10A

17 Trigonometry II
LEARNING SEQUENCE
17.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................ 1044
17.2 The sine rule ..................................................................................................................................................... 1047
17.3 The cosine rule ................................................................................................................................................ 1058
17.4 Area of triangles .............................................................................................................................................. 1064
17.5 The unit circle ...................................................................................................................................................1070
17.6 Trigonometric functions ............................................................................................................................... 1076
17.7 Solving trigonometric equations ............................................................................................................... 1083
17.8 Review ................................................................................................................................................................ 1088
17.1 Overview
Why learn this?
Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics that describes the
relationship between the angles and side lengths in triangles.
The ability to calculate distances using angles has long been
critical. As early as the third century BCE, trigonometry was
being used in the study of astronomy. Early explorers, using
rudimentary calculations and the stars, were able to navigate
their way around the world. They were even able to map
coastlines along the way. Cartographers use trigonometry when
they are making maps. It is essential to be able to calculate
distances that can’t be physically measured. Astronomers
use trigonometry to calculate distances such as that from a
particular planet to Earth. Our explorations have now turned
towards the skies and outer space. Scientists design and
launch space shuttles and rockets to explore our universe. By
applying trigonometry, they can approximate the distances to
other planets. As well as in astronomy and space exploration,
trigonometry is widely used in many other areas. Surveyors
use trigonometry in setting out a land subdivision. Builders,
architects and engineers use angles, lengths and forces in the
design and construction of all types of buildings, both domestic and industrial. In music, a single note is a sine
wave. Sound engineers manipulate sine waves to create the desired effect. Trigonometry has many real-life
applications.

Where to get help

Go to your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au to access the following digital resources. The Online
Resources Summary at the end of this topic provides a full list of what’s available to help you learn the
concepts covered in this topic.

Fully worked
Video Interactivities
solutions
eLessons
to every
question

Digital
eWorkbook
documents

1044 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

Exercise 17.1 Pre-test
Complete this pre-test in your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au and receive automatic marks,
immediate corrective feedback and fully worked solutions.

1. MC From the following options select the exact value of sin(30°). √

1 1 3
A. √ B. C.
2 2 2
√
D. 1 E. 3

2. Solve for x, correct to two decimal places.

A
42°
C 60°
x
7m
B

3. Solve for y, correct to two decimal places.

y
75°
55°
10 cm
x

Choose the values of the angles B and B′ in the below triangle, to the nearest degree. (Assume
BC = B′ C.)
4. MC

C
19 11
B′
A 25° B

A. 47° and 133° B. 46° and 134° C. 47° and 153°

D. 25° and 155° E. 65° and 115°

5. Calculate the perimeter of the following triangle, correct to two decimal places.

7 5
63°
A B
x

6. Solve for x, correct to one decimal place.

10 m 12 m
37°

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1045

 7. MC Calculate the area of the triangle shown.

7 cm

55°
6.5 cm

A. 13.05 cm2 B. 18.64 cm2 C. 22.75 cm2

D. 26.1 cm2 E. 37.27 cm2

8. State in which quadrant of the unit circle is the angle 203° located.

9. Determine the value of cos(60°) using part of the unit circle.

y
1

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0 x
0.5 1

If cos(x°) = p for 0 ≤ x ≤ 90°, then sin(180 − x°) in terms of p is:

B. 180 − p C. 1 − p
10. MC

A. p

1 − p2 E. 1 − p
√
2
D.

Select the amplitude and period, respectively, of y = −2 sin(2x) from the following options.
A. −2, 360° B. −2, 180°
11. MC

E. −2, 2
C. 2, 2
D. 2, 180°

12. MC Select the correct equation for the graph y

A. y = 4 cos(2x)
shown. 4

B. y = −4 cos(2x)
3

C. y = −4 sin(2x)
2

D. y = 4 sin(2x)
1
0 x

E. y = 4 cos
( ) –1 90° 180° 270° 360°
x –2
2 –3
–4

Select the correct solutions for the equation sin(x) = for x over the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 360°.
1
13. MC

A. x = 30° and x = 150° B. x = 30° and x = 210° C. x = 60° and x = 120°

2

D. x = 60° and x = 240° E. x = 45° and x = 135°

1046 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 Select the correct solutions for the equation cos (2x) = − for x over the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 360°.
√
2
14. MC

A. x = 22.5° and x = 337.5° B. x = 45° and x = 315°

2

C. x = 67.5° and x = 112.5° D. x = 157.5° and x = 202.5°

E. x = 22.5° and x = 157.5°

15. Using the graph shown, solve the equation 7 sin(x) = −7 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 360°.

y
1

0.5

0 x
90° 180° 270° 360°
–0.5

–1

17.2 The sine rule

LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• apply the exact values of sin, cos and tan for 30°, 45° and 60° angles
• apply the sine rule to evaluate angles and sides of triangles
• recognise when the ambiguous case of the sine rule exists.

17.2.1 Exact values of trigonometric functions and the sine rule

eles-5004
• Most of the trigonometric values that we will deal with in this topic are approximations.
• However, angles of 30° 45° and 60° have exact values of sine, cosine and tangent.
• Consider an equilateral triangle, ABC, of side length 2 cm. B

ΔABD ≅ ΔCBD (using RHS)

Let BD be the perpendicular bisector of AC, then:

AD = CD = 1 cm
giving: 30°
2 2

∠ABD = ∠CBD = 30°

(AB)2 = (AD)2 + (BD)2 (using Pythagoras’ theorem)

60°
and:

22 = 12 + (BD)
A D C
2

BD = 3
2
√

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1047

 • Using ΔABD, the following exact values are obtained:

30°
2
3

60°
A D
1

sin(A) = ⇒ sin(60°) = sin(B) = ⇒ sin(30°) =

√
opp 3 opp 1
hyp 2 hyp 2

cos(A) = ⇒ cos(60°) = cos(B) = ⇒ cos(30°) =

√
adj 1 adj 3
hyp 2 hyp 2

tan(A) = ⇒ tan(60°) =
√

tan(B) = ⇒ tan(30°) = √ or
√ √
opp 3 opp 3
or 3 1
adj 1 adj 3
3

• Consider a right-angled isosceles ΔEFG with equal sides of 1 unit. G

(EG)2 = (EF)2 + (FG)2 (using Pythagoras’ theorem)

(EG) = 1 + 1
2 1

EG = 2
2 2 2
√ 45°
E 1 F

• Using ΔEFG, the following exact values are obtained:

sin(E) = ⇒ sin(45°) = √ or
√
opp 1 2
hyp 2 2

cos(E) = ⇒ cos(45°) = √ or
√
adj 1 2
hyp 2 2

tan(E) = ⇒ tan(45°) = or 1
opp 1
adj 1

Summary of exact values

𝜃 30o 45o 60o

√ =
√ √
1 1 2 3
sin(𝜃)
2 2 2 2

√ =
√ √
3 1 2 1
cos(𝜃)
2 2 2 2

√ =
√
1 3 √
tan(𝜃) 1 3
3 3

1048 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

The sine rule
• In any triangle, label the angles are named by the vertices A, B and C and the B
corresponding opposite sides as a, b and c as shown in the diagram at right. c
B
a

right-angled triangles, ΔADB and ΔCDB.

• Let BD be the perpendicular line from B to AC, of length h, giving two
A C
A b C

Using ΔADB: Using ΔCDB: B

sin(A) = sin(C) =
h h

h = c sin(A) h = a sin(C)
c h a
c a
A C
D b
Equating the values of h:
c sin(A) = a sin(C)
h– = sin(A) and h
c a– = sinC)

giving: B

=
c a B
sin(C) sin(A) c
h
• Similarly, if a perpendicular line is drawn from vertex A to BC, then:

=
C
c b A b C
sin(C) sin(B) h = c sin(B) and h = b sin(C)

Sine rule
• The sine rule for any triangle ABC is: B

= =
a b c c B a
sin(A) sin(B) sin(C) A C
A b C

• The sine rule can be used to solve non-right-angled triangles if we are given:
1. two angles and one side
2. two sides and an angle opposite one of these sides.

WORKED EXAMPLE 1 Determining unknown angles and sides of a given triangle

In the triangle ABC, a = 4 m, b = 7 m and B = 80°. Calculate the values of A, C and c.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle ABC B
and fill in the given information. c 80° a = 4
A C
A b=7 C
2. Check that one of the criteria for the sine The sine rule can be used since two side lengths
rule has been satisfied. and an angle opposite one of these side lengths
have been given.

3. Write down the sine rule to calculate A. To calculate angle A:

=
a b
sin(A) sin(B)

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1049

 =
4 7
4. Substitute the known values into the rule.
sin(A) sin(80°)

5. Transpose the equation to make sin(A) 4 sin(80°) = 7 sin(A)

sin(A) =
the subject. 4 sin(80°)
7

A = sin −1
( )
4 sin(80°)
6. Evaluate and write your answer.

≈ 34.246 004 71°

7

7. Round off the answer to degrees and minutes. ≈ 34°15′

C ≈ 180° − (80° + 34°15′ )
= 65°45′
8. Determine the value of angle C using the fact
that the angle sum of any triangle is 180°.

9. Write down the sine rule to calculate the To calculate side length c:

=
value of c. c b
sin(C) sin(B)

=
c b
′
10. Substitute the known values into the rule.
sin(65°45 ) sin(80°)
7 sin(65°45′ )
11. Transpose the equation to make c the subject. c=
sin(80°)
12. Evaluate. Round off the answer to 2 decimal ≈ 6.48 m
places and include the appropriate unit.

TI | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE CASIO | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE

Open a new document and Ensure your calculator is set to
a Calculator page. Ensure the degree and decimal modes. To
your calculator is set to the do this, at the bottom of the Main
degree and approximate mode, screen, tap on the mode options
as shown for the next set of until you have Decimal and Deg.
examples.
To do this, press:
• HOME
• 5: Settings
• 2: Document Settings
For Display Digits select
‘Fix 2’.
TAB to Angle and select
‘Degree’.
TAB to Calculation Mode and
select ‘Approximate’.
TAB to OK and press ENTER.

1050 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 1. In a new problem on the 1. On the Main screen, complete the
Calculator page, press TRIG entry line as:
( )
sin−1
to access and select the 4 sin(80)
appropriate
( trigonometric
)
ration sin–1 . Complete the 7

180 − 80 + sin−1
( ( ))
entry line as: 4 sin (80)
( )
sin−1
4 sin(80) 7

A = 34°15′ and C = 65°45′

7 Press EXE after each entry.
Then press ENTER. To convert the decimal degree into
To convert the decimal degrees, minutes and seconds, tap:
• Action
A = 34°15′ and
degree into degrees, minutes
• Transformation
C = 65°45′ rounded to
and seconds, press:
• CATALOG • DMS
• 1 • toDMS
the nearest minute.
• D Highlight and drag each of the
Scroll to and select DMS decimal answers into the entry
▲

then press ENTER. line and press EXE.

180 − (ans + 80)

Complete the entry line as:

Then press ENTER.

Repeat the above process to
convert to degrees, minutes
and seconds.
2. To find the value of c, 2. To calculate the value of c,
complete the entry line as: complete the entry lines as:
7 sin (ans) dms(65, 45)
7 sin (65, 75)
sin 80
Then press ENTER. sin (80)
Press EXE after each entry line.

c = 6.48 m

c = 6.48 m

17.2.2 The ambiguous case

eles-5005
• If two side lengths and an angle opposite one of these side lengths are given, then B

For example, if a = 10, c = 6 and C = 30°, two possible triangles could

two different triangles may be drawn. B a = 10
• c=6
A 30°
be created. A C
• In the first case angle A is an acute angle, while in the second case angle A is an
obtuse angle.
• When using the sine rule to determine an angle, the inverse sine function is used. B
• In subtopic 17.5, you will see that the sine of an angle between 0° and 90° has the B a = 10

For example, sin 40° ≈ 0.6427 and sin 140° ≈ 0.6427.

same value as the sine of its supplement. c=6
A 30°
A C

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1051

 WORKED EXAMPLE 2 Solving triangles and checking for the ambiguous case

In the triangle ABC, a = 10 m, c = 6 m and C = 30°. Determine two possible values of A, and hence two
possible values of B and b.
Case 1
THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle ABC B
and fill in the given information. B a = 10
c=6
A 30°
A C
2. Check that one of the criteria for the sine rule The sine rule can be used since two side lengths
has been satisfied. and an angle opposite one of these side lengths
have been given.

