C3 Trigonometry

In C2 you were introduced to radian measure and had to find areas

of sectors and segments. In addition to this you solved trigonometric
equations using the identities below.
Sin 2 Cos 2 1
Tan

Sin
Cos

By the end of this unit you should:

Have a knowledge of secant, cosecant and cotangent and of arcsin,
arcos and arctan. Their relationship to sine, cosine and tangent and
their respective graphs including appropriate restrictions of the
domain.
Have a knowledge of 1 Cot 2 Co sec2 and Tan 2 1 Sec2 .
Have a knowledge of double angle formulae and r formulae.

New trigonometric functions

The following three trigonometric functions are the reciprocals of sine,
cosine and tan. The way to remember them is by looking at the third
letter.

Secx

1
Cosx

Co sec x

Cotx

1
Sinx

1
Tanx

These three trigonometric functions are use to derive two more

identities.
New Identities
Starting with Sin 2 Cos 2 1 and by dividing by Sin 2 gives:
Sin 2 Cos 2
1

2
2
Sin Sin Sin 2

Using the new functions outlined above and the fact that Cot
this becomes:

1 Cot 2 Co sec2 .

Returning to Sin 2 Cos 2 1 and by dividing by Cos 2 gives:

Therefore:

Sin 2 Cos 2
1

2
2
Cos Cos Cos 2
Tan 2 1 Sec2 .

Cos
Sin

The three identities will be used time and again. Try to remember them
but you should also be able to derive them as outlined above.
Sin 2 Cos 2 1

1 Cot 2 Co sec2

Tan 2 1 Sec2

Example 1
Solve for 0 360 the equation
5 tan2 sec 1 ,
giving your answers to 1 decimal place.
You should have come across questions of this type in C2 using the
identity cos2 sin2 1 . The given equation has a single power of sec
therefore we must use an identity to get rid of the tan 2.
tan2 1 sec2
So the equation becomes:
5 sec2 5 sec 1
5 sec2 sec 6 0
We now have a quadratic in sec so by factorising:
5 sec2 sec 6 0
(5 sec 6)(sec 1) 0
sec =

-6
5

sec 1

cos=

-5
6

cos=1

146.4 ,213.6
0 ,360

Inverse Trigonometric Functions.

Functions are introduced in C3 and we use the concept of inverses to find
the following functions (remember that the inverse of a function in

graphical terms is its reflection in the line y = x). The domain of the
original trigonometric function has to be restricted to ensure that it is
still one to one. It is also worth remembering that the domain and range
swap over as you go from the function to the inverse. ie in the first case
the domain of sinx is restricted to
range of the inverse function.

sin x and this becomes the

2
2

y=arcsinx
Domain

1 x 1

Range

arcsin x
2
2

Example
Find
arcsin0.5 = y
Simply swap around
Siny = 0.5
y = /6

y=arccosx
Domain

1 x 1
0 arccos x

Range

y=arctanx
Domain
Range

arctan x
2
2

Addition Formulae
A majority of the formulae in C3 need to be learnt. Ones in red are in
the formula book.
Sin (A B ) SinACosB CosASinB
Cos (A B ) CosACosB SinASinB
Tan (A B )

TanA TanB
TanATanB

The examples below use addition formulae.

Example
Given that Sin A =
reflex find:
a)
Sin (A + B)

4
12
and that Cos B =
where A is obtuse and B is
13
5

b)

Cos (A B)

c)

Cot (A B)

Before we start the question it is advisable to draw the graphs of Sin x

and Cos x.

Since A is obtuse the cosine of A must be negative and by using the

Pythagorean triple Cos A =

5
. The angle B is slightly more tricky. We
13

are told that B is reflex but we know that Cos B is positive. Therefore B
must be between 270 and 360 and so Sin B is negative.
Hence Sin B =

3
.
5

We are now ready to attempt part (a)

Sin A =
a)

12
13

Cos A =

5
13

Sin B =

3
5

Cos B =

4
5

Using the formula above to find Sin (A + B)

Sin (A + B) = Sin A Cos B + Sin B Cos A

b)

c)

Sin (A + B) =

12 4 3 5

13 5
5
13

Sin (A + B) =

33
65

Cos (A B) = Cos A Cos B + Sin A Sin B

Cos (A B) =

5 4 12 3

13 5 13 5

Cos (A B) =

56
65
1

1 TanATanB

Cot (A B) = Tan (A B ) TanA TanB

The graphs above show the range of values that A and B lie within so we
need to consider the Tan graph at these points.

