TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 325

LESSON 23
TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS

PRELIMINARY
An equation involving one or more trigonometrical ratios of an unknown angle is called a trigonometrical
equation.
e.g., etc.

 A trigonometrical equation is different from a trigonometrical identity. An identity is satisfied for

every value of the unknown angle. e.g., is true
Solution of a Trigonometrical Equation
A value of the unknown angle that satisfies the trigonometrical equation is called its solution. Since all
trigonometrical ratios are periodic in nature, therefore a trigonometrical equation has more than one
solution or an infinite number of solutions.
There are basically three types of solutions :
1. Particular solution A specific value of unknown angle satisfying the equation.
2. Principal solution Smallest numerical value of the unknown angle satisfying the equation
(Numerically smallest particular solution).
3. General solution Complete set of values of the unknown angle satisfying the equation. It
contains all particular solutions as well as principal solution.
 When we have two numerically equal smallest unknown angles, preference is given to the positive
value in writing the principal solution.

e.g., has etc. as its particular solutions.

Out of these, the numerically smallest are and but the principal solution is taken as
y
We notice that the position or can be obtained by rotation of or P
around through a complete angle any number of times and in
any direction (clockwise or anticlockwise).
 /6
x
The general solution is O  / 6

P
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 326

GENERAL SOLUTION OF SOME IMPORTANT EQUATIONS

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

(iv)

In all, is any integer and may or may not be the principal angle.
GENERAL SOLUTION OF
Put and where
Then the equation becomes

(say)

(where ), is the general solution

Alternatively, putting and where

(say)

(where ), is the general solution

Both the methods will give the same set of value of
GENERAL SOLUTION OF SOME SIMPLE EQUATIONS
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi) or
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
In each case
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 327

SOME POINTS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF WHILE SOLVING

TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS
(i) Check the validity of the given equation.
e.g., can never be true for any as the value can never exceed
So there is no solution to this equation.

(ii) Equations involving and / or can never have a solution of the form
Similarly, equations involving and / or can never have a solution of the form
The corresponding functions are undefined at these values of
(iii) Avoid squaring the equations as far as possible because it leads to extraneous solutions. If it has to
be squared, check whether the solution (s) arrived at satisfy the original unsquared equation or not.
e.g., given that But originally only.
(iv) Do not cancel common factors involving the unknown angle on L.H.S and R.H.S because it may
delete some solutions.
e.g., In the equation if we cancel on both sides we get

But also satisfies the equation because it makes So, the complete solution is

(v) Denominator of the equation, if present, should never become zero at any stage, while solving.
(vi) Sometimes the equation has some limitations also.
e.g., can be true only if and simultaneously as
Hence the solution is

Classroom Practice Paper

1. Solve :

2. Solve :
3. Solve the equation

4. Find the general solution of

5. Find the general solution for the equation

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 328

SOLVED SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

Example 1 Find the most general value of satisfying and simultaneously.

Solution First determine the quadrant in which lies, is –ve in and and is +ve
in and So lies in and one such value of satisfying both the equations is

General solution is We could also have taken one value of to

be Then the general solution would become

Both the solutions will give the same set of values of and are related as
Example 2 Solve the equations
(i) (ii)
Solution (i) Given equation is
or

or

or
Either or

or where

(ii) Given equation is

or

Taking positive sign,

or
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 329

Taking negative sign,

or

Hence or where

Example 3 Solve

Solution We know that

Given,

or

or

or
or

or or

or

or where

Example 4 Solve for the values of between 0 and

Solution Given,

or

For real solutions, or which is clearly true

Now, dividing both sides by 2 we have

or
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 330

or

Taking positive sign,

… (i)

Taking negative sign,

or … (ii)

Putting in (i) and (ii), Values of between 0 and are

But when it is rejected

Hence

Example 5 Solve
Solution
or
or

or

or

If
then for real solutions,

or which is true

or
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 331

or

If
and
all must be satisfied simultaneously which is impossible

where

Example 6 Solve the equation

Solution (1)
and (2)

or
Clearly L.H.S. does not exceed unity and is equal to 1 only when equality occurs in both
(1) and (2).
i.e. equation is satisfied only when
(3)
and (4)
From (3),
either or
or

From (4), or

or

Therefore or
Example 7 Find the range of such that the equation in has a real solution. For
find such that

Solution We have
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Now for

Example 8 If for some real prove that and

Solution

or

or

or

Example 9 If then find the points of intersection of the curves and

Solution For points of intersection

or

taking ‘ ’ sign

taking ‘ ’ sign

putting we have the values of within given interval, as

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 333

The corresponding values of are

Hence points of intersection are

and

Example 10 For what value of the equation has real solutions

Solution
or
This equation is of the form

Here and
Since for real solutions

or

or

or

or

or

where
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 334

SOLVED OBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

Example 1 The general solution of the equation

is

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Solution a

Dividing by

(a)
Example 2 The general solution of the equation
is
(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

Solution a
We have
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 335

which is possible only when

&
The value of satisfying these two equation simultaneously and lying between and
is Therefore the general solution is
(a)

Example 3 The solution set of the inequality is

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

Solution c

We have

( lie in II or III quadrant)

General solution is

(c)
Example 4 The number of solution of the equation

in is

(a) Zero (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3

Solution a

We have
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 336

&
which is not possible for any in
(a)

Example 5 The number of values of for which the function attains its
maximum value, is
(a) One (b) Two (c) Infinity (d) Zero
Solution a

The maximum value of is which is possible only when and

i.e., and Which is possible only when

else a contradiction.

