Republic of the Philippines

Mountain Province State Polytechnic College

Bontoc, Mountain Province

TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES AND EQUATIONS

INTRODUCTION

Trigonometric identities are equations that are true for all angles θ for
which both sides of the equation defined. It also means the equality of
trigonometric functions. In this module we will discuss several trigonometric
identities involving trigonometric functions. These identities are often use to
simplify complicated equations. On the other hand, variables of these
trigonometric equations are in terms of trigonometric functions.
This module comprises of two lessons:

Lesson 1. Trigonometric Identities

Lesson 2. Trigonometric Equations

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. prove trigonometric identities;
2. solve trigonometric equations.

PRE-TEST

Prove each identity

1 1+cos θ
1. sec θ = csc θ tan θ 4. tan θ + =
csc θ 𝑐𝑜𝑡 θ
sin 2θ+sin θ
2.2sin2 θ = 1-cos 2 θ 5. = tan θ
cos 2θ+cos θ+1
3. cos θ cot θ + sin θ = csc θ

LESSON 1: Trigonometric Identities

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. simplify trigonometric identities.
2. find the exact value of trigonometric identities
3. prove and verify trigonometric identities

Basic Identities

Reciprocal

1 1
csc θ = 𝑜𝑟 sin θ = 𝑜𝑟 1 = sin θ con θ
sin θ cos θ
Ratio

sin θ sin θ
tan θ = 𝑜𝑟 cos θ = 𝑜𝑟 sin θ = cos θ tan θ
cos θ tan θ

cos θ cos θ
cot θ = 𝑜𝑟 sin θ = 𝑜𝑟 cos θ = sin θ cot θ
sin θ cot θ

Pythagorean

cos 2 θ + sin2 θ = 1 𝑜𝑟 sin2 θ = 1 − cos 2 θ 𝑜𝑟 cos 2 θ = 1 − sin2 θ

1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ 𝑜𝑟 tan2 θ = sec2 θ − 1 𝑜𝑟 1 = sec2 θ + tan2 θ
1 + cot 2 θ = csc2 θ 𝑜𝑟 cot 2 θ = csc2 θ − 1 𝑜𝑟 1 = csc2 θ + cot 2 θ

Sum and Difference Formula

sin(𝐴 + 𝐵) = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵

cos(𝐴 + 𝐵) = cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵
sin(𝐴 − 𝐵) = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 − cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵
cos(𝐴 − 𝐵) = cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵

tan 𝐴 + tan 𝐵
tan(𝐴 + 𝐵) =
1 − tan 𝐴 tan 𝐵

tan 𝐴 − tan 𝐵
tan(𝐴 − 𝐵) =
1 + tan 𝐴 tan 𝐵

Double-Angle and Half-Angle Formulas

1 1 − cos θ
sin 2θ = 2sin θ cos θ sin2 θ =
2 2

1 1 + cos θ
cos 2θ = cos 2 θ − sin θ cos 2 θ =
2 2

2 tan θ 1 1 − cos θ
tan 2θ = tan2 θ =
1 − tan2 θ 2 1 + cos θ

Applying the concept of identities, we will solve the following examples:

Illustrative Example 1. Simplify cos 2 θ + tan2 θ

Solution:
sin2 θ sin2 θ
cos 2 θ + tan2 θ = cos 2 θ . 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 tan2 θ =
cos 2 θ cos 2 θ

= 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝛉 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑙 cos 2 θ

Illustrative Example 2. Simplify 3 sin2 θ + cos 2 θ

Solution:
3 sin2 θ + cos 2 θ = 3 sin2 θ + (1 − sin2 θ) 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 cos 2 θ = 1 − sin2 θ

= 3 sin2 θ + 1 − sin2 θ 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦

= 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝛉 + 𝟏 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠

1
Note:
Now in proving identities, there are no specific rules in proving an identity. A lot
depends on intuition, insight, and logical analysis. However, there are some
suggested general rules that could help facilitate the proving of trigonometric
identities as follows;

1. In general, manipulate the more complicated side and try to reduce it

to the exact form of the other side
2. It is often more convenient to express functions in terms of sine and
cosine.
3. Be familiar with the basic algebraic manipulations like factoring,
squaring, combining, terms, and reducing complex expressions.
4. Be thoroughly familiar with the eight fundamental trigonometric
identities.

