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In this section, we’ll take the elements of basic equation solving and use them to help
solve trig equations, or equations containing trigonometric functions. All of the alge-
braic techniques previously used can be applied to these equations, including the prop-
erties of equality and all forms of factoring (common terms, difference of squares, etc.).
As with polynomial equations, we continue to be concerned with the number of solu-
tions as well as with the solutions themselves, but there is one major difference. There
is no “algebra” that can transform a function like into For that
we rely on the inverse trig functions from Section 6.5.
A. The Principal Root, Roots in [0, 2 ), and Real Roots
In a study of polynomial equations, making a connection between the degree of an
equation, its graph, and its possible roots, helped give insights as to the number, loca-
tion, and nature of the roots. Similarly, keeping graphs of basic trig functions con-
stantly in mind helps you gain information regarding the solutions to trig equations.
When solving trig equations, we refer to the solution found using and
as the principal root. You will alternatively be asked to find (1) the principal
root, (2) solutions in or or (3) solutions from the set of real
numbers
. For convenience, graphs of the basic sine, cosine, and tangent functions
are repeated in Figures 6.22 through 6.24. Take a mental snapshot of them and keep
them close at hand.
30°, 360°2,30, 22
tan
1
cos
1
,sin
1
,
x solution.sin x
1
2
Learning Objectives
In Section 6.6 you will learn how to:
A. Use a graph to gain
information about
principal roots, roots in
[ ), and roots in
B. Use inverse functions to
solve trig equations for
the principal root
C. Solve trig equations for
roots in [ ) or
[)
D. Solve trig equations for
roots in
E. Solve trig equations
using fundamental
identities
F. Solve trig equations
using graphing
technology
0, 360°
0, 2
0, 2
6.6 Solving Basic Trig Equations
College Algebra & Trignometry—
x
y
y tan x
22
1
2
3
3
2
1
x
y
y sin x
22
1
1
EXAMPLE 1
Visualizing Solutions Graphically
Consider the equation Using a graph of and
a. State the quadrant of the principal root.
b. State the number of roots in and their quadrants.
c. Comment on the number of real roots.
Solution
We begin by drawing a quick sketch of
and noting that solutions will occur where
the graphs intersect.
a. The sketch shows the principal root occurs
between 0 and in QI.
b. For we note the graphs intersect
twice and there will be two solutions in this interval.
c. Since the graphs of and extend infinitely in both directions,
they will intersect an infinite number of times—but at regular intervals! Once
a root is found, adding integer multiples of (the period of sine) to this root
will give the location of additional roots.
Now try Exercises 7 through 10
2
y
2
3
y sin x
30, 22
2
y
2
3
,
y sin x
30, 22
y
2
3
,y sin xsin x
2
3
.
x
y
y sin x
22
1
1
y s
WORTHY OF NOTE
Note that we refer to
as Quadrant I or QI, regard-
less of whether we’re dis-
cussing the unit circle or the
graph of the function. In
Example 1b, the solutions
correspond to those found in
QI and QII on the unit circle,
where sin x is also positive.
a0,
2
b
Figure 6.22
Figure 6.23
Figure 6.24
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