Esdras LF Mathematics advanced level notes

CHAPTER: TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Introduction: The word trigonometry is derived from two Greek words, together meaning measuring the sides of a
triangle. Initially, trigonometry dealt with relationships among the sides and angles of triangles and was used in the
development of astronomy, navigation, and surveying. With the development of calculus and the physical sciences
in the seventeenth century, a different perspective arose—one that viewed the classic trigonometric relationships as
functions with the set of real numbers as their domains. Consequently, the applications of trigonometry expanded
to include a vast number of physical phenomena involving rotations and vibrations, including sound waves, light
rays, planetary orbits, vibrating strings, pendulums, and orbits of atomic particles.

1. UNITS OF MEASURING ANGLES

Problem situation:
a. Definition

In geometry, an angle is considered as the measure obtained by rotating a given ray about its end point. The
original ray is called the initial side and the finial position of the ray after rotation is called the terminal side of the
angle.

Vertex Initial side

The point of rotation is called the vertex. If the direction of rotation is anticlockwise, the angle is said to be
positive, and if the direction of rotation is clockwise, the angle is negative. The measure of an angle is the amount
of rotation performed to get to the terminal side from the initial side. In geometry, we confine ourselves to angles
from 0 to 360 . But there may be problems in which rotation involves more than one revolution, for example;
the rotation of a flywheel. In trigonometry, we generalise the concept of angle to angles greater than 360 .
There are several units of measuring angles. We describe below two units of measuring of an angle that are most
commonly used. One is the degree and the other is the radian measure of an angle. If a rotation from the initial
side to the terminal side is 1 / 360 th of a revolution, the angle is said to have a measure of one degree. A degree
is divided into 60 minutes and a minute is divided into 60 seconds. Thus 1 = 60 ' and 1' = 60 '' .
One radian is the angle made at the centre of any circle by an arc equal in length to the radius of the circle.

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 Esdras LF Mathematics advanced level notes

In dealing with problems involving angles of triangles, the measurement of an angle is usually given in
degrees. However, in calculus, we are concerned with trigonometric functions of real numbers, and these functions
are defined in terms of the radian measure of an angle.
One radian is denoted as 1c .
It can be proven that one revolution is equivalent to 2 radians. This means that 2 radians = 360 , which
 180
implies that 1 = and 1c = . We usually denote an angle of  radians as  rads. When an angle is
180 
expressed in radian, the word radian is generally omitted

Solved example:
1. Express 90 as an angle in radians.
3
2. Express as an angle in degrees.
5
Exercise:

1. Convert the following angles from degrees to radians.

a. 45 b. 300 c. 157.5
2. Convert the following angles from radians to degrees.
 11 4
a. b. c.
10 6 9
2. TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Problem situation:
a. Definition

For any acute angle  there are six trigonometric ratios, each of which is defined by referring to a right angled
triangle containing  .

a b a
sin  = , cos  = , tan  =
c c b
sin  a b a sin 
Observe that =  = = tan  . Hence, = tan  .
cos  c c c cos 

The other three trigonometric ratios are cosecant, secant and cotangent, and they are defined as follows:

1 1 1
cosec  = ,sec  = and cot  = .
sin  cos  tan 

Note: If two angles  and  are complementary, that is  +  = 90 , then sin  = cos  , sec  = cosec  and
tan  = cot  .

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 Esdras LF Mathematics advanced level notes

b. Trigonometric ratios for special angles

The special angles used in trigonometry are 30, 45, 60 and 90 .

Learning activity: The trigonometric ratios of these special angles can be obtained from the triangles below

Angle 0 30 45 60 90

sin 0 1 2 3 1
2 2 2
cos 1 3 2 1 0
2 2 2
tan 0 1 1 3 Undefined
3

Exercise: Without using a calculator, find the value of sin 30 tan 60 .

c. Trigonometric ratios for general angles

The Cartesian plane is divided into four regions called quadrants. These quadrants are used to determine the
trigonometric ratio for angles of any size.

Every angle in the first quadrant has a correspondence in the other quadrants. For example, 30 in the first
quadrant corresponds to 180 – 30 = 150 in the second quadrant, 180 + 30 = 210 in the third quadrant and
so on.

