FC311E

Intermediate Mathematics
Advanced Trigonometry
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Advanced Algebra
After studying this theme you should be able to:

• Use reciprocal trigonometric functions

• Recall and apply trigonometric identities
• Use the trigonometric addition formulae
• Use the trigonometric double angle formulae
 Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions
▪ In this session we will learn about the reciprocal trigonometric
functions.
 Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions
From our previous use of trigonometry you should know the following:

• The definitions of 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝒙), 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝒙) and 𝐭𝐚𝐧(𝒙) in terms of the ratios of the side lengths of a right-
angled triangle.
• How to use these 3 trigonometric functions to find the length of sides or the value of angles in
a right-angled triangle.
• The graphs of the 3 trigonometric functions.
• How to solve equations such as sin 𝑥 = 0.5 using the inverse trigonometric functions
sin−1 (𝑥), cos −1 (𝑥) and tan−1 (𝑥).
• How to find repeat solutions of trigonometric equations within a given domain.
• How to solve equations for transformed graphs e.g. tan 3𝑥 = 0.5
• How to convert between radians and degrees and how to perform the above in radians.
 Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions
You will now need to know these new functions as well.

sec(𝑥) , cosec(𝑥) , cot 𝑥

Each of these are reciprocal trigonometric functions.

 Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions

1
sec(𝑥) =
cos 𝑥
1
cosec(𝑥) =
sin 𝑥
1
cot 𝑥 =
tan 𝑥

Each of these are reciprocal trig relationships.

 Note
Please note the following

sin−1 (𝑥) ≠ cosec(𝑥)

The notation with a −1 comes from the inverse function notation

and is not a power!
𝑓 𝑥 → 𝑓 −1 𝑥

−1
1
𝑓 𝑥 ≠
𝑓 𝑥
 Simple Questions
You’ll be expected to solve simple questions with these new
functions.

Example
Solve sec(𝑥) = 4 in the interval 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋
 Simple Questions
Example
Solve sec(𝑥) = 4 in the interval 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋

sec 𝑥 = 4
 Simple Questions
Example
Solve sec(𝑥) = 4 in the interval 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋

sec 𝑥 = 4
1
cos 𝑥 =
4
−1
1
𝑥 = cos = 1.31811 …
4
𝑥1 = 1.32 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠
𝑥2 = 2𝜋 − 1.32 = 4.97 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠
 Old rules
Remember your old rules

Sine: 𝒙𝟐 = 𝝅 − 𝒙𝟏 or 𝑥2 = 180 − 𝑥1

Cos: 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟐𝝅 − 𝒙𝟏 or 𝑥2 = 360 − 𝑥1

Tan: 𝒙𝟐 = 𝒙𝟏 ± 𝝅 or 𝑥2 = 𝑥1 ± 180
Solve the following for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋.

a) cot 𝑥 = 2

𝜋
b) sec 𝑥 − =5
4
Solve the following for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋.

1 −1 1
a) cot 𝑥 = 2 tan 𝑥 = 𝑥= tan = 0.464
2 2

Also 𝑥2 = 𝑥1 ± 𝜋 so 𝑥 = 0.464 + 𝜋 = 3.61 is a repeat solution.

𝜋 𝜋 1 𝜋 1
b) sec 𝑥 − =5 cos 𝑥 − = 𝑥 − = cos −1 = 1.37
4 4 5 4 5

𝜋
𝑥 = 1.37 + = 2.15
4

𝜋
Also 𝑥2 = 2𝜋 − 𝑥1 so 𝑥 − = 2𝜋 − 1.37 = 4.91
4
𝜋
𝑥= 4.91 + = 5.70
4
 Trigonometric Identities
▪ In this session we will learn several trigonometric identities and
utilize them in simplifying and in rearranging equations.
Recall the following definitions of the trigonometric functions

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒

sin 𝑥 = cos 𝑥 = tan 𝑥 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
Recall the following definitions of the trigonometric functions

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒

sin 𝑥 = cos 𝑥 = tan 𝑥 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡

What do we get if we divide sine by cosine for the same angle?

