Trigonometry
     Trigonometric Equations
      The basic strategy for solving trigonometric equations
         Trigonometric equations examples
The basic strategy for solving trigonometric equations
When solving trigonometric equations we usually use some of the following procedures,
 - apply known identities to modify given equation to an equivalent expressed in terms of one function,
 - rearrange the given equation using different trigonometric formulae to an equivalent, until you recognize one of the known types.
Trigonometric equations examples
Example:  Solve the equation,  3 sin (x + 70°) + 5 sin (x + 160°) = 0.
Solution:  Given equation can be written as
4 sin (x + 70°) - sin (x + 70°) + 4 sin (x + 160°) + sin (x + 160°) = 0
                                         or    4 [sin (x + 70°) + sin (x + 160°)] = sin (x + 70°) - sin (x + 160°)
then, by using sum to product formula
   
                                                         cot (- 45°) · tan (x + 115°) = 1/4   or   tan (x + 115°) = - 1/4,
therefore, the solution   x + 115° = tan-1 ,    x = -115° + tan-1 (-1/4) = - 129°210 + k · 180°.
Example:  Find the solution of the equation,  2 sin (x + 60°) · cos x = 1.
Solution:  Applying products as sums formula
2 · (1/2) [sin (x + 60° + x) + sin (x + 60° - x)] = 1   or   sin (2x + 60°) + sin  60° = 1
then   sin (2x + 60°) = 1 - Ö3/2,         2x + 60° = sin-1(1 - Ö3/2) + k · 360°
                                            and        2x + 60° = 180° - sin-1(1 - Ö3/2) + k · 360°
so, the solution is    2x = - 60° + sin-1(1 - Ö3/2) + k · 360°,       x = - 26°91 + k · 180°,
                             2x 120° - sin-1(1 - Ö3/2) + k · 360°,       x 56°91 + k · 180°,  k Î Z.
Example:  Find the solution of the equation,
Solution:  Using identities
given equation becomes  2 · (1 + cos x) - Ö3 · cot x/2 = 0,
therefore,      1 + cos x = 0,       cos x = - 1,      x = p + k · 2p,
       and    2sin x - Ö3 = 0,      sin x = Ö3/2,      x = p/3 + k · 2p   and   x 2p/3 + k · 2p,  k Î Z.
Pre-calculus contents G
Copyright © 2004 - 2020, Nabla Ltd.  All rights reserved.