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 Esdras LF Mathematics advanced level notes

Solved example:
1. Without using a calculator, find the value of each of the following:
4
a. sin 300 b. cos 270 c. tan
3
3
2. Given that sin  = and  is acute, find
5
a. cos b. tan  c. tan 90 –  

Exercise:
1. Without using a calculator, find the sine, cosine and tangent of 225 .
3
2. If cos  = and tan  is negative, find sin  .
2

Tutorial exercise:
1. Given that tan  = 1 and –2 <  < 2 , give four possible values of  .
8
2. Find the value of tan  and sec  if cos  = and 270    360 .
17
d. Graphs of trigonometric functions

There is a unique value for each trigonometric ratio of any angle. Thus, the mappings   sin ,   cos  ,
  tan ... are functions.
Because the trigonometric functions can be defined in terms of the unit circle, they are sometimes called the
circular functions. The graphs of the major trigonometric functions are particularly important.

The graph of f   = sin ,   

The above graph shows that the sine function has the following characteristics

• It is continuous.
• Its range is  –1, 1 .
• It is periodic with a period of 2 , that is the shape of the graph repeats itself after every 2 .

The graph of f   = cos ,   

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The above graph shows that the cosine function has the following characteristics

• It is continuous.
• Its range is  –1, 1 .
• It is periodic with a period of 2 , that is the shape of the graph repeats itself after every 2 .

• It has the same shape as the sine graph, but is displaced a distance to the left on the horizontal axis.
2
Such a displacement is known as a phase difference or phase shift.

The graph of f   = tan ,   

The above graph shows that the tangent function has the following characteristics

• It is continuous.
• Its range is  – , + .
• It is periodic with a period of  , that is the shape of the graph repeats itself after every  .

Amplitude and period of trigonometric functions: The amplitude of a trigonometric function is half the difference
between the maximum and minimum values of the function.

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If f   is a trigonometric function with amplitude A , then kf   where k is a real number is a trigonometric

function with period kA .

2
If f   is a trigonometric function with period 2 , then f n  is a trigonometric function with period .
n

Note: Since we normally use x to represent points in the domain of a function, we will usually follow
that convention for sine and cosine functions and replace by x .

Solved example: Sketch the graph of f  x = 2 sin x , and hence state its range, amplitude and period.
Exercise: Sketch the graph of f  x  3 cos 2 x  1 , and hence state its range, amplitude and period.
 
Tutorial exercise: Sketch the graph of f  x  4 sin 2 x –  , and hence state its range, amplitude and period.
 2
3. TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

Two functions are identically equal if f  x = g  x for every value of x for which both functions are defined. Such
an equation is referred to as an identity. A trigonometric identity is an identity involving trigonometric functions.
a. Pythagorean Identities

Pythagorean identities are trigonometric identities that are derived from Pythagoras theorem. Consider the right
angled triangle below

Using Pythagoras theorem and the acronym SOHCAHTOA, we obtain a2 + b 2 = c 2 .....1 , a = c cos .....2 and
b = c sin .....3 .

2 2
Substituting equations 2 and 3 in equation 1 , we obtain c cos   + c sin   = c 2 .

2 2
c cos  + c sin  = c 2  cos2  + sin 2  = 1 .

The equation cos2 x + sin 2 x = 1 is the first Pythagorean identity.

Dividing the identity above by cos2 x and sin 2 x , we obtain 1  tan 2 x  sec 2 x and 1  cot 2 x  cos ec 2 x
respectively. These two identities are the second and third Pythagorean identities respectively.

Guidelines for establishing Identities

• It is almost always preferable to start with the side containing the more complicated expression.

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• Rewrite sums or differences of quotients as a single quotient.

• Sometimes it will help to rewrite one side in terms of sine and cosine functions only.
• Always keep the goal in mind. As you manipulate one side of the expression, keep in mind the form of the
expression on the other side.

Solved examples:

1. Simplify the trigonometric expression sin x tan x + cos x .

2. Show that sin 2 x  sin 2 x tan 2 x  tan 2 x .
3
3. Given that cos x = and that x lies in the fourth quadrant, find the values of sin x and tan x .
5
sin x 1 + cos x
4. Prove that 
1 – cos x sin x

Exercise:

1. Simplify the trigonometric expression 1+ cot 2 x sin x .

2
2. Prove that 1 – sin x + cos x  2 1 – sin x1 + cos x .
sin x 1 + cos x
3. Prove that +  2 cosec x
1 + cos x sin x
4. Given that x = 3 – sin t and y = 2 cos t , express y in terms of x .

