CHAPTER 4

Further trigonometric identities

4.1 SUM AND DIFFERENCE OF TWO ANGLES
You can derive formulae for the trigonometric functions of sums and differences of angles, i.e. formulae for
cos (θ ± ϕ), sin (θ ± ϕ) and tan (θ ± ϕ), in terms of trigonometric y
functions of the angles θ and ϕ.
First, obtain a formula for cos (θ − ϕ), then deduce formulae for the Q(cos φ, sin φ)
others from it. P(cos θ, sin θ )

Starting from A, mark a unit circle to show ∠AOP = θ and ∠AOQ = ϕ O A x

x2 + y 2 = 1
(where θ > ϕ for convenience), as shown. The coordinates of P and Q are
thus (cos θ, sin θ) and (cos ϕ, sin ϕ) respectively, and ∠POQ = θ − ϕ.
Using the distance formula: PQ2 = (cos θ − cos ϕ)2 + (sin θ − sin ϕ)2
= 2 − 2 (cos θ cos ϕ + sin θ sin ϕ) [a]
2
Using the cosine rule in ΔPOQ: PQ = 1 + 1 − 2 cos (∠POQ)
= 2 − 2 cos (θ − ϕ) [b]
Equating [a] and [b]: 2 − 2 cos (θ − ϕ) = 2 − 2 (cos θ cos ϕ + sin θ sin ϕ)
∴ cos (θ − ϕ) = cos θ cos ϕ + sin θ sin ϕ [1]
This formula [1] is true for all values of θ and ϕ.
By writing (−ϕ) in place of ϕ, remembering that cos (−ϕ) = cos ϕ and sin (−ϕ) = −sin ϕ, you also have:
cos (θ + ϕ) = cos θ cos ϕ − sin θ sin ϕ [2]
Similarly, with (90° − θ ) in place of θ in [1]:
cos [90° − (θ + ϕ)] = cos (90° − θ) cos ϕ + sin (90° − θ) sin ϕ
And using the complementary angles formulae, i.e. cos (90° − α) = sin α and sin (90° − α) = cos α :
sin (θ + ϕ) = sin θ cos ϕ + cos θ sin ϕ [3]

Writing (−ϕ) in place of ϕ in [3]: sin (θ − ϕ) = sin θ cos (−ϕ) + cos θ sin (−ϕ)
sin (θ − ϕ) = sin θ cos ϕ − cos θ sin ϕ [4]

sin(θ + φ )
Combining these for the tangent functions: tan (θ + ϕ) =
cos(θ + φ )
sin θ cos φ + cos θ sin φ
=
cos θ cos φ − sin θ sin φ
Dividing numerator and denominator by cos θ cos ϕ (cos θ cos ϕ ≠ 0):
tan θ + tan φ
tan (θ + ϕ) = [5]
1 − tan θ tan φ
sin(θ − φ )
And for (θ − ϕ): tan (θ − ϕ) =
cos(θ − φ )
sin θ cos φ − cos θ sin φ
=
cos θ cos φ + sin θ sin φ

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Dividing numerator and denominator by cos θ cos ϕ (cos θ cos ϕ ≠ 0):

tan tan
tan (θ − ϕ) = [6]
1 tan tan

Example 1
Find the expansion for each expression, simplifying where possible.
(a) sin (3x + 2y) (b) cos (2 α + β) (c) tan (A + 45°)

Solution
(a) sin (3x + 2y) = sin 3x cos 2y + cos 3x sin 2y (b) cos (2α + β) = cos 2α cos β − sin 2α sin β

(c) tan (A + 45°) =

tan A + tan 45° = 1 + tan A
1 − tan A tan 45° 1 − tan A

Example 2
Simplify each expression.
(a) sin (2α + β ) cos β − cos (2α + β) sin β (b) cos (2θ − 3α) cos 2θ + sin (2θ − 3α) sin 2θ

Solution
By recognising the form of the equation, the two-angle expansion can be used in reverse:
(a) sin (2α + β ) cos β − cos (2α + β ) sin β = sin [(2α + β ) − β ] = sin 2α
(b) cos (2θ − 3α) cos 2θ + sin (2θ − 3α) sin 2θ = cos [(2θ − 3α) − 2θ ]
= cos (−3α) = cos 3α

Alternatively, the expressions on the LHS can be expanded and like terms collected. For example, the solution to
(a) becomes:
sin (2α + β ) cos β − cos (2α + β ) sin β = [sin 2α cos β + cos 2α sin β ]cos β − [cos 2α cos β − sin 2α sin β ]sin β
= sin 2α cos2 β + cos 2α sin β cos β − cos 2α cos β sin β + sin 2α sin2 β
= sin 2α [cos2 β + sin2 β ] = sin 2α

Example 3
If θ and ϕ are acute angles and sin θ = 3 and tan ϕ = 24 , find, without using a calculator, the exact value of the
5 7
following expressions:
(a) sin (θ + ϕ) (b) cos (θ − ϕ) (c) tan (θ − ϕ)

Solution
Draw right-angled triangles for each ratio and use Pythagoras’ theorem to find the third side.

sin θ = 3 tan ϕ = 24
5 7
5
cos θ = 4
3 24 24 25
sin ϕ =
5 θ 25
tan θ = 3 4
cos ϕ = 7
4 25 ø
7

Chapter 4 Further trigonometric identities 73

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(a) sin (θ + ϕ) = sin θ cos ϕ + cos θ sin ϕ tan θ − tan φ

(c) tan (θ − ϕ) =
= 3 × 7 + 4 × 24 1 + tan θ tan φ
5 25 5 25
3 − 24
= 117 4 7
125 =
(b) cos (θ − ϕ) = cos θ cos ϕ + sin θ sin ϕ 1 + 3 × 24
4 7
7 3 24
=4× + × = 21 − 96
5 25 5 25 28 + 72
= 100 = − 75
125 100
=4 =−3
5 4

EXERCISE 4.1 SUM AND DIFFERENCE OF TWO ANGLES

1 Expand:
(a) sin (A + 2B) (b) sin (2x − y) (c) cos (2x − 3y)
(d) cos (2θ + 60°) (e) tan (θ + α) (f) tan (A − 135°)
2 Simplify:
(a) sin A cos (A − B) + cos A sin (A − B) (b) cos (θ + α) cos (θ − α) + sin (θ + α) sin (θ − α)
(c) sin 2A cos A − cos 2A sin A (d) cos 60° cos 30° − sin 60° sin 30°
tanθ − tan20° tan2α + tanα
(e) (f) (g) sin (2A + B) cos (A + B) − cos (2A + B) sin (A + B)
1+ tan20°tanθ 1− tan2α tanα
tan3x − tan x
(h) cos (3θ + α) cos (2θ + α) + sin (3θ + α) sin (θ + α) (i)
1+ tan3x tan x
3 The expression tan(A + B)+ tanC simplifies to:
1− tan(A + B)tanC
A tan A + tan B + tan C B tan (A − B + C) C tan (A + B − C) D tan (A + B + C)

