Trigonometry

Sinx , Cosx and Tanx are good examples of periodic functions in which the domain R is
restricted to the principal domain (sometimes called “principal range”) in order to find the
inverse function.
The principal domain is a set or range of x-values for which the function is one-to-one.
for the trig functions each principal domain is of length .π
changing the domain of a function actually technically changes the function.

1. What are the principal domains of sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec and cot? Sketch the
functions for these restricted (imposed) domains, and give their ranges.
2. Use the sketches to sketch the inverse functions, arcsin , arcos, arctan, arcosec,
arcsec and arcot. What are the ranges and domains of these functions ?

3. Use the sketches to think about and summarise general rules for finding f
−1
(x) and
1
f (x) from f (x)

e.g.
! "!
1
(f (x))! < 0 ⇐⇒ >0
f (x)
1
4. Prove that if f (x) has a stationary point of inflection at x0 then so does f (x) (hint use
implicit differentiation or the chain rule)

5. is the same true if f (x) has a non-stationary point of inflection?

6. Which trig functions and inverse trig functions (including reciprocals) have points of
inflection, and where?
 General Solutions and CAST
General solutions of trig equations give you ALL (usually infinitely many) of the solutions to
the equation.

For sin and cos:

Start with a principal value (value obtained form calculator, and in Principal
Domain) and also a secondary value (other solutions within one period) and then
add on multiples of 2π (ie +2nπ ).

e.g.
1 π 5π
sin x = x = + 2nπ x = + 2nπ
2 has general solution 6 or 6

7. When do the secondary and principal values coincide?

For tan:
Start with the principal value and add on multiples of π (+nπ) (since the period of
tan is π (this automatically includes the secondary value).
√
2
cos x = −
eg. 2

What Quadrants are you in? second √ or third ? we know that

π 2
x= cos x =
4 is the solution to 2 in the first quadrant, so take
this angle to the horizontal in quadrants 2 and 3. which value is
secondary and which is principal ?
3π
Principal domain of cos is 0 - π , so the principal value is 4 and
5π
the secondary value is 4

Hence, the general solution is

3π 5π
x= + 2nπ x= + 2nπ
4 and 4 .
√
eg. tan 2x = 3
π
⇒ 2x = + nπ
3
π n
x= + π
so the general solution is 6 2
 Also useful to learn

cos θ + 1 2 cos2 θ2 θ
= = cot
sin θ 2 cos 2 sin 2
θ θ 2
also
sin θ + 1 cos( π2 − θ) + 1 2 cos2 ( π4 − θ2 )
= =
cos θ sin( 2 − θ)
π
2 cos( π4 − θ2 ) sin( π4 − θ2 )
! "
π θ
⇒ cot −
! 4 2"
π θ
⇒ tan +
4 2
eg. ! "
sin θ + 1 1 π θ 1
= √ ⇐⇒ tan + =√
cos θ 3 4 2 3
π θ π
⇒ + = + nπ
4 2 6
θ π
⇒ = nπ −
2 12
π
⇒ θ = 2nπ −
6
 Also Important
This is often forgotten and on your formula sheet!
! " ! "
P +Q P −Q
sin P + sin Q = 2 sin cos
2 2

This side is easier to

differenate and integrate This side is easier to use
for solving equations

NB: the form

1
sin α cos β = (sin(α + β) cos(α − β))
2
can also be used.