I have included the diagrams below to help in my calculations.

13

12

B
5

Therefore
Tan A =

3
12
since for obtuse angles the tan graph is
5

negative and:
Tan B =
So finally

4
for the same reason.
3

Cot (A B) =

1 TanATanB
TanA TanB

12 4

5
3
Cot (A B) =
12 4

5
3
63
63
15
Cot (A B) = 16
16
15
1

The above example may appear to be a little mean by being non calculator
but it is an opportunity to really start thinking about the angles and
graphs involved.
Double angle Formulae
The Addition Formulae are used to derive the double angle formulae.
In all cases let A=B, therefore:

Sin A SinACosA
Cos A Cos A Sin A
Tan A

TanA
TanA

The second of the identities above is combined with Sin 2 Cos 2 1 to

express Sin2 and Cos2 in terms of Cos2. This is vital when you are
asked to integrate Sin2 and Cos2.
If we start by trying to express the right hand side of the identity
Cos Cos Sin in terms of Cos2 only.
Cos 2 Cos 2 Sin 2

- Sin2 Cos2
Cos 2 2Cos 2 1

Rearranging to make Cos2 the subject:

Cos

Cos

A similar approach is used to find the identity for Sin 2:

Sin

Cos

Please note that this derivation has been tested on a C3 past paper.
Example
Given that sin x =

3
, use an appropriate double angle formula to find the
5

exact value of sec 2x.

From earlier work you should remember that Secx

Sec 2 x

1
Cos 2 x

1
and hence
Cosx

Using the identity above:

Cos 2 Cos 2 Sin 2

Therefore:

and the fact that: Cos 2 1 - Sin 2

Cos 2 1 2 Sin 2

and

Sec 2 x

1
1 2 Sin 2

1
3
1 2
5

5
7

Heres one to complete yourselves!

Prove that
cot 2x + cosec 2x

cot x,

(x

n
,n
2

).

Sum and Difference Formulae

SinA SinB 2Sin

AB
AB
Cos
2
2

SinA SinB 2Cos

AB
AB
Sin
2
2

CosA CosB 2Cos

AB
AB
Cos
2
2

CosA CosB 2Sin

AB
AB
Sin
2
2

The following examples deal with a variety of the identities outlined

above. Be warned, some are more complex than others.
Example 2
Given that tan 2x = , show that tan x = 2 5
Using the double angle formula:
tan2x

2tan x
1 tan2 x

1
2tan x

2 1 tan2 x
1 tan2 x 4 tan x
tan2 x 4 tan x 1 0
Using the quadratic formula to solve a quadratic in tan:
tan2 x 4 tan x 1 0

tan x

4 42 4
2

tan x

4 20 4 2 5

2
2

tan x 2 5

Example 3
(i)

Given that cos(x + 30) = 3 cos(x 30), prove that tan x = 3

.
2
Using double angle formulae:
cosx cos30 sinx sin30 = 3cosxcos30 + 3sinxsin30
2cosx cos30 = -4 sinx sin30 sin 30 = ,

cos 30 =

3 cosx = -2sinx
tan x = (ii)

(a)

3
2

Prove that

1 cos 2
= tan .
sin 2

Using the fact that cos2 1 2sin2

3
2

Rewriting the fraction:

1 cos2 1 2sin2 1

sin2
2sin cos

sin
tan
cos

(b)

Verify that = 180 is a solution of the equation

sin 2 = 2 2 cos 2 .
Too easy! Simply let = 180

(c)

Using the result in part (a), or otherwise, find the

other two solutions, 0 < < 360 , of the equation
sin 2 = 2 2 cos 2.
sin 2 = 2 2 cos 2
sin 2 = 2(1 cos 2)
1 1 cos2

2
sin2

Therefore from part (a):

tan = 0.5
= 26.6, 206.6

Example 4
Find the values of tan such that
2
2 sin - sinsec = 2sin2 - 2.
Remembering that sec
equation becomes:

1
and the double angle formulae, the
cos

2sin2 tan 4 sin cos 2 Dividing by cos2

2tan2 tan sec2 4 tan 2sec2

sec2 1 tan2

2tan2 tan tan3 4 tan 2 2tan2

tan3 4 tan2 5 tan 2 0
We now have a trigonometric polynomial:
t 3 4 t2 5 t 2 0
By using factor theorem (t 1) is a factor, therefore:
(t 1)(t2 3t + 2) = (t 1)(t 1)(t 2)
Hence
tan = 1

tan = 2

Example 5
(i)

Given that sin x =

3
, use an appropriate double angle formula to
5

find the exact value of sec 2x.

