 θ = 1 − 2 sin2 θ = RHS

tan x + sec x
LHS = Problem 5. Prove that
tan x
sec x 1 +
sec x 1 − sin x
= sec x − tan x.
sin x 1 1 + sin x
+
= cos x cos x
 sin x 
1  cos x  1 − sin x (1 − sin x)(1 − sin x)
1 + 1  LHS = =
cos x 1 + sin x (1 + sin x)(1 − sin x)
cos x
(1 − sin x)2
sin x + 1 =
cos x (1 − sin2 x)
=
1 sin x cos x
1+ Since cos2 x + sin2 x = 1 then 1 − sin2 x = cos2 x
cos x cos x 1
sin x + 1 (1 − sin x)2 (1 − sin x)2
LHS = =
cos x (1 − sin2 x) cos2 x
=
1 1 − sin x 1 sin x
[1 + sin x] = = −
cos x cos x cos x cos x
sin x + 1 cos x = sec x − tan x = RHS
=
cos x 1 + sin x
= 1 (by cancelling) = RHS Now try the following exercise

1 + cot θ
Problem 3. Prove that = cot θ. Exercise 65 Further problems on
1 + tan θ trigonometric identities

1 + cot θ In Problems 1 to 6 prove the trigonometric

LHS = identities.
1 + tan θ
cos θ sin θ + cos θ 1. sin x cot x = cos x
1+ 1
= sin θ = sinθ 2. = cosec θ
sin θ cos θ + sin θ (1 − cos2 θ)
1+
cos θ cos θ
154 Higher Engineering Mathematics

If either a or c is a negative number, then the

3. 2 cos2 A − 1 = cos2 A − sin2 A value within the square root sign is positive.
Since when a square root is taken there is a pos-
cos x − cos3 x
4. = sin x cos x itive and negative answer there are four values
sin x of A between 0◦ and 360◦ which satisfy such an
5. (1 + cot θ)2 + (1 − cot θ)2 = 2 cosec 2 θ c
equation, provided −1 ≤ ≤ 1 (see Problems 9
a
sin2 x(sec x + cosec x) and 10).
6. = 1 + tan x
cos x tan x
(iii) When a, b and c are all non-zero:
a sin2 A + b sin A + c = 0 is a quadratic equation
in which the unknown is sin A. The solution of
15.3 Trigonometric equations a quadratic equation is obtained either by fac-
torizing (if possible) or by using the quadratic
Equations which contain trigonometric ratios are called formula:
trigonometric equations. There are usually an infinite −b ± (b2 − 4ac)
number of solutions to such equations; however, solu- sin A =
2a
tions are often restricted to those between 0◦ and 360◦ .
A knowledge of angles of any magnitude is essential (see Problems 11 and 12).
in the solution of trigonometric equations and calcula-
(iv) Often the trigonometric identities
tors cannot be relied upon to give all the solutions (as
cos2 A + sin2 A = 1, 1 +tan 2 A = sec2 A and
shown in Chapter 14). Fig. 15.2 shows a summary for
cot 2 A + 1 = cosec 2 A need to be used to reduce
angles of any magnitude.
equations to one of the above forms (see
Problems 13 to 15).
908

Sine
(and cosecant All positive 15.4 Worked problems (i) on
positive) trigonometric equations
08
1808
3608
Problem 6. Solve the trigonometric equation
Tangent Cosine 5 sinθ + 3 = 0 for values of θ from 0 ◦ to 360◦ .
(and cotangent (and secant
positive) positive)
5 sin θ + 3 = 0, from which sin θ = − 35 = −0.6000
2708
Hence θ = sin−1 (−0.6000). Sine is negative in the third
Figure 15.2 and fourth quadrants (see Fig. 15.3). The acute angle
sin−1 (0.6000) = 36.87◦ (shown as α in Fig. 15.3(b)).
Equations of the type a sin2 A + b sin A + c = 0 Hence,