4 (a) Find the exact value of sin 38° cos 22° + cos 38° sin 22°.
tan119° + tan16°
(b) Find the exact value of .
1− tan119°tan16°
(c) Find the exact value of cos 165°. (d) Expand and simplify sin (x + 40°) + sin (x − 40°).
5 Write the expansion of cos (A + B). From this, deduce the expansion of cos (A − B).
6 Write the expansion of cos (θ − ϕ). Write (90° − θ) in place of θ to deduce the expansion of sin (θ + ϕ).
7 If θ and ϕ are angles between 0° and 90°, sin θ = 3, tan ϕ = 7 , find the following without using a calculator.
5 24
(a) sin (θ − ϕ) (b) cos (θ + ϕ) (c) tan (θ − ϕ)
8 If tan A = 4, tan B = 3, and A and B are acute angles, then A − B = …
5
A 45° B 30° C 60° D 135°
9 If tan α = 4 and cos β = 12 , where 0 < β < α < 90°, evaluate the following without using a calculator.
3 13
(a) sin 2α (b) tan 2α (c) cos (α − β )
6+ 2
10 (a) Using the expansion of sin (A + B), prove that sin 75° = .
4
(b) Using the expansion of tan (A + B), prove that tan 75° = 2 + 3.

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11 Find the value (in simplest surd form) of:

(a) cos 75° (b) tan 15° (c) cos 15°

12 Use the expansion of sin (A + B) to evaluate sin 195°.

4.2 DOUBLE ANGLE FORMULAE

Using the sum-and-difference-of-two-angles formula [2] (see previous section), writing θ in place of ϕ :

cos (θ + ϕ) = cos θ cos ϕ − sin θ sin ϕ [2]

∴ cos (θ + θ) = cos θ cos θ − sin θ sin θ
cos 2θ = cos2 θ − sin2 θ
From sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1: cos 2θ = 2 cos2 θ − 1 [7]
cos 2θ = 1 − 2 sin2 θ
Similarly, using formula [3] and writing θ in place of ϕ :
sin (θ + ϕ) = sin θ cos ϕ + cos θ sin ϕ [3]
∴ sin (θ + θ) = sin θ cos θ + cos θ sin θ
sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ [8]
And using formula [5], writing θ in place of ϕ :
tanθ + tanφ
tan (θ + ϕ) = [5]
1− tanθ tanφ

∴ tan (θ + θ) = tanθ + tanθ

1− tanθ tanθ
2 tanθ
tan 2θ = , tan θ ≠ ±1 [9]
1− tan 2 θ
The double angle formulae can be used in many different ways.
For example, as 4θ = 2 × 2θ, therefore sin 4θ = 2 sin 2θ cos 2θ.
This result can be further simplified by again using the double angle formulae to obtain an expression in terms of θ :
sin 4θ = 2 × 2 sin θ cos θ × (cos2 θ − sin2 θ) = 4 sin θ cos θ (cos2 θ − sin2 θ).
θ
Also, sin θ = 2 sin θ cos , so it is possible to express a function of an angle in terms of half the angle.
2 2

Example 4
If tan A = − 3 , 90° < A < 180°, and cos B = 5 , 0° < B < 90°, write the exact value of the following.
4 13
(a) sin (A − B) (b) cos 2A (c) tan (A + B) (d) sin 2B

Solution
Draw diagrams to show the given ratio for each angle, then use the diagrams to find the other ratios for the angle.
sin A = 3 y sin B = 12
5 13
5
cos A = − 4
y
5
3
A cos B = 5 13
12
13
tan A = − 3 –4 O x tan B = 12 B
4 5 O 5 x

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(a) sin (A − B) = sin A cos B − cos A sin B (b) cos 2A = cos2 A − sin2 A
( ) ()
2 2
= 3 × 5 + 4 × 12 = 63 = −4 − 3 = 7
5 13 5 13 65 5 5 25
tan A + tan B
(c) tan (A + B) = (d) sin 2B = sin B cos B
1− tan A tan B
− 3 + 12 12 5
=2× ×
= 43 512 = 33 13 13
1 + 4 × 5 56
= 120
169

Example 5
cos 3θ sin 3θ sin 2α + sin α
(a) Prove that + = 2 cot 2θ . (b) Prove that = tan α .
sin θ cos θ 1+ cos 2α + cos α
Solution
cos 3θ sin 3θ
(a) LHS = + (b) Method 1
sin θ cos θ
sin 2α + sin α
cos 3θ cos θ + sin 3θ sin θ LHS =
= 1+ cos 2α + cos α
sin θ cos θ
2 sin α cos α + sin α
cos (3θ − θ ) =
= 1+ 2 cos 2 α −1+ cos α
2 sin 2θ
1
sin α (2 cos α +1)
2 cos 2θ =
= cos α (2 cos α +1)
sin 2θ
sin α
= 2 cot 2θ = RHS = if 2 cos α +1 ≠ 0
cos α
= tan α = RHS
Method 2
In the denominator, use formula [7] to directly
replace 1 + cos 2α with 2 cos2 α .

Example 6
If cos x = − 3 and π ≤ x ≤ π, find the value of: (a) sin x (b) sin 2x
4 2
Solution
From the diagram (drawn to show the given ratio for the angle):
4
7 √7 x
(a) sin x = (b) sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x
4 –3
= 2× 7 × − 3
4 4 ( )
= −3 7
8

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Example 7
Simplify:
(a) cos π cos π − sin π sin π
3 6 3 6 ( )
(b) sin π − θ + sin π − φ
2 2 ( ) 4( ) (
(c) sin π − x cos π − x
4 )
Solution
(a) cos π cos π − sin π sin π = cos π + π
3 6 3 6 3 6 ( ) (using formula [2] from page 75)

= cos π = 0
2
2( 2) ( )
(b) sin π − θ + sin π − φ = cos θ + cos ϕ

(c) sin π
4 ( ) ( )
− x cos π − x = 1 × 2 sin π − x cos π − x
4 2 4 4 ( ) ( )
(
= 1 sin 2 π − x
2 4 ) (using double-angle formula [8] from page 75)
= 1 sin ( π − 2x ) = 1 cos 2x
2 2 2

EXERCISE 4.2 DOUBLE ANGLE FORMULAE

1 (a) By writing sin 3θ as sin (2θ + θ ), write sin 3θ in terms of sin θ.

(b) Hence write cos 3θ in terms of cos θ. (c) Hence write tan 3θ in terms of θ.