=
a c
3. Write down the sine rule to determine A. To determine angle A:
sin(A) sin(C)

=
10 6
4. Substitute the known values into the rule.

10 sin(30°) = 6 sin(A)
sin(A) sin(30°)

sin(A) =
10 sin(30°)
5. Transpose the equation to make sin(A)
the subject. 6

A = sin
( )
−1 10 sin(30°)
6. Evaluate angle A.

≈ 56.442 690 24°

6

7. Round off the answer to degrees and minutes. A = 56°27′

B ≈ 180° − (30° + 56°27′ )
= 93°33′
8. Determine the value of angle B, using the fact
that the angle sum of any triangle is 180°.

9. Write down the sine rule to calculate b. To calculate side length b:

=
b c
sin(B) sin(C)

=
b 6
′
10. Substitute the known values into the rule.
sin(93°33 ) sin(30°)
6 sin(93°33′ )
11. Transpose the equation to make b the subject. b=
sin(30°)
12. Evaluate. Round off the answer to 2 decimal ≈ 11.98 m
places and include the appropriate unit.

Note: The values we have just obtained are only one set of possible answers for the given dimensions of the

We are told that a = 10 m, c = 6 m and C = 30°. Since side a is larger than side c, it follows that angle A
triangle ABC.

will be larger than angle C. Angle A must be larger than 30°; therefore it may be an acute angle or an
obtuse angle.

1052 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 Case 2
THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle ABC B
and fill in the given information. B a = 10
c=6
A 30°
A C

If sin A = 0.8333, then A could also be:

2. Write down the alternative value for angle A. To determine the alternative angle A:

A ≈ 180° − 56°27′
Simply subtract the value obtained for A in

= 123°33′
case 1 from 180°.

B ≈ 180° − (30° + 123°33′ )

= 26°27′
3. Determine the alternative value of angle B,
using the fact that the angle sum of any
triangle is 180°.

4. Write down the sine rule to determine the To calculate side length b:
=
alternative b. b c
sin(B) sin(C)

=
b 6
′
5. Substitute the known values into the rule.
sin(26°27 ) sin(30°)
6 sin(26°27′ )
6. Transpose the equation to make b the subject. b=
sin(30°)
7. Evaluate. Round off the answer to 2 decimal ≈ 5.34 m
places and include the appropriate unit.

TI | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE CASIO | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE

1. In a new problem, on a 1. On the Main screen, complete
Calculator page, complete the entry line as:
the entry line as: solve

sin (a) = ,a |
solve ( )
10 sin (30)
sin (a) = ,a |
( )
10 sin (30)
0 < a < 180
6

0 < a < 180

6
Convert these angles to degrees

highlight the answer shown. A = 56°27 or 123°34

′ ′
Press the up arrow and and minutes as shown.

A = 56°27′ or 123°33′
Press EXE after each entry.
Press ENTER to bring this
answer down into the rounded to the
new line. nearest minute.
Convert these angles to
degrees and minutes as
shown in Worked Example
1 by completing the entry
as shown.
Press ENTER after each
entry.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1053

2. Solve for the two values 2. Solve for the two values of B

B = 180 − (30 + A) .]
of B as shown in the as shown at right. [This uses
screenshot. Instead of
typing the angle manually, Press EXE after each entry, and
press the up arrow to convert these angles to degrees
highlight the previous and minutes.
answer you want, then press
ENTER. Press ENTER

these angles to degrees and B = 93°33 or 26°27 B = 93°33′ or 26°27′

′ ′
after each entry. Convert

minutes.
3. To solve for the two values 3. To solve for the two values of
of b, complete the entry b, complete the entry lines as:
lines as: 6 sin (93.55730976)
6 sin 93°34′
( )
sin (30)
sin (30) 6 sin (26.4426902)
6 sin 26°26′
( )
sin (30)
sin (30) Press after each entry.

b = 11.98 m or 5.34 m b = 11.98 m or 5.34 m

Press ENTER after each
entry.

• In Worked example 2 there were two possible solutions, as shown by the diagrams below.

B B
B a = 10 B a = 10
c=6 c=6
A 30° A 30°
A C A C

• The ambiguous case does not apply to every question.

• Since ∠A = 34°15′ , then it could also have been ∠A =145°45′ , the supplementary angle.
Consider Worked example 1.

• If ∠A =34°15 and ∠B =80°, then

′

∠C =65°45 (angle sum of triangle).

′

• If ∠A =145°45′ and ∠B =80°, then

∠C = 180° − 145°45′ + 80° which is not possible.
( )

∠C = −45°45′
Hence, for Worked example 1, only one possible solution exists.
• The ambiguous case may exist if the angle found is opposite the larger given side.

WORKED EXAMPLE 3 Calculating heights given angles of elevation

To calculate the height of a building, Kevin measures the angle of elevation to the top as 52°. He then
walks 20 m closer to the building and measures the angle of elevation as 60°. Calculate the height of
the building.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the situation and C
fill in the given information.

h
120°
52° 60°
A B D
20 x – 20
x

1054 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 2. Check that one of the criteria for the sine rule The sine rule can be used for triangle ABC since

∠ACB = 180° − (52° + 120°)

has been satisfied for triangle ABC. two angles and one side length have been given.

= 8°
3. Calculate the value of angle ACB, using the
fact that the angle sum of any triangle is 180°.

4. Write down the sine rule to calculate To calculate side length b of triangle ABC:
=
b (or AC). b c
sin(B) sin(C)

=
b 20
5. Substitute the known values into the rule.
sin(120°) sin(8°)

b=
20 sin(120°)
6. Transpose the equation to make b the subject.
sin(8°)
7. Evaluate. Round off the answer to 2 decimal ≈ 124.45 m
places and include the appropriate unit.
8. Draw a diagram of the situation, that is, triangle C
ADC, labelling the required information. Note:
There is no need to solve the rest of the triangle
124.45 m
in this case as the values will not assist in h
calculating the height of the building.
52°
A D
9. Write down what is given for the triangle. Have: angle and hypotenuse
10. Write down what is needed for the triangle. Need: opposite side

sin(𝜃) =
O
required (SOH − CAH − TOA).
11. Determine which of the trigonometric ratios is
H

sin(52°) =
h
12. Substitute the given values into the
124.45

124.45 sin(52°) = h
appropriate ratio.

h = 124.45 sin(52°)
13. Transpose the equation and solve for h.

14. Round off the answer to 2 decimal places. ≈ 98.07

15. Write the answer. The height of the building is 98.07 m.

DISCUSSION
In what situations can the sine rule be used?

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1055

 Resources
Resourceseses
eWorkbook Topic 17 Workbook (worksheets, code puzzle and project) (ewbk-2043)
Digital documents SkillSHEET Labelling right-angled triangles (doc-5398)
SkillSHEET Calculating sin, cos or tan of an angle (doc-5399)
SkillSHEET Finding side lengths in right-angled triangles (doc-5400)
SkillSHEET Calculating the angle from a sin, cos or tan ratio (doc-5401)
SkillSHEET Finding angles in right-angled triangles (doc-5402)
Interactivities Exact values of trigonometric functions (int-4816)
The ambiguous case (int-4818)
The sine rule (int-6275)

Exercise 17.2 The sine rule

Individual pathways
PRACTISE CONSOLIDATE MASTER
1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 17, 18, 21 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22 5, 10, 15, 20, 23, 24, 25

To answer questions online and to receive immediate corrective feedback and fully worked solutions for all
questions, go to your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au.
Where appropriate in this exercise, write your angles correct to the nearest minute and side lengths correct to
2 decimal places.

Fluency
1. WE1 In the triangle ABC, a = 10, b = 12 and B = 58°. Calculate A, C and c.
2. In the triangle ABC, c = 17.35, a = 26.82 and A = 101°47′ . Calculate C, B and b.

3. In the triangle ABC, a = 5, A = 30° and B = 80°. Calculate C, b and c.

4. In the triangle ABC, c = 27, C = 42° and A = 105°. Calculate B, a and b.

5. In the triangle ABC, a = 7, c = 5 and A = 68°. Determine the perimeter of the triangle.

6. Calculate all unknown sides and angles for the triangle ABC, given A = 57°, B = 72° and a = 48.2.

7. Calculate all unknown sides and angles for the triangle ABC, given a = 105, B = 105° and C = 15°.

8. Calculate all unknown sides and angles for the triangle ABC, given a = 32, b = 51 and A = 28°.

9. Calculate the perimeter of the triangle ABC if a = 7.8, b = 6.2 and A = 50°.

10. MC In a triangle ABC, B = 40°, b = 2.6 and c = 3. Identify the approximate value of C.

Note: There may be more than one correct answer.

A. 47° B. 48°
C. 132° D. 133°
E. 139°

Understanding
11. WE2 In the triangle ABC, a = 10, c = 8 and C = 50°. Determine two possible values of A, and hence two
possible values of b.
12. In the triangle ABC, a = 20, b = 12 and B = 35°. Determine two possible values for the perimeter of the
triangle.

1056 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

13. Calculate all unknown sides and angles for the triangle ABC, given A = 27°, B = 43° and c = 6.4.

14. Calculate all unknown sides and angles for the triangle ABC, given A = 100°, b = 2.1 and C = 42°.

15. Calculate all unknown sides and angles for the triangle ABC, given A = 25°, b = 17 and a = 13.

16. WE3 To calculate the height of a building, Kevin measures the angle of elevation to the top as 48°.
He then walks 18 m closer to the building and measures the angle of elevation as 64°. Calculate the height of
the building.

Reasoning
17. Calculate the value of h, correct to 1 decimal place. Show the full working.

35° 70°
A 8 cm D B

18. A boat sails on a bearing of N15°E for 10 km and then on a bearing of S85°E until it is due east of
the starting point. Determine the distance from the starting point to the nearest kilometre. Show all
your working.
19. A hill slopes at an angle of 30° to the horizontal. A tree that is 8 m tall and leaning downhill is growing at an
angle of 10° m to the vertical and is part-way up the slope. Evaluate the vertical height of the top of the tree
above the slope. Show all your working.
20. A cliff is 37 m high. The rock slopes outward at an angle of 50° to the horizontal and
then cuts back at an angle of 25° to the vertical, meeting the ground directly below 50°
the top of the cliff.
Carol wishes to abseil from the top of the cliff to the ground as shown in the diagram. 25° Rock
Her climbing rope is 45 m long, and she needs 2 m to secure it to a tree at the top of Rope 37 m
the cliff. Determine if the rope will be long enough to allow her to reach the ground.

Problem solving
21. A river has parallel banks that run directly east–west. From the south bank, Kylie takes a bearing to a tree on
the north side. The bearing is 047°T. She then walks 10 m due east, and takes a second bearing to the tree.
This is 305°T. Determine:
a. her distance from the second measuring point to the tree
b. the width of the river, to the nearest metre.

22. A ship sails on a bearing of S20°W for 14 km; then it changes direction and sails for 20 km and drops
anchor. Its bearing from the starting point is now N65°W.
a. Determine the distance of the ship from the starting point of it.
b. Calculate the bearing on which the ship sails for the 20 km leg.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1057

 23. A cross-country runner runs at 8 km/h on a bearing of 150°T for
45 mins; then she changes direction to a bearing of 053°T and runs for
80 mins at a different speed until she is due east of the starting point.
a. Calculate the distance of the second part of the run.
b. Calculate her speed for this section, correct to 2 decimal places.
c. Evaluate how far she needs to run to get back to the starting point.

24. From a fire tower, A, a fire is spotted on a bearing of N42°E. From a

second tower, B, the fire is on a bearing of N12°W. The two fire towers
are 23 km apart, and A is N63°W of B. Determine how far the fire is
from each tower.

25. A yacht sets sail from a marina and sails on a

bearing of 065°T for 3.5 km. It then turns and sails
on a bearing of 127°T for another 5 km.
a. Evaluate the distance of the yacht from the
marina, correct to 1 decimal place.
b. If the yacht was to sail directly back to the
marina, on what bearing should it travel? Give
your answer rounded to the nearest minute.

17.3 The cosine rule

LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• apply the cosine rule to calculate a side of a triangle
• apply the cosine rule to calculate the angles of a triangle.

