Grade 12

Mathematics

Maths and Science Infinity

CAPS Syllabus
Trigonometry
Trigonometry 2D &3D

Felix Pagona Asitandile Yanxa Thulani Mjikwa

Senior Facilitator Lead Facilitator Senior Facilitator

Activity 1
A, B and L are points on the same horizontal plane. HL is a vertical pole of length 3 metres.
AL = 5,2 m, the angle AL̂B = 113° and the angle of elevation of H from B is 40°.

1.1 Calculate the length of LB. (2)

1.2 Hence, or otherwise, calculate the length of AB. (4)
1.3 Determine the area of ∆ABL. (4)
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Activity 2
Thandi is standing at point P on the horizontal ground and observes two poles, AC and BD, of
different heights, P, C and D are in the same horizontal plane. From P the angles of inclination to
the top of the poles A and B are 23° and 18° respectively. Thandi is 18 m from the base of pole
AC. The height of pole BD is 7 m.

Calculate, correct to TWO decimal places:

2.1 The distance from Thandi to the top of pole BD. (2)
2.2 The distance from Thandi to the top of pole AC. (2)

2.3 ̂B = 46°.
The distance between the tops of the poles, that is the length of AB, If AP (4)
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Activity 3
A corner of a rectangular block of wood is cut off and shown in the diagram below. The inclined
̂ C = AĈD = θ.
plane, that is, ∆ACD, is and isosceles triangle having AD
1
Also, AĈB = 𝜃, AC = 𝑥 + 3 and CD = 2𝑥.
2

3.1 Determine an expression for 𝐶𝐴̂𝐷 in terms of 𝜃. (1)

𝑥
3.2 Prove that cos 𝜃 = . (4)
𝑥+3

3.3 If it is given that 𝑥 = 2, Calculate AB, the height of the piece of wood. (5)
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Activity 4
4.1 In the diagram below, ABC is a right-angled triangle. KC is the bisector of AĈB.
AC = 𝑟 units and BĈK = 𝑥.

4.1.1 Write down AB in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑟. (2)

4.1.2 ̂ C in terms of 𝑥.
Give the size of AK (1)
AK 2
4.1.3 If it is given that = , calculate the value of 𝑥. (8)
AB 3

4.2 Triangle ABC is isosceles with AB = BC.

𝑏2
Prove that cos B = 1 − (4)
2𝑎2

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Activity 5
In the diagram below A, B and C are three points in the same horizontal plane. D is vertically
above B and E is vertically above C. The angle of elevation of E from D is 𝜃. F is a point on EC
̂ C = 𝛼, AĈB = 𝛽 and AC = 𝑏 metres.
such that DF ∥ BC. BA

𝑏 sin 𝛼
5.1 Prove that DE = . (6)
sin(𝛼+𝛽).cos 𝜃

5.2 Calculate DE if 𝑏 = 2 000 metres, 𝛼 = 43°, 𝛽 = 36° and 𝜃 = 27°. (3)

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Activity 6
The sketch below shows one side of the elevation of a house. Some dimensions (in metres) are
indicated on the figure.

Calculate, rounded off to ONE decimal place:

6.1 EC (3)

6.2 DĈE (3)

6.3 Area of ∆DEC (2)
6.4 The height EF (3)
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Activity 7
̂ C = 50° and
The figure below represents a triangular right prism with BA = BC = 5 units, AB
̂ C = 25°.
FA

7.1 Determine the area of ∆ABC. (2)

7.2 Calculate the length of AC. (3)
7.3 Hence, determine the length FC of the prism. (3)
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Activity 8
In the accompanying figure, P is a balloon held in position by three stay wires PK, PL and PM.
PK = PL. LK̂ M = 68°, KL̂M = 42°, PK ̂ L = 35° and KM = 𝑥.