sin 𝑥 𝑜𝑝𝑝 ÷ ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑜𝑝𝑝

= = = tan(𝑥)
cos(𝑥) 𝑎𝑑𝑗 ÷ ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑎𝑑𝑗

sin 𝑥
We have then a general trigonometric identity: tan 𝑥 =
cos 𝑥
Q. Solve sin 𝑥 = 3cos(𝑥) for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋
Q. Solve sin 𝑥 = 3cos(𝑥) for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋

sin 𝑥
=3 so using our identity tan 𝑥 = 3
cos 𝑥

𝑥 = tan−1 3 = 1.25

Also 𝑥2 = 𝑥1 ± 𝜋 so we have a repeat solution 𝑥 = 1.25 + 𝜋 = 4.39

Pyathagoras’ Theorem says that the sum of the squares of the shortest two
sides is equal to the square of the longest side, 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 .

For our triangle therefore: 𝐻𝑦𝑝2 = 𝑂𝑝𝑝2 + 𝐴𝑑𝑗 2

But we also know that 𝑂𝑝𝑝 = 𝐻𝑦𝑝 × sin(𝑥) and 𝐴𝑑𝑗 = 𝐻𝑦𝑝 × cos(𝑥)

Plugging these into Pythagoras we get:

𝐻𝑦𝑝2 = 𝐻𝑦𝑝 × sin 𝑥 2 + 𝐻𝑦𝑝 × cos 𝑥 2

= 𝐻𝑦𝑝2 (sin2 𝑥 + cos 2 𝑥 )

The only way this can be true is if sin2 𝑥 + cos 2 𝑥 = 1

 Trigonometric Addition Formulae
▪ In this session we will learn how to simplify expressions involving
trigonometric functions of a sum of two angles.
 Trigonometric Addition Formulae
In trigonometry, there exists identities that allow you to
convert calculations with different angles into a single form.

Example:
sin 30 cos 50 + cos 30 sin 50
 Trigonometric Addition Formulae
The following are identities

sin 𝐴 ± 𝐵 = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 ± cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵

cos 𝐴 ± 𝐵 = cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 ∓ sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵

tan 𝐴 ± tan 𝐵
tan 𝐴 ± 𝐵 =
1 ∓ tan 𝐴 tan 𝐵
 Trigonometric Addition Formulae
In trigonometry, there exists identities that allow you to
convert calculations with different angles into a single form.

sin 𝐴 ± 𝐵 = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵

Example:
sin 30 cos 50 + cos 30 sin 50
= sin 80
 Exact Values
We can also find exact values using these identities.

We need to remember the following for a right-angled triangle.

𝑂 𝐴 𝑂
sin 𝑥 = , cos 𝑥 = , tan 𝑥 =
𝐻 𝐻 𝐴
 Example
1
Given that sin 𝑥 = , find the exact value of tan 𝑥.
3

𝐴 𝐴
cos 𝑥 = =
3 𝐻 3
1
𝑥
𝑂 1
sin 𝑥 = =
𝐻 3
 Example
1
Given that sin 𝑥 = , find the exact value of tan 𝑥.
3

𝐴 𝐴
cos 𝑥 = =
3 𝐻 3
1
𝑥

𝐴= 32 − 12 = 8 = 2 2
 Example
1
Given that sin 𝑥 = , find the exact value of tan 𝑥.
3

𝐴 2 2
cos 𝑥 = =
3 𝐻 3
1
𝑥

𝐴= 32 − 12 = 8 = 2 2
 Use with identities
1 2
Given sin 𝐴 = and cos 𝐵 = , find sin 𝐴 + 𝐵
2 3

sin 𝐴 ± 𝐵 = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵

1 2
= × + cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵
2 3

1 2 3 5
= × + ×
2 3 2 3
 Use with identities
1 2
Given sin 𝐴 = and cos 𝐵 = , find sin 𝐴 + 𝐵
2 3

sin 𝐴 ± 𝐵 = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵

1 2 3 5
= × + ×
2 3 2 3

2 + 15
sin 𝐴 ± 𝐵 =
6
 Use of Identities
We can use the angle addition formulae to rewrite a sum of
trigonometric functions as a single function.