17.3.1 The cosine rule

giving two right-angled triangles, ΔADB and ΔCDB.

eles-5006
• In triangle ABC, let BD be the perpendicular line from B to AC, of length h, B

• Let the length of AD = x, then DC = (b–x). c a

h
• Using triangle ADB and Pythagoras’ theorem, we obtain:

c2 = h2 + x 2 [1] A
x
D
b–x
C
Using triangle CDB and Pythagoras’ theorem, we obtain: b

a2 = h2 + (b − x)2 [2]
Expanding the brackets in equation [2]:
a2 = h2 + b2 − 2bx + x2
Rearranging equation [2] and using c2 = h2 + x2 from equation [1]:

a2 = h2 + x2 + b2 − 2bx
= c2 + b2 − 2bx
= b2 + c2 − 2bx

1058 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 From triangle ABD, x = c cos(A); therefore a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bx becomes
a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos(A).

Cosine rule
• The cosine rule for any triangle ABC is:

a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos(A)
B
c B a

b2 = a2 + c2 − 2ac cos(B)
A C

c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos(C)
A b C

• The cosine rule can be used to solve non-right-angled triangles if we are given:
1. three sides
2. two sides and the included angle.
• Note: Once the third side has been calculated, the sine rule could be used to determine other angles if
necessary.
• If three sides of a triangle are known, an angle could be found by transposing the cosine rule to make
cos(A), cos(B) or cos(C) the subject.

b2 + c2 − a2
a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos(A) ⇒ cos(A) =
2bc
a2 + c2 − b2
b2 = a2 + c2 − 2ac cos(B) ⇒ cos(B) =
2ac
a2 + b2 − c2
c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos(C) ⇒ cos(C) =
2ab

WORKED EXAMPLE 4 Calculating sides using the cosine rule

Calculate the third side of triangle ABC given a = 6, c = 10 and B = 76°.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle ABC B
and fill in the given information. c = 10 a=6
76°
A C
A b C

2. Check that one of the criteria for the cosine Yes, the cosine rule can be used since two side
rule has been satisfied. lengths and the included angle have been given.

b2 = a2 + c2 − 2ac cos(B)
3. Write down the appropriate cosine rule to To calculate side b:
calculate side b.

4. Substitute the given values into the rule. = 62 + 102 − 2 × 6 × 10 × cos(76°)

5. Evaluate. ≈ 106.969 372 5

b ≈ 106.969 372 5
√

6. Round off the answer to 2 decimal places. ≈ 10.34

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1059

 WORKED EXAMPLE 5 Calculating angles using the cosine rule

Calculate the smallest angle in the triangle with sides 4 cm, 7 cm and 9 cm.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle, call it C
ABC and fill in the given information. b=7 C a=4
Note: The smallest angle will correspond to the A B

Let a = 4, b = 7, c = 9
smallest side. A c=9 B

2. Check that one of the criteria for the cosine The cosine rule can be used since three side
rule has been satisfied. lengths have been given.
b2 + c2 − a2
3. Write down the appropriate cosine rule to cos(A) =
calculate angle A. 2bc

72 + 92 − 42
=
2×7×9
4. Substitute the given values into the rearranged
rule.

=
114
5. Evaluate.
126

A = cos
( )
−1 114
6. Transpose the equation to make A the subject

≈ 25.208 765 3°
by taking the inverse cos of both sides. 126

7. Round off the answer to degrees and minutes. ≈ 25°13′

TI | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE CASIO | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE

In a new problem, on a On the Main screen, complete

b2 + c2 − a2
Calculator page, complete the entry lines as:

b +c −a | a = 4| b = 7| c = 9
the entry lines as:

| a = 4 and b = 7 2b × c
2 2 2

cos−1 (0.9047619048)
and c = 9
2bc

cos−1 (ans)
Convert the angle to DMS as
shown previously.
Convert the angle to DMS as Press EXE after each entry.
shown previously. The smallest angle is 25°13′
Press ENTER after each entry. rounded up to the nearest minute.

The smallest angle, rounded

25°13′ .
up to the nearest minute, is

1060 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 WORKED EXAMPLE 6 Applying the cosine rule to solve problems

Two rowers, Harriet and Kate, set out from the same point. Harriet rows N70°E for 2000 m and Kate
rows S15°W for 1800 m. Calculate the distance between the two rowers, correct to 2 decimal places.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle, call it N
2000 m A Harriet
ABC and fill in the given information.
C 70°
15°

1800 m

B Kate
2. Check that one of the criteria for the cosine The cosine rule can be used since two side lengths
rule has been satisfied. and the included angle have been given.

c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos(C)
3. Write down the appropriate cosine rule to To calculate side c:
calculate side c.

4. Substitute the given values into the rule. = 20002 + 18002 − 2 × 2000 × 1800 cos(125°)

5. Evaluate. ≈ 11 369 750.342

c ≈ 11 369 750.342
√

6. Round off the answer to 2 decimal places. ≈ 3371.91

7. Write the answer. The rowers are 3371.91 m apart.

DISCUSSION
In what situations would you use the sine rule rather than the cosine rule?

Resources
Resourceseses
eWorkbook Topic 17 Workbook (worksheets, code puzzle and project) (ewbk-2043)
Interactivity The cosine rule (int-6276)

Exercise 17.3 The cosine rule

Individual pathways
PRACTISE CONSOLIDATE MASTER
1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 14, 17 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 18 11, 12, 13, 16, 19

To answer questions online and to receive immediate corrective feedback and fully worked solutions for all
questions, go to your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au.
Where appropriate in this exercise, write your angles correct to the nearest minute and side lengths correct to
2 decimal places.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1061

Fluency
1. WE4 Calculate the third side of triangle ABC given a = 3.4, b = 7.8 and C = 80°.
2. In triangle ABC, b = 64.5, c = 38.1 and A = 58°34′ . Calculate the value of a.

3. In triangle ABC, a = 17, c = 10 and B = 115°. Calculate the value of b, and hence calculate the values of
A and C.
4. WE5 Calculate the size of the smallest angle in the triangle with sides 6 cm, 4 cm and 8 cm. (Hint: The
smallest angle is opposite the smallest side.)
5. In triangle ABC, a = 356, b = 207 and c = 296. Calculate the size of the largest angle.

6. In triangle ABC, a = 23.6, b = 17.3 and c = 26.4. Calculate the size of all the angles.

7. WE6 Two rowers set out from the same point. One rows N30°E for 1500 m and the other rows S40°E for
1200 m. Calculate the distance between the two rowers, correct to the nearest metre.
8. Maria cycles 12 km in a direction N68°W and then 7 km in a direction of N34°E.
a. Calculate her distance from the starting point.
b. Determine the bearing of the starting point from her finishing point.

Understanding
9. A garden bed is in the shape of a triangle, with sides of length 3 m, 4.5 m and 5.2 m.
a. Calculate the size of the smallest angle.
b. Hence, calculate the area of the garden, correct to 2 decimal places. (Hint: Draw a diagram, with the
longest length as the base of the triangle.)
10. A hockey goal is 3 m wide. When Sophie is 7 m from one post and 5.2 m from the other, she shoots for goal.
Determine within what angle, to the nearest degree, the shot must be made if it is to score a goal.
11. An advertising balloon is attached to two ropes 120 m and 100 m long. The ropes are anchored to level
ground 35 m apart. Calculate the height of the balloon when both ropes are taut.
A

c = 120 m

b = 100 m

B a = 35 m C

12. A plane flies in a direction of N70°E for 80 km and then on a bearing of S10°W for 150 km.
a. Calculate the plane’s distance from its starting point, correct to the nearest km.
b. Calculate the plane’s direction from its starting point.

13. Ship A is 16.2 km from port on a bearing of 053°T and ship B is 31.6 km from the same port on a bearing of
117°T. Calculate the distance between the two ships, in km correct to 1 decimal place.

1062 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

Reasoning
14. A plane takes off at 10.00 am from an airfield and flies at 120 km/h on a bearing of N35°W. A second
plane takes off at 10.05 am from the same airfield and flies on a bearing of S80°E at a speed of 90 km/h.
Determine how far apart the planes are at 10.25 am, in km correct to 1 decimal place.
15. Three circles of radii 5 cm, 6 cm and 8 cm are positioned so that they just touch one 5 cm
another. Their centres form the vertices of a triangle. Determine the largest angle in the 6 cm
triangle. Show your working.

8 cm

16. For the shape shown, determine: 8

a. the length of the diagonal 150° x
b. the magnitude (size) of angle B 7 B
c. the length of x. 60°
10 m

Problem solving
17. From the top of a vertical cliff 68 m high, an observer notices a yacht at sea. The angle of depression to the
yacht is 47°. The yacht sails directly away from the cliff, and after 10 minutes the angle of depression is 15°.
Determine the speed of the yacht, in km/h correct to 2 decimal places.
18. Determine the size of angles CAB, ABC and BCA.
Give your answers in degrees correct to 2 decimal places.
C

2 cm
A

5 cm
8 cm B

19. A vertical flag pole DB is supported by two wires AB

and BC. AB is 5.2 metres long, BC is 4.7 metres long
and B is 3.7 metres above ground level. Angle ADC is
a right angle. B

a. Evaluate the distance from A to C, in metres

correct to 4 decimal places.
b. Determine the angle between AB and BC, in
degrees correct to 2 decimal places.

C
D

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1063

 17.4 Area of triangles
LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• calculate the area of a triangle, given two sides and the included angle
• use Heron’s formula to calculate the area of a triangle, given the three sides.

17.4.1 Area of triangles

• The area of any triangle is given by the rule area =
eles-5007
1
bh, where b is the base and h is
2
the perpendicular height of the triangle.
h
• In the triangle ABC, b is the base and h is the perpendicular height of the triangle.
• Using the trigonometric ratio for sine:

sin(A) =
b
h
B
c
Transposing the equation to make h the subject, we obtain:
h = c sin(A)
c h a

A
A b C

Area of triangle
• The area of triangle ABC using the sine ratio:

Area = bc sin(A)
1
2
• Depending on how the triangle is labelled, the formula could read:

Area = ab sin(C) Area = ac sin(B) Area = bc sin(A)

1 1 1
2 2 2

• The area formula may be used on any triangle provided that two sides of the triangle and the included angle
(that is, the angle between the two given sides) are known.

WORKED EXAMPLE 7 Calculating the area of a triangle

Calculate the area of the triangle shown.

7 cm 120° 9 cm

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle, label it B
ABC and fill in the given information. c = 7 cm 120° a = 9 cm
A

Let a = 9 cm, c = 7 cm, B = 120°.

C
A C

2. Check that the criterion for the area rule has The area rule can be used since two side lengths
been satisfied. and the included angle have been given.

Area = ac sin(B)
1
3. Write down the appropriate rule for the area.
2

1064 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 = × 9 × 7 × sin(120°)
1
4. Substitute the known values into the rule.
2
5. Evaluate. Round off the answer to 2 decimal ≈ 27.28 cm2
places and include the appropriate unit.

WORKED EXAMPLE 8 Determining angles in a triangle and its area

A triangle has known dimensions of a = 5 cm, b = 7 cm and B = 52°. Determine A and C and hence
the area.
THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle, label it B
ABC and fill in the given information.
52° a=5
A C

Let a = 5, b = 7, B = 52°.
A b=7 C

2. Check whether the criterion for the area rule has The area rule cannot be used since the included
been satisfied. angle has not been given.

3. Write down the sine rule to calculate A. To calculate angle A:

=
a b
sin(A) sin(B)

=
5 7
4. Substitute the known values into the rule.
sin(A) sin(52°)

5. Transpose the equation to make sin A the subject. 5 sin(52°) = 7 sin(A)

sin(A) =
5 sin(52°)
7

A = sin
( )
−1 5 sin(52°)
6. Evaluate.

≈ 34.254 15187°
7

7. Round off the answer to degrees and minutes. ≈ 34°15′

C ≈ 180° − (52° + 34°15′ )
= 93°45′
8. Determine the value of the included angle, C,
using the fact that the angle sum of any triangle
is 180°.

Area =
1
9. Write down the appropriate rule for the area. ab sin(C)
2

≈ × 5 × 7 × sin(93°45′ )
1
10. Substitute the known values into the rule.
2
11. Evaluate. Round off the answer to 2 decimal ≈ 17.46 cm2
places and include the appropriate unit.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1065

 TI | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE CASIO | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE
In a new problem, open a To calculate the angle A, on
Calculator page. To calculate the Main screen, complete the
the angle A, complete the entry entry line as:
( )
sin−1
line as: 5 sin (52)
( )
−1 5 sin (52)
7
sin
7 Note that we can leave the
Note that you can leave the angle in decimal degrees and
angle in decimal degrees
A = 34.25°
work with this value.
and work with this value.
C = 93.75°
Determine the value of C as
Determine the value of C shown.
as shown in the screenshot. Then calculate the area by
The area of the triangle is

A = 34.25°
Then calculate the area by completing the entry line as:
17.46 cm2 .
× 5 × 7 sin (93.74584813) C = 93.75°
completing the entry line as: 1
× 5 × 7 sin(93.75)
1
2
2 Press EXE after each entry. The area of the triangle is
Press ENTER after each entry. 17.46 cm2 .