2 If sin θ = 3 , 90° < θ < 180°, evaluate (in surd form):

4
(a) sin 2θ (b) cos 2θ (c) tan 2θ. (d) In which quadrant is 2θ ?
3 Simplify:
sin 2A
(a) (b) 1 sin2θ tanθ (c) cos2 2θ − sin2 2θ (d) cos2 30° − sin2 30°
1+ cos 2A 2
(e) sin 4x cos 4x (f) 1 + cos (180° + 2θ) (g) sin x cos x cos 2x (h) 2 sin 2x cos 2x
2tanθ
(i) (sin θ + cos θ )2 (j) (sin A − cos A)2 (k) for θ = 22.5° (l) sin2 50° + sin2 40°
1− tan 2 θ
1− cos 2θ
(m) sin (45° − x) cos (45° − x) (n) (o) 2 cos2 3x − 1
1+ cos 2θ

4 If sin θ = 3, π ≤ θ ≤ π and tan ϕ = 7 , 0 ≤ ϕ ≤ π , find the value of:

5 2 24 2
(a) sin (θ − ϕ) (b) cos (θ − ϕ) (c) tan (θ − ϕ)
5 Simplify:
(a) 1+ tan 2 π − α
2 ( ) (b) 1 − cos2 (π + θ ) ( ) (
(c) sin θ cos π − θ + cos θ sin π − θ
2 2 )
(d) 2 cos 2 π −1
6
(e) 1− sin θ cos π − θ
2 ( ) (f) sin (π − θ) cos ϕ − cos (π − θ) sin ϕ

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4.3 HALF-ANGLE FORMULAE—THE t FORMULAE

The double-angle formulae has been established: sin 2A = 2 sin A cos A
cos 2A = cos2 A − sin2 A
2tan A
tan 2A = , tan A ≠ ±1
1− tan 2 A
Just as A is the half-angle of 2A, similarly A
2 is the half-angle of A, so you can use these results to obtain:
sin A = 2 sin A A
2 cos 2
cos A = cos2 A 2A
2 − sin 2
2tan A2
tan A = , tan A
2 ≠ ±1
1− tan 2 A2
2t
If you let t = tan A
2 , then: tan A =
1− t 2
Using the right-angled triangle, in which tan A = t , you can obtain the ratios: t2
2 1 + t
√1
A t A 1
sin = and cos =
2 1+ t 2 2 1+ t 2 A
2
Hence: sin A = 2sin A cos A and: cos A = cos A − sin 2 A
2 1
2 2 2 2
t 1 1 t2
= 2× × = −
1+ t 2 1+ t 2 1+ t 2 1+ t 2
2t 1− t 2
= =
1+ t 2 1+ t 2
These results, known as the ‘t formulae’, can be summarised as follows:
2t
If t = tan A
2, then: tan A =
1− t 2
2t 1 + t2
sin A= 2t
1+ t 2
1− t 2 A
cos A=
1+ t 2 1 – t2

Example 8
Given that tan A = 5 , find the exact values of sin 2A and cos 2A.
12
Solution
2t 1− t 2
tan A = 5 so t = 5 : sin 2A = cos 2A =
12 12 1+ t 2 1+ t 2
1− ( 125 )
2
2 × 125
= =
1+ ( 125 ) 1+ ( 125 )
2 2

120 119
= =
169 169
Note: If a calculator is used to find intermediate values then the answer will be only approximate.
For example, tan A = 5 so A = 22° 37′, 2A = 45° 14′, sin 2A ≈ 0.709 98, while 120 ≈ 0.710 06 (both to five d.p.)—
12 169
close, but not the same.

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Example 9
cos θ + sin θ − 1 = tan θ
Use the t formulae to prove that:
cos θ − sin θ + 1 2

Solution
LHS = cos θ + sin θ − 1
cos θ − sin θ + 1
2
⎛ 1 − t + 2t − 1⎞
⎝ 1 + t2 1 + t2 ⎠
=
⎛ 1−t 2
2t ⎞
⎝ 1 + t 2 − 1 + t 2 + 1⎠
⎛ 1 − t 2 + 2t − (1 + t 2 ) ⎞ ⎛ 1 − t 2 − 2t + (1 + t 2 ) ⎞
=⎜ ⎟⎠ ÷ ⎜⎝ ⎟⎠
⎝ 1 + t2 1 + t2
2 2
= 1 − t 2 + 2t − 1 − t 2
1 − t − 2t + 1 + t
2
= 2t − 2t
2 − 2t
2t(1 − t)
=
2(1 − t)
= t = tan θ2 = RHS

EXERCISE 4.3 HALF-ANGLE FORMULAE—THE t FORMULAE

1 If t = tan A
2 , then sin A + cos A = …
A
1+ 2t − t 2
B
t 2 − 2t +1
C
(1− t )2 D
(1+ t )2
1+ t 2 1+ t 2 1+ t 2 1+ t 2
2 Simplify:
2tan9° 1− tan 2 15° 1+ tan 2 22.5°
(a) (b) (c)
1− tan 2 9° 1+ tan 2 15° 2tan22.5°

3 If t = tan A2 , express each of the following in terms of t :

(a) sin A − cos A (b) 3 sin A + 4 cos A (c) 2 cos A − sin A (d) cot A
cot A − tan A
(e) cot A − tan A (f) (g) 1− 12 sin A tan A 2 (h) 1+ tan A tan A
2
cot A + tan A
tan A − tan 2A
A 1+ sin A + cos A sin A + sin A2
(i) (j) cot 2 − 2cot A (k) (l)
cot 2 + tan A
A 1+ sin A − cos A 1+ cos A + cos A2
1− cosθ
4 If t = tan θ , then =…
2 sin θ
1+ t 2 1− 2t + t 2
A 0 B C D t
t 2t
5 If t = tan θ , solve for t the equation tan θ = d.
2
6 If t = tan A
2 , solve for t the equation 12 tan A = 5, 180° < A < 270°.
7 If tan θ = a , prove that b cos θ + a sin θ = b.
2 b
1− t
8 If sec θ − tan θ = x, prove that x = .
1+ t

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4.4 USING IDENTITIES TO SIMPLIFY EXPRESSIONS AND PROVE RESULTS

When working with some trigonometric equations, you will also need to use the Pythagorean identities learnt in the
Mathematics Advanced course:

sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1 sin2 θ = 1 − cos2 θ cos2 θ = 1 − sin2 θ

sec2 θ − tan2 θ = 1 sec2 θ = 1 + tan2 θ tan2 θ = sec2 θ − 1

cosec2 θ − cot2 θ = 1 cosec2 θ = 1 + cot2 θ cot2 θ = cosec2 θ − 1

Example 10
cos 2θ + sin 2θ − 1
Prove that = tan θ .
cos 2θ − sin 2θ + 1

Solution
cos 2θ + sin 2θ − 1
LHS =
cos 2θ − sin 2θ + 1
1 − 2 sin2 θ + 2 sin θ cos θ − 1
=
2 cos2 θ − 1 − 2 sin θ cos θ + 1
2 sin θ (cos θ − sin θ )
=
2 cos θ (cos θ − sin θ )
= sin θ
cos θ
= tan θ = RHS

Notice how two different expansions for cos 2θ are used in Example 10 above. To decide which expansion is the best
to use in each part you must consider the −1 in the numerator and the +1 in the denominator. The aim is to remove
these constants by using the appropriate form.
Using cos 2θ = cos2 θ − sin2 θ would have made the question more complicated. Try this to see for yourself.