Example: cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥

 Use of Identities
We can still convert given a starting point.

cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥 = 𝑅 cos 𝑥 − 𝛼

𝑅 cos 𝑥 − 𝛼 = 𝑅 cos 𝑥 cos 𝛼 + 𝑅 sin 𝑥 sin 𝛼

cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥 = 𝑅 cos 𝑥 cos 𝛼 + 𝑅 sin 𝑥 sin 𝛼

 Use of Identities
We can still convert given a starting point.

cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥 = 𝑅 cos 𝑥 − 𝛼

𝑅 cos 𝑥 − 𝛼 = 𝑅 cos 𝑥 cos 𝛼 + 𝑅 sin 𝑥 sin 𝛼

𝟏 × cos 𝑥 + 𝟏 × sin 𝑥 = 𝑹 cos 𝑥 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 + 𝑹 sin 𝑥 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶

 Use of Identities
We can still convert given a starting point.

cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥 = 𝑅 cos 𝑥 − 𝛼

𝑅 cos 𝑥 − 𝛼 = 𝑅 cos 𝑥 cos 𝛼 + 𝑅 sin 𝑥 sin 𝛼

𝟏 × cos 𝑥 + 𝟏 × sin 𝑥 = 𝑹 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 cos 𝑥 + 𝑹 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶 sin 𝑥

 Use of Identities
We can still convert given a starting point.

𝟏 × cos 𝑥 + 𝟏 × sin 𝑥 = 𝑹 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 cos 𝑥 + 𝑹 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶 sin 𝑥

𝑅 cos 𝛼 = 1, 𝑅 sin 𝛼 = 1
 Use of Identities
We can still convert given a starting point.

𝟏 × cos 𝑥 + 𝟏 × sin 𝑥 = 𝑹 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 cos 𝑥 + 𝑹 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶 sin 𝑥

𝑅 cos 𝛼 = 1, 𝑅 sin 𝛼 = 1

𝑅 sin 𝛼 1
= , tan 𝛼 = 1
𝑅 cos 𝛼 1
 Use of Identities
We can still convert given a starting point.

𝟏 × cos 𝑥 + 𝟏 × sin 𝑥 = 𝑹 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 cos 𝑥 + 𝑹 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶 sin 𝑥

𝑅 cos 𝛼 = 1, 𝑅 sin 𝛼 = 1

𝑅 sin 𝛼 1
= , tan 𝛼 = 1
𝑅 cos 𝛼 1

𝛼 = 45°
 Use of Identities
We can still convert given a starting point.

𝟏 × cos 𝑥 + 𝟏 × sin 𝑥 = 𝑹 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 cos 𝑥 + 𝑹 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶 sin 𝑥

𝑅 cos 𝛼 = 1, 𝑅 sin 𝛼 = 1 , 𝛼 = 45°

Rcos 45 = 1
𝑅 2
=1
2
𝑅= 2
 Use of Identities
We can still convert given a starting point.

cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥 = 𝑅 cos 𝑥 − 𝛼

𝛼 = 45°, 𝑅= 2

cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥 = 2 cos 𝑥 − 45

Q. Find the values of 𝑅 and 𝛼 such that 3 sin 𝑥 + 7 cos 𝑥 = 𝑅 cos(𝑥 − 𝛼).
Q. Find the values of 𝑅 and 𝛼 such that 3 sin 𝑥 + 7 cos 𝑥 = 𝑅 cos(𝑥 − 𝛼).

3 sin 𝑥 + 7 cos 𝑥 = 𝑅 cos(𝑥 + 𝛼)

= 𝑅 cos 𝑥 cos 𝛼 + 𝑅 sin 𝑥 sin(𝛼)

So 3 = 𝑅 sin(𝛼) 7 = 𝑅 cos(𝛼)

3 𝑅 sin 𝛼
Dividing gives = = tan(𝛼)
7 𝑅 cos(𝛼)

−1 3
So 𝛼= tan = 0.405
7
3
Substituting back in 3 = 𝑅 sin(0.405) 𝑅= = 7.62
sin(0.405)

Therefore: 3 sin 𝑥 + 7 cos 𝑥 = 7.62 cos(𝑥 − 0.405)

 Trigonometric Double Angle Formulae
▪ In this session we will learn how to write a trigonometric function of a
double angle in terms of trigonometric functions of single angles.
 Double Angle ID
Commonly you’ll see a lot of situations that require a double angle.