Illustrative Example 3. Prove cos A + sin A tan A = sec A

sin 𝐴
cos A + sin A tan A = sec A but tan A = cos 𝐴
sin 𝐴
cos 𝐴 + sin 𝐴 (𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝐴 ) = sec 𝐴 substitute
2 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴
= sec 𝐴 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝐴 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐴 = 1
cos 𝐴
1 1
= sec 𝐴 𝑏𝑢𝑡 = sec 𝐴
cos 𝐴 cos 𝐴
sec A = sec A

Illustrative Example 4. Prove sec B + csc B = csc B(tan B + 1)

1 sin 𝐵
sec B + csc B = csc B (tan B + 1) 𝑏𝑢𝑡 csc 𝐵 = sin 𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝐵 = 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝐵

1 sin 𝐵
sec B + csc B = ( + 1)
sin 𝐵 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝐵

1 sin B 1
sec B + csc B = ( )( )+ ( ) (1) 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦
sin B Cos B sin B

1 1 1 1
sec B + csc B = ( )+ ( ) 𝑏𝑢𝑡 = sec 𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 = csc 𝐵
Cos B sin B Cos B sin B

Sec B + csc B = sec B + csc B

Illustrative Example 5. Prove cos4 A + cos2 A Sin2 A = cot2 A sin2 A

cos 4 A + cos 2 A sin2 A = cot 2 A sin 2 A factor out 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐴 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐴
𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 𝐴
𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝐴 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
cos 𝐴2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 A( cos 2 A + sin2 A) = sin 2 A but 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 A + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 A = 1 in the left side
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 𝐴
of the equation; then cancel out 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 A in the right
side of teh equation
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 A(1) = cos 𝐴 2
Cos2 A = cos2 A

2
 cot B−tan B
Illustrative Example 6. Prove 2cos 2 B − 1 = cot B+ta B
cot B − tan B cos 𝐵 sin 𝐵
2cos 2 B − 1 = 𝑏𝑢𝑡 cot 𝐵 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 tan 𝐵 =
cot B + ta B sin 𝐵 cos 𝐵

cos 𝐵 sin 𝐵
−
2cos 2 B − 1 = sin 𝐵 cos 𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦
cos 𝐵 sin 𝐵
sin 𝐵 + cos 𝐵

𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵
2cos 2 B − 1 = cos B sin 𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵
cos B sin 𝐵

2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵 cos B sin 𝐵
2cos B − 1 = ( )( ) 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦
cos B sin 𝐵 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝐵 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵

𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵
2cos 2 B − 1 = 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 = 1
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵

𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵
2cos 2 B − 1 = 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦
1

2cos 2 B − 1 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐵 = 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵

2cos 2 B − 1 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 − (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵) 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦

2cos 2 B − 1 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 − 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝐵 𝑎𝑑𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝐵 )

𝟐𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝐁 − 𝟏 = 𝟐𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝑩 − 𝟏

Illustrative Example 7. Prove (1 - cos2θ) csc2θ = 1

Solution:
Because sin2θ + cos2θ = 1, we have sin2 θ = 1 - cos2θ
Then, 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ѳ 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 Ѳ = 1
1
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ѳ ( 2 ) = 1
𝑠𝑖𝑛 Ѳ
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ѳ
=1
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ѳ
𝟏=𝟏

Illustrative Example 8. Prove sec Ѳ √(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ѳ) = 1

Solution:
Because sin2θ + cos2θ = 1, we have cos2θ = 1 - sin2θ
Then,
sec Ѳ √(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ѳ) = 1
sec Ѳ √𝑐𝑜𝑠 2Ѳ = 1
sec Ѳ cos Ѳ = 1
1
sec Ѳ ( )=1
sec Ѳ
sec Ѳ
=1
sec Ѳ
1=1