Tutorial exercise:

1. Show that sin 2 x + sin 2 x tan 2 x  tan 2 x .

1 1
2. Prove that + 1.
1 + tan x 1 + cot2 x
2

3. Prove that sec 4 x – tan 4 x  1 + 2 tan 2 x .

4. Given that x  5 sec t and y  3 tan t , express y in terms of x .
1 + sin x 2
5. Prove that  sec x + tan x .
1 – sin x
1  cos x
6. Prove that  tan x  cot x  cos ecx .
sin x cos x
3
7. If tan t + sec t = , find the value of sin t .
2
8. If x = sec t – tan t and y = cosec t + cot t , then prove that xy + 1 = y – x .
b. Compound angle Identities

Compound angle identities are trigonometric identities that relate the trigonometric ratios of a sum or difference
of two angles.

Learning activity: Derivation of compound angle identities

The main compound angle identities are:

• sin  A  B = sin A cos B  cos A sin B

• cos A  B = cosA cos B  sin A sin B
tan A  tan B
• tan  A  B =
1 tan A tan B

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Solved example:

1. Without using a calculator, find the value of sin 285 .

 
2. Show that cos – x  sin x .
2 

Exercise:

1. Without using a calculator, find the value of sin 80 cos 20 – cos 80 sin 20 .
 
2. Show that tan  – x  cot x .
2 
3. Show that cos A + B cos A – B  cos2 A – sin 2 B .
4. Show that if A + B = 45 , then 1+ tan A 1 + tan B = 2 .

Tutorial exercise:

1. Without using a calculator, show that cos 18 – sin 18 = 2 sin 27 .
sin  x + 45 + sin  x – 45
2. Show that  tan x .
sin  x + 45 – sin  x – 45
1 + tan x  
3. Show that = tan  x +  .
1 – tan x  4
4. Show that if A + B + C = 180 , then tan A + tan B + tan C = tan A tan B tan C .
1 4 2
5. If tan  = , tan  = and tan  = , show that tan  +  +   = 1 .
5 19 5
  3   5   7 
6. Show that cos2   + cos2   + cos2   + cos2   = 2 .
 16   16   16   16 
7. If sin x sin y – cos x cos y + 1 = 0 , prove that 1 + cot x tan y = 0 .
n sin x cos x
8. Show that if tan y = , then tan  x – y = 1 – n tan x .
1 – n sin 2 x
 y+1
9. If y = 1 + tan A 1 – tan B , where A – B = , find the value of  y + 1 .
4
c. Transformation formulae

Transforming products into sum: By adding and subtracting compound angle identities, we can obtain the
following formulae:

2 sin P cos Q = sin P + Q + sin P – Q...............(1)

2 cos P sin Q = sin P + Q – sin P – Q...............( 2 )

2 cos P cos Q = cos P + Q + cos P – Q...............( 3)

–2 sin P sin Q = cos P + Q – cos P – Q...............( 4 )

Solved example: Express 2 sin 3x cos 4 x as a sum of two trigonometric functions.

A +B A–B
Transforming sum into product: Letting P = and Q = , we obtain the following formulae:
2 2

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 A  B   A – B 
sin A  sin B  2 sin   cos ...............(1)
 2   2 

 A  B   A – B 
sin A – sin B  2 cos  sin  ...............( 2 )
 2   2 

 A  B   A – B 
cos A  cos B  2 cos  cos ...............( 3)
 2   2 

 A  B   A – B 
cos A – cos B  –2 sin   sin  ...............( 4 )
 2   2 

Solved example: Express sin 6 x + sin 4 x as a product of two trigonometric functions.

Exercise:

1. Without using a calculator, find the value of sin 75 – sin 15 .
sin 5 x – sin 3x
2. Show that  tan x .
cos 5 x + cos 3x
sin x + sin 3x + sin 5 x
3. Show that  tan 3x
cos x + cos 3x + cos 5 x

Tutorial exercise:

cos  – cos    –  
1. Show that  tan  .
sin  + sin   2 

3 –1 1 3 – 1+ 2 2
2. Show that cos 75 = . Hence deduce that cos 37  = .
2 2 2 4 2
3. If A, B, C and D are the angles of a cyclic quadrilateral, show that cos A + cos B + cos C + cos D = 0 .
4. Show that cos2 5 x – cos2 x  – sin 4 x sin 6 x .
5. Show that 1 + cos 2 x + cos 4 x + cos 6 x  4 cos x cos 2 x cos 3x .
n n
 cos A + cos B   sin A + sin B 
6. Prove that if n is odd, then   +  0.
 sin A – sin B   cos A – cos B 
   3  5  7  1
7. Show that 1 + cos 1 + cos 1 + cos 1 + cos  = .
 8  8  8  8 8
d. Multiple angle identities

