# Trigonometry : Setting Up Trigonometric Equations

## Example Questions

← Previous 1

### Example Question #141 : Trigonometry

A triangle has sides , ,  of lengths , ,  respectively. The angle opposite each side is called , , , respectively. The sine of which angle and the cosine and which different angle will both yield

In the answer, list the sine first and the cosine second.

Explanation:

This is the figure being described in the problem, and as sine is opposite over hypotenuse and cosine adjacent over hypotenuse, the sine of  and the cosine of  will yield the correct answer.

### Example Question #1 : Trigonometric Equations

Solve the equation over the domain  (answer in degrees).

Explanation:

Rearrange algebraically so that,

.

Over the interval 0 to 360 degrees, sinx = 1 when x equals 90 degrees.

### Example Question #1 : Setting Up Trigonometric Equations

Solve each equation over the domain  (answer in degrees).

Explanation:

First, think of the angle values for which . (This is the equivalent of taking the arctan.)

.

The angles for which this is true are 45 degrees and 225 degrees.

We set x-15 equal to those two angles and solve for x, giving us 60 and 240.

### Example Question #1 : Setting Up Trigonometric Equations

Solve each equation over the domain  (answer in degrees).

Explanation:

Rearrange the equation so that,

.

Recall the angles over the interval 0 to 360 degrees for which sec is equal to 2.

These are 60 and 300 degrees.

Set x+7 equal to these angle measures and then find that x equals 53 and 293.

### Example Question #5 : Trigonometric Equations

Solve each equation over the interval

Explanation:

Rearrange the equation so that,

.

Take the square of both sides and then recall the angle measures for which,

.

These measures over the interval

.

### Example Question #1 : Setting Up Trigonometric Equations

Solve each quation over the interval

Explanation:

Rearrange the equation so that,

.

Take the square of both sides and find the angles for which

.

These two angles are  and .

### Example Question #2 : Setting Up Trigonometric Equations

Solve for  using trigonometric ratios.

Explanation:

To solve for x, first set up a trigonometric equation using the information provided in the diagram. The two side lengths given are the hypotenuse, x, and the side opposite the given angle, 6. We can set up our equation like this:

The sine of is , so we can substitue that in:

cross multiplying gives us .

### Example Question #1 : Setting Up Trigonometric Equations

Solve for  using trigonometric ratios.

Explanation:

To solve for x, first set up a trigonometric equation using the information provided in the diagram. The two side lengths given are x, the side opposite the angle, and 3, the side adjacent to the angle. This means we'll be using tangent. Set up the equation like this:

We can't just know the tangent by using the unit circle, but we can easily figure it out using sine and cosine. Tangent can be evaluated as sine over cosine.

The sine of is , and the cosine is . Find the tangent by dividing:

Now we can substitute that value into the original equation we set up:

multiply both sides by 3

### Example Question #1 : Setting Up Trigonometric Equations

Solve for  using trigonometric ratios.

Explanation:

Start by setting up the trigonometric ratio using the angles and sides given. We have the side length adjacent to the angle, 1, and the hypotenuse, x, so we will be using cosine:

The cosine of is , so this makes our equation now:

. x must equal 2.

### Example Question #1 : Setting Up Trigonometric Equations

Which of these sine functions fulfills the following criteria?

• Range of
• Period of
• -intercept of

Explanation:

Examining the equation of this form:

We can find , and using the clues given:

• because the range of indicates an amplitude of .
• because is the midpoint between  and .
• because the period is not changed from the standard .
• . The combined fact that and (halfway through the period) is indicates a cosine function would work - only the answer must be given as a sine function. Fortunately, though, we can use a shift-related property of .

All told, once we realize these, then we can see that
fits our criteria.

← Previous 1