3
Illustrative Example 9. Prove tan θ sin θ + cos θ = sec θ

Solution:
tan θ sin θ + cos θ = sec θ

sin Ѳ
( ) sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ = sec Ѳ
cos Ѳ

sin2 Ѳ
+ cos Ѳ = sec Ѳ
cos Ѳ

sin2 Ѳ + sin2 Ѳ
= sec Ѳ
cos Ѳ

1
= sec Ѳ
cos Ѳ

Sec Ѳ = Sec Ѳ

Illustrative Example 10. Prove (1 - cos θ)(1 + cos θ)(1 + cot2θ) = 1

Solution
Because sin2θ + cos2θ = 1, we have sin2θ = 1 - cos2θ

Then,
(1 - cos θ)(1 + cos θ)(1 + cot2θ) = 1
(1 – cos2 θ)(1 + cot2θ) = 1
(sin2 Ѳ)(1 + cot2θ) = 1
sin2 Ѳ + sin2 Ѳ cot2θ = 1
2 2
cos 2 Ѳ
sin Ѳ + sin Ѳ ( 2 ) = 1
sin Ѳ
sin2 Ѳ + cos2 Ѳ = 1
1 =1

Illustrative Example 11. Prove cot θ + tan θ = sec θ csc θ

Solution:
cot θ + tan θ = sec θ csc θ

cos Ѳ sin Ѳ
+ = sec Ѳ csc Ѳ
sin Ѳ cos Ѳ

cos 2 Ѳ + sin2 Ѳ
= sec Ѳ csc Ѳ
sin Ѳ cos Ѳ

1
= sec Ѳ csc Ѳ
sin Ѳ cos Ѳ
1 1
( )( ) = sec Ѳ csc Ѳ
cos Ѳ sin Ѳ

sec θ csc θ = sec θ csc θ

4
 cos Ѳ sin Ѳ
Illustrative Example 12. Prove + = sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
1−tan Ѳ 1−cot Ѳ

Solution:
cos Ѳ sin Ѳ
+ = sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
1 − tan Ѳ 1 − cot Ѳ

cos Ѳ sin Ѳ
+ = sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
sin Ѳ cos Ѳ
1 − cos Ѳ 1 − sin Ѳ

cos Ѳ sin Ѳ
+ = sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
cos Ѳ − sin Ѳ sin Ѳ − cos Ѳ
cos Ѳ sin Ѳ

cos Ѳ sin Ѳ
( cos Ѳ) ( ) + (sin Ѳ) ( ) = sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
cos Ѳ − sin Ѳ sin Ѳ − cos Ѳ
cos 2 Ѳ sin 2 Ѳ
+ = sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
cos Ѳ − sin Ѳ sin Ѳ − cos Ѳ
cos 2 Ѳ + sin 2 Ѳ
= sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
cos Ѳ − sin Ѳ
(cos Ѳ + sin Ѳ)(cos Ѳ − sin Ѳ)
= sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
cos Ѳ − sin Ѳ
cos Ѳ + sin Ѳ = sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ
Sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ = sin Ѳ + cos Ѳ

Illustrative Example 13. Prove tan 4 Ѳ + tan2 Ѳ = sec4 Ѳ − sec2 Ѳ

Solution:
tan 4 Ѳ + tan2 Ѳ = sec4 Ѳ − sec2 Ѳ
tan2 Ѳ (tan2 Ѳ + 1) = sec4 Ѳ – sec2 Ѳ
sec2 – 1 (sec2 Ѳ) = sec4 Ѳ – sec2 Ѳ
sec4 Ѳ – sec2 Ѳ = sec4 Ѳ – sec2 Ѳ

Illustrative Example 14.

sec Ѳ − 1
Prove √ = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
sec Ѳ + 1
Solution:
sec Ѳ − 1
√ = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
sec Ѳ + 1

sec Ѳ − 1 sec Ѳ − 1
√( )( ) = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
sec Ѳ + 1 sec Ѳ − 1

(sec Ѳ − 1)2
√ = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
𝑠𝑒𝑐 2Ѳ − 1

(sec Ѳ − 1)2
√ = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
𝑡𝑎𝑛2 Ѳ
sec Ѳ − 1
= csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
tan Ѳ

5
 sec Ѳ 1
− = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
tan Ѳ tan Ѳ
1
cos Ѳ − cot Ѳ = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
sin Ѳ
cos Ѳ
1 cos Ѳ
( )( ) − cot Ѳ = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
cos Ѳ sin Ѳ
1
( ) − cot Ѳ = csc Ѳ − cot Ѳ
sin Ѳ
𝐜𝐬𝐜 Ѳ − 𝐜𝐨𝐭 Ѳ = 𝐜𝐬𝐜 Ѳ − 𝐜𝐨𝐭 Ѳ (𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝)

Illustrative Example 15.

