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SOLVING TRIGONOMETRIC
EQUATIONS
for Pre Calculus
Senior High School (STEM)
Quarter 2 / Week 7

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 FOREWORD

This Self Learning Kit for General Mathematics is

designed specifically for Grade 11 students in the Senior
High School. Thus, a modest background in grade school
mathematics is important, written in a precise, readable,
and conventional manner to facilitate students’
understanding of the subject.
It is aligned with the BEC of the Department of
Education following the prescribed MELCs (Most Essential
Learning Competencies.
It has the following features proven to be valuable
aids to learning Mathematics even at home.
What Happened
This section contains pre-activities like review of the
prior knowledge on the simple and compound interest.
What You Need To Know (Discussion)
This section contains the discussion on the definition of
trigonometric equation. It also discusses on how to solve
trigonometric equations. This will be your aid as you learn
new ideas and enrich your existing knowledge about
mathematical concepts.

What Have I Learned (Evaluation/Post Test)

The exercises contained in this section are guaranteed
to build mathematical comprehension, skills, and
competence. These serves as a diagnostic tool to identify
the learner’s prior knowledge, and the areas of strength
and weaknesses.

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 OBJECTIVES:
K. Define trigonometric equation
S. Solve trigonometric equation
A. Apply the techniques of solving a trigonometric
equation

I. WHAT HAPPENED
QUICK REVIEW
A. Find the exact value of the inverse trigonometric expression
-1 ( √3
cos[sin )]
2
B. Evaluate and simplify
1
tan(2arcsin(2))

PRE-ACTIVITIES
π π π π 2π 3π 5π
Which numbers in the set {0, , , , , , , ,π,2π} are solutions to
6 4 3 2 3 4 6
the following equations?
1
1. sin x= 2
2. tan x = 1

II. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

DISCUSSION
TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATION
Any equation that involves trigonometric expressions is called a
trigonometric equation.

Examples:
1
1. sin x= 2 3. 2 tanx + 4sinx = 2 + sec x
2. tan x = 1 4. sin 2x =sin x
To solve a trigonometric equation means to find a solution or a root of an
equation. A solution or a root of an equation is a number in the domain of the
equation that, when substituted to the variable, makes the equation true. The
set of all solutions of an equation is called the solution set of the equation.

The basic method to show that a particular number is a solution of an

equation is to substitute the number to the variable and see if the equation
becomes true. However, we may use our knowledge gained from previous

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lessons to do a quicker verification process by not doing the manual
substitution and checking. We use this technique in the examples below.
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋 3𝜋 5𝜋
Which numbers in the set {0, 6 , 4 , 3 , 2 , , , , 𝜋, 2𝜋} are solutions to the
3 4 6
following equations?

1. 3sec x = – 2 √3

Solution. Note that the choices (except 2𝜋) are numbers within the interval
[0, 𝜋]. To quickly determine which numbers among the choices are to a
particular equation, we use some distinctive properties of possible solutions.

3sec x = – 2 √3 Given
-2√3
sec x = Dividing both members by 3 to set
3
the coefficient of sec to 1. Here, is
negative in quadrant II and
5π -2√3 5π
sec = x= , see figure 1.0
6 3 6

Table of signs of the trigonometric functions in quadrants I & II.

π π
QI (0, 2 ) Q II (2 , π)

Sin positive positive

Cos positive negative
Tan positive negative
Cot positive negative
Csc positive positive
Sec positive negative

Figure 1.0

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2. √3|cot x|=1

Solution.

√3|cot x|=1 Given

√3 cot x = 1 |cot x|= cot x by definition of absolute value.
1
cot x= dividing both sides by √3 to set the coefficient
√3
of cot x to 1.
1
cot x= Here x is in quadrant one because cot x is
√3
positive.
π 1
cot = see figure 1.1
3 √3

Figure 1.1

3. sec2 θ – tan2 θ = 1

Solution: The given equation is one of the Pythagorean Identities. It means

that all numbers in the domain of the equation are solutions. The domain of
the equation is the set of all Real numbers R except for values of x whose
𝜋
cos x = 0. Thus, all Real numbers except 2 are solutions of
sec2 θ – tan2 θ = 1.

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 Tips in Solving Trigonometric Equations
1. If the equation contains only one trigonometric term, isolate that
term, and solve for the variable.

Example: Solve the equation 2 cos x – 1 = 0

Solution.
2 cos x – 1 = 0 Given
1
cos x = 2 dividing both side by 2 to separate cos x

from the constants. cos x is positive in QI

and QIV so
π 1 5π 1 π 5π
cos = and cos = x= in QI and x = in QIV the solutions
3 2 3 2 3 3
on

the interval [0, 𝜋]

Since the period of cosine function is 2𝜋 then the complete solutions

π 5π
of the equation are x = + k(2π) and x = + k(2π) for all integers k. This
3 3
means that any integral value of k will produce A solution to the given
equation.