EXERCISE 4.4 USING IDENTITIES TO SIMPLIFY EXPRESSIONS AND PROVE RESULTS

Prove the following identities (questions 1 to 21):
sin A + cos A tan B sin 2θ cos θ − cos 2θ sin θ
1 = tan (A + B) 2 = tan θ
cos A − sin A tan B cos 2θ cos θ + sin 2θ sin θ
tan A − tan B sin(A − B)
3 = 4 sin (θ + α) sin (θ − α) = sin2 θ − sin2 α
tan A + tan B sin(A + B)
sin3A cos3A 2
5 − =2 6 tan (45° + A) + tan (45° − A) =
sin A cos A cos2A
sin2θ +1 cosθ + sinθ
7 cos 4x = 8 cos4 x − 8 cos2 x + 1 8 =
cos2θ cosθ − sinθ
cosθ + sinθ cosθ − sinθ 1− cosx
9 +
cosθ − sinθ cosθ + sinθ
= 2 sec 2θ 10 = tan x2
sin x
sin A + sin(90° − A)+1 sin x +1− cosx 1+ tan x2
11 = cot A 12 =
sin A − sin(90° − A)+1 2 sin x −1+ cosx 1− tan x2
13 sin (A + B + C) = sin A cos B cos C + sin B cos C cos A + sin C cos A cos B − sin A sin B sin C
What is the resulting identity if C is replaced by (90° − B)?
14 cos (A + B + C) = cos A cos B cos C − cos A sin B sin C − cos B sin C sin A − cos C sin A sin B
What is the resulting identity if B is replaced by (90° − C)?

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tan 2 θ − tan 2 α sin3 θ + cos3 θ

15 tan (θ + α) tan (θ − α) = 16 = 1 − 1 sin 2θ
2
1− tan θ tan α 2 sin θ + cosθ 2
2cos θ2 −1− cos θ 1− cos θ2 cot x cot y −1
17 = 18 cot (x + y) =
2cos 2 +1+ cos θ 1+ cos 2
θ θ cot x + cot y
tan 2θ − tan θ
19 = tan2 θ 20 tan (θ + 45°) tan (θ − 45°) = −1
tan 2θ + cot θ
1 − tan θ tan 2θ
21 = 4 cos2 θ − 3
1 + tan θ tan 2θ
p
22 If tan A = , express the following in terms of p and q.
q
(a) q sin A cos A + p sin2 A (b) p sin 2A + q cos 2A
23 If A, B and C are the angles of a triangle, prove that cos A cos B − sin A sin B + cos C = 0.
( )
24 Given that sin 18° = 1 5 −1 , find cos 36° in surd form.
4
cos(θ + x)
25 Find tan x in terms of tan θ if tan θ = .
cos(θ − x)
26 Three points P, Q, R are in a horizontal plane. Angles RPQ and RQP are α and β respectively. If PQ is x units
x tanα tan β
in length, show that the perpendicular distance y from R to PQ is given by y = .
tanα + tan β
27 Using the double-angle formula for tan θ, find tan 22.5° in simplest surd form.

(4 ) ( 4 )
28 cos2 π − x − sin2 π − x simplifies to:
A cos 2x B sin 2x C cos x D sin x
3 3π
29 If tan θ = and π < θ < , find the value of: (a) sin θ (b) cos θ (c) cos 2θ
5 2
30 If π ≤ x ≤ π and cos x = − 5 , find the value of: (a) sin x (b) sin 2x (c) tan 2x
2 6
31 If cosec α = − 17 and π < α < 3π , find the value of: (a) cot α (b) tan 2α
8 2
32 Prove the following.
( 4 ) ( )
(a) 2 cos π + x cos π – x = cos 2x
4 ( ) ( )
(b) tan θ + π tan θ − π = −1
4 4
( ) ( )
(c) sec 2 θ − 1 tan π − θ = tan θ
2 ( )
(d) tan x + 3π = tan x − 1
4 tan x + 1
1 − sin ( π2 − 2x )
(e)
sin 2x
= tan x (4 ) ( )
(f) tan π + A + tan π − A = 2 sec 2A
4
33 If tan x = 5 , tan y = 1 and 0 < y < x < π , prove that x − y = π .
4 9 2 4
2 tan θ
34 Simplify: (a) where θ = 7π (b) 2 cos2 3x − 1 where x = 2π
1− tan 2 θ 8 9

( ) ( )
35 By expanding each term on the left-hand side, prove that sin θ + π sin θ – π = sin2 θ − 1 .
6 6 4
1− cos 2θ
36 If 0 ≤ θ ≤ π , prove that tanθ = . Hence show that the exact value of tan π is 2 − 1.
2 1+ cos 2θ 8
37 (a) By writing expansions for sin (A + B) and sin (A − B), find a simplified expression for
sin (A + B) + sin (A − B).
(b) By writing θ = A + B and ϕ = A − B, find an expression for sin θ + sin ϕ as the product of two
trigonometric functions.
38 If sec θ − tan θ = 3, show that sin θ = 8 . (Hint: Use t formulae.)
5 17
sin2α
39 If 4 tan (α − β) = 3 tan α, prove that tan β = .
7 + cos2α

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( )
40 Use the factors of x3 − y3 to show that cos6 θ − sin6 θ = 1 − 1 sin2 2θ cos 2θ .
4
41 If tan θ = t, express sin 2θ and cos 2θ in terms of t. Find the values of t for which
(k + 1) sin 2θ + (k − 1) cos 2θ = k + 1.
42 If A, B and C are successive terms of an arithmetic series, prove that sin A + sin C = 2 sin B cos (B − A).
l 2 − m2
43 If cos θ = and 0 < θ < π , express tan θ and sin 2θ in terms of l and m.
l 2 + m2 2
44 If tan α = k tan β , show that (k − 1) sin (α + β ) = (k + 1) sin (α − β ).

( ) ( )
45 Show that 4 sin θ sin θ − π sin θ − 2π = sin 3θ .
3 3

4.5 TRIGONOMETRIC PRODUCTS AS SUMS OR DIFFERENCES

In section 4.1 you established the formulas for the sum and difference of trigonometric functions (here rewritten
using the variables A and B):
sin (A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B [1]
sin (A − B) = sin A cos B − cos A sin B [2]
cos (A + B) = cos A cos B − sin A sin B [3]
cos (A − B) = cos A cos B + sin A sin B [4]
Add [1] and [2]: 2 sin A cos B = sin (A + B) + sin (A − B) [a]
= sin (sum) + sin (difference)
Subtract [2] from [1]: 2 cos A sin B = sin (A + B) − sin (A − B) [b]
= sin (sum) − sin (difference)
Add [3] and [4]: 2 cos A cos B = cos (A + B) + cos (A − B) [c]
= cos (sum) + cos (difference)
Subtract [3] from [4]: 2 sin A sin B = cos (A − B) − cos (A + B) [d]
= cos (difference) − cos (sum)
These results are summarised below.
1
sin A cos B = 1 (sin (A + B) + sin (A − B)) cos A sin B = (sin (A + B) − sin (A − B))
2 2
1 1
cos A cos B = (cos (A + B) + cos (A − B)) sin A sin B = (cos (A − B) − cos (A + B))
2 2