17.4.2 Heron’s formula

eles-5008
• If the lengths of all the sides of the triangle are known but none of the angles Heron’s formula could be
used to calculate the area.

Heron’s formula
• The area of a triangle is given as:

Area = s (s − a) (s − b) (s − c)
√ B

where s is the semi-perimeter of the triangle: c a

s=
(a + b + c)
1
A b C
2
Note: The proof of this formula is beyond the scope of this course.

WORKED EXAMPLE 9 Calculating the area of a triangle using Heron’s formula

Calculate the area of the triangle with sides of 4 cm, 6 cm and 8 cm.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a labelled diagram of the triangle, C
call it ABC and fill in the given information. 4 cm 6 cm

Let a = 4, b = 6, c = 8.
B 8 cm A

2. Determine which area rule will be used. Since three side lengths have been given, use
Heron’s formula.
Area = s (s − a) (s − b) (s − c)
√
3. Write down the rule for Heron’s formula.

s= (a + b + c)
1
4. Write down the rule for s, the semi-perimeter
of the triangle. 2

1066 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 = (4 + 6 + 8)
1
5. Substitute the given values into the rule

=9
for the semi-perimeter. 2

Area = 9 (9 − 4) (9 − 6) (9 − 8)
√
6. Substitute all of the known values into
Heron’s formula.
= 9×5×3×1
√
7. Evaluate.

= 135
√

≈ 11.618 950 04

8. Round off the answer to 2 decimal places and ≈ 11.62 cm2

include the appropriate unit.

DISCUSSION
List three formulas for calculating the area of a triangle.

Resources
Resourceseses
eWorkbook Topic 17 Workbook (worksheets, code puzzle and project) (ewbk-2043)
Interactivities Area of triangles (int-6483)
Using Heron’s formula to calculate the area of a triangle (int-6475)

Exercise 17.4 Area of triangles

Individual pathways
PRACTISE CONSOLIDATE MASTER
1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 15, 18, 21 2, 5, 8, 11, 13, 16, 19, 22 3, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 23, 24

To answer questions online and to receive immediate corrective feedback and fully worked solutions for all
questions, go to your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au.
Where appropriate in this exercise, write your angles correct to the nearest minute and other measurements
correct to 2 decimal places.

Fluency
1. WE7 Calculate the area of the triangle ABC with a = 7, b = 4 and C = 68°.
2. Calculate the area of the triangle ABC with a = 7.3, c = 10.8 and B = 104°40′ .

3. Calculate the area of the triangle ABC with b = 23.1, c = 18.6 and A = 82°17′ .

4. WE8 A triangle has a = 10 cm, c = 14 cm and C = 48°. Determine A and B and hence the area.
5. A triangle has a = 17m , c = 22 m and C = 56°. Determine A and B and hence the area.

6. A triangle has b = 32 mm, c = 15 mm and B = 38°. Determine A and C and hence the area.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1067

 7. MC In a triangle, a = 15 m, b = 20 m and B = 50°. The area of the triangle is:
A. 86.2 m2 B. 114.9 m2 C. 149.4 m2 D. 172.4 m2 E. 183.2 m2

8. WE9 Calculate the area of the triangle with sides of 5 cm, 6 cm and 8 cm.
9. Calculate the area of the triangle with sides of 40 mm, 30 mm and 5.7 cm.

10. Calculate the area of the triangle with sides of 16 mm, 3 cm and 2.7 cm.

11. MC A triangle has sides of length 10 cm, 14 cm and 20 cm. The area of the triangle is:
2
A. 41 cm2 B. 65 cm2 C. 106 cm2 D. 137 cm E. 155 cm2

Understanding
12. A piece of metal is in the shape of a triangle with sides of length 114 mm, 72 mm and 87 mm. Calculate its
area using Heron’s formula.
13. A triangle has the largest angle of 115°. The longest side is 62 cm and another side is 35 cm. Calculate the
area of the triangle to the nearest whole number.
14. A triangle has two sides of 25 cm and 30 cm. The angle between the two sides is 30°. Determine:
a. its area b. the length of its third side c. its area using Heron’s formula.

15. The surface of a fish pond has the shape shown in the diagram. Calculate how many 1m
goldfish can the pond support if each fish requires 0.3 m2 surface area of water.
2m
16. MC A parallelogram has sides of 14 cm and 18 cm and an angle between them of 72°. 5m
The area of the parallelogram is:
4m
2
A. 118.4 cm2 B. 172.4 cm2 C. 239.7 cm D. 252 cm2 E. 388.1 cm2

17. MC An advertising hoarding is in the shape of an isosceles triangle, with sides of length 15 m, 15 m and
18 m. It is to be painted with two coats of purple paint. If the paint covers 12 m2 per litre, the amount of paint
needed, to the nearest litre, would be:
A. 9 L B. 18 L C. 24 L D. 36 L E. 41 L

Reasoning
18. A parallelogram has diagonals of length 10 cm and 17 cm. An angle between them is 125°. Determine:
a. the area of the parallelogram
b. the dimensions of the parallelogram.

19. A lawn is to be made in the shape of a triangle, with sides of length 11 m, 15 m and 17.2 m. Determine how
much grass seed, to the nearest kilogram, needs to be purchased if it is sown at the rate of 1 kg per 5 m2 .
20. A bushfire burns out an area of level grassland shown in the diagram. (Note: This is a sketch of the area and
is not drawn to scale.) Evaluate the area, in hectares correct to 1 decimal place, of the land that is burned.

km
1.8
2 km
River

400 m
200 m
Road

1068 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

Problem solving
21. An earth embankment is 27 m long and has a vertical cross-section shown in the diagram. Determine the
volume of earth needed to build the embankment, correct to the nearest cubic metre.

130° 100°
2m
50° 80°
5m

22. Evaluate the area of this quadrilateral.

3.5 m

8m
4m
60°
5m

23. A surveyor measured the boundaries of a property as D

shown. The side AB could not be measured because it 60°
8 km
crossed through a marsh. C
The owner of the property wanted to know the total area
and the length of the side AB.
Give all lengths correct to 2 decimal places and angles to

6 km
the nearest degree. 8.5
km
a. Calculate the area of the triangle ACD.
b. Calculate the distance AC.
c. Calculate the angle CAB. 115°
B
d. Calculate the angle ACB.
e. Calculate the length AB.
f. Determine the area of the triangle ABC. A
g. Determine the area of the property.

24. A regular hexagon has sides of length 12 centimetres. It is divided into six smaller equilateral triangles.
Evaluate the area of the hexagon, giving your answer correct to 2 decimal places.

12
cm

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1069

 17.5 The unit circle
LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• determine in which quadrant an angle lies
• use and interpret the relationship between a point on the unit circle and the angle made with the
positive x-axis
• use the unit circle to determine approximate trigonometric ratios for angles greater than 90°.

17.5.1 The unit circle

eles-5009
• A unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1 unit.
• The unit circle is divided into 4 quadrants, numbered in an anticlockwise direction, as shown in the
diagram.
90°
y
2nd 1st
quadrant quadrant
+ angles
0°
180° x
360°

3rd – angles 4th

quadrant quadrant
270°

• Positive angles are measured anticlockwise from 0°.

• Negative angles are measured clockwise from 0°.

WORKED EXAMPLE 10 Identifying where an angle lies on the unit circle

State the quadrant of the unit circle in which each of the following angles is found.
a. 145° b. 282°

THINK WRITE
a. The given angle is between 90° and 180°. State a. 145° is in quadrant 2.
the appropriate quadrant.
b. The given angle is between 270° and 360°. State b. 282° is in quadrant 4.
the appropriate quadrant.

• Consider the unit circle with point P(x, y) making the right-angled y
triangle OPN as shown in the diagram. P(x, y)
• Using the trigonometric ratios:

= cos(𝜃), = sin(𝜃), = tan(𝜃)

1 y
x y y θ
1 1 x 0 x N A(1, 0) x

where 𝜃 is measured anticlockwise from the positive x-axis.

1070 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 Calculate value of sine, cosine and tangent

To calculate the value of sine, cosine or tangent of any angle 𝜃 from the unit circle:

cos(𝜃) = x
sin(𝜃) = y

tan(𝜃) = =
y sin(𝜃)
x cos(𝜃)

17.5.2 The four quadrants of the unit circle

eles-5010
• Approximate values for sine, cosine and tangent 90°
of an angle can be found from the unit circle using y
the following steps, as shown in the diagram. 1
Step 1: Draw a unit circle, label the x- and y-axes.
Step 2: Mark the angles 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°, P

Step 3: Draw the given angle 𝜃.

and 360°.

Step 4: Mark x = cos(𝜃), y = sin(𝜃).

sin(θ)
Step 5: Approximate the values of x and y and θ 0°
equate to give the values of cos(𝜃) and sin(𝜃). 180°
–1 cos(θ) 1 x
• Where the angle lies in the unit circle determines 360°
whether the trigonometric ratio is positive or
negative.

–1

270°

Sign of the trigonometric functions

In the first quadrant x > 0, y > 0; therefore All trig

• Consider the following. y
•

In the second quadrant x < 0, y > 0; therefore Sine

ratios are positive.
•

In the third quadrant x < 0, y < 0; therefore Tangent

II I
(the y-value) is positive.
x < 0, y > 0 x > 0, y > 0
•
( ) sin = + sin = cos = tan = +
y cos = tan = – All > 0
values is positive. Sine > 0

In the fourth quadrant x > 0, y < 0; therefore Cosine

x
• III IV x
(the x-value) is positive. x < 0, y < 0 x > 0, y < 0
tan = + cos = +
sin = cos = – sin = tan = –
Tangent > 0 Cosine > 0

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1071

 WORKED EXAMPLE 11 Using the unit circle to approximate trigonometric ratios of an angle

Determine the approximate value of each of the following using the unit circle.
a. sin(200°) b. cos(200°) c. tan(200°)

THINK WRITE/DRAW
Draw a unit circle and construct an angle of 200°. 90°
Label the point corresponding to the angle of 200° on y
the circle P. Highlight the lengths, representing the 1
x- and y-coordinates of point P. θ = 200°
x 0°
180° y
–1 1 x
P 360°

–1

a. sin(200°) = −0.3
270°

a. The sine of the angle is given by the y-coordinate

of P. Determine the y-coordinate of P by measuring
the distance along the y-axis. State the value of
sin(200°). (Note: The sine value will be negative

b. cos(200°) = −0.9
as the y-coordinate is negative.)
b. The cosine of the angle is given by the x-coordinate
of P. Determine the x-coordinate of P by measuring
the distance along the x-axis. State the value
of cos(200°). (Note: Cosine is also negative in
quadrant 3, as the x-coordinate is negative.)
−0.3
c. tan(200°) = = = 0.3333
−0.9
sin(200°) 1
c.
cos(200°) 3

• The approximate results obtained in Worked example 11 can be verified with the aid of a calculator:

sin(200°) = −0.342 020 143, cos(200°) = −0.939 692 62 and tan(200°) = 0.3640.
Rounding these values to 1 decimal place would give −0.3, −0.9 and 0.4 respectively, which match the
values obtained from the unit circle.

(180 − A)°.
• Consider the special relationship between the sine, cosine and tangent of supplementary angles, say A° and

In the diagram, the y-axis is an axis of symmetry.

That is, sin(A°) = sin(180 − A)°

y
• The y-values of points C and E are the same.
1

That is, cos(A°) = − cos(180 − A)°

(180 –
• The x-values of points C and E are opposites in value. A)

Thus: sin (180 − A)° = sin(A°)

E C
°

cos(180 − A)° = − cos(A°)

A° A°

sin(180 − A)°
–1 O 1 x

cos(180 − A)° = = = − tan(A°)

cos(180 − A)° − cos(A°)
sin(A°)

–1

1072 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 Resources
Resourceseses
eWorkbook Topic 17 Workbook (worksheets, code puzzle and project) (ewbk-2043)

Exercise 17.5 The unit circle

Individual pathways
PRACTISE CONSOLIDATE MASTER
1, 2, 6, 8, 12, 17, 20 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 18, 21 5, 10, 14, 15, 16, 19, 22

To answer questions online and to receive immediate corrective feedback and fully worked solutions for all
questions, go to your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au.
Where appropriate in this exercise, give answers correct to 2 decimal places.