We can use a 3,4,5 Pythagorean triangle to show that cos x =

sec 2x =

1
cos2x

1
1

2
cos2x cos x sin2 x

(ii)

16 9

25 25

25
7

Prove that
cot 2x + cosec 2x cot x,

(x

n
, n
2

).

4
5

Left hand side becomes:

cos2x
1

sin2x sin2x
using cos2x 2cos2 x 1 and common denomenator of sin2x
2cos2 x
2cos2 x
cos x

cot x
sin2x
2sin x cos x sin x

R Formulae
Expressions of the type aSin bCos can be written in terms of sine or
cosine only and hence equations of the type aSin bCos c can be
solved. The addition formulae outlined above are used in the derivation.
In most you cases you will be told which addition formula to use.
Example 6
Given
a)
b)

c)
d)

a)

f(x) = 14cos 5sin

that f(x) = Rcos( + ), where R 0 and 0 90 ,
find the value of R and .
Hence solve the equation
14cos 5sin = 8
for 0 360 , giving your answers to 1 dp.
Write down the minimum value of 14cos 5sin.
Find, to 2 dp, the smallest value positive value of for which
this minimum occurs.
Using the addition formulae:
Rcos( + ) = R(coscos sinsin)
Therefore since Rcos( + ) = f(x)
R(coscos sinsin) = 14cos 5sin
Hence

Rcos = 14

Dividing the two

tan = 5/14

Rsin = 5

= 19.7

Using Pythagoras
R = (142 + 52) = 14.9
Therefore
b)

f(x) = 14.9cos( + 19.7)

Hence solve the equation

14cos 5sin = 8
Therefore:
14.9cos( + 19.7) = 8
cos( + 19.7) = 0.5370
= 37.9
The cos graph has been translated 19.7 to the left, the second
solution is at 282.7 (can you see why?)

Example 7
a)
b)
c)

a)

Express 3 sin2x + 7 cos2x in the form R sin(2x + ), where R > 0

and 0 < < . Give the values of R and to 3 dp.

2
Express 6 sinxcosx + 14 cos2x in the form a cos2x + b sin2x +c,
where a, b and c are constants to be found.
Hence, using your answer to (a), deduce the maximum value of
6sinxcosx + 14cos2x.
R sin(2x + ) = R(sin2xcos + sincos2x).
Hence

R(sin2xcos + sincos2x) = 3 sin2x + 7 cos2x

Therefore:
3 = Rcos. Because the sin2x is being multiplied by the
and 7 = Rsin
tan =

By Pythagoras

R = (72 + 32) = 7.62

Therfore:
b)

7
3

Dividing the two

= 1.17c

3 sin2x + 7 cos2x = 7.62 sin(2x + 1.17)

Express 6 sinxcosx + 14 cos2x in the form a cos2x + b sin2x +c

The question is using part (a) but you have to remember your
identities:
1
6 sinxcosx = 3 sin2x
cos2x = cos2x + 1
2
14cos 2x = 7 cos2x + 7
Therefore:

c)

6 sinxcosx + 14 cos2x = 3 cos2x + 7 sin2x + 7

Hence, using your answer to (a), deduce the maximum value of

6sinxcosx + 14cos2x.
From (a)
Therefore:

3 sin2x + 7 cos2x = 7.62 sin(2x + 1.17)

6 sinxcosx + 14 cos2x = 7.62 sin(2x + 1.17) + 7

Using the right hand side this is a sine curve of amplitude 7.62,
it has also been translated 7 units up. Therefore its maximum
value will be 14.62.
Questions of the type Rcos(x ) or Rsin(x ) are definitely going to
be on a C3 paper. Other trig questions require a little bit of proof and
the use of identities.
Example 8
Solve, for 0 < < 2,

sin 2 + cos 2 + 1 = 6 cos ,

giving your answers in terms of .
Since there is a single power of cos I will aim to write as
much of the equation in cos
cos2x 2cos2 x 1
2sin cos + 2cos2 = 6 cos
Factorising gives:
Cos (2sin + 2cos - 6) =0
Therefore:
cos = 0
or

3
,
2 2

2sin + 2cos - 6 = 0
sin + cos =

Use of Rsin( + )

R = 2

2sin( +
=

6
2
=

6
)=
4
2

5
,
12 12

This is a little challenging but Im sure that parts of it are

accessible.