2.3.

SOLVING TRIGONOMETRIC
EQUATIONS
 What you should learn
• Use standard algebraic techniques to solve
trigonometric equations.

• Solve trigonometric equations of quadratic type.

• Solve trigonometric equations involving multiple

angles.

• Use inverse trigonometric functions to solve

trigonometric equations.
 Solving a trigonometric equation

• Isolate the trigonometric function in the equation

• Consider the graph of the related trigonometric
function and find the inverse images.

Remark:
Trigonometric functions are periodic functions.
Therefore, there may be infinitely many solutions.
Be careful with the conditions in the problem!
 Example
Solve the equation 2 sin x = 1.

Solution:
2 sin x = 1
(Divide by 2 on both side to isolate)
 Solution 1:(Using the graph of sine function)

Refer to the graph of sine function and observe

that x =  /6 and x = 5 /6 in the interval [0, 2).
Final Answer:

and
where n is an integer. (because sine function is a
periodic function with period 2𝜋. )
 Solution 2(Use the Unit Circle)

Any angles that are coterminal with  /6 or

5 /6 will also be solutions of the equation.
• and where n is an
integer.
 Example
Solve

Solution:
Begin by rewriting the equation so that sin x is isolated on
one side of the equation.
Because sin x has a period of 2, first find all solutions in
the interval [0, 2).

These solutions are x = 5 /4 and x = 7 /4.

Finally, add multiples of 2 to each of these solutions to get the
general form

and

where n is an integer.
 Trigonometric Equations
of Quadratic Type
Trigonometric Equations of Quadratic Type:
ax2 + bx + c = 0 where x is any trigonometric function
ax2 + by + c = 0 where x and y are any trigonometric
functions.

Example:
2 sin2 x – sin x – 1 = 0 Quadratic in sin x
sec2 x – 3 sec x – 2 = 0 Quadratic in sec x
2 cos2 x – sin x – 1 = 0 Combined form
Remark:
(sin x)2 =𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥

How to solve the equation?

Step 1: Convert the given quadratic form to the

quadratic form of one trigonometric function.
Step 2: Factor the quadratic equation or if
factoring is not possible, then use the quadratic
formula.
Step 3: Solve the equation.
 Example
Find all solutions of 2 cos2 x – 1 = cos x.

Solution:
Please watch ProfRobBob.
 Example
Find all solutions of 2 sin2 x – sin x – 1 = 0 in the interval
[0, 2).

Solution: (Please watch ProfRobBob)

Begin by treating the equation as a quadratic in sin x and
factoring.

2 sin2 x – sin x – 1 = 0

(2 sin x + 1)(sin x – 1) = 0
Remark:(The same pattern’s quadratic equation)
Original: 2𝑎2 − 𝑎 − 1 = 0
Factoring: 2𝑎 + 1 𝑎 − 1 = 0

Setting each factor equal to zero, you obtain the following

solutions in the interval [0, 2).
2 sin x + 1 = 0 and sin x – 1 = 0
 Example
Find all solutions of cot2 x + 3 cot x = 0.

Solution:
Please watch ProfRobBob.
 Example
Find all solutions of 4𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 − 1 = 0.

Solution:
Please watch ProfRobBob.
 Example
Find all solutions of
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 = 0 in the interval
[0, 2).

Solution:
Please watch ProfRobBob.
 Functions Involving Multiple Angles
of the forms sin ku and cos ku

To solve equations of these forms, first solve

the equation for ku, then divide your result
by k.
 Example
Solve 2 cos 2t – 1 = 0 where t is between 0 and 2𝜋.

Solution:
Please watch ProfRobBob.
 Example
Solve 2 cos 3t – 1 = 0.

Solution:

2 cos 3t – 1 = 0

2 cos 3t = 1 Add 1 to each side

Divide each side by 2.

In the interval [0, 2), you know that 3t =  /3 and 3t = 5 /3
are the only solutions, so, in general, you have

and

Dividing these results by 3, you obtain the general solution

and

where n is an integer.
 Example
Solve sec2 x – 2 tan x = 4.

Remark:
This is combined form of quadratic equation. It is important
to convert the given equation to the quadratic equation of
one trigonometric function. To do that, use Pythagorean
identity
1 + tan2 x= sec2 x
 Solution
sec2 x – 2 tan x = 4

1 + tan2 x – 2 tan x – 4 = 0

tan2 x – 2 tan x – 3 = 0

(tan x – 3)(tan x + 1) = 0

Setting each factor equal to zero, you obtain two solutions

in the interval (– /2,  /2). [Recall that the range of the
inverse tangent function is (– /2,  /2).]
tan x – 3 = 0 and tan x + 1 = 0

tan x = 3 tan x = –1

x = arctan 3

Finally, because tan x has a period of , you obtain the general

solution by adding multiples of 
 x = arctan 3 + n and

where n is an integer.

You can use a calculator to approximate the value of

arctan 3.