(i) When a = 0, b sin A + c = 0, hence θ = 180◦ + 36.87◦ , i.e. 216.87◦ or

c c
sin A = − and A = sin−1 −
b b θ = 360◦ − 36.87◦ , i.e. 323.13◦
There are two values of A between 0◦ and
360◦ which satisfy such an equation, provided
c
−1 ≤ ≤ 1 (see Problems 6 to 8). Problem 7. Solve 1.5 tan x − 1.8 =0 for
b
0◦ ≤ x ≤ 360◦ .
(ii) When b = 0, a sin2 A + c = 0, hence
c c 1.5 tan x − 1.8 =0, from which
sin2 A = − , sin A = −
a a 1.8
tan x = = 1.2000.
c 1.5
and A = sin−1 − Hence x = tan −1 1.2000
a
 Trigonometric identities and equations 155

y y 5 sin
1.0 Problem 8. Solve for θ in the range
0◦ ≤ θ ≤ 360◦ for 2 sin θ = cos θ
216.878 323.138
2 sin θ
0 908 1808 2708 3608 Dividing both sides by cos θ gives: =1
20.6
cos θ
sin θ
From Section 15.1, tan θ = ,
21.0 cos θ
hence 2 tan θ = 1
(a) Dividing by 2 gives: tan θ = 12
from which, θ = tan −1 12
908 Since tangent is positive in the first and third quadrants,
θ = 26.57◦ and 206.57◦
S A

08 Problem 9. Solve 4 sec t = 5 for values of t

1808 a a 3608 between 0◦ and 360◦ .

4 sec t = 5, from which sec t = 54 = 1.2500

T C
Hence t = sec−1 1.2500
2708
Secant = (1/cosine) is positive in the first and
(b)
fourth quadrants (see Fig. 15.5) The acute angle
Figure 15.3 sec−1 1.2500 =36.87◦ . Hence,
t = 36.87◦ or 360◦ − 36.87◦ = 323.13◦
Tangent is positive in the first and third quadrants (see
Fig. 15.4).
The acute angle tan−1 1.2000 =50.19◦ . Hence, 908

x = 50.19◦ or 180◦ + 50.19◦ = 230.19◦ S A

y y 5 tan x 36.878 08
1808
36.878 3608

1.2 T C

0 908 1808 2708 3608 x 2708

50.198 230.198
Figure 15.5

(a) Now try the following exercise

908
Exercise 66 Further problems on
S A trigonometric equations
In Problems 1 to 3 solve the equations for angles
50.198 08
1808 between 0◦ and 360◦ .
50.198 3608
1. 4 −7 sinθ = 0 [θ = 34.85◦ or 145.15◦ ]
T C
2. 3 cosec A + 5.5 =0
2708 [A = 213.06◦ or 326.94◦ ]
(b)
3. 4(2.32 − 5.4 cot t ) = 0
Figure 15.4 [t = 66.75◦ or 246.75◦ ]
156 Higher Engineering Mathematics

y
In Problems 4 to 6, solve for θ in the range y 5 cos A
1.0
0◦ ≤ θ ≤ 360◦ .
0.7071
4. sec θ = 2 [60◦ , 300◦ ]
1358 2258
5. cot θ = 0.6 [59◦ , 239◦ ] 0 458 1808 3158 3608 A8
6. cosec θ = 1.5 [41.81◦ , 138.19◦ ]
20.7071
In Problems 7 to 9, solve for x in the range 21.0
−180◦ ≤ x ≤ 180◦ .
(a)
7. sec x = −1.5 [±131.81◦ ]
908
8. cot x = 1.2 [39.81◦ , −140.19◦ ]
9. cosec x = −2 [−30◦ , −150◦ ] S A

In Problem 10 and 11, solve for θ in the range 458 458 0

1808
0◦ ≤ θ ≤ 360◦ . 458 458 3608

10. 3 sin θ = 2 cosθ [33.69◦ , 213.69◦ ] T C

11. 5 cos θ = − sin θ [101.31◦ , 281.31◦ ] 2708

(b)

Figure 15.6
15.5 Worked problems (ii) on
trigonometric equations Now try the following exercise

Problem 10. Solve 2 −4 cos2 A = 0 for values of Exercise 67 Further problems on

A in the range 0◦ < A < 360◦ . trigonometric equations

In Problems 1 to 3 solve the equations for angles

2 − 4 cos2 A = 0, from which cos2 2
A = = 0.5000 between 0◦ and 360◦ .
√ 4
Hence cos A = (0.5000) = ±0.7071 and
1. 5 sin2 y = 3
A = cos−1(±0.7071).
Cosine is positive in quadrants one and four and neg- y = 50.77◦ , 129.23◦ ,
ative in quadrants two and three. Thus in this case there 230.77◦ or 309.23◦
are four solutions, one in each quadrant (see Fig. 15.6).
The acute angle cos−1 0.7071 =45◦ . Hence, 2. cos2 θ = 0.25
[θ = 60◦ , 120◦ , 240◦ or 300◦ ]
A = 45◦ , 135◦ , 225◦ or 315◦
3. tan 2 x = 3
Problem 11. Solve 12 cot2 y = 1.3 for [θ = 60◦ , 120◦ , 240◦ or 300◦ ]
0◦ < y < 360◦.
4. 5 + 3 cosec2 D = 8
1
cot2 y = 1.3, from which, cot 2 y = 2(1.3) = 2.6 [D = 90◦ or 270◦ ]
2 √
Hence cot y = 2.6 = ±1.6125, and y = cot −1
5. 2 cot 2 θ = 5
(±1.6125). There are four solutions, one in each
quadrant. The acute angle cot−1 1.6125 =31.81◦ . θ = 32.32◦ , 147.68◦ ,
Hence y = 31.81◦ , 148.19◦ , 211.81◦ or 328.19◦ . 212.32◦ or 327.68◦
 Trigonometric identities and equations 157