π π
QI (0, 2 ) Q II ( 2 , π) Q III ( π, 3π) 3π
Q IV ( 2 , 2π)
2
Sin positive positive negative negative
Cos positive negative negative positive
Tan positive negative positive negative
Cot positive negative positive negative
Csc positive positive negative negative
Sec positive negative negative positive

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2. If the equation is quadratic in form, like
Solve for x [0, 2𝜋): 2 cos2 x = 1 + sin x

Step 1: Rewrite the equation to have 0 on one side;

2 cos2 x – sin x – 1 = 0
Step 2: If the equation contains more that one trigonometric functions,
rewrite the equation to its equivalent equation with one trigonometric
function in general form.
2(1 – sin2 x) – sin x – 1 = 0 by Pythagorean Identity
2 – 2sin2 x – sin x – 1 = 0 by distributive property
–2 sin2 x – sin x +1 = 0 by simplification

2sin2 x + sin x – 1 = 0 multiplying all members

by -1.

Step 3: Factor (if appropriate) the expression on the other side or use
quadratic formula.
2sin2 x + sin x – 1 = 0
(2sin x – 1)(sin x + 1) = 0 by factoring
2sin x – 1 = 0 or sin x + 1 = 0 by zero factor principle

Notice that there are two linear form equations with one
trigonometric function. We can solve each of these by tip number 1
of solving trigonometric equation.
2sin x – 1 = 0
2sin x =1 transposing -1 to the right side and
sin x =½ dividing both members by 2. (to separate the
constants from sin x).
so,
π 5π
x= or x=
6 6

and

sin x + 1 = 0

sin x = -1
3π
x= 2

π 5π 3π
Therefore, the solutions are: , , .
6 6 2

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 3. If half or multiple angles are present, express them in terms of a
trigonometric expression of a single angle except when all angles
involved have the same multiplicity wherein. In this case, retain the
angle. Half-angle and double-angle identities are useful in
simplification.

x
Example: Solve sin2 x + 5cos2 2 = 2
x
Solution: sin2 x + 5cos2 2 = 2

1+ cos x
sin2 x + 5 ( )=2 by half-angle identity for cos
2

2 sin2 x + 5(1 + cos x) = 4 multiplying all members by 2

2 sin2 x + 5 + 5cos x =4 by distributive property

2 sin2 x + 5cos x + 1 = 0 adding 5 and -4

2(1 – cos2 x) + 5cos x + 1 = 0 by Pythagorean identity

2 – 2cos2 x + 5cos x + 1 = 0 by distributive property

– 2cos2 x + 5cos x + 3 = 0 by simplification

2cos2 x – 5cos x – 3 = 0 multiplying all members by -1

III. WHAT HAVE I LEARNED

CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
I. Give the solution of the following equation:
1. sin2 x – 1 = 0
2. cot x = √3

EVALUATION/POST TEST:
I. Give the solution of the following equation:
1. sec 2x = – 1
2. csc2 x – csc x – 2 = 0

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 REFERENCE
Ascano, Joy P., et al. 2016. Precalculus Learner’s Material, pp. 220 – 233.
Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR).

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY, EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ELISA L. BAGUIO, EdD

Division Education Program Supervisor – MATHEMATICS

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

RONALD G. TOLENTINO
Writer

RADHIYA A. ABABON
Lay-out Artist
_________________________________
ALPHA QA TEAM
RICKLEOBEN V. BAYKING
LITTIE BETH S. BERNADEZ
MERCYDITHA D. ENOLPE
RONALD TOLENTINO

BETA QA TEAM
RICKLEOBEN V. BAYKING
LITTIE BETH S. BERNADEZ
GIL . DAEL
MARIA SOLEDAD M. DAYUPAY
MARIA ACENITH DESPI
JEE LIZA INGUITO
MERCYDITHA D. ENOLPE
RONALD G. TOLENTINO

ENHANCEMENT TEAM
RADHIYA A. ABABON
LITTIE BETH S. BERNADEZ
GIL S. DAEL

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide accessible learning modality to the teachers
and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the
set learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to information and illustrations used to substantiate this
material. All content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

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 SYNOPSIS AND ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This Self Learning Kit (SLK) ANSWER KEYS
will guide the learners how to
2 6
, 2.
−𝜋 𝜋

solve different forms of

2 2
, 1.
𝜋 −𝜋

trigonometric equations with EVALUATION/POST TEST

the aid of some distinctive

properties of possible solutions, 6 6
, 2.
special triangles diagram,
7𝜋 𝜋
2 2 2 2
or , or 1.
table of values of quadrantal
3𝜋 𝜋 −3𝜋 −𝜋
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED II.
angles, special angles,
4
2.
𝜋

circular functions and the

6
1.
𝜋

Cartesian plane. Pre-Activities

B. √3
Learners are expected A. 1/2

to solve some forms of

I. WHAT HAPPENED

trigonometric equations. ANSWERS KEY

AUTHOR
Ronald G. Tolentino is currently teaching at Negros Oriental High
School, STEM 11 Adviser. He finished his Bachelor of Science in
Mathematics at Silliman University and earned 27 units in Master
of Arts in Teaching-Mathematics in the same university. He
completed his Continuing Professional Education (CPE) at PTC
Inc., Dumaguete City.

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