PRE-CALCULUS

Learning Worksheet Trigonometric Equations

2nd Quarter-Module 9
MELC: Solve situational problems involving inverse trigonometric functions and
trigonometric equations STEM_PC11T-IIi-2

Objective/s :
1. Solve trigonometric equations.
2. Solve situational problems involving inverse trigonometric functions.
3. Appreciate the application of trigonometric equations in real world.

KEY CONCEPTS:
Equations using trigonometric functions with unknown angles are known as
trigonometric equations. A trigonometric equation's solutions are angle values
that fulfill the equation.

Lesson 1: Trigonometric Equations with One Term

To solve an equation, you must first find all of the equations' answers. We refer to real-
number solutions of equations unless they are expressed as angles measured in degrees (or
equivalently, angles measured in radians).

Let's start with a set of equations that have straightforward solutions. At least one of the
following concepts is used in these simple techniques:
1. equivalent equations (that is, equations that have the same solutions as the original
equation);
2. periodicity of the trigonometric function involved;
3. inverse trigonometric function;
4. values of the trigonometric function involved o the interval [𝟎, 𝝅] 𝑜𝑟 [𝟎, 𝟐𝝅]
(depending on the periodicity of the function); and
5. Zero-Factor Law: 𝒂𝒃 = 𝟎 if and only if 𝒂 = 𝟎 or 𝒃 = 𝟎
Lesson 2: Solving Trigonometric Equations with Two or More Terms
We will now consider a group of equations having multi-step techniques of finding their
solutions. Coupled with the straightforward techniques we learned in the preceding discussion,
these more advanced techniques involve factoring of express and trigonometric identities. The
primary goal is to reduce a given equation into equivalent one-term equations.
Remember:
Solving trigonometric equations is just finding the solutions of equations like we did
with linear, quadratic, and radical equations, but using trigonometric functions instead. We
will mainly use the Unit Circle to find the exact solutions if we can, and we will start out by
finding the solutions from [0,2𝜋) with the general solution adding the angle 2𝑘𝜋 for the
period of cosine and sine and 𝑘𝜋 for the period of cotangent and tangent function where
𝑘 represents all integers 𝑘 ∈ ℤ.

Tips in Solving Trigonometric Equations

(1) If the equation contains only one trigonometric term, isolate that term, and solve for the
variable.
(2) If the equation is quadratic in form, we may use factoring, finding square roots, or the
quadratic formula.
(3) Rewrite the equation to have 0 on one side, and then factor (if appropriate) the expression
on the other side.
(4) If the equation contains more than one trigonometric function, try to express everything in
terms of one trigonometric function. Here, identities are useful.
(5) If half or multiple angles are present, express them in terms of trigonometric expression of an
angle of a single angle, except when all angles involved have the same simplicity wherein,
in this case, retain the angle. Half-angle and double-angle identities are useful in
simplification.

Let us Explore!!!
Example 1: Solve: 𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙 𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒙 = 𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙
Solution. 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 = 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥 − 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 0 Equate the equation to 0.
(2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥)(𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 − 1) = 0 Find the common factor

2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 = 0 or 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 − 1 = 0
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 0
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 = 1
2 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 = 0 𝑥 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (1)
𝜋
𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 (0) 𝑥=
4
𝜋 3𝜋
𝑥= ,
2 2

𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋
Solutions: { , , }
2 2 4
𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋
General Solutions: + 2𝑘𝜋, + 2𝑘𝜋, + 𝑘𝜋, 𝑘 ∈ ℤ
2 2 4

𝜋 3𝜋
• By referring the unit circle, we find that the value of cosine 0 lies at angle , and tangent 1
2 2
𝜋
at . Remember that (𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒), therefore to find for 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 = 1 we use the
4
√2 √2 𝑠𝑖𝑛
coordinates ( , ) in QI by dividing its value we get 1 since 𝑡𝑎𝑛 = .
2 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠
• Using Casio-Calculator:
For cosine 0: Press AC SHIFT MODE 4: RAD SHIFT COS 0 =

