Mary Fairbanks

Solving Trig Equations

The first step to solving a trig

equation is to write all of the terms
as one type of angle or trig
function.

Example: 4 si n2 x +cosx+ 2=0

4 (1co s 2 x )+ cosx +2=0

After the equation is a single angle

or trig function- solve where x https://www.google.com/search?
q=unit+circle&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ve
would be on the unit circle. d=0ahUKEwiE483o-
83TAhUE3IMKHT5KADQQ_AUICigB&biw=1366
&bih=662#imgrc=MxZcZ_m0KSW-4M:
Example: 2 co s 2 x1=0
2 co s 2 x=1
1
co s2 x= A helpful method to use is u-
2
x= substitution. U-substitution is
replacing trig functions with the
x= letter u. The next step is to solve

for u. After simplifying, replace
x=
, 3 , 5 , 7
4 4 4 4 u with the trig function and solve
for x. Replacing the trig function
to the letter u makes it less
confusing and time consuming
than rewriting the same trig
function in each equation.
Be sure to keep in mind:

The domain- x can be

a limited answer
Factor out equations
instead of dividing a variable
that could be 0.

Connections With Our Class:

Solving trig equations connects to

using the unit circle to evaluate trig
expressions for special angles.

In order to solve a trig equation, it

is important to understand the unit
circle. To solve for x when in a
trig function, its necessary to
know which angle passes through
the point of x on the unit circle.
Solving trig equations also
connects to using trig identities.
When solving a trig equation,
using trig identities will help
simplify the equation. For
example, its easier to solve an
equation with 1 than
co {s} ^ {2} x+si {n} ^ {2} x
https://www.google.com/search?
q=trig+identities&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X
&ved=0ahUKEwit8LT5hs7TAhWI6YMKHSvHDx
0Q_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=662#imgrc=BiVra
G2_MvwzDM:
Real World
Trigonometry is used in
engineering, finance, astronomy,
medicine, computer science and
programming. In astronomy trig is
used for determining the distance
between Earth and other stars by
using parallax.

https://www.google.com/search?
q=using+trig+for+parallax&source=lnms&tbm=is
ch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjk54XGic7TAhWj5oMK
HaxGD9MQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=662#tb
m=isch&q=using+trig+for+parallax+trigonometry
&imgrc=mKLUURDpkF3NRM:
Engineers used trig to calculate
angles and designs for structures.
Chemical engineers use trig to
predict natural structures of
molecules. In physics they use trig
to calculate the refractive index of
glass.
https://www.google.com/search?
q=using+trig+to+solve+for+refractive+of+inex+gl
ass&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUK
Ewj18vfRi87TAhXs7IMKHcBnB4cQ_AUICigB&bi
w=1366&bih=662#imgrc=Awakk6Jh6EDstM: