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NSWMaths Extension 1Trigonometric Functions (ME-T1, T2, T3)

Quick questions on General solutions of trigonometric equations: sin\sin, cos\cos and tan\tan

6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is general solution for sinθ=k\sin \theta = k (with 1k1-1 \le k \le 1)?
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sin\sin has period 2π2\pi and the reflection symmetry sin(πθ)=sinθ\sin(\pi - \theta) = \sin\theta, which is exactly the two-points-per-line picture above. So
What is general solution for cosθ=k\cos \theta = k (with 1k1-1 \le k \le 1)?
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cos\cos has period 2π2\pi and is even: cos(θ)=cosθ\cos(-\theta) = \cos\theta. On the unit circle, cosx\cos x is the horizontal coordinate, so a vertical line at x=kx = k meets the circle at an angle and its negative. So
What is general solution for tanθ=k\tan \theta = k?
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tan\tan has period π\pi, not 2π2\pi, because tan(θ+π)=tanθ\tan(\theta + \pi) = \tan\theta (diametrically opposite points on the circle give the same tangent). So there is only one branch:
What is equations with a composite argument?
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If the equation involves sin(kx+c)\sin(kx + c) rather than sinx\sin x, treat the whole bracket as one variable. Solve the general solution for that bracket first, then unwind to xx at the very end, dividing every term (including the 2nπ2n\pi) by kk.
What is restricting to a given interval?
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After writing the general solution, substitute n=,1,0,1,2,n = \ldots, -1, 0, 1, 2, \ldots and keep only the θ\theta that fall in the required interval. A number line or quick mental check of each nn avoids both missing a solution and including one just outside. Endpoints matter: [0,2π][0, 2\pi] includes 2π2\pi, but [0,2π)[0, 2\pi) does not.
What is off-by-one on the interval?
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Endpoints matter: [0,2π)[0, 2 \pi) excludes 2π2 \pi while [0,2π][0, 2 \pi] includes it. Check the question wording.

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