Fluency
1. WE10 State which quadrant of the unit circle each of the following angles is in.
a. 60° b. 130° c. 310°
d. 260° e. 100° f. 185°

2. MC If 𝜃 = 43°, the triangle drawn to show this would be in:

A. quadrant 1 B. quadrant 2 C. quadrant 3 D. quadrant 4 E. none of these

3. MC If 𝜃 = 295°, the triangle drawn to show this would be in:

A. quadrant 1 B. quadrant 2 C. quadrant 3 D. quadrant 4 E. none of these

4. WE11 Determine the approximate value of each of the following using the unit circle.
a. sin(20°) b. cos(20°) c. cos(100°) d. sin(100°)

5. Determine the approximate value of each of the following using the unit circle.
a. sin(320°) b. cos(320°) c. sin(215°) d. cos(215°)

6. Use the unit circle to determine the approximate value of each of the following.
a. sin(90°) b. cos(90°) c. sin(180°) d. cos(180°)

7. Use the unit circle to determine the approximate value of each of the following.
a. sin(270°) b. cos(270°) c. sin(360°) d. cos(360°)

Understanding
8. On the unit circle, use a protractor to measure an angle of 30° from the y
positive x-axis. Mark the point P on the circle. Use this point to construct
a triangle in quadrant 1 as shown. P
a. Calculate the value of cos(30°). (Remember that the length of the sin(30°)
30°
adjacent side of the triangle is cos(30°).) O x
cos(30°)
b. Calculate the value of sin(30°). (This is the length of the opposite side of
the triangle.)
c. Check your answers in a and b by finding these values with a calculator.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1073

 9. Using a graph of the unit circle, measure 150° with a protractor and mark y
the point P on the circle. Use this point to draw a triangle in quadrant 2
as shown. P

b. Remembering that x = cos(𝜃), use your circle to determine the value

150°
a. Determine the angle the radius OP makes with the negative x-axis. sin(150°)
O x
cos(150°)
of cos(150°).

d. Remembering that y = sin(𝜃), use your circle to determine the value

c. Comment on how cos(150°) compares to cos(30°).

of sin(150°).
e. Comment on how sin(150°) compares with sin(30°).

10. On a unit circle, measure 210° with a protractor and mark the point P on the y
circle. Use this point to draw a triangle in quadrant 3 as shown.
a. Determine the angle the radius OP makes with the negative x-axis.
b. Use your circle to determine the value of cos(210°). 210°
cos(210°)
c. Comment on how cos(210°) compares to cos(30°).
O x
d. Use your circle to determine the value of sin(210°). sin(210°)
e. Comment on how sin(210°) compares with sin(30°). P

11. On a unit circle, measure 330° with a protractor and mark the point P on y
the circle. Use this point to draw a triangle in quadrant 4 as shown.
a. Determine the angle the radius OP makes with the positive x-axis.
b. Use your circle to determine the value of cos(330°). 330° cos(330°)
c. Comment on how cos(330°) compares to cos(30°). O x
d. Use your circle to determine the value of sin(330°). sin(330°)
e. Comment on how sin(330°) compares with sin(30°). P

12. On a unit circle, draw an appropriate triangle for the angle of 20° y
in quadrant 1.

tan(20°)
a. Determine the value of sin(20°).

sin(20°)
b. Determine the value of cos(20°).
20°
c. Draw a tangent line and extend the hypotenuse of the triangle to meet the x
tangent as shown. cos(20°)
Accurately measure the length of the tangent between the x-axis and the
point where it meets the hypotenuse and, hence, state the value of tan(20°).
sin(20°)
d. Determine the value of .
cos(20°)
sin(20°)
e. Comment on how tan(20°) compares with .
cos(20°)

13. On a unit circle, draw an appropriate triangle for the angle of 135° y
in quadrant 2.
tan(135°)

a. Determine the value of sin(135°), using sin(45°). 135°

b. Determine the value of cos(135°), using cos(45°).
c. Draw a tangent line and extend the hypotenuse of the triangle to meet the x
tangent as shown.
Accurately measure the length of the tangent to where it meets the hypotenuse
to calculate the value of tan(135°).

1074 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 sin(135°)
d. Determine the value of .
cos(135°)
sin(135°)
e. Comment on how tan(135°) compares with .
cos(135°)
f. Comment on how tan(135°) compares with tan(45°).

14. On a unit circle, draw an appropriate triangle for the angle of 220° in y
quadrant 3.
a. Determine the value of sin(220°).
220°
b. Determine the value of cos(220°).
c. Draw a tangent line and extend the hypotenuse of the triangle to meet the x

tan(220°)
tangent as shown.
Determine the value of tan(220°) by accurately measuring the length of the
tangent to where it meets the hypotenuse.
sin(220°)
d. Determine the value of .
cos(220°)
sin(220°)
e. Comment on how tan(220°) compares with .
cos(220°)
f. Comment on how tan(220°) compares with tan(40°). (Use a calculator.)

15. On a unit circle, draw an appropriate triangle for the angle of 300° y
in quadrant 4.
a. Determine the value of sin(300°).
300°
b. Determine the value of cos(300°).
c. Draw a tangent line and extend the hypotenuse of the triangle to meet the x
tangent as shown.

tan(300°)
Determine the value of tan(300°) by accurately measuring the length of the
tangent to where it meets the hypotenuse.
sin(300°)
d. Determine the value of the value of .
cos(300°)
sin(300°)
e. Comment on how tan(300°) compares with .
cos(300°)
f. Comment on how tan(300°) compares with tan(60°). (Use a calculator.)

16. MC In a unit circle, the length of the radius is equal to:

A. sin(𝜃) B. cos(𝜃) C. tan(𝜃) D. 1 E. none of these

17. Show that sin (α°) + cos2 (α°) = 1.

Reasoning
2

18. Show that 1 − sin (180 − α)° = cos2 (180 − α)°.

2

19. Show that 1 + tan2 (𝛼°) = sec2 (𝛼°), where sec(𝛼°) =

1
.
cos(α°)

20. If sin(x°) = p, 0 ≤ x ≤ 90°, write each of the following in terms of p.

Problem solving

a. cos(x°) b. sin(180 − x)° c. cos(180 − x)°

21. Simplify sin(180 − x)° − sin(x°).

22. Simplify cos(180 − x)° + cos(x°), where 0 < x° < 90°.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1075

 17.6 Trigonometric functions
LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• sketch the graphs of the sine, cosine and tangent graphs
• determine the amplitude of a given trigonometric function
• determine the period of a given trigonometric function.

17.6.1 Sine, cosine and tangent graphs

• The graphs of y = sin(x), y = cos(x) and y = tan(x) are shown below.
eles-5011

y
1
y = sin(x)

0 x
–360° 360°

–1

y
1
y = cos(x)

0 x
–360° 360°

–1

y = tan(x)

x
–360° –270° –180° –90° 0 90° 180° 270° 360°

• Trigonometric graphs repeat themselves continuously in cycles, and hence they are called
periodic functions.

the repeating peaks for y = sin(x) and y = cos(x) is 360°. The period of the graph y = tan(x) is 180°, and
• The period of the graph is the horizontal distance between repeating peaks or troughs. The period between

asymptotes occur at x = 90° and intervals of 180°.

• The amplitude of a periodic graph is half the distance between the maximum and minimum values of the

mean value, which is the x-axis for the graphs of y = sin(x), y = cos(x) and y = tan(x).
function. Amplitude can also be described as the amount by which the graph goes above and below its

1076 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

• The following can be summarised from the graphs of the trigonometric functions.

y = sin(x)
Graph Period Amplitude

y = cos(x)
360° 1

y = tan(x)
360° 1
180° Undefined

Translations of trigonometric graphs

• The sine, cosine and tangent graphs can be dilated, translated and reflected in the same way as other
functions, studied earlier.
• These translations are summarised in the table below.

Graph Period Amplitude

y = a sin(nx)
360°
a
n
y = a cos(nx)
360°
a
n
y = a tan(nx)
180°
Undefined
n
• If a < 0, the graph is reflected in the x-axis. The amplitude is always the positive value of a.

WORKED EXAMPLE 12 Sketching periodic functions

Sketch the graphs of a y = 2 sin(x) and b y = cos(2x) for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
a. 1. The graph must be drawn from a. y
0° to 360°. 2

y = sin(x) each value of sin(x)

2. Compared to the graph of
y = 2 sin(x)

has been multiplied by 2, x

0 180° 360°
therefore the amplitude of the

3. Label the graph y = 2 sin(x).

graph must be 2.

–2

b. 1. The graph must be drawn from 0° b. y

to 360°. 2

y = cos(x), each value of x has

2. Compared to the graph of y = cos(2x)

been multiplied by 2, therefore

the period of the graph must 0 x
90° 180° 270° 360°

3. Label the graph y = cos(2x).

become 180°.

–2

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1077

TI | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE CASIO | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE
a. a. On a Graph & Table screen, set
1. In a new problem, on a an appropriate viewing window
Graphs page, ensure the as shown.
Graphs & Geometry Settings
are set to the degrees mode,
as shown in the screenshot.
To do this, press:
• MENU
• 9: Settings
For Display Digits select
‘Fix 2’.
TAB to Graphing Angle and
select ‘Degree’. TAB to OK
and press ENTER.
2. To set an appropriate viewing a. a.
window, press: Complete the function entry

y1 = 2 sin(x) ∣ 0 ≤ x ≤ 360
• MENU line as:
• 4: Window/Zoom
• 1: Window Settings... Press EXE.
Select the values as shown in Tap the graphing icon and the

only for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

the screenshot. graph is displayed as required
TAB to OK and press
ENTER.

3. Complete the function entry b. b.

f 1(x) = 2 sin(x) ∣ 0 ≤ x ≤ 360

line as: Complete the function entry

y1 = cos(2x) ∣ 0 ≤ x ≤ 360
line as:
Press ENTER. The graph

0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.
is displayed as required for Press EXE.
Tap the graphing icon and the

only for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

graph is displayed as required

b. b.
Complete the function entry

f 2(x) = cos(2x) ∣ 0 ≤ x ≤ 360

line as:

Press ENTER, and the graph is

0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.
displayed, as required only for

1078 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 WORKED EXAMPLE 13 Stating the amplitude and period of given periodic functions

For each of the following graphs, state:

i. the amplitude ii. the period.

a. y = 2 sin(3x) b. y = cos c. y = tan(2x)

( )
x
3

a. i. Amplitude = 2
THINK WRITE
a. The value of a is 2.

ii. Period = = 120°

360° 360
The periods is .
n 3
b. The value of a is 1. b. i. Amplitude = 1

ii. Period = = 1080°

360° 360
The period is . 1
n

c. i. Amplitude = undefined
3

c. The tangent curve has an undefined amplitude.

ii. Period = = 90°

180° 180°
The period is .
2 2

DISCUSSION
For the graph of y = a tan(nx), what would be the period and amplitude?

Resources
Resourceseses
eWorkbook Topic 17 Workbook (worksheets, code puzzle and project) (ewbk-2043)
Interactivity Graphs of trigonometric functions (int-4821)

Exercise 17.6 Trigonometric functions

Individual pathways
PRACTISE CONSOLIDATE MASTER
1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 25, 26, 28, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 17, 21, 23, 27, 2, 6, 9, 11, 15, 18, 19, 22, 24,
29, 32 30, 33 31, 34

To answer questions online and to receive immediate corrective feedback and fully worked solutions for all
questions, go to your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au.

Fluency
1. Using your calculator (or the unit circle if you wish), complete the following table.

x 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
sin(x)
x 390° 420° 450° 480° 510° 540° 570° 600° 630° 660° 690° 720°
sin(x)

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1079

 2. Use 1 cm = 30° on the x-axis to show x-values from 0° to 720°.
For questions 2 to 7, using graph paper, rule x- and y-axes and carefully mark a scale along each axis.

Use 2 cm = 1 unit along the y-axis to show y-values from −1 to 1.

Carefully plot the graph of y = sin(x) using the values from the table in question 1.
3. State how long it takes for the graph of y = sin(x) to complete one full cycle.