A multiple angle identity is a trigonometric identity that relates the trigonometric functions of a multiple of an
angle to the trigonometric functions of the original angle.

sin 2 A = sin  A + A  = sin A cos A + cos A sin A = 2 sin A cos A..........(1)

cos 2 A = cos A + A  = cos A cos A – sin A sin A = cos2 A – sin 2 A..........( 2 )

We know that cos2 A + sin 2 A = 1 , this implies that:

cos 2 A = 1 – 2 sin 2 A..........( 3) and cos 2 A = 2 cos2 A – 1..........( 4 )

1 – cos 2 A 1 + cos 2 A
From equation 3 and 4  , we derive that sin 2 A = and cos2 A = .
2 2

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tan A + tan A 2 tan A

tan 2 A = tan  A + A  = = .
1 – tan A tan A 1 – tan 2 A

Solved examples:

4
1. Given that sin x = and that x is obtuse, find the value of the following:
5
a. sin 2 x b. tan 2 x c. tan 4 x
sin 2 x
2. Simplify .
1 + cos 2 x
3. Eliminate t from the parametric equations: x = tan 2t and y = tan t .
sin A + sin 2 A
4. Show that = tan A .
1 + cos A + cos 2 A
1
5. Prove that sin 4  = 3 – 4 cos 2 + cos 4   .
8

Exercise:


1. Without using tables or calculators, find the values of cos2 2 x – sin 2 2 x when x = .
3
sin 2 x + cos 2 x + 1
2. Simplify .
sin 2 x – cos 2 x + 1
2 tan 
3. Prove that sin 2 = .
1 + tan 2 
4. Prove sin 3 A  3 sin A – 4 sin 3 A

Tutorial exercise:

1 – cos 2
1. Prove that = tan 2  .
1 + cos 2
1 – tan 2 
2. Prove that cos 2 = .
1 + tan 2 
cos 3 A
3. Prove that cos 3 A  4 cos3 A – 3 cos A . Hence or otherwise, show that = 1 – 4 sin 2 A .
cos A
4. Prove that cos 4 A  8 cos4 A – 8 cos2 A + 1 .
1 1
5. Given that sin x = , show that tan 2 x =  15 .
4 7
1
6. Show that cos4 2 + sin 4 2  3 + cos 8  .
4
7. If A = sin 2 x + cos4 x , find the range of values of A .
8. If  +  = 90 , find the maximum value of sin  sin  .
2
1 + sin 2  1 + tan  
9. Prove that =  .
1 – sin 2  1 – tan  
cos3 A – sin 3 A 2 + sin 2 A
10. Prove the identity  .
cos A – sin A 2

11. Show that 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 cos 8 = 2 cos  , 0 <  < .
16

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3 cos 2 – 1
12. If  and  are positive acute angles and cos 2 = , then show that tan  = 2 tan  .
3 – cos 2
4
13. Given that m + 2 sin  + 2m – 1 cos  = 2m + 1 , show that tan  = .
3
e. Half angle identities

  2t 1 – t2 2t
If we let t = tan   , then it can be shown that sin  = , cos  = and tan  = .
2 1+ t 2
1+ t 2
1 – t2

Solved example:

x sin x
1. Show that tan   = .
 2  1 + cos x
  3 
2. Find the exact value of sin   if cos  = and 0 <  < .
2 5 2

x
Exercise: Show that cosec x + cot x = cot   .
2

Tutorial exercise:

1
1. Given that sin x + cos x = , find the possible value(s) of tan x .
2
1– x 1– x
2. Show that if sin  = , then tan  = .
1+ x 2 x
4. INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Inverse sine function: Consider the sine function with domain  and range  –1, 1 . The sine function
f  x = sin x, x   is many to one and surjective, so its inverse doesn’t exist.