For tangent 1: Press AC SHIFT MODE 4: RAD SHIFT TAN 1 =

Example 2: Solve for 𝒙 ∈ [𝟎, 𝟐𝝅): 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝒙 = 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙
Solution. 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑥 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 0 Equate the equation to 0.
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 0 Sine Double-Angle Identity
(𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥)(2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 1) = 0 Factor using common term
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 0 or 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 1 = 0
1 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 1
𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 ( ) =
2 2 2
1
𝑥 = 0, 𝜋 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 =
2
1
𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 ( )
2
𝜋 5𝜋
𝑥= ,
3 3
𝜋 5𝜋
Solutions: {0, 𝜋, , }
3 3

1
• By referring the unit circle, we find that the value of sine 0 lies at angle 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜋 and cosine
2
𝜋 5𝜋
lies at and .
3 3

• Using Casio-Calculator:
For sine: Press AC SHIFT MODE 4: RAD SHIFT SIN 0 =

For cosine: Press AC SHIFT MODE 4: RAD SHIFT COS 1 ab/c 2 =

Example 3: Solve for 𝒙 ∈ [𝟎, 𝟐𝝅): 𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝒙 = 𝟏 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙

Solution. 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥 = 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
2(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥) = 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Pythagorean Identity.
2
2 − 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 − 1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 0
−1(−2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 1 = 0) Multiply both side by -1
2
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 − 1 = 0
(2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 − 1)(𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 1) = 0 Factoring
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 − 1 = 0 or 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 1 = 0
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 1
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = −1
2 2
1
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 (−1)
2
1 3𝜋
𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 −1 ( ) 𝑥=
2 6
𝜋 5𝜋
𝑥= or 𝑥 =
6 6
𝜋 5𝜋 3𝜋
Solutions: { , , }
6 6 6

1 𝜋 5𝜋
• By referring the unit circle, we find that the value of sine
2
lies at angle
6
𝑎𝑛𝑑
6
and sine −1
3𝜋
lies at .
6

• Using Casio-Calculator:
For sine: Press AC SHIFT MODE 4: RAD SHIFT SIN 1 ab/c 2 =

For sine: Press AC SHIFT MODE 4: RAD SHIFT SIN -1 =

 𝝅
Example 4: Solve: 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝒙 + 𝟓 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 = 𝟐
𝟐
𝜋
Solution. 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 + 5 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 = 2
2
1+𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 + 5 ( ) −2 =0 Cosine Half-Angle Identity.
2
1+𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
2 (𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 + 5 ( ) − 2 = 0) Multiply both side by 2
2

2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 + 5(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥) − 4 = 0

2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 + 5 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 4 = 0 Combine like terms
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 1 = 0
2 (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥) + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 1 = 0 Pythagorean Identity
2 − 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥 + 5 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 1 = 0
−1(−2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 + 5 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 3 = 0) Multiply both side by -1
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 − 5 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 3 = 0
(2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 1)(𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 3) = 0 Factoring

2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 1 = 0 or 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 3 = 0
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 −1
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 = 3
2 2
1
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 = − 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 (3)
2
1
𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 (− ) 𝑛𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
2
2𝜋 4𝜋
𝑥= or 𝑥 =
3 3

2𝜋 4𝜋
Solutions: { , }
3 3

2𝜋 4𝜋
General Solutions: + 2𝑘𝜋, + 2𝑘𝜋, 𝑘 ∈ ℤ
3 3

1 2𝜋 4𝜋
• By referring the unit circle, we find that the value of cosine − lies at angle
2 3
𝑎𝑛𝑑
3
and
cosine 3 has no solution.

• Using Casio-Calculator:
For cosine: Press AC SHIFT MODE 4: RAD SHIFT COS -1 ab/c 2 =

For cosine: Press AC SHIFT MODE 4: RAD SHIFT COS 3 =