1 − sin 𝐴
Prove = (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
1 + sin 𝐴

Solution:
1 − sin 𝐴
= (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
1 + sin 𝐴
1 − sin 𝐴 1 − sin 𝐴
( )( ) = (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
1 + sin 𝐴 1 − sin 𝐴
(1 − sin 𝐴)2
= (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
(1 + sin 𝐴)(1 − sin 𝐴)
(1 − sin 𝐴)2
= (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐴
(1 − sin 𝐴)2
2
= (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴
(1 − sin 𝐴)2
= (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
(cos 𝐴)2
1 − sin 𝐴 2
( ) = (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
cos 𝐴
1 sin 𝐴 2
( − ) = (sec 𝐴 − tan 𝐴)2
cos 𝐴 cos 𝐴
(𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝐀 − 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐀)𝟐 = (𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝐀 − 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐀)𝟐

It’s your turn

Instruction: Solve what is asked. Write your answers in a separate long bond
paper. Show complete SOLUTIONS to gain points!
1 1
1. simplify 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐴 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝐴
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 𝜃
2. 1 - 𝑡𝑎𝑛2𝜃
3. Prove sin 3x = 3cos 2 x sin x − sin2 x
csc2x
4. Prove sec 2x = csc2x−2
1+cos Ѳ sin Ѳ
5. Prove + = 2 csc Ѳ
sin Ѳ 1+cos Ѳ
𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 Ѳ−1
6. Prove = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 Ѳ 2
𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 Ѳ
1 1
7. Prove 1−cos B + 1+cos B = 2csc 2
8. Prove (cot 2 A + 1)(sin2 A − 1) = −cot 2 A

6
LESSON 2. Trigonometric Equations

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. solve trigonometric equations;

2. accurately prove the given identity; and
3. simplify the given identity.

Trigonometric equations are equations that involve trigonometric

functions which is true to all independent variables. Similar in solving
polynomial equations, only specified values of the variable will be solutions, if of
course there are solutions at all. Often we will solve some trigonometric
equations over a specified interval. Thus, we will be asked to find all possible
solutions and since trigonometric functions are periodic, it may have an infinite
number of solutions.
In solving trigonometric equations, there are general techniques of solving
algebraic equations. It requires the same techniques as solving algebraic
expressions. These may involve factoring, or the quadratic formula. The following
could help you solve most of the trigonometric equations.
1. Inspect the equation and find out whether the terms can be simplified
further.
2. Simplify by transferring terms from one side of the equation, reducing
fractions to the lowest terms, or extracting square roots of terms in the
quadratic formula.
3. Refer to table concerning the related angles and signs of the
trigonometric functions of angle ө in the four quadrants.

The following table will help you find the locations of the angles that satisfy
trigonometric equations.

Table 1. Trigonometric functions on the interval 00≤ θ≤3600

Function Positive Negative
Sine Quadrants I and II Quadrants III and IV
Cosine Quadrants I and IV Quadrants II and III
Tan Quadrants I and III Quadrants II and IV-

To understand further the concept above, let’s solve some illustrative

examples.

Illustrative Example 1. Solve for θ of the equation 2 cos θ – 3 = 5, 0≤ θ≤1800

Solution:
By algebraic techniques to solve the equation, we get:

2 cos θ – 3 = - 5 given
2 cos θ = 2 subtract 3 from both sides of the equation
cos θ = -1
θ = cos-1 -1
θ = 1800
Thus, the solution set is 1800

Illustrative Example 2. Solve for θ of the equation 2 sin2 θ –1 = 0, 0≤ θ≤3600

Solution:
2 sin2 θ –1 = 0 Given
2 sin2 θ = 1 add 1 to both sides of the equation
1
sin θ = 2
2 divide both sides of the equation by 2

7
 1
√𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = √2 get the square of both sides (square root property)
1 √2
sin θ = ± =± rationalizing the denominator
√2 2
√2
θ = sin-1 ± get the arcsine
2
θ = 450
1350
Since θ is between 0 to 3600 (0≤ θ≤3600) the solution 450
set are 450

θ = 450, 1350, 2252, 3150 (see figure 3.2.1)

0 450
225 45
0

3150

Figure 3.2.1

Illustrative Example 3. Solve for θ of the equation 6 cos θ +7 = 3,

0≤ θ≤1800
Solution
5 cos θ +7 = 3 given
5 cos θ = -4 subtract 7 to each side of the equation
4
cos θ = − 5 divide both sides of the equation by 5
4
θ = cos-1 (− 5) get the arccosine
θ = 143.13 or 1430

The solution set is 1430. There is one solution since the interval is from 0 0 to
1800 (0≤ θ≤1800) only.