4. From your graph of y = sin(x), estimate to 1 decimal place the value of y for each of the following.
a. x = 42° b. x = 130° c. x = 160° d. x = 200°

5. From your graph of y = sin(x), estimate to 1 decimal place the value of y for each of the following.
a. x = 180 b. x = 70° c. x = 350° d. x = 290°

6. From your graph of y = sin(x), estimate to the nearest degree a value of x for each of the following.
a. y = 0.9 b. y = −0.9 c. y = 0.7

7. From your graph of y = sin(x), estimate to the nearest degree a value of x for each of the following.
a. y = −0.5 b. y = −0.8 c. y = 0.4

8. Using your calculator (or the unit circle if you wish), complete the following table.

x 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
cos(x)
x 390° 420° 450° 480° 510° 540° 570° 600° 630° 660° 690° 720°
cos(x)

9. Use 1 cm = 30° on the x-axis to show x-values from 0° to 720°.

For questions 9 to 14, using graph paper, rule x- and y-axes and carefully mark a scale along each axis.

Use 2 cm = 1 unit along the y-axis to show y-values from −1 to 1.

Carefully plot the graph of y = cos(x) using the values from the table in question 8.
10. If you were to continue the graph of y = cos(x), state what shape you would expect it to take.

11. State whether the graph of y = cos(x) is the same as the graph of y = sin(x). Explain how it differs. State what
features are the same.
12. Using the graph of y = cos(x), estimate to 1 decimal place the value of y for each of the following.
a. x = 48° b. x = 155° c. x = 180° d. x = 340°

13. Using the graph of y = cos(x), estimate to 1 decimal place the value of y for each of the following.
a. x = 240° b. x = 140° c. x = 40° d. x = 200°

14. Using the graph of y = cos(x), estimate to the nearest degree a value of x for each of the following.
a. y = −0.5 b. y = 0.8 c. y = 0.7

1080 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

15. Using the graph of y = cos(x), estimate to the nearest degree a value of x for each of the following.
a. y = −0.6 b. y = 0.9 c. y = −0.9

16. Using your calculator (or the unit circle if you wish), complete the following table.

x 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
tan(x)
x 390° 420° 450° 480° 510° 540° 570° 600° 630° 660° 690° 720°
tan(x)

17. Use 1 cm = 30° on the x-axis to show x-values from 0° to 720°.

For questions 17 to 22, using graph paper, rule x- and y-axes and carefully mark a scale along each axis.

Use 2 cm = 1 unit along the y-axis to show y-values from −2 to 2.

Carefully plot the graph of y = tan(x) using the values from the table in question 16.
18. If you were to continue the graph of y = tan(x), state what shape would you expect it to take.

19. State whether the graph of y = tan(x) is the same as the graphs of y = sin(x) and y = cos(x). Explain how it
differs. State what features are the same.
20. Using the graph of y = tan(x), estimate to 1 decimal place the value of y for each of the following.
a. x = 60° b. x = 135° c. x = 310° d. x = 220°

21. Using the graph of y = tan(x), determine the value of y for each of the following.
a. x = 500° b. x = 590° c. x = 710° d. x = 585°

22. Using the graph of y = tan(x), estimate to the nearest degree a value of x for each of the following.
a. y = 1 b. y = 1.5 c. y = −0.4
d. y = –2 e. y = 0.2 f. y = –1

WE12,13 For each of the graphs in questions 23 and 24:

i. state the period
ii. state the amplitude

23. a. y = cos(x), for x ∈ [−180°, 180°]

iii. sketch the graph.

b. y = sin(x), for x ∈ [0°, 720°]

24. a. y = sin(2x), for x ∈ [0°, 360°]

b. y = 2 cos(x), for x ∈ [−360°, 0°]

25. For each of the following, state:

i. the period
ii. the amplitude.

a. y = 3 cos(2x) b. y = 4 sin(3x) c. y = 2 cos

( )
x
2
d. y = sin e. y = − sin(x) y = − cos(2x)
( )
1 x
f.
2 4

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1081

Understanding
26. MC Use the graph shown to answer the y
following. 3

a. The amplitude of the graph is:

2

D. −3
A. 180° B. 90°
C. 3 1
E. 6
b. The period of the graph is: x
0 90° 180°
A. 180° B. 360°

E. −3
–1
C. 90° D. 3

–2

A. y = cos(x) B. y = sin(x)
c. The equation of the graph could be:

C. y = 3 cos D. y = 3 cos(2x)
–3
( )
x

E. y = 3 sin(2x)
3

27. Sketch each of the following graphs, stating the period and amplitude of each.

a. y = 2 cos , for x ∈ [0°, 1080°] b. y = −3 sin(2x), for x ∈ [0°, 360°]

( )
x
3

c. y = 3 sin , for x ∈ [−180°, 180°] d. y = − cos(3x), for x ∈ [0°, 360°]

( )
x

e. y = 5 cos(2x), for x ∈ [0°, 180°] f. y = − sin(4x), for x ∈ [0°, 180°]

2

28. Use technology to sketch the graphs of each of the following for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.
a. y = cos(x) + 1 b. y = sin(2x) − 2
𝜋
c. y = cos (x − 60) d. y = 2 sin(4x) + 3
( )

180

29. a. Sketch the graph of y = cos(2x) for x ∈ [0°, 360°].

Reasoning

b. Using the answers obtained in part a write down the maximum and minimum values of y = cos(2x) + 2.
i. State the minimum value of y for this graph. ii. State the maximum value of y for this graph.

c. Determine what would be the maximum and minimum values of the graph of y = 2 sin(x) + 3. Explain
how you obtained these values.
30. a. Complete the table below by filling in the exact values of y = tan(x)

y = tan(x)
x 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180°

b. Sketch the graph of y = tan(x) for [0°, 180°].

c. Determine what happens at x = 90°.
d. For the graph of y = tan(x), x = 90° is called an asymptote. Write down when the next asymptote

e. Determine the period and amplitude of y = tan(x).

would occur.

31. a. Sketch the graph of y = tan(2x) for [0°, 180°].

c. State the period and amplitude of y = tan(2x).

b. Determine when the asymptotes occur.

1082 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 Problem solving

h = 3 sin(30t°)
32. The height of the tide above the mean sea level on the first day of the month is given by the rule

where t is the time in hours since midnight.

a. Sketch the graph of h versus t.
b. Determine the height of the high tide.
c. Calculate the height of the tide at 8 am.

h = 6 + 4 sin(30t°)
33. The height, h metres, of the tide on the first day of January at Trig Cove is given by the rule

Sketch the graph of h versus t, for 0 ≤ t ≤ 24.

where t is the time in hours since midnight.
a.
b. Determine the height of the high tide.
c. Determine the height of the low tide.
d. Calculate the height of the tide at 10 am, correct to the nearest centimetre.

T = 22 − 2 cos(15t°) for 0 ≤ t ≤ 24
34. The temperature, T, inside a house t hours after 3 am is given by the rule

where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius.

a. Determine the temperature inside the house at 9 am.
b. Sketch the graph of T versus t.
c. Determine the warmest and coolest temperatures that it gets inside the house over the 24-hour period.

17.7 Solving trigonometric equations

LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• solve trigonometric equations graphically for a given domain
• solve trigonometric equations algebraically, using exact values, for a given domain.

17.7.1 Solving trigonometric equations

eles-5012
Solving trigonometric equations graphically
• Because of the periodic nature of circular functions, there are infinitely many solutions to unrestricted
trigonometric equations.

• The sine graph below shows the solutions between 0° and 360° for the equation sin(x) = 0.6.
• Equations are usually solved within a particular domain (x-values), to restrict the number of solutions.

y
1
0.6
0 x
180° 360°
–1

approximately x = 37° and x = 143°.

In the example above, it can clearly be seen that there are two solutions to this equation, which are

• It is difficult to obtain accurate answers from a graph. More accurate answers can be obtained
using technology.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1083

Solving trigonometric equations algebraically
Exact answers can be found for some trigonometric equations using the table in section 17.2.1.

WORKED EXAMPLE 14 Solving trigonometric equations using exact values

Solve the following

√ equations.

a. sin(x) = , x ∈ [0°, 360°] b. cos(2x) = − √ , x ∈ [0°, 360°]

3 1
2 2

THINK WRITE
(√ )
a. x = sin
−1 −1 3
a. 1. The inverse operation of sine is sin .
2

the table in subsection 17.2.1 is x = 60°.

2. The first solution in the given domain from

x = 60° and x = 120°.

3. Since sine is positive in the first and There are two solutions in the given domain,

x = 180° − 60° = 120°.

second quadrants, another solution must be

−1
( )
b. 1. The inverse operation of cosine is cos−1 . b. 2x = cos−1 √
2
( )
2. From the table of values, cos−1 = 45°.
1
√

2x = 135°, 225°
2
3. Cosine is negative in the second and third

to the equation as: 180° − 45° and 180° + 45°.

quadrants, which gives the first two solutions

4. Solve for x by dividing by 2. x = 67.5°, 112.5°

The period = = 180°

360°
5. Since the domain in this case is [0°, 360°] and

x = 67.5° + 180°, 112.5° + 180°

the period has been halved, there must be 4 2

x = 67.5°, 112.5°, 247.5°, 292.5°

solutions altogether. The other 2 solutions
can be found by adding the period onto each
solution.

1084 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

TI | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE CASIO | THINK DISPLAY/WRITE
a. a. a. a.
In a new problem, on a On the Main screen, complete
Calculator page, complete the the entry line as:
( √ )
solve sin(x) = ,x ∣
entry line as:
( √ ) 3
solve sin(x) = ,x |
3
0 ≤ x ≤ 360
2

0 ≤ x ≤ 360
2
Then press EXE.
Then press ENTER. Note that the calculator is set to
Note that the calculator is set to the degrees mode.
√
sin(x) = for x ∈ [0°, 360°]
the degrees mode. 3

⇒ x = 60° or 120°
2

√
sin(x) =
3
for

x ∈ [0°, 360°]
2

⇒ x = 60° or 120°
b. b. b. b.
On a Calculator page, complete On the Main screen, complete
the entry line as: the entry line as:
( ) ( )
solve cos (2x) = − √ , x ∣ solve cos (2x) = − √ , x ∣
1 1

0 ≤ x ≤ 360 0 ≤ x ≤ 360
2 2

Then press ENTER. Then press EXE.

Note that the calculator is set to Note that the calculator is set to
the degrees mode. the degrees mode.

cos(2x) = − √ for
1

x ∈ [0°, 360°] cos(2x) = − √ for

2
1
⇒ x = 67.5°, 112.5°, 247.5° or
x ∈ [0°, 360°]
2

⇒ x = 67.5°, 112.5°,
292.5°

247.5° or 292.5°

DISCUSSION
Explain why sine and cosine functions can be used to model situations that occur in nature such as tide
heights and sound waves.

Resources
Resourceseses
eWorkbook Topic 17 Workbook (worksheets, code puzzle and project) (ewbk-2043)
Interactivity Solving trigonometric equations graphically (int-4822)

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1085

Exercise 17.7 Solving trigonometric equations
Individual pathways
PRACTISE CONSOLIDATE MASTER
1, 3, 6, 9, 13, 16 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 17 5, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18

To answer questions online and to receive immediate corrective feedback and fully worked solutions for all
questions, go to your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au.

For questions 1 and 2, use the graph to determine approximate answers to the equations for the domain 0 ≤ x ≤
Fluency

360°. Check your answers using a calculator.

y
1

0 x
180° 360°

–1

1. a. cos(x) = 0.9 b. cos(x) = 0.3

2. a. cos(x) = −0.2 b. cos(x) = −0.6

For questions 3 to 8, solve the equations for the domain 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

3. a. sin(x) = b. sin(x) =
√
1 3
2 2

4. a. cos(x) = − b. cos(x) = − √
1 1
2 2

5. a. sin(x) = 1 b. cos(x) = −1

6. a. sin(x) = − b. sin(x) = − √
1 1
2 2

7. a. cos(x) = b. cos(x) = −
√ √
3 3
2 2

8. a. sin(x) = 1 b. cos(x) = 0

1086 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

Understanding
WE14 For questions 9 and 12, solve the following equations for the given values of x.

9. a. sin(2x) = , x ∈ [0°, 360°] b. cos(2x) = − , x ∈ [0°, 360°]

√ √
3 3
2 2

10. a. tan(2x) = √ , x ∈ [0°, 360°] b. sin(3x) = − , x ∈ [0°, 180°]

1 1
3 2

11. a. sin(4x) = − , x ∈ [0°, 180°] b. sin(3x) = − √ , x ∈ [−180°, 180°]

1 1
2 2

12. a. tan(3x) = −1, x ∈ [0°, 90°] b. cos(3x) = 0, x ∈ [0°, 360°]

13. Solve the following equations for x ∈ [0°, 360°].

Reasoning

a. 2 sin(x) − 1 = 0 b. 2 cos(x) =
√
3
14. Solve the following equations for x ∈ [0°, 360°].