Example 11
Express each product as a sum or difference of trigonometric functions:
(a) 2 cos 5x sin x (b) 2 sin 4A sin A (c) cos 3θ cos 5θ (d) sin 3θ cos θ

Solution
(a) 2 cos 5x sin x = sin (5x + x) − sin (5x − x) (b) 2 sin 4A sin A = cos (4A − A) − cos (4A + A)
= sin 6x − sin 4x = cos 3A − cos 5A
1 1
(d) sin 3θ cos θ = (sin (3θ + θ) + sin (3θ − θ))
(c) cos 3θ cos 5θ = (cos (3θ + 5θ) + cos (3θ − 5θ)) 2
2
1
= (cos 8θ + cos (−2θ)) = 1 (sin 4θ + sin 2θ)
2 2
1
= (cos 8θ + cos 2θ)
2

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Sums or differences as products

Let θ = A + B and ϕ = A − B, giving θ + ϕ = 2A and θ − ϕ = 2B.
θ +φ θ −φ
Hence A = and B = .
2 2
θ +φ ⎞ θ −φ ⎞
Substitute in [a]: sin θ + sin ϕ = 2 sin ⎛ cos ⎛
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛θ +φ ⎞ ⎛θ −φ ⎞
Substitute in [b]: sin θ − sin ϕ = 2 cos ⎝ 2 ⎠ sin ⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛θ +φ ⎞ ⎛θ −φ ⎞
Substitute in [c]: cos θ + cos ϕ = 2 cos ⎝ 2 ⎠ cos ⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛θ +φ ⎞ ⎛θ −φ ⎞
Substitute in [d]: cos ϕ − cos θ = 2 sin ⎝ 2 ⎠ sin ⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛θ +φ ⎞ ⎛θ −φ ⎞
or cos θ − cos ϕ = −2 sin ⎝ 2 ⎠ sin ⎝ 2 ⎠

Example 12
Convert the following sums or differences into products:
(a) sin 6x − sin 4x (b) cos 3A − cos 5A (c) cos 8θ + cos 2θ (d) sin 3x + sin x

Solution
(a) sin 6x − sin 4x = 2 cos ( 6x +2 4x ) sin ( 6x −2 4x ) (b) cos 3A − cos 5A = −2 sin ( 3A +2 5A ) sin ( 3A −2 5A )
= 2 cos 5x sin x = −2 sin 4A sin (−A)
= 2 sin 4A sin A

( ) (
(c) cos 8θ + cos 2θ = 2 cos 8θ + 2θ cos 8θ − 2θ
2 2 ) (d) sin 3x + sin x = 2 sin ( 3x 2+ x ) cos ( 3x 2− x )
= 2 cos 5θ cos 3θ = 2 sin 2x cos x

Example 13
sin θ + sin 3θ + sin5θ
Show that = tan 3θ .
cos θ + cos3θ + cos5θ

Solution
sin θ + sin 3θ + sin5θ
LHS =
cos θ + cos3θ + cos5θ
(sin5θ + sin θ ) + sin 3θ
=
(cos5θ + cos θ ) + cos3θ
2 sin 3θ cos 2θ + sin 3θ
=
2 cos3θ cos 2θ + cos3θ
sin 3θ (2 cos 2θ + 1)
=
cos3θ (2 cos 2θ + 1)
sin 3θ
=
cos3θ
= tan 3θ = RHS

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EXERCISE 4.5 TRIGONOMETRIC PRODUCTS AS SUMS OR DIFFERENCES

1 2 cos 6θ sin 2θ can be written as:

A cos 4θ − cos 8θ B cos 8θ + cos 4θ C sin 8θ − sin 4θ D sin 8θ + sin 4θ
Express each of the following as sums or differences:
2 2 sin 4θ cos 2θ 3 2 cos 3A cos 5A 4 cos 4A sin 2A
5 sin (θ + α) cos (θ − α) 6 2 cos (45° + A) sin (45° − A) 7 cos (2 θ + α) cos (2 θ − α)
8 2 cos (3α + 2β) sin (α − β) 9 2 sin θ sin 2θ 10 sin 4θ sin (−2 θ)
3x + y ⎞ 3x − y ⎞
11 sin ⎛⎜ cos ⎛⎜ 12 2 sin 75° cos 15° 13 sin (A − B) sin (A + B)
⎝ 2 ⎟⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎟⎠
14 cos 75° cos 45° 15 2 sin (θ + ϕ) cos (θ − ϕ) (2 ) (
16 sin A + B cos A − B
2 )
17 sin 100° sin 130° 18 2 sin 3θ cos θ 19 cos (θ + 2 ϕ) sin (2 θ + ϕ)
20 2 sin 2A cos 4A 21 2 cos 3A sin 7A
22 cos 5x + cos x may be written as:
A 2 sin 3x cos 2x B 2 cos 3x sin 2x C −2 sin 3x sin 2x D 2 cos 3x cos 2x
Express the following as products:
23 sin 3x − sin x 24 sin (x + α) − sin x 25 cos (x + h) − cos x
26 sin (θ + α) + sin (θ − α)
( )
27 cos θ + α + cos θ − α
2 ( 2 ) 28 cos (A + B + C) − cos (A − B + C)
29 cos (2x + y) + cos (x + 2y) 30 sin (90° − A) + sin (90° − B) 31 sin (90° − A) + cos 3A
32 cos x + cos (x + 120°) + cos (x + 240°)
33 cos (2A + B) − cos (A + 2B) 34 cos (A + B + C) + cos (A − B − C) 35 sin 2x + sin 3x
36 sin (2A + 2B) − sin (2A − 2B) 37 sin 165° − sin 105° 38 sin θ − cos ϕ
39 cos 75° − cos 45° 40 sin 50° + cos 20° 41 sin (A − B) − sin A
42 cos 80° − sin 50°
Prove the following results.
sin5θ − sin 3θ sin x + sin y ⎛ x + y⎞
43 = tan θ 44 = tan ⎜
cos5θ + cos3θ cos x + cos y ⎝ 2 ⎟⎠
cos x − cos 3x tan( A − B )
45 = −tan 2x 46 sin 2 A − sin 2 B =
sin x − sin 3x sin 2 A + sin 2 B tan( A + B )
cos(θ + α ) − cos(θ − α ) sin x + sin( x + y ) + sin( x + 2 y )
47 = −tan α 48 = tan (x + y)
sin(θ + α ) + sin(θ − α ) cos x + cos( x + y ) + cos( x + 2 y )
49 sin 5θ + sin 3θ − 2 sin 2θ cos θ = 2 sin 2θ cos 3θ 50 sin 2x + sin 4x + sin 6x = 4 cos x cos 2x sin 3x

51 sin2 5θ − sin2 3θ = sin 8θ sin 2θ 52 sin 35° − sin 25° = 3 sin 5°

53 cos 35° + cos 45° + cos 75° + cos 85° = 2 cos 5° cos 20°
2 −1 3 −1
54 2 cos 37.5° sin 7.5° = 55 sin 25° sin 35° − sin 20° sin 10° =
2 4
56 sin 10° + cos 40° = sin 70° 57 sin 48° + sin12° = 3
cos 48° + cos12° 3