  
If we restrict its domain to the interval  – ,  , then the sine function will become bijective, and hence invertible.
 2 2 

  
The inverse of the sine function is defined as sin –1  –1, 1   – ,  .
 2 2 

  
Thus, if x is a real number in the interval  –1, 1 , then sin –1 x is the angle in the interval  – ,  whose sine is x .
 2 2 

sin –1 x =   sin  = x

The least numerical value among all the values of the angle whose sine is x is called the principal value of sin –1 x .
sin –1 x can also be written as arcsin x .

  
The graph of y = sin –1 x, x   –1, 1 is obtained by reflecting the graph of y = sin x, x   – ,  about the line y = x .
 2 2 
 
If –    , then sin –1 sin   =  .
2 2

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Inverse cosine function: Consider the cosine function with domain  and range  –1, 1 . The cosine function
f  x = cos x, x   is many to one and surjective, so its inverse doesn’t exist. If we restrict its domain to the interval
 0,   , then the cosine function will become bijective, and hence invertible.

The inverse of the sine function is defined as cos –1  –1, 1   0,   .

Thus, if x is a real number in the interval  –1, 1 , then cos –1 x is the angle in the interval  0,   whose cosine is x .

cos –1 x =   cos  = x

The least numerical value among all the values of the angle whose cosine is x is called the principal value of
cos –1 x . cos –1 x can also be written as arccos x .

The graph of y = cos –1 x, x   –1, 1 is obtained by reflecting the graph of y = cos x, x   0,   about the line y = x . If
0     , then cos –1 cos   =  .

Inverse tangent function: Consider the tangent function with domain  and range  –1, 1 . The tangent function
f  x = tan x, x   is many to one and surjective, so its inverse doesn’t exist. If we restrict its domain to the
  
interval  – ,  , then the tangent function will become bijective, and hence invertible.
 2 2 

  
The inverse of the sine function is defined as tan –1  –1, 1   – ,  . Thus, if x is a real number in the interval
 2 2 
  
 –1,1 , then tan –1 x is the angle in the interval  – ,  whose tangent is x .
 2 2 

tan –1 x =   tan  = x

The least numerical value among all the values of the angle whose tangent is x is called the principal value of
tan –1 x . tan –1 x can also be written as arctan x .

  
The graph of y = tan –1 x, x   –1, 1 is obtained by reflecting the graph of y = tan x, x   – ,  about the line y = x
 2 2 
 
. If –    , then tan –1 tan   =  .
2 2

Note that: sin –1 x  sin x and sin –1 sin x  sin sin –1 x  . The same thing can be said about inverse cosine and
–1

inverse tangent functions.

Important: The double and multiple angle identities are usually used in simplifying expressions or solving
equations containing inverse trigonometric functions.

5 7
Solved example: Without using tables or calculators, evaluate tan  if  = tan –1   + tan –1   .
 12   24 

Exercise:

 3  3
1. Without using calculators, evaluate tan –1   + tan –1   leaving your answer in terms of  .
 2   5 

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
2. Solve for x , the equation tan –1 3x + tan –1 2 x = .
4
2x
3. Show that sin 2 arctan x = .
1+ x2

Tutorial exercise:

1. Solve for x , the equation tan –1 2 – tan –1 4  = tan –1  x .

 1 – xy 
2. Show that tan –1  x + tan –1  y = cot –1  .
 x + y 
 x – 1  –1  x + 1   
3. If tan –1   + tan   = , find the value of x .
 x – 2  x + 2 4
1  3 1
4. Show that if  = sin –1   , then sin  – cos  =  .
2  4  2
5. Show that if tan –1 a + tan –1 b + tan –1 c  =  , then a + b + c = abc .

6. Show that if sin –1  x + sin –1  y = cos –1  1 – x 2 1 – y2  – xy .

 1 + sin x + 1 – sin x  x  
7. Prove that cot –1   = , x  0,  .
 1 + sin x – 1 – sin x  2  2 

8. If cos –1 A + cos –1 B + cos –1 C = 3 , find the value of AB + BC + CA .

1  3 
9. Find the value of sin  cot –1  –  .
 2  4 
 1  x 2 – 1 1
10. Show that if x > 0 , then tan –1   = tan x .
–1

 x  2

11. Find the range of values of x for which cos –1  x – 1 > cos –1 2 x + 1 .
5. TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS

A trigonometric equation is an equation involving one or more trigonometric ratios of unknown angles. A value
of an unknown angle which satisfies a trigonometric equation is a solution of the trigonometric equation. Since
trigonometric functions are periodic, a solution generalized by means of periodicity is called a general solution and
  
a solution on an interval such as  – ,  is called a particular solution. To get the general solution of
 2 2 
trigonometric equations, we first have to determine the principal value.