2 cos(x) − 1 = 0 b. tan(x) + 1 = 0
√
a.

15. Sam measured the depth of water at the end of the Intergate jetty at various times on Thursday 13 August 2020.
The table below provides her results.

Time 6 am 7 8 9 10 11 12 pm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Depth 1.5 1.8 2.3 2.6 2.5 2.2 1.8 1.2 0.8 0.5 0.6 1.0 1.3 1.8 2.2 2.5

a. Plot the data.

b. Determine:
i. the period
ii. the amplitude.

c. Sam fishes from the jetty when the depth is a maximum. Specify these times for
the next 3 days.
d. Sam’s mother can moor her yacht when the depth is above 1.5 m. Determine
during what periods she can moor the yacht on Sunday 16 January.

Problem solving

3 sin (x°) = cos (x°) for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°

16. Solve:
√

b. 2 sin (x°) + cos (x°) = 0 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

a.

17. Solve 2 sin (x°) + 3 sin (x°) − 2 = 0 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

2

1
18. The grad (g ) is another measurement used when measuring the size of angles. A grad is equivalent to of
400
a full circle. Write each of the following as grads (1 grad is written as 1g ).
a. 90° b. 180° c. 270° d. 360°

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1087

17.8 Review
17.8.1 Topic summary

•
Sine rule Area of a triangle Cosine rule
• Connects two sides with the two • Given two sides and the included angle: • Connects three sides and one
opposite angles in a triangle. 1 angle of a triangle.
a b c Area = – ab sin(C)
• – = – = –
2 a 2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc cos(A)
sin A sin B sin C • Given three sides, Heron’s formula: Used to solve triangles given:
• Used to solve triangles: Area = √ (s(s – a)(s – b)(s – c)) • three sides, or
a+b+c
• Two angles and one side. where s is the semi-perimeter: s = – • two sides and the included angle.
• Two sides and an angle opposite 2
one of these sides.

Ambiguous case
TRIGONOMETRY II
• When using the sine rule to Trigonometric equations Exact values
calculate an angle, there may be
two answers. • Exact trig ratios B
• The ambiguous case may occur normally restricted: can be found
when determining the angle e.g. 0° ≤ x ≤ 180° using triangles.
2 30° 2
opposite the larger side. • Equations can be solved: • For 30° and
• Always check that the three • graphically — not very accurate 60° use the 60°
angles add to 180°. • using technology equilateral A D C
e.g. In the triangle ABC, a = 10, • algebraically, using the exact values. triangle. 2
b = 6 and B = 30°, using the sine rule, 1
e.g. sin α = – –, 0° ≤ x ≤ 360° • For 45°, use a right-angled G
A = 56° or (180 – 56)°. 2 1 isosceles triangle.
–
from exact values: sin 30° = 11111 1
Angles in triangle would be: 2 e.g. sin 30° = –
A = 56°, B = 30° giving C = 94° sine is negative in 3rd and 4th quadrants 2 2 1
A = 124°, B = 30° giving C = 26° and the angle is from the x-axis tan 45° = 1 45°
Two triangles are possible, α = (180 + 30)° or (360 – 30)° 1
cos 60°= – E 1 F
so the ambiguous case exists. α = 210° or 330° 2

Trigonometric graphs Unit circle

• Trigonometric y
• Equation of the unit circle: x 2+ y 2 = 1
graphs repeat 1 • Radius of length 1 unit.
themselves y = sin x • For any point on circumference: y
continuously x = cos θ P(x, y)
–360° 0 360° x
in cycles. y = sin θ 1
• Period: –1
y sin θ
• tan θ = – = – y
0°
horizontal x cos θ θ
y = sin x, Period = 360°, Amplitude = 1 • sin(180 – A)° = sin A° 0 x x
distance between A = (1, 0)
y cos(180 – A)° = – cos A°
repeating peaks 1
or troughs. y = cos x tan(180 – A)° = – tan A°
• Amplitude: • Quadrants are y
half the distance –360° 0 360° x positive for:
between the –1 II I
maximum and x < 0, y > 0 x > 0, y > 0
minimum values. y = cos x, Period = 360°, Amplitude = 1 sin = + sin = cos = +
y cos = tan = – tan = +
Sin > 0 All > 0
y = tan x x
III IV
x < 0, y < 0 x > 0, y < 0
–360°–270°–180°–90° 0 90° 180° 270° 360° x tan = + cos = +
sin = cos = – sin = tan = –
Tan > 0 Cos > 0

y = tan x, Period = 180°, Amplitude =

1088 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

17.8.2 Success criteria
Tick the column to indicate that you have completed the subtopic and how well you have understood it using the
traffic light system.
(Green: I understand; Yellow: I can do it with help; Red: I do not understand)

Subtopic Success criteria

17.2 I can apply the exact values of sin, cos and tan for 30°, 45° and 60° angles.

I can apply the sine rule to evaluate angles and sides of triangles.

I can recognise when the ambiguous case of the sine rule exists.

17.3 I can apply the cosine rule to calculate a side of a triangle.

I can apply the cosine rule to calculate the angles of a triangle.

17.4 I can calculate the area of a triangle, given two sides and the included
angle.
I can use Heron’s formula to calculate the area of a triangle, given the
three sides.

17.5 I can determine in which quadrant an angle lies.

I can use and interpret the relationship between a point on the unit circle
and the angle made with the positive x-axis.
I can use the unit circle to determine approximate trigonometric ratios for
angles greater than 90°.

17.6 I can sketch the graphs of the sine, cosine and tangent graphs.

I can determine the amplitude of a given trigonometric function.

I can determine the period of a given trigonometric function.

17.7 I can solve trigonometric equations graphically for a given domain.

I can solve trigonometric equations algebraically, using exact values, for a

given domain.

17.8.3 Project
What’s an arbelos?
As an introduction to this task, you are required to complete the following
construction. The questions that follow require the application of
measurement formulas, and an understanding of semicircles related to this
construction.

A 6 cm Y B

8 cm

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1089

 1. Constructing an arbelos
• Rule a horizontal line AB 8 cm long.
• Determine the midpoint of the line and construct a semicircle on top of the line with AB as the

• Mark Y as a point on AB such that AY = 6 cm.

diameter.

• Determine the midpoint of AY and draw a small semicircle inside the larger semicircle with AY as the
diameter.
• Determine the midpoint of YB and construct a semicircle (also inside the larger semicircle) with a
diameter YB.
The shape enclosed by the three semicircles is known as an arbelos. The word, in Greek, means
shoemaker’s knife as it resembles the blade of a knife used by cobblers. The point Y is not fixed and can be
located anywhere along the diameter of the larger semicircle, which can also vary in size.

2. Perimeter of an arbelos

calculations, leaving each answer in terms of 𝜋.

The perimeter of an arbelos is the sum of the arc length of the three semicircles. Perform the following

a. Calculate the arc length of the semicircle with diameter AB.

b. Calculate the arc length of the semicircle with diameter AY.
c. Calculate the arc length of the semicircle on diameter YB.
d. Compare the largest arc length with the two smaller arc lengths. What do you conclude?
3. We can generalise the arc length of an arbelos. The point Y can be located anywhere on the line AB,

your conclusion from question 2d holds true for any value of d, where d1 + d2 = d.
which can also vary in length. Let the diameter AB be d cm, AY be d1 cm and YB be d2 cm. Prove that

4. Area of an arbelos
The area of an arbelos may be treated as the area of a composite shape.

your answer in terms of 𝜋.

a. Using your original measurements, calculate the area of the arbelos you drew in question 1. Leave

The area of the arbelos can also be calculated using another method. We can draw the common tangent
to the two smaller semicircles at their point of contact and extend this tangent to the larger semicircle. It
is said that the area of the arbelos is the same as the area of the circle constructed on this common
tangent as diameter.

1090 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 Z

A Y B
YZ is the common tangent.

Triangles AYZ, BYZ and AZB are all right-angled triangles. We can use Pythagoras’ theorem, together
with a set of simultaneous equations, to determine the length of the tangent YZ.

In ΔAYZ, AZ2 = AY2 + YZ2

b. Complete the following.

= 62 + YZ2
In ΔBYZ, BZ2 = BY2 + YZ2
= .......................... + YZ2
Adding these two equations,
AZ2 + BZ2 = ......................... + .........................
AZ2 + BZ2 = AB2
But, in ΔAZB = .........................
......................... + .........................
So, YZ = ......................... (Leave your answer in surd form.)
c. Now calculate the area of the circle with diameter YZ. Is your answer the same as that calculated in
question 4a?

The area of an arbelos can be generalised.

Let the radii of the two smaller semicircles be r1 and r2 .

A r1 Y r B
2

5. Develop a formula for the area of the arbelos in terms of r1 and r2 . Demonstrate the use of your formula
by checking your answer to question 4a.

Resources
Resourceseses
eWorkbook Topic 17 Workbook (worksheets, code puzzle and project) (ewbk-2043)
Interactivities Crossword (int-2884)
Sudoku puzzle (int-3895)

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1091

Exercise 17.8 Review questions
To answer questions online and to receive immediate corrective feedback and fully worked solutions for
all questions, go to your learnON title at www.jacplus.com.au.
Fluency
1. Calculate the value of x, correct to 2 decimal places.

55°
x

75°
12 cm

2. Calculate the value of 𝜃, correct to the nearest minute.

105° 3.7 m
θ
10.2 m

triangle ABC, given a = 25 m, A = 120° and B = 50°.

3. Determine all unknown sides (correct to 2 decimal places) and angles (correct to the nearest minute) of

4. Calculate the value of x, correct to 2 decimal places.

4.5 cm

54° x cm

2.8 cm

5. Calculate the value of 𝜃, correct to the nearest degree.

6 cm
6 cm

θ 10 cm

6. A triangle has sides of length 12 m, 15 m and 20 m. Calculate the magnitude (size) of the largest angle,
correct to the nearest minute.

7. A triangle has two sides of 18 cm and 25 cm. The angle between the two sides is 45°.
Calculate, correct to 2 decimal places:
a. its area
b. the length of its third side
c. its area using Heron’s formula.

1092 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 8. If an angle of 𝜃 = 290° was represented on the unit circle, state which quadrant the triangle to show this
would be drawn in.

9. On the unit circle, draw an appropriate triangle for the angle 110° in quadrant 2.
a. Determine the value of sin(110°) and cos(110°), correct to 2 decimal places.
b. Determine the value of tan(110°), correct to 2 decimal places.

10. MC The value of sin(53°) is equal to:

A. cos(53°) B. cos(37°) C. sin(37°) D. tan(53°) E. tan(37°)

sin(53°)
11. Simplify .
sin(37°)

12. Draw a sketch of y = sin(x) from 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

13. Draw a sketch of y = cos(x) from 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

14. Draw a sketch of y = tan(x) from 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.

=
x y
15. Label this triangle so that .
sin(46°) sin(68°)

a. y = 2 sin(3x)
16. State the period and amplitude of each of the following graphs.

b. y = −3 cos(2x)
c. y
1

0 x
90° 180° 360°

–1

a. y = 2 sin(x), x ∈ [0°, 360°] b. y = cos(2x), x ∈ [−180°, 180°]

17. Sketch the following graphs.

18. Use technology to write down the solutions to the following equations for the domain 0° ≤ x ≤ 360° to

a. sin(x) = −0.2 b. cos(2x) = 0.7 c. 3 cos(x) = 0.1 d. 2 tan(2x) = 0.5

2 decimal places.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1093

 19. Solve each of the following equations.

a. sin(x) = , x ∈ [0°, 360°] b. cos(x) = , x ∈ [0°, 360°]

√
1 3
2 2
c. cos(x) = √ , x ∈ [0°, 360°] d. sin(x) = √ , x ∈ [0°, 360°]
1 1
2 2

20. MC The equation that represents the graph shown could be:

y
3

0 x
60° 120°
–1

–2

–3

A. y = 3 sin(2x) B. y = 2 cos(3x) C. y = 3 cos(2x) D. y = 2 sin(2x) E. y = 2 sin(3x)

21. a. Use technology to help sketch the graph of y = 2 sin(2x) − 3.

b. Write down the period and the amplitude of the graph in part a.