(a)
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 337

EXERCISE – I

CBSE PROBLEMS

1. Find the principle solutions of the following equations:

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

2. Find the general solution of the following equations :

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v)
3. Find the general solution of the following equations :

(i) (ii)

4. Find the general solutions of the following equation :

(i) (ii)
5. Find the general solution of the following equations :

(i) (ii) (iii)

6. Find the general solutions of the following equations :

(i) (ii)

7. Solve the following equations :

(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)
8. Solve the following equations :
(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(v) (vi)
(vii) (viii)
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 338

9. Solve the following equations :

(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)

(v) (vi)

10. Solve the following equations :

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(v) (vi)

(vii) (viii)

11. Solve the following equations :

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(v) (vi)
(vii)
12. Find the most general value of satisfying the equations :

(i) (ii)
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 339

EXERCISE – II

AIEEE-SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. The solution set of in the interval is

(a) (b)
(c) (d) None of these
2. The smallest positive root of the equation lies in
(a) (b) (c) (d)

3. The most general value of which satisfy both the equations and is

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

4. The equation where has

(a) a unique solution (b) infinite number of solutions
(c) no solution (d) none of these
5. The general values of satisfying is
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
6. If and then is equal to
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
7. The equation has
(a) Only one solution (b) Two solutions
(c) No solution (d) Infinite number of solutions
8. The number of all possible triplets such that for all is
(a) Zero (b) One (c) Three (d) Infinite
9. Number of solutions of the equation lying in the interval is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
10. If to then
(a) (b) (c) or (d) or
11. The solution of the equation lies in the interval.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
12. A solution of the equation

where lies in the interval is given by

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 340

13. The value of

is zero if

(a) (b) (c) (d)

14. In a triangle the angle is greater then angle If the values of angles and satisfy the
equation then the number of choices of is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) Infinitely many (d) None of these
15. Solution of is
(a) (b) (c) (d)
16. The number of solutions of the equation in is
(a) 2 (b) 1 (c) 4 (d) 0
17. If is to be satisfied for exactly 4 distinct values of then the
least value of is
(a) 2 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 1
18. The set of values of for which is

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

19. The most general values of for which are given by

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

20. If then

(a) (b) (c) (d)

21. The number of integral values of for which the equation has a solution is
(a) 4 (b) 8 (c) 10 (d) 12
22. The general value of satisfying and is

(a) (b) (c) (d)

23. The number of values of in the interval satisfying the equation

(a) 0 (b) 5 (c) 6 (d) 10
24. The number of integral values of for which the equation has a solution is
(a) 4 (b) 8 (c) 10 (d) 12
25. General value of satisfying the equation is given by

(a) (b) (c) (d)

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 341

EXERCISE – III

IIT-JEE SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. If is to be satisfied for exactly 4 distinct values of then the least

value of is
(a) 2 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 1
2. The number of solutions of the equation is
(a) 3 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) 0
3. If and the solution set of is

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

4. In a right angled triangle the hypotenuse is times the length of perpendicular drawn from the
opposite vertex on the hypotenuse, then the other two angles are
(a) (b) (c) (d)

5. The number of solutions of is

(a) 8 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2
6. The number of solutions of the equation on is
(a) 6 (b) 5 (c) 4 (d) 3

7. The number of solutions of the equation in is

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4

8. If then lies in the interval

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

9. Solution of is equivalent to the solution of

(a) (b) (c) (d)

10. If then the solution set for is

(a) (b) (c) (d)

11. If and then the value of is

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 342

(a) (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) None of these

12. The general solution of the equation is
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

13. The solution of the inequation where is

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
14. The number of solutions of the pair of equations

in the interval is
(a) zero (b) one
(c) two (d) four

15. If are in G.P., then is equal to

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

16. Let be a positive integer such that then

(a) (b) (c) (d)

17. The solution set of the inequality is

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

18. The most general solutions of the equation are

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

19. The number of values of satisfying is

(a) 2 (b) 0 (c) 4 (d) 8
20. The number of solutions of the equation is
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 343

(a) 0 (b) 33 (c) 63 (d) None of these

21. If then doesn’t satisfy the interval

(a) or (b)

(c) (d)

22. The number of solutions of the equation is

(a) more than 2 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) 0
23. The general solution of the equation is

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

24. The number of pairs satisfying the equations and is

(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) Infinite

25. The solution of the trigonometric equation must be

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 344

EXERCISE – IV

MORE THAN ONE CHOICE CORRECT

1. A solution of the equation where lies in the interval

is given by

(a) (b) (c) (d)