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58 sin 3x − sin x = cot 2x 59 cos (A + B) cos (A − B) = cos2 A − sin2 B

cos x − cos 3x
sin(θ + φ ) − sin(θ − φ )
60 sin θ + sin 7θ = 2 cos 2θ − 1 61 = −cot θ
sin 3θ + sin5θ cos(θ + φ ) − cos(θ − φ )
sin A + sin( A + B ) + sin( A + 2 B )
62 cos 75° + cos15° = 3 63 = tan (A + B)
sin 75° − sin15° cos A + cos( A + B ) + cos( A + 2 B )
sin(n + 1)θ + 2 sin n θ + sin(n − 1)θ
64 = cot θ
cos(n − 1)θ − cos(n + 1)θ 2
65 If α + β + γ = π, show that sin 2α + sin 2β + sin 2γ = 4 sin α sin β sin γ.

4.6 OVERVIEW OF TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS

Equations of the form sinθ = sinα

Example 14
Find all values of θ for which sin θ = 1 .
2
y
Solution
sinθ = 1 Q P
2
6 ( 6) ( 6 )
∴ sinθ = sin π , sin π − π , sin 2π + π , …
–
6

Consider a coordinate diagram. 6

O x
∠XOP = π
6
∠XOQ = π − π
6
The ray OP defines an infinite number of angles in the first quadrant. If you rotate OP about the origin (either
clockwise or anticlockwise), then during each revolution it is along the original ray OP once.
Each full rotation increases the angle by 2π, so you find that OP is the terminal ray defining the angles:
• π , 2π + π , 4π + π , … for anticlockwise rotation
6 6 6
• −2π + π , −4π + π , −6π + π , … for clockwise rotation.
6 6 6
This result can be summarised as: nπ + π where n = 0, ±2, ±4, … [1]
6
or: n × 180° + 30° (in degrees)
Similarly, the terminal ray OQ defines an infinite number of angles:
π − π , 3π − π , 5π − π , … for anticlockwise rotation
6 6 6
−π − π , −3π − π , −5π − π , … for clockwise rotation.
6 6 6
This result can be summarised as: nπ − π where n = ±1, ±3, ±5, … [2]
6
or: n × 180° − 30° (in degrees)
Statements [1] and [2] can be written together as:
θ = n π + (−1)n π
6
or: θ = n × 180° + (−1)n × 30° (in degrees)
Note: (−1)n is 1 when n is zero or even, and is −1 when n is odd.

Following Example 14 above, the general solution to the equation sin θ = sin α can be written as:

θ = nπ + (−1)nα (in radians)

n
θ = n × 180° + (−1) α ° (in degrees) for any integer n.

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The general solution of trigonometric equations has not been included in this course. This material is included
to show why you have to be very careful to consider all possible results in the given domain when solving
trigonometric equations.
The pattern for this general solution can also be seen by considering the value of θ at the points of intersection of the
curves y = sin θ and y = 1 (from Example 14), as shown in the following diagram.
2
y
y = sinθ
1
y= 1
2
O
–3p –2p –p p p 2p 3p θ
6

From symmetry, you can observe that the line y = 1 intersects the sine curve at values of θ that are π units to the
2 6
right of nπ where n = 0, ±2, ±4, … and that are π units to the left of nπ when n = ±1, ±3, …
6
Both of these solutions are contained in the statement: θ = n π + (−1)n π
6
⎧n π + π , n even or zero
⎪ 6
or: θ = ⎨
⎪n π − π , n odd
⎩ 6

Example 15
( )
Solve sin θ + π = − 1 for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π.
4 2
Solution

( )
sin θ + π = − 1
4 2
(
4 )
sin θ < 0 in third and fourth quadrants: sin θ + π = sin 5π , sin 7π
4 4
θ+ =π 5π , 7 π
4 4 4
θ = π, 3π
2

Equations of the form cosθ = cos α

Example 16
Find all angles θ for which cos θ = 1 .
2
P
Solution y
cos θ = 1
2
( ) ( )
p
i.e. cos θ = cos π , cos 2π − π , cos 2π + π , … 3
3 3 3
π π π O x
3 , 2π + 3 , 4π + 3 , …
In the diagram, OP defines the angles: –p
3
and OQ defines the angles: − π , 2π − π , 4π − π , …
3 3 3
π
These results can be summarised as: θ = 2nπ ± where n is any integer
3 Q
or: θ = n × 360° ± 60° (in degrees)

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Following Example 16, above, the general solution to the equation cos θ = cos α can be written as:
θ = 2 nπ ± α (in radians)
θ = n × 360° ± α° (in degrees) for any integer n.
The pattern for this general solution can also be seen by considering the value of θ at the points of intersection of the
curves y = cos θ and y = 1 (from Example 16), as shown in the following diagram.
2
y
1
y= 1
2
O
–3p –2p –p p p p 2p 3p θ
–
3 3
y = cosq

From symmetry, you can observe that the line y = 1 intersects the cosine curve at values of θ that are π units
2 3
to the left and right of 2 nπ where n = 0, ±2, ±4, … i.e. θ = 2nπ ± π .
3

Example 17
Solve 2 cos (3x + 30°) + 3 = 0 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

Solution
2 cos (3x + 30°) = − 3

cos (3x + 30°) = − 3

2
cos θ < 0 in second and third quadrants: cos (3x + 30°) = cos 150°, cos 210°, …
As 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°, thus 0° ≤ 3x ≤ 3 × 360°, so two more revolutions are needed.
3x + 30° = 150°, 210°, 510°, 570°, 870°, 930°
3x = 120°, 180°, 480°, 540°, 840°, 900°
x = 40°, 60°, 160°, 180°, 280°, 300°

Equations of the form tanθ = tanα

Example 18
Find all the angles for which tan θ = 1, where θ is in radians.