15.6 Worked problems (iii) on 3. 2 cosec 2 t − 5 cosec t = 12

trigonometric equations t = 14.48◦ , 165.52◦ ,
221.81◦ or 318.19◦
Problem 12. Solve the equation
4. 2 cos2 θ + 9 cosθ − 5 = 0
8 sin2 θ + 2 sin θ − 1 = 0, [θ = 60◦ or 300◦ ]
for all values of θ between 0◦ and 360◦ .

Factorizing 8 sin2 θ + 2 sinθ − 1 = 0 gives

(4 sin θ − 1) (2 sin θ + 1)= 0. 15.7 Worked problems (iv) on
Hence 4 sinθ − 1 = 0, from which, sin θ = 14 = 0.2500, trigonometric equations
or 2 sin θ + 1 =0, from which, sin θ = − 12 = −0.5000.
(Instead of factorizing, the quadratic formula can, of Problem 14. Solve 5 cos2 t + 3 sint − 3 =0 for
course, be used). values of t from 0 ◦ to 360◦ .
θ = sin−1 0.2500 = 14.48◦ or 165.52◦ , since sine
is positive in the first and second quadrants, or Since cos2 t + sin2 t = 1, cos2 t = 1 − sin2 t . Substituting
θ = sin−1 (−0.5000) = 210◦ or 330◦ , since sine is neg- for cos2 t in 5 cos2 t + 3 sin t − 3 = 0 gives:
ative in the third and fourth quadrants. Hence
5(1 − sin2 t ) + 3 sin t − 3 = 0
θ = 14.48◦ , 165.52◦ , 210◦ or 330◦
5 − 5 sin2 t + 3 sin t − 3 = 0
Problem 13. Solve 6 cos2 θ + 5 cosθ − 6 = 0 for −5 sin2 t + 3 sin t + 2 = 0
values of θ from 0 ◦ to 360 ◦ .
5 sin2 t − 3 sin t − 2 = 0
Factorizing 6 cos2 θ + 5 cosθ − 6 =0 gives Factorizing gives (5 sin t + 2)(sin t − 1) = 0. Hence
(3 cosθ − 2) (2 cosθ + 3) = 0. 5 sint + 2 = 0, from which, sin t = − 25 = −0.4000, or
Hence 3 cos θ − 2 = 0, from which, cos θ = 23 = 0.6667, sin t − 1 =0, from which, sin t = 1.
or 2 cos θ + 3 =0, from which, cos θ = − 32 = −1.5000. t = sin−1 (−0.4000) = 203.58◦ or 336.42◦ , since sine
The minimum value of a cosine is −1, hence the lat- is negative in the third and fourth quadrants, or
ter expression has no solution and is thus neglected. t = sin−1 1 = 90◦ . Hence t = 90◦ , 203.58◦ or 336.42◦
Hence, as shown in Fig. 15.7.

θ = cos−1 0.6667 = 48.18◦ or 311.82◦

y
since cosine is positive in the first and fourth quadrants. 1.0 y 5 sin t

203.588 336.428
Now try the following exercise

0 908 2708 3608 t 8

Exercise 68 Further problems on 20.4
trigonometric equations
In Problems 1 to 3 solve the equations for angles 21.0
between 0◦ and 360◦ .
Figure 15.7
1. 15 sin2 A + sin A − 2 = 0
A = 19.47◦ , 160.53◦ ,
203.58◦ or 336.42◦ Problem 15. Solve 18 sec2 A − 3 tan A = 21 for
values of A between 0◦ and 360◦ .
2. 8 tan 2 θ + 2 tan θ = 15
θ = 51.34◦ , 123.69◦ , 1 + tan 2 A = sec2 A. Substituting for sec2 A in
231.34◦ or 303.69◦ 18 sec2 A − 3 tan A = 21 gives
18(1 + tan 2 A) − 3 tan A = 21,