Solving first degree trigonometric equations

Everything You Need in One Place

Homework problems? Exam preparation? Trying to grasp a concept or just brushing up the basics? Our extensive help & practice library have got you covered.

Learn and Practice With Ease

Our proven video lessons ease you through problems quickly, and you get tonnes of friendly practice on questions that trip students up on tests and finals.

Instant and Unlimited Help

Our personalized learning platform enables you to instantly find the exact walkthrough to your specific type of question. Activate unlimited help now!

0/8
?
Examples
Lessons
  1. Find the exact solution for X
    i)
    For 0x360 0^\circ \leq x \leq 360^\circ
    ii)
    General solution in degree measure
    iii) For 0x2π 0^\circ \leq x \leq 2\pi
    iv) General solution in radian measure
    1. sinx=32\sin x = {{\sqrt3} \over 2}
    2. 2cosx+1=02 \cos x + 1 = 0
    3. sinx+2=sinx\sin x + \sqrt2 = -\sin x
    4. tanx=1 \tan x = -1
    5. 3cotx1=0{\sqrt 3} \cot x -1 = 0
    6. 3tanx=cosxtanx3 \tan x = \cos x \tan x
  2. Solve for x x using a calculator
    1. cosx=0.4;\cos x = -0.4;
      for 0x360 0^\circ \leq x \leq 360^\circ
    2. 2cscx6=0;2\csc x -6 = 0;
      general solution in radians
Topic Notes
?

Solving First Degree Trigonometric Equations

Trigonometric Equations:

Put simply, trigonometric equations are just equations that feature the trigonometric ratios such as sine and cosine on the variable "xx". Because of the presence of these trigonometric functions, solving these equations becomes a little more difficult. But, before we get into solving these trig equations, let's make sure we understand what 1st1^{st} degree trig equations are! Below are a couple of examples of trig equations:

sinx=4,  4cosy+3=0\sin x = 4, \; 4\cos y + 3 = 0

There are also other levels of trig equations, including 2nd2^{nd} degree trig equations. Below are a couple examples of 2nd2^{nd} degree trig equations:

sin2x+sinx=4,  cos3y4cosy+3=0\sin^{2} x + \sin x = 4, \; \cos^{3} y - 4\cos y + 3 = 0

Notice how the above equations feature our familiar polynomial format but with the addition of the trigonometric ratios sine and cosine. Now that we have an idea of what trig equations look like, let's look at how to solve first degree trig equations!

Unit Circle Table:

Oftentimes when we are dealing with first degree trig equations, we will be using the special right angles, reference angles, and the unit circle to solve for the variable xx (or whatever the variable is). Below is a copy of the unit circle chart, which gives the unit circle degrees and radians.

Chart of unit circle degrees and radians
Chart of unit circle's degrees and radians

NOTE: This chart just gives the values for sine, cosine, and tangent in the first quadrant using the common reference angle. The values are based on some special triangles you should be familiar with, including the 45 45 90 triangle and the 30 60 90 triangle.

If you recall, these values will vary in their sign (+ / -) depending on which quadrant the angle is in. We can use the acronym ASTC (All Students Take Calculus) to help us to remember which trig ratio is what in each quadrant:

A – All are Positive

S – Sine is Positive

T – Tangent is Positive

C – Cosine is Positive

Lastly, it is important to recall our handy acronym SOHCAHTOA to find missing angles. Below are the formulas we get from SOHCAHTOA, as well as an image to help you visualize it:

sinx=oppositehypotenuse  cosx=adjacenthypotenuse  tanx=oppositeadjacent\sin x = \frac{opposite}{hypotenuse} \; \cos x = \frac{adjacent}{hypotenuse} \; \tan x = \frac{opposite}{adjacent}

Visualize using adjacent opposite hypotenuse
Visualize using adjacent opposite hypotenuse

For a review of some of these concepts in a more detailed video, check out our clips on the reference angle, the exact values of trig functions, and All Students Take Calculus. Also, see our videos on special right triangles 45 45 90 and special right triangle 30 60 90.

As always, the best way to practice is to do some examples!

Example 1:

For the following trigonometric equation, find the exact value for xx for each of the following conditions:

sinx=32\sin x = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}

i) For 0° x\leq x \leq 360°

ii) General solution in degree measure

iii) For 0° x2π\leq x \leq 2\pi

iv) General solution in radian measure

Step 1: Identify if a Special Angle/Triangle is Present

The presence of such angles or triangles makes find the solution much easier, as you should have these angles memorized! Notice that 32\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} is a special triangle:

Special triangle of sqrt3 over 2
Special triangle of a fraction

Therefore, since sine by definition is oppositehypotenuse\frac{opposite}{hypotenuse}, the reference angle for 32\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} is 60°.

Step 2: Use ASTC to Identify Where This Angle Exists

For sine to be positive, the angles must be in first and second quadrants.

Determine the sign of answer using ASTC diagram
Determine the sign of answer using ASTC chart

Thus, in the first quadrant, the angle is 60°. In the second quadrant, the angle is 180°- 60° = 120°

Determine the angle in the first quadrant
Determine the angle in the first quadrant
Determine the angle in the second quadrant
Determine the angle in the second quadrant

Step 3: Solve the Remainder of the Question

ii) 60° + 360°nn, where nn is a whole integer; 120° + 360°nn, where nn is a whole integer.

iii) x=π3,  x=2π3x = \frac{\pi}{3},\;x = \frac{2\pi}{3}

* just convert answer i) from degrees to radians

iv) π3+2πn\frac{\pi}{3} + 2\pi n where nn is a whole integer; 2π3+2πn\frac{2\pi}{3} + 2\pi n, where nn is a whole integer.

* just convert answer iii) from degrees to radians

Example 2:

For the following trigonometric equation, find the exact value for xx:

cosx=0.4\cos x = -0.4

In this case, since we know that 0.4-0.4 is not a special case, we must use a calculator to find xx. NOTE: when solving via a calculator, first remove the sign. We can identify the quadrant using ASTC later on.

x=cos1(0.4)=66.42x = \cos^{-1} (0.4) = 66.42°

Then use reference angle and quadrants to find solutions. According to ASTC, cosine is negative in the second and third quadrants. Therefore:

180° + 66.42° = 246.42°

180° - 66.42° = 113.58°

And that's all there is to it! For an excellent tool to check you work, check out this useful calculator tool here. And, for further study, see our video on the derivative of trigonometric functions.