𝑥 sin 35°
8.1 Show that KP = (6)
sin 42°

8.2 Hence, calculate the area of ∆PKL if 𝑥 = 70 m. (4)

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Activity 9
A hot-air balloon H is directly above point B on the ground. Two ropes are used to keep the hot-
air balloon in position. The ropes are held by two people on the ground at point C and point D.
B, C and D in the same horizontal plane. The angle of elevation from C to H is 𝑥. CD̂ B = 2𝑥 and
CB̂ D = 90° − 𝑥. The distance between C and D is 𝑘 metres.

9.1 Show that CB = 2𝑘 sin 𝑥. (5)

9.2 Hence, show that the length of rope HC is 2𝑘 tan 𝑥. (3)
9.3 If 𝑘 = 40 m, 𝑥 = 23° and HD = 31,8 m, calculate 𝜃, the angle between the
two ropes. (4)
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Activity 10
The diagram below shows the side elevation of a house. The roof of the house is a scalene tringle
̂ Q = 𝛼. QT is a ladder such that UQT is a straight line. The angle of elevation QT
with PU ̂R = 𝜃.
PQ = 2𝑡 and QR = 𝑡.

10.1 ̂Q = sin(α + θ)
Prove that sin UP (2)
2𝑡 sin(𝜃+𝛼) 𝑡
10.2 Prove that 𝑈𝑇 = + (5)
sin 𝛼 sin 𝜃

10.3 Determine the length of UQ and hence the area of ∆UPQ, if 𝑡 = 3 m, 𝜃 = 42°
and 𝛼 = 83°. (4)
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Activity 11
In the diagram below, RS is the height of a vertical tower. T and Q are two points in the same
horizontal plane as the foot S of the tower. From point T the angle of elevation of the top of the
̂Q = 𝜃, RQ
tower is 60°, RT ̂ T = 60° and TQ = 𝑘 metres.

11.1 Express TR in terms of 𝜃 and 𝑘. (3)

3𝑘
11.2 Show that RS = (7)
2(√3 cos 𝜃+sin 𝜃)

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Activity 12
In the figure, the diameter PQ of the circle is produced to R. S is a point on the circumference
̂S = 𝛼.
such that QR = QS = 𝑥. P and S are joined and QP

12.1 Prove that: SR = 𝑥√2(1 + sin 𝛼) (4)

12.2 If SR = 5√3 and 𝑥 = 5, show that PQ = 10 (4)

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Activity 13
In the figure, points K, A and F lie in the same horizontal plane and TA represents a vertical
tower. AT̂K = 𝑥, KA ̂ F = 90° + 𝑥 and KF̂A = 2𝑥 where 0° < 𝑥 < 30°. TK = 2 units.

13.1 Express AK in terms of sin 𝑥. (2)

13.2 Calculate the numerical value of KF. (5)
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Activity 14
In the diagram below, C is a point on one side of the Buffalo River and is 3 m above the water. A
is a point on the other side of the river directly opposite C on the higher bank. B is a boat on the
river. A, B and C are in the same vertical plane. The angle of depression of B from A is 33,7°.
The angle of depression of C from A is 15,60° and B from C is 16,7°.

14.1 Calculate the length of BC. (3)

14.2 Calculate the length of AB. (3)
14.3 Calculate the length of AD. (3)
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Activity 15
In the diagram below, P, Q and R are points on the same horizontal plane.
WP is a vertical telephone mast. The angle of elevation of W from Q is 𝛼.
̂ R = 𝑦, PR
PQ ̂ Q = 𝑥 and QR = 5 metres

15.1 Express PW in terms of PQ and 𝛼. (2)

15 sin 𝑦
15.2 Hence, show that PR = . (4)
sin(𝑥+𝑦)
tan 𝛼
15.3 If 𝑥 = 𝑦, show that PW = 7,5 . (3)
cos 𝑦

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Activity 16
The figure shows an open birthday card. The length of the card is 145 mm and the breadth is 103
mm. the card is placed such that the angle formed between the two sides is 120°.

16.1 Calculate the length of NP. (2)

16.2 Calculate the length of PQ. (2)

16.3 ̂ Q.
Determine the size of PN (2)
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