When solving trigonometric equations, we should note the following

• Squaring should be avoided as far as possible but if squaring is done, then check for extra solutions
• Never cancel terms containing unknown terms on the two sides which are in product. It may cause
the loss of a genuine solution.
a. Solving basic trigonometric equations

Solving any trigonometric equation usually reduces to solving a basic trigonometric equation, that is an equation
of the form f  x = c where f is a trigonometric function and c is a constant.

Learning activity: Deriving the general solution of the different trigonometric equations
n
• If c   –1, 1 , then sin x = c  x =  –1 PV + n where n is an integer.

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 Esdras LF Mathematics advanced level notes

• If c   –1, 1 , then cos x  c  x  PV  2n where n is an integer.

• If c   , then tan x = c  x = n + PV where n is an integer.

Solved examples:

1
1. Find the general solution of the equation sin x = .
2
2. Find the general solution of the equation cos2 x + 45 = 1 .

Exercise:

 
1. Find the general solution of the equation tan 2 x +  = – 3 .
 6
3
2. Within the interval 0, 360 , solve the equation sin 2 x = .
2
n
3. Show that the general solution of the trigonometric equation sin  = sin  is  =  –1  + n where n is an
  
integer and    – ,  . Hence, within the interval 0, 360 , solve the equation sin x = sin 3x .
 2 2 
4. Show that the general solution of the trigonometric equation cos  = cos  is   2n   where n is an
integer and    0,   . Hence, within the interval  –180, 180 , solve the equation cos 4 x = cos x .

Tutorial exercises:

1. Find the general solution of the equation sin x + sin 2 x = 0 .

2. Within the interval  –180, 180 , solve the equation sin x = cos2 x + 60 .
3. Find the general solution of the equation sin 2 x = cos 3x .
4. Show that the general solution of the trigonometric equation tan  = tan  is  = n +  where n is an
  
integer and    – ,  . Hence find the general solution of the equation tan 3x – 40 = tan x .
 2 2 
b. Solving trigonometric equations by factorising and by using trigonometric identities

Factorising is one of the most useful techniques for solving equations, including trigonometric equations. The idea
is to move all terms to one side of the equation, factor, and then use the Zero-Product Property.

Solved examples:

1. Within the interval 0, 360 , solve the equation 1 + sin x = 2 cos2 x .
2. Find in radians the general solution of sin 2 x = 3 cos x .

Exercise:

1. Within the interval 0, 360 , solve the equation sin x cos x – 120 = 0 .
2. Within the interval  –180, 180 , solve the equation cos 2 x + cos 4 x + cos 6 x = 0 .

Tutorial exercise:

1. Within the interval  –180, 180 , solve the equation sin x = tan x .
2. Find the general solution of the equation cos 5 x – cos 3x = sin 3x .

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 Esdras LF Mathematics advanced level notes

1
3. By squaring both sides, Find the general solution of the equation sin x + cos x = .
2
4. Find the general solution of the equation tan x + tan 2 x + tan x tan 2 x = 1 .
5. Find in radians the general solution of 4 cos x – 2 cosec x = 0 .
6. Show that cos 3x = 4 cos3 x – 3 cos x . Hence or otherwise,
1
a. Find all the solutions of the equation cos 3x = in the interval  0,   .
2
1
b. Solve the equation 4 x 3 – 3x = leaving your answer correct to four decimal places.
2
x
7. Using t = tan   , solve the equation 3 cos x + 2 sin x = 3 for –180  x  180 .
2
1 cos4 A + sin 4 A 1
8. Verify that a4 + b 4 = a2 + b 2  + a2 – b 2   . Hence, show that
2 2
= cos 2 A + sec 2 A  . Find
2  cos4 A – sin 4 A 2
cos4 A  sin 4 A
also the general solution of the equation  2 , giving your answer correct to one
cos4 A – sin 4 A
decimal place.
9. A trigonometric curve is defined by the equation f  x = 3 – 4 sin 2 x + k  where k is a constant angle such that
–90 < k < 90 . Given that the curve passes through the point with coordinates 15, 5 and has A and B as
its minimum and maximum values respectively,
a. Find the values of A and B .
b. Show that k = –60 .
c. Solve the equation f  x = –1 .
10. Solve within the interval  0, 2  , the equation 2 + 4 cos2 x = 7 cos x sin x .
11. If sin x, 1,cos 2 x are three consecutive terms of a geometric progression, find the general expression for x .
12. Find the general solution of the equation cos x + cos 3x + cos 5 x + cos 7 x = 0 .
2 2
13. Solve the equation 16sin x + 16cos x = 10 within the interval  0, 2  .
14. Find the general solution of the equation sin 5 x cos 3x = sin 9 x cos 7 x .
15. Find the range of values of a for which cos 2 x + a sin x = 2 a – 7 .
6. COMPOUND ANGLE TRANSFORMATIONS