Solution
tan θ = 1 y P

4 ( 4 ) (
i.e. tan θ = tan π , tan π + π , tan 2π + π , …
4 ) ⎛p + p ⎞
, 2π + π , 4π + π , …
⎝ 4⎠ p
In the diagram, OP defines the angles: π 4
4 4 4
x
π π
and OQ defines the angles: π + , 3π + , 5π + π , …
O
4 4 4
π
These results can be summarised as: θ = nπ + where n is any integer
4 Q
or: θ = n × 180° + 45° (in degrees)

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Following Example 18, the general solution to the equation tan θ = tan α can be written as:
θ = nπ + α (in radians)
θ = n × 180° + α° (in degrees) for any integer n.
y
2

The pattern for this general solution

y=1
can also be seen by considering the 1
value of θ at the points of intersection
of the curves y = tan θ and y = 1 O
–3p –2p –p 2p 3p
(from Example 17), as shown in the p p θ
4
diagram at right.
y = tan θ

From symmetry, you can observe that the line y = 1 intersects the tangent curve at values of θ, which are π units to
4
the right of nπ where n = 0, ±1, ±2, …

Example 19
Solve tan x = 3 cot x for −π ≤ x ≤ π.
Solution
tan x = 3 cot x
tan x = 3
tan x
tan2 x = 3
tan x = ± 3
Solution is in all four quadrants: x = −π + π , − π , π , π − π
3 3 3 3
x = − 2π , − π , π , 2π
3 3 3 3

EXERCISE 4.6 OVERVIEW OF TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS

1 Solve for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π.

(a) sin x = 1 (b) cos x = 0 (c) tan x = −1 (d) 3 cosec x = 2 (e) sec x = −2
(f) cot x = 3 ( π
(g) 2sin x − +1 = 0
6 ) x
(h) cos = 1
2
2
(i) 2 sin x = 1 (j) sin x = 0.3894
2 The solution to 4 cos2 x − 1 = 0 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π is:
A x= ,
π 2π B x= ,
π 5π C x= ,
π 2π , 4π , 5π π 5π , 7π , 11π
D x= ,
3 3 6 6 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6
3 Solve for −π ≤ x ≤ π.
(a) cos2 x − 2 cos x + 1 = 0 (b) sin2 x = sin x (c) cos 2x = sin x
2
(d) sin x = 1 − cos x (e) cos 2x = 2 + cos x (f) tan 2x = cot x
(g) cos 2x = cos x (h) 2 sin x = sec x (i) tan2 x = tan x
4 The solution to 2 cos (2x − 60°) = 3 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 180° is:
A x = 45° B x = 145° C x = 30°, 330° D x = 15°, 145°
5 Solve for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π.
(a) 2 sin 2θ +1 = 0 (
(b) tan θ − π = − 3
3 ) (c) cos 2θ cos π − sin 2θ sin π = 0.5
6 6
(d) tan θ = sin 2θ (e) tan θ = cot θ (f) sin 3θ + sin θ = 0 (g) sin 4θ − sin 2θ = 0

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6 Solve for −π ≤ θ ≤ π.
(a) cos 3θ = cos θ (b) 2 cos 2θ = 4 cos θ − 3 (c) 3 tan 2θ = 2 tan θ

( )
(d) tan 2θ − π +1 = 0
4 (
(e) 2cos 2θ − π = 3
3 ) (f) 2 sin2 θ + cos θ = 1
7 Solve for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.
(a) 4 + sin x = 6 cos2 x (b) sin x = cos x (c) 1 + 2 cos2 x = 5 sin x
8 Solve for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π.
(a) tan3 θ − tan θ = 0 (b) tan θ = sin θ (c) sec 2θ = cosec 2θ
(d) sin 2θ = tan θ (e) sin 3θ = sin 2θ

4.7 SIMPLE TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS

There is no general method for solving trigonometric equations and inequalities, but there are certain standard
procedures and types, as illustrated in the examples below.

Example 20
Solve the equation 3 sin 2θ = 1.5, 0 ≤ θ ≤ π .
Solution
3 sin 2θ = 1.5 This solution can be checked graphically by using graphing
∴ sin 2θ = 0.5 software to find the intersection of y = 3 sin 2θ and y = 1.5.
0 ≤ θ ≤ π means that 0 ≤ 2 θ ≤ 2π : Over the domain 0 ≤ θ ≤ π these functions intersect only twice.
If the domain is increased, there will be two more intersections
2θ = π , 5π
6 6 for each domain increase of π units.
Hence: θ = π , 5π
12 12

Example 21
(
Solve the equation cos 2x − π =
6 )
2
3
, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π.

Solution
3
Let θ = 2x − π : cos θ =
6 2
π 11π 11π
Hence: θ = … − 116π , − 6 , π6 , 6 , 2π + π6 , 2π + 6 , …
From the limits: 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
0 ≤ 2x ≤ 4π
π
But 2x = θ + : 0 ≤ θ + π ≤ 4π
6 6
− π ≤ θ ≤ 4π − π
6 6
∴ θ = − , , 11π , 2π + π , 2π + 11π
π π
6 6 6 6 6
π
∴ 2x − = − , , π π 11 π , 2π + , 2π + π
π 11
6 6 6 6 6 6
π 7
2x = 0, , 2π, , 4π π
3 3
x = 0, π , π, 7π , 2π
6 6

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Example 22
1
Find the values of x for which cos 2x ≤ , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π.
2
Solution
First solve the equation, then solve the inequality graphically.
Solve the equation: cos 2x = 1 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2π)
2
2x = π , 7π , 2π + π , 2π + 7π (as 0 ≤ 2x ≤ 4π, around the circle twice)
4 4 4 4
π
x= , , ,7π 9π 15 π
8 8 8 8
Now sketch the graph of y = cos 2x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π, y
1 1 y = cos 2x
showing the line y = also: 1
2 y= 1
√2 √2
Use the diagram to find where the graph of
1
y = cos 2x is on or below the line y = . O p p 7p p 9p 3p 15p 2p x
2
1 8 4 4 2 8
for π ≤ x ≤ 7π and
8
Hence cos2x ≤
2 8 8
–1
for 9π ≤x≤ 15 π .
8 8

EXERCISE 4.7 SIMPLE TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS

1 Solve for values of θ and x between 0 and 2π inclusive:

(a) sinθ = 3 (b) tan x = −1 (c) cos x = −0.5 (d) 3 tanθ = 1
2
(e) sin 2θ = − 12 (f) cosec θ = −2 (g) cot 2x = 3 (h) sec 2θ = 2

2 Solve between 0° and 360°: (a) cos x = 0.4 (b) 4 tan 2θ + 3 = 0

3 The solution to 2 sin2θ +1 = 0 for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π is:
A 5π , 7π B 5π , 7π C 5π , 7π , 13π , 15π D 5π , 7π , 13π , 15π
4 4 8 8 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4
4 Solve for −π ≤ x ≤ π : (a) 2 cos 2x + 1 = 0 (b) 2 sin2x −1 = 0
5 Solve between 0 and 2π inclusive:
( )
(a) sin θ + π = 1
4 2
(
(b) tan θ − π = − 3
3 ) (
(c) cos 2x + π = 1
3 2 ) (d) 2sin 2x − π = 1
6 ( )
( )
(e) tan 2θ − π +1 = 0
4 (
(f) 2cos 2x − π = 3
3 ) (g) sin2θ = −cos 7π
4
(h) sin x = cos x
6 Solve for 0° < x < 360°: (a) cos (2x + 60°) = 0.7242 (b) 5 sin (2x − 70°) + 4 = 0

7 If 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π, the solution to sin x ≤ 3 is:

2
A x≤ π π
B x ≤ or x ≥ 2π C 0 ≤ x ≤ π or x ≥ 2π D 0 ≤ x ≤ π or 2π ≤ x ≤ 2π
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
8 If 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π, solve: (a) sin x ≥ 1 (b) cosx < 1 (c) sin x > 0 (d) cosx >
3
2 2 2
(e) sin x < 1 (f) cos x > 0 (g) tan x > 1 (h) 2 cosx > −1
9 Solve for 0 < x < π : (a) sin2x ≥ 1 (b) cos 2x ≤ 0
2
10 Solve for −π < x < π : (a) 2sin2x ≤ 3 (b) 2 cos 2x > −1

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4.8 TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS INVOLVING ANGLE FORMULAE

You have already solved simple trigonometric equations, you can now use the angle formulae found in this chapter
to solve harder equations.