What happens to the identities if the angles are the same?

sin 𝐴 ± 𝐵 = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵

cos 𝐴 ± 𝐵 = cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 ∓ sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵

tan 𝐴 ± tan 𝐵
tan 𝑎 + 𝑏 =
1 ∓ tan 𝐴 tan 𝐵
 Double Angles
These are the double angle formula. These are not given in the
exam (but you can work them out from the addition formulae!)

sin 2𝐴 = 2 sin 𝐴 cos 𝐴

cos 2𝐴 = cos2 𝐴 − sin2 𝐴

2 tan 𝐴
tan 2𝐴 =
1 − tan2 𝐴
Q. Solve sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 = 0.2 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋.
Q. Solve sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 = 0.2 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋.

sin 2𝑥
sin 2𝑥 = 2 sin 𝑥 cos(𝑥) so = 0.2
2

sin 2𝑥 = 0.4 so 2𝑥 = sin−1 (0.4) = 0.412

2𝑥 = 0.412 𝑥 = 0.206

2𝑥 = 𝜋 − 0.412 = 2.730 𝑥 = 1.365 (rule for sine)

2𝑥 = 0.412 + 2𝜋 = 6.695 𝑥 = 3.347 (general rule)

2𝑥 = 2.730 + 2𝜋 = 9.013 𝑥 = 4.507 (general rule)

Trigonometry has many applications throughout science, engineering,
architecture etc.

Whenever you are interested in measuring angles or distances

using triangles you are likely to make use of trigonometry.
EXAMPLE: You are standing on top of a building of height ℎ. To find the
height of the building you look across the street to another building that you
know to be 𝟏𝟎 𝐦 tall. You measure the angle down to the top of the other
building to be 𝟑𝟓° and the angle to the bottom to be 𝟓𝟎°. Find the height ℎ.
EXAMPLE: You are standing on top of a building of height ℎ. To find the
height of the building you look across the street to another building that you
know to be 𝟏𝟎 𝐦 tall. You measure the angle down to the top of the other
building to be 𝟑𝟓° and the angle to the bottom to be 𝟓𝟎°. Find the height ℎ.

35°

50°
𝒉

10 m

𝒅
EXAMPLE: You are standing on top of a building of height ℎ. To find the
height of the building you look across the street to another building that you
know to be 𝟏𝟎 𝐦 tall. You measure the angle down to the top of the other
building to be 𝟑𝟓° and the angle to the bottom to be 𝟓𝟎°. Find the height ℎ.

35°
ℎ − 10

50°
35°
𝒉

10 m
10

𝒅
EXAMPLE: You are standing on top of a building of height ℎ. To find the
height of the building you look across the street to another building that you
know to be 𝟏𝟎 𝐦 tall. You measure the angle down to the top of the other
building to be 𝟑𝟓° and the angle to the bottom to be 𝟓𝟎°. Find the height ℎ.
ℎ − 10

50°
35°
𝒉

10 m
10

50°

𝒅
EXAMPLE: You are standing on top of a building of height ℎ. To find the
height of the building you look across the street to another building that you
know to be 𝟏𝟎 𝐦 tall. You measure the angle down to the top of the other
building to be 𝟑𝟓° and the angle to the bottom to be 𝟓𝟎°. Find the height ℎ.
ℎ − 10

35°
𝒉

10 m
10

50°

𝒅
EXAMPLE: You are standing on top of a building of height ℎ. To find the
height of the building you look across the street to another building that you
know to be 𝟏𝟎 𝐦 tall. You measure the angle down to the top of the other
building to be 𝟑𝟓° and the angle to the bottom to be 𝟓𝟎°. Find the height ℎ.

ℎ−10
From red triangle: tan 35° =
𝑑
ℎ − 10

ℎ
From green triangle: tan 50° =
𝑑
35°
𝒉

Solve simultaneous equations:

10 m

10
𝑑= = 20.3 𝑚
10

50° tan 50° −tan(35°)

ℎ = 𝑑 tan 50° = 24.2 𝑚

𝒅