Equations of the form a cos  + b sin  = c can be solved using half angle identities. An alternative method is to use
compound angle transformations which consists of expressing trigonometric expressions of the form
a cos  + b sin  into compound angle forms such as R cos x   or R sin  x   where R > 0 and  is an acute
angle. The compound angle forms are also called harmonic forms. These harmonic forms are also useful when
determining the maximum and minimum values of some trigonometric expressions.

Solved examples:

1. Express 3 cos x – 4 sin x in the form R cos x +  , where R > 0 and 0 <  < 90 . Hence, solve the equation
3 cos x – 4 sin x = 1 for 0  x  360 .
2. Given that f  x = 2 sin x + cos x , express f  x in the form R cos x –  , where R > 0 and 0 <  < 90 .
Hence,
a. Find to the nearest tenth of a degree, the set of values of x satisfying the equation 2 sin x + cos x = 1
b. Show that – 5  2 sin x + cos x  5 .

Exercise:

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 Esdras LF Mathematics advanced level notes

1. Express 4 sin x – 3 cos x in the form R sin  x –  where  is acute and R is a positive real number. Hence, find
a. All solutions of the equation 4 sin x – 3 cos x = 3 in the interval 0  x  360 , giving your answer to the
nearest degree.
1
b. The greatest and least values of .
4 sin x – 3 cos x + 6
2. Given that f   = cos  – 3 sin  , express f   in the form R cos +  where  is acute and R is a positive
real number. Hence, find the minimum and maximum values of
1
.
1 + f  

Tutorial exercise: Show that sin x – cos x  2 for all real values of x .

7. PROPERTIES AND SOLUTIONS OF TRIANGLES

One of the applications of trigonometry is to estimate heights of objects and distance between points, without
actually measuring these heights and distances.

a. Sine and cosine rule

Learning activity: Deriving the sine and cosine rule.

Consider the triangle ABC below

a b c
The sine rule states that: = =
sin A sin B sin C

The sine rule is very useful when:

• Two angles and any side of a triangle are given.

• Two sides and an angle opposite to any of them is given.

Solved example: Solve the triangle ABC given that a = 10, A = 41 and C = 75 .

Exercise: Solve the triangle ABC given that a  18, A  25 and b  30 .

p
Tutorial exercise: In triangle PQR , angle PQR = 30 and angle QPR =  . Prove that sin  = .
2q

The cosine rule states that: a2 = b 2 + c 2 – 2bc cos A , b 2 = a2 + c 2 – 2 ac cos B and c 2 = a2 + b 2 – 2 ab cos C .

The cosine rule is used when:

• Two sides are given and the angle between them is known.
• Three sides are given to calculate the angles.

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 Esdras LF Mathematics advanced level notes

Solved example: Solve the triangle ABC given that A  30, b  4 and c = 5 .

Exercise: Solve the triangle ABC given that a  2, b  3 and c = 4 .

Tutorial exercise:

1. Solve the triangle ABC given that a  2, b  3 and c  6 .

2. Find the largest angle in a triangle whose sides are of length 2cm, 4 cm and 5cm .
3. Find the angles of a triangle whose sides are in the ratio 2 : 3 : 4 .
4. Using the cosine formula a2 = b 2 + c 2 – 2bc cos A , show that:
a. If a2 < b 2 + c 2 , then A is acute.
b. If a2 > b 2 + c 2 , then A is obtuse.

References: Explaining Pure Mathematics For Advanced Level by Napthalin Atanga, Advanced Level Pure
Mathematics Made Easy by Ewane Roland Alunge, Mathematics: The core course for advanced Level by L. Bostock
and S. Chandler, Algebra and Trigonometry by Michael Sullivan.

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