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12. TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATIONS

Synopsis :
1. An equation involving trigonometric functions of a variable over a set of numbers or over a set of
angles is called a trigonometric equation.
2. The set of values of the variable for which the equation is satisfied is the solution set of the
equation.
3. The method of finding the solution set is called solving of an equation.
4. If the product of trigonometric functions is zero, then each factor should be equated to zero. The
solutions of the resulting equations will give the solution set of the given equation.
5. If sinθ = k where −1 ≤ k ≤ 1 , then the value of θ lying in the interval [−π/2, π/2] and satisfying the
equation is called the principal solution.
6. If cosθ = k where −1 ≤ k ≤ 1 , then the value of θ lying in the interval [0, π] and satisfying the
equation is called the principal solution.
7. If tanθ = k where k∈R, then the value of θ lying in the interval (−π/2, π/2) and satisfying the
equation is called the principal solution.
8. The general solution of sinθ = k for −1 ≤ k ≤ 1 is θ = nπ + (−1)nα, n∈Z where α∈[−π/2, π/2] is the
principal value.
9. The general solution of cosθ = k for −1 ≤ k ≤ 1 is θ = 2nπ ± α , n∈Z where α∈(−π/2, π/2) is the
principal value.
10. If sinθ = 0, then θ = nπ, n ∈ Z

11. If cosθ = 0, then θ = (2n + 1)π / 2, n ∈ Z

12. If tanθ = 0, then θ = nπ, n ∈ Z

13. If (i) sin2θ = sin2α

ii) cos2θ = cos2α and
iii) tan2θ = tan2α then in each case θ = nπ ± α, n ∈ Z

14. The number of solutions of the equation acosθ + bsinθ = c is infinite if | c |≤ a2 + b2 (or) c 2 ≤ a2 + b2

15. The equation acosθ + bsinθ = c has no solution if c2>a2 + b2.

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