Example 23
Solve the equation sin 2x = 3 cos x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π.
Solution
As sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x: 2 sin x cos x = 3 cos x
cos x (2 sin x − 3) = 0
∴ cos x = 0 or sin x = 1.5
Because sin x ≤ 1, the only solution is cos x = 0.
∴ x = π , 3π
2 2

Example 24
Solve the equation cos 2x cos α − sin 2x sin α = −0.5, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π, where α = π .
6
Solution
Use the expansion of cos (A + B) to simplify the LHS:
cos 2x cosα − sin 2x sin α = cos (2x + α)

( )
Hence, as α = π : cos 2x + π = −0.5
6 6
2x + π = 2π , 4π , 2π + 2π , 2π + 4π
6 3 3 3 3
π 7π
2x = , , , 5π 19π
2 6 2 6
x = , 7π , 5π , 19π
π
4 12 4 12

Example 25
Solve for 0 ≤ θ ≤ π, the equation sin 2θ cos θ = sin 3θ cos 2θ.
Solution
sin 2θ cos θ = sin 3θ cos 2θ.
1 1
Convert each product to a sum: (sin (2θ + θ) + sin (2θ − θ)) = (sin (3θ + 2θ) + sin (3θ − 2θ))
2 2
sin 3θ + sin θ = sin 5θ + sin θ
Simplify: sin 3θ = sin 5θ
Rewrite: sin 5θ = sin 3θ
Solve: 5θ = 3θ, π − 3θ, 2π + 3θ, 3π − 3θ, 4π + 3θ, 5π − 3θ, 6π + 3θ, 7π − 3θ.
0 ≤ θ ≤ π: 2θ = 0, 2π, 4π, …
θ = 0, π
and 8θ = π, 3π, 5π, 7π.
θ = π , 3π , 5π , 7π .
8 8 8 8
π 3π , 5π , 7π , π.
The complete solution is: θ = 0, ,
8 8 8 8

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Example 26
Solve for 0 ≤ θ ≤ π, the equation cos 3θ + cos θ = cos 2θ.
Solution
cos 3θ + cos θ = cos 2θ
⎛ 3θ + θ ⎞ ⎛ 3θ − θ ⎞
Convert the LHS to a product: 2 cos ⎜ ⎟ cos ⎜ = cos 2θ
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎟⎠
2 cos 2θ cos θ = cos 2θ
Rearrange: cos 2θ (2 cos θ − 1) = 0
Solve: cos 2θ = 0 or cos θ = 1
2
π
2θ = , 3π or θ = π .
2 2 3
The complete solution is: θ = π , π , 3π .
4 3 4

EXERCISE 4.8 TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS INVOLVING ANGLE FORMULAE

1 Solve: (a) cos 2θ = cos θ, 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π (b) 2 cos 2θ = 4 cos θ − 3, 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π

(c) 3 tan 2θ = 2 tan θ, 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π (d) tan θ + 2 cot θ = 3, 0° ≤ θ ≤ 360°
2 The solution to 5 sin x = 2 sec x for 0° ≤ x ≤ 180° is:
A x = 11° 47′ or 78° 13′ B x = 23° 34′ or 156° 26′
C x = 26° 34′ or 63° 26′ D x = 53° 8′ or 126° 52′

3 Solve: (a) cos 2x cos π − sin 2x sin π = 1 , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π (b) sin 2x cos π + cos 2x sin π =
3 , −π ≤ x ≤ π
6 6 2 3 3 2
4 The solution to sin θ = cos 2θ for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π is:
A θ = 7π , 11π B θ = π , 7π , 11π C θ = π , 5π , 3π D θ = π , 5π
6 6 2 6 6 6 6 2 6 6
5 Solve tan θ = sin 2 θ, 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π. 6 Solve cos 2 θ = 2cos 2 θ , 0° ≤ θ ≤ 360°.
2
7 Solve sin 3x cos x − cos 3x sin x = 3 , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π. 8 Solve tan 2θ = 2 tan θ, 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π.
2
9 Solve for 0 ≤ θ ≤ π, the equations:
(a) sin 4θ cos θ = sin 3θ cos 2θ (b) sin 3θ cos 2θ = sin 5θ cos 4θ (c) cos 2θ sin θ = cos 3θ sin 2θ
10 Solve for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π, the equations:
(a) 2 cos x +( 3 )
π cos x = 1 (b) 2 sin 3x sin x = 1

(c) sin x cos x −( π = 0.3

3 ) (d) cos 2x cos x = cos 3x

11 Solve for 0 ≤ θ ≤ π, the equations:

(a) sin 4θ − sin 2θ = cos 3θ (b) cos θ + cos 2θ + cos 3θ = 0

(
(c) sin θ + )
π + sin θ + π = 1
4 12 ( ) (d) sin 4θ + sin 2θ = sin 3θ + sin θ

12 Solve for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π, the equations:

(a) sin 2x − sin x = cos 2x − cos x (b) sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x = 0
(c) cos 2x − cos x + 1 = 0 (d) cos 3x − cos 2x + cos x = 1

92 New Senior Mathematics Extension 1 for Years 11 & 12

 YEAR 11

CHAPTER REVIEW 4
1− t 2 tanθ − tan π6 sin 2θ − sin θ
1 Simplify: (a) , where t = tan θ (b) (c)
1+ t 2 2 1+ tan π6 tanθ cos 2θ − cos θ + 1
2 Solve 2 tan 2x − 1 = 0 for 0° < x < 360°.
3 Simplify:
2 tan θ2
(a) sin (θ + ϕ) cos ϕ − cos (θ + ϕ) sin ϕ (b) (c) sin x cos x cos 2x cos 4x
1 − tan2 θ2

4 (a) Show that cos (A + B) = cos A cos B (1 − tan A tan B).

(b) Suppose that 0 < A < π and 0 < B < π . Show by deduction that if tan A tan B = 1 then A + B = π .
2 2 2
cosθ 2 1− cos2θ
5 Show that: (a) = sec θ − tan θ (b) tan θ = , given that cos 2θ ≠ −1.
1+ sinθ 1+ cos2θ
6 Use the expansion of tan 2A to show that the exact value of tan 22.5° = 2 − 1. Hence find the exact value of
tan 11.25°.
7 Solve the following equations for 0 ≤ x ≤ π.
(a) cos 3x = cos 2x cos x (b) cos 3x + cos 5x + cos 7x = 0

8 Solve for −π ≤ x ≤ π.
(a) cos x − sin x = 1 (b) sin 4x − sin 2x = 0 (c) cos x − 3 sin x = 1

Chapter 4 Further trigonometric identities 93