2. Find the coordinates of the points of intersection of the curves if

(a) (b) (c) (d)

3. If the equation has at least one solution, then is

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) (d) 2

4. If then is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

5. If then is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

6. Find the values of given that is a real number

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

7. If then is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

8. A solution of the system and is given by

(a) (b) (c) (d)

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 345

9. If and then

(a) (b) (c) (d)

10. If then the general value (s) of is/are

(a) (b) (c) (d)

11. The inequation

(a) is equivalent to (b) is equivalent to
(c) is true for all (d) is true only when
12. Find all the values of lying in the interval which satisfy the equation

(a) (b) (c) (d)

13. Solve the system of equations

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d) None of these

14. Solve the equation

(a) (b) (c) (d)

15. The solution of the system of equations are

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 346

EXERCISE – V

MATCH THE FOLLOWING

1. Match the following for the trigonometric equation ( is an integer) :

Column – I Column – II

I. Over A.

II. Over B.

C. No solution
III. Over

2. Match the following trigonometric equations with their solutions :

Column – I Column – II
I. A.
II. B.

III. C.

IV. D.

3. Match the following equations with their solution set

Column – I Column – II

I. A.

II.
B.

C. No solution
III.
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 347

ASSERTION AND REASON TYPE

Direction : Read the following questions and choose :

(A) If both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(B) If both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not correct explanation of the Assertion.
(C) If Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(D) If Assertion is false but Reason is true.
(E) Both Assertion and Reason are false.

1. Assertion : The equation has a general solution where is any integer.

Reason :

2. Assertion : The inequality is satisfied for all

Reason : For all

3. Assertion : The equation contains the solutions of the two equations

Reason : A double angle equation contains solutions of two equations.

4. Assertion : The equation has infinite solutions.
Reason : and can become simultaneously.
5. Assertion : The equation has infinite solution.
Reason : 2009 is an odd integer.
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 348

PASSAGE BASED PROBLEMS

To solve a trigonometric inequation of the type where we take a hill of length

in the sine curve and write the solution within that hill. For the general solution we add For

instance, to solve we take the hill over which the solution is

The general solution is is an any integer, Again, to solve an inequation

of the type where then we take a hollow of length in the sine curve. (Since on

hill is satisfied over two intervals). For instance, to solve we take a hollow

over which the solution is easily seen to be The general solution is

The inequations where are solved similarly,

To solve a trigonometric inequation of general nature we bring it to the canonical form i.e. in one of
the forms or

1. The solution to the equation must be

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

2. Complete solution to the inequality where is

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

3. Solution to the inequation must be

(a) (b)

(c) (d) None of these

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 349

EXERCISE –VI

SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

1. Solve for

2. Find the set of value of for which

3. Solve for

4. Find the general solution of the equation

5. Solve for real and

6. Find all the values of lying in the interval which satisfy the equation

7. Solve for

8. Solve

9. Solve the equation

10. Solve the following equations for :

11. Solve the equation :

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 350

ANSWER TO CLASSROOM PRACTICE PAPER

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 351

ANSWERS

EXERCISE – I

CBSE PROBLEMS

1. (i) or (ii) or (iii) or (iv) or

2. (i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(v)

3. (i) (ii)

4. (i) (ii)

5. (i) (ii)

(iii)

6. (i) (ii)

7. (i) or

(ii) or

(iii) or

(iv) or or

8. (i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(v) (vi)
 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 352

(vii) (viii) or

9. (i) or (ii) or

(iii) (iv) or

(v) (vi)

10. (i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv) or

(v)

(vi) or

(vii) or

(viii)

11. (i) or

(ii)

(iii) or

(iv) or

(v) or

(vi) or

(vii) or

12. (i) (ii)

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 353

EXERCISE – II

AIEEE-SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (c)

6. (a) 7. (c) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (d)

11. (d) 12. (b) 13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (b)

16. (a) 17. (c) 18. (b) 19. (c) 20. (d)

21. (b) 22. (a) 23. (c) 24. (b) 25. (d)

EXERCISE – III

IIT-JEE SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (a)

6. (b) 7. (b) 8. (d) 9. (a) 10. (d)

11. (c) 12. (b) 13. (c) 14. (c) 15. (b)

16. (d) 17. (c) 18. (b) 19. (c) 20. (c)

21. (b) 22. (c) 23. (b) 24. (c) 25. (d)

EXERCISE – IV

MORE THAN ONE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (b, c) 2. (a, b, c, d) 3. (a, b) 4. (b, d) 5. (a, b, c)

6. (a, b, c) 7. (a, c) 8. (b, c) 9. (c, d) 10. (a, b)

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 354

11. (a, c) 12. (a, b, c, d) 13. (a, b) 14. (a, b) 15. (a, b, c, d)

EXERCISE – V

MATCH THE FOLLOWING

1.
2.
3.

ASSERTION AND REASON TYPE

1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (b)

PASSAGE BASED PROBLEMS

1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (c)

 TRIGONOMETRICAL EQUATIONS 355

EXERCISE – VI

SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9. or

10.
11.