If we want to extend the interval from 00 to 3600. There would be a 3rd quadrant
4
angle such that cos θ = − (the sign of cos in third quadrat is negative).To find
5
the third-quadrant angle, find the reference angle of θ. Thus, the reference of θ
is 1800 – 1430 = 370. If we let R as the reference angle, the measure of the third
quadrant angle is:

θ = 1800 + R =1800 + 1300 = 2170

Therefore, the solution set is 1430 and 2170

Illustrative Example 4. Solve for x in the equation sin x cot x = ½, (0≤ x≤900)
Solution:
1
sin x cot x = 2 given
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
sin x ( sin 𝑥 ) = 2
but cot x = sin 𝑥
1
cos x = 2 cancel out sin x
1
x= cos2 2 get the arc cosine
x = 600

There is only one solution since the interval is from 00 to 900 only

8
 tan 𝐴
Illustrative Example 5. Solve A in the equation = 1, (0≤ A≤5400)
𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝐴+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝐴
Solutions

tan 𝐴
=1 given
𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝐴+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝐴

tan 𝐴
=1 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝐴 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝐴 = 1
1

tan 𝐴 = 1
A= tan-1 1
A = 450 get the arc tan

Since angle A is between 0 to 3600 (0≤ θ≤3600) and the sign of tan in the 1st and
3rd quadrant is positive, the solution set are

A = 450, 2250, and 4050

Illustrative Example 6. Solve the equation tan2 B + tan B = 0, (0≤ B≤3600)

Solution: tan2 B + tan B = 0 given

Tan B(tan B + 1) = 0 factor out tan B

tan B = 0, tan B + 1 = 0

a. tan B = 0

B = tan-1 0
B = 900

The solution set are 900 and 1800

b. tan B + 1 = 0
tan B = -1 subtract 1 for both sides of the equation
B = tan -1
-1

B = 1350 get the arc tan

Since tan is negative at 2nd and 4th Quadrant, the solution set is 1350 and 3150
Illustrative Example 7. Solve the equation Sec2 A – sec A – 2 = 0, (0≤ θ≤3600)

Solution:
sec2 θ – sec θ – 2 = 0 given

(sec θ – 2)(sec θ + 1) = 0 factor the equation

a. sec θ – 2 = 0
sec θ = 2 subtract 2 for both sides of the equation
1 1
= 2 but sec θ =cos θ
cos θ
1
cos θ = 2
simplify
1
θ= cos-1 2
θ = 60o
Since cos is positive at 1 and 4th Quadrant, the solution set are 600 and 3200
st

b. sec θ + 1 = 0
sec θ = -1 subtract 1 for both sides of the equation

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 1 1
= -1 but sec θ =cos θ
cos θ
cos θ = -1 simplify
θ = cos -1
-1

θ = 180o
Since cos is negative at 2nd and 3rd quadrant, the solution set are
θ = 180o and 2700

It’s Your Turn

Find the exact solution set of each equation 00≤ θ≤3600. Write your solution and
answer in a separate long bond paper. No Solution No Point!
1. sin 2 θ – 1 = 0
2. 2 cos θ – sec θ = 1
3. sin θ – csc θ = 1
4. 2 cos θ -1 = 0
5. 4 sin θ -1 = 2 sin θ +1

References
Hart, W. (1943). Plane and spherical trigonometry with application. Boston, USA:
D,C. Heart and Company
Landicho, El. (2014). Trigonometry. Quezon City, Philippines: MSA Publishing
House
Marcel B. & Finan, M. (2003), A semester course in trigonometry.
https://faculty.atu.edu/mfinan/trigbook.pdf
Stitz,C.& Zeager, J. (2013), College trigonometry,
https://stitz-zeager.com/szct07042013.pdf
Tan,V. & Perez, F. (1950), Plane and spherical trigonometry with solid geometry.
Manila, Philippines: Macaraig Publishing Co,
Corral, M. (2008). Trigonometry. www.mecmath.net/trig/trigbook.pdf

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