Maths 3
Maths 3
YOUR NOTES
AS Maths CIE
3. Trigonometry
CONTENTS
3.1 Basic Trigonometry
3.1.1 Trigonometry - Definitions
3.1.2 Right-Angled Triangles
3.1.3 Non-Right-Angled Triangles
3.2 Trigonometric Functions
3.2.1 Graphs of Trigonometric Functions
3.2.2 Transformations of Trigonometric Functions
3.3 Circular Measure (Radians)
3.3.1 Radian Measure
3.3.2 Trigonometry Exact Values
3.4 Trigonometric Equations
3.4.1 Trigonometry - Simple Identities
3.4.2 Linear Trigonometric Equations
3.4.3 Quadratic Trigonometric Equations
3.4.4 Strategy for Trigonometric Equations
3.5 Modelling with Trigonometric Functions
3.5.1 Modelling with Trigonometric Functions
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What is the unit circle and how does it help with trigonometry?
The unit circle is a circle with radius 1 and centre (0, 0)
It can be used to calculate trig values as a co‑ordinate point (x, y) on the circle
(x, y) = (cos θ, sin θ), where θ is the angle measured anticlockwise from the positive x‑axis
It allows us to calculate sin, cos and tan for angles greater than 90°
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Exam Tip
Remember SOHCAHTOA are only for calculating missing sides and angles for
right‑angled triangles
For non-right‑angled triangles you will need to use the Sine or Cosine rules.
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode (D).
Always check your answers are sensible…
Should my answer be longer or shorter than the sides I have already i.e. is it
the hypotenuse?
Is my angle sensible…
Have I remembered to use -1?
Check if the question asks you to round your answer.
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Once you know which rule to use, simply label your triangle, substitute in the values and
rearrange if necessary
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sin, cos and tan values for 30°, 45° and 60° should be recalled easily
Memorise either the actual values or how to work them out from the triangle
sin, cos and tan for 0°, 90°, 180° should also be very familiar
They can be recalled using the relevant trigonometric graph (see Graphs of Trigonometric
Functions)
Exact values and radians
All of the above applies to radians as well as degrees
Here is a table of all exact values including radians (see Radian Measure)
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Exam Tip
Draw the triangles for sin, cos and tan of 30°, 45° and 60° on the exam paper so
that you can then use them as many times as you need throughout the paper.
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What about more complicated trig equations?
Some trig equations could involve a function of x or θ (see Transformations of
Trigonometric Functions)
Functions could be in two forms, either y = sin(θ ± k) or y = sin kθ
An easy way to solve an equation involving sin, cos or tan of (θ± k) or kθ is by transforming
the range of the question
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Exam Tip
Your calculator will only give you the principal value and you need to find all
other solutions for the given interval.
Also, remember the CAST diagram only gives you some solutions, so again you
may need to find more depending on the given interval.
It is entirely up to you how you solve a trig equation, but some ways are more
helpful than others depending on the type of equation you are trying to solve
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Exam Tip
Don’t forget to check the function range and ensure you have included all
possible solutions.
If the question involves a function of x or θ, make sure you transform the range
first (and ensure you transform your solutions back again at the end!).
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For functions of the form cos (qx+ r) or sin (qx + r) the period T is:
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Exam Tip
The variable in these questions is often t for time.
Read the question carefully to make sure you know what you are being asked to
solve.
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