Problem solving
22. Sketch the graphs of each of the following, stating:
i. the period

a. y = 2 cos(2x), x ∈ [0°, 360°]

ii. the amplitude.

b. y = 3 sin(4x), x ∈ [0°, 180°]

c. y = −2 cos(3x), x ∈ [−60°, 60°]
d. y = 4 sin(2x), x ∈ [−90°, 90°]

23. Solve each of the following equations for the given values of x.

a. cos(2x) = , x ∈ [0°, 360°] b. sin(3x) = , x ∈ [−90°, 90°]

√
3 1
2 2
c. sin(2x) = √ , x ∈ [0°, 360°] d. cos(3x) = − √ , x ∈ [0°, 360°]
1 1

e. sin(4x) = 0, x ∈ [0°, 180°] f. tan(4x) = −1, x ∈ [0°, 180°]

2 2

24. Solve the following for x ∈ [0°, 360°].

a. 2 cos(x) − 1 = 0 b. 2 sin(x) = − c. − 2 cos(x) + 1 = 0 2 sin(x) + 1 = 0
√ √ √
3 d.

25. Sketch the graph of y = tan(2x), x ∈ [0°, 180°]. Write down the period, amplitude and the equations of
any asymptotes.

1094 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

26. A satellite dish is placed on top of an apartment building as shown in the diagram. Determine the height
of the satellite dish, in metres correct to 2 decimal places.

0.22°

48.3°

450 m

27. Australian power points supply voltage, V, in volts, where V = 240 (sin 18 000t) and t is measured
in seconds.
t V
0.000
0.005
0.010
0.015
0.020
0.025
0.030
0.035
0.040
a. Copy and complete the table and sketch the graph, showing the fluctuations in voltage over time.
b. State the times at which the maximum voltage output occurs.
c. Determine how many seconds there are between times of maximum voltage output.
d. Determine how many periods (or cycles) are there per second.

To test your understanding and knowledge of this topic, go to your learnON title at
www.jacplus.com.au and complete the post-test.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1095

Online Resources Resources

Below is a full list of rich resources available online for this topic. These resources are designed to bring ideas to life,
to promote deep and lasting learning and to support the different learning needs of each individual.

eWorkbook
Download the workbook for this topic, which includes
worksheets, a code puzzle and a project (ewbk-2043) ⃞

Solutions
Download a copy of the fully worked solutions to every
question in this topic (sol-0751) ⃞

Digital documents
17.2 SkillSHEET Labelling right-angled triangles (doc-5398) ⃞
SkillSHEET Calculating sin, cos or tan of an angle
(doc-5399) ⃞
SkillSHEET Finding side lengths in right-angled triangles
(doc-5400) ⃞
SkillSHEET Calculating the angle from a sin, cos or tan
ratio (doc-5401) ⃞
SkillSHEET Finding angles in right-angled triangles
(doc-5402) ⃞

Video eLessons
17.2 Exact values of trigonometric functions and the sine
rule (eles-5004) ⃞
The ambiguous case (eles-5005) ⃞
17.3 The cosine rule (eles-5006) ⃞
17.4 Area of triangles (eles-5007) ⃞
Heron’s formula (eles-5008) ⃞
17.5 The unit circle (eles-5009) ⃞
The four quadrants of the unit circle (eles-5010) ⃞
17.6 Sine, cosine and tangent graphs (eles-5011) ⃞
17.7 Solving trigonometric equations (eles-5012) ⃞

Interactivities
17.2 Exact values of trigonometric functions (int-4816) ⃞
The ambiguous case (int-4818) ⃞
The sine rule (int-6275) ⃞
17.3 The cosine rule (int-6276) ⃞
17.4 Area of triangles (int-6483) ⃞
Using Heron’s formula to calculate the area of a triangle
(int-6475) ⃞
17.6 Graphs of trigonometric functions (int-4821) ⃞
17.7 Solving trigonometric equations graphically (int-4822) ⃞
17.8 Crossword (int-2884) ⃞
Sudoku puzzle (int-3895) ⃞

Teacher resources
There are many resources available exclusively for teachers
online.

To access these online resources, log on to www.jacplus.com.au.

1096 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

Answers 23.08, 41°53′ , 23°7′
28°57′
3.

88°15′
4.

Topic 17 Trigonometry II
A = 61°15′ , B = 40°, C = 78°45′
5.
6.
Exercise 17.1 Pre-test
2218 m
′
7.
1. B
8. a. 12.57 km b. S35°1 E

35°6′
2. 9.06 m
3. 9.35 cm 9. a. b. 6.73 m2
4. A 10. 23°
89.12 m
S22°12′ E
5. 19.67 11.

6. 7.2 m 12. a. 130 km b.

7. B 13. 28.5 km
74.3 km
′
8. 3rd quadrant 14.

x = 10.07m
15. 70°49
77°0′
9. 0.5
10. D 16. a. 8.89 m b. c.

18. ∠CAB = 34.65°, ∠ABC = 84.83° and ∠BCA = 60.52°

11. D 17. 1.14 km/h
12. B
13. A 19. a. 4.6637 m b. 55.93°
14. C
15. 270°
Exercise 17.4 Area of triangles
1. 12.98
Exercise 17.2 The sine rule
44°58′ , 77°2′ , 13.79
2. 38.14

39°18′ , 38°55′ , 17.21 A = 32°4′ , B = 99°56′ , area = 68.95 cm2

1. 3. 212.88

A = 39°50′ , B = 84°10′ , area = 186.03 m2

2. 4.

A = 125°14′ , B = 16°46′ , area = 196.03 mm2

3. 70°, 9.85, 9.40 5.
4. 33°, 38.98, 21.98 6.

C = 51°, b = 54.66, c = 44.66

5. 19.12 7. C

A = 60°, b = 117.11, c = 31.38

6. 8. 14.98 cm2

B = 48°26′ , C = 103°34′ , c = 66.26; or B = 131°34′ ,

7. 9. 570.03 mm2

C = 20°26′ , c = 23.8
8. 10. 2.15 cm2
11. B
9. 24.17 12. 3131.41 mm2

A = 73°15′ , b = 8.73; or A = 106°45′ , b = 4.12

10. B, C 13. 610 cm2
11. 2 2 2
14. a. 187.5 cm b. 15.03 cm c. 187.47 cm

C = 110°, a = 3.09, b = 4.64

12. 51.90 or 44.86 15. 17 goldfish

B = 38°, a = 3.36, c = 2.28

13. 16. C

B = 33°33′ , C = 121°27′ , c = 26.24; or B = 146°27′ , a. Area = 69.63 cm

14. 17. B

C = 8°33′ , c = 4.57
15. 2
18.
b. Dimensions are 12.08 cm and 6.96 cm.

h = 7.5 cm
16. 43.62 m 19. 17 kg
17.
20. 52.2 hectares
18. 113 km 21. 175 m3
19. 8.68 m 22. 22.02 m2
20. Yes, she needs 43 m altogether. 23. a. 29.44 km
2
b. 8.26 km c. 41°
21. a. 6.97 m b. 4 m d. 24° e. 3.72 km f. 10.11 km
2

N20°47′ W
2
22. a. 13.11 km b. g. 39.55 km

23. a. 8.63 km b. 6.48 km/h c. 9.90 km 24. 374.12 cm2

22.09 km from A and 27.46 km from B.
′
24.
Exercise 17.5 The unit circle
25. a. 7.3 km b. 282°3
1. a. 1st b. 2nd c. 4th
Exercise 17.3 The cosine rule d. 3rd e. 2nd f. 3rd
1. 7.95 2. A
3. D
2. 55.22

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1097

 −0.17 1 − p2 − 1 − p2
√ √

−0.64 −0.57 −0.82

4. a. 0.34 b. 0.94 c. d. 0.98 20. a. b. p c.

−1
5. a. b. 0.77 c. d. 21. 0
0
−1
6. a. 1 b. 0 c. 0 d. 22.

7. a. b. 0 c. 0 d. 1
Exercise 17.6 Trigonometric functions
8. a. 0.87 b. 0.50
1. See table at the bottom of the page.*

−0.87
9. a. 30° 2. y y = sin(x)

cos(150°) = − cos(30°)
b. 1
c.

sin(150°) = sin(30°)
d. 0.5
0 x

90°
180°
270°
360°
450°
540°
630°
720°
e.

−0.87
10. a. 30° –1

cos(210°) = − cos(30°)
b.

−0.3
3. 360°

−0.50
c.

−0.2 −0.9
4. a. 0.7 b. 0.8 c. 0.3 d.

sin(210°) = − sin(30°)
d.
5. a. 0 b. 0.9 c. d.
e.
6. a. 64°, 116°, 424°, 476°
11. a. 30°

cos(330°) = − cos(30°)
b. 0.87 244°, 296°, 604°, 656°
b.

−0.50
c. c. 44°, 136°, 404°, 496°

sin(330°) = − sin(30°)
d. 7. a. 210°, 330°, 570°, 690°
e.
b. 233°, 307°, 593°, 667°
12. a. 0.34 b. 0.94 c. 24°, 156°, 384°, 516°
c. 0.36 d. 0.36
8. See table at the bottom of the page.*

−0.71
e. They are equal.
9. y

−1 −1
y = cos(x)
13. a. 0.71 b. 1

tan(135°) = − tan(45°)
c. d.

−0.64
e. They are equal. f.
0 x

−0.77
90°
180°
270°
360°
450°
540°
630°
720°
14. a.
b. –1
c. 0.84 10. The graph would continue with the cycle.
d. 0.83 11. It is a very similar graph with the same shape; however, the

tan(220°) = tan(40°)
e. They are approx. equal. sine graph starts at (0, 0), whereas the cosine graph starts

b. −0.9 c. −1
at (0, 1).
−0.87
f.

−0.5 −0.8 −0.9

15. a. 12. a. 0.7 d. 0.9

−1.73
b. 0.5 13. a. b. c. 0.8 d.

−1.74
c. 14. a. 120°, 240°, 480°, 600°
d. b. 37°, 323°, 397°, 683°

tan(300°) = − tan(60°)
e. They are approx. equal. c. 46°, 314°, 406°, 674°
f. 15. a. 127°, 233°, 487°, 593°
16. D b. 26°, 334°, 386°, 694°
17, 18, 19.Sample responses can be found in the worked c. 154°, 206°, 514°, 566°
solutions in the online resources.

*1.

−0.5° −0.87 −1 −0.87 −0.5

x 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
sin(x) 0 0.5 0.87 1 0.87 0.5 0 0

−0.5 −0.87 −1 −0.87 −0.5

x 390° 420° 450° 480° 510° 540° 570° 600° 630° 660° 690° 720°
sin(x) 0.5 0.87 1 0.87 0.5 0 0

*8.

−0.5 −0.87 −1 −0.87 −0.5

x 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
cos(x) 1 0.87 0.5 0 0 0.5 0.87 1

−0.5 −0.87 −1 −0.87 −0.5

x 390° 420° 450° 480° 510° 540° 570° 600° 630° 660° 690° 720°
cos(x) 0.87 0.5 0 0 0.5 0.87 1

1098 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 y = tan(x)
16. See table at the bottom of the page.* b. i. 360°
17. ii. 2
y iii. y
y = 2 cos(x) 2
180° 360° 540° 720°
0° x
0 x
–360° –270° –180° –90°
90° 270° 450° 630°

19. Quite different. y = tan(x) has undefined values (asymptotes)

–2
18. The graph would continue repeating every 180° as above.
25. a. i. 180° ii. 3

y-values, rather than just values between −1 and 1.

and repeats every 180° rather than 360°. It also gives all
b. i. 120° ii. 4

b. −1 c. −1.2
c. i. 720° ii. 2

−0.8 −0.2
20. a. 1.7 d. 0.8
1
21. a. b. 1.2 c. d. 1 d. i. 1440° ii.
2
22. a. 45°, 225°, 405°, 585°
e. i. 360° ii. 1
b. 56°, 236°, 416°, 596°
f. i. 180° ii. 1
c. 158°, 338°, 518°, 698°
d. 117°, 297°, 477°, 657° 26. a. C b. A c. D
27. a. y
e. 11°, 191°, 371°, 551°
f. 135°, 315°, 495°, 675°
2
23. a. i. 360° y = 2 cos –3x()
ii. 1
0 x
iii. y 540° 1080°
–2

Period = 1080°
1 y = cos(x)

Amplitude = 2
0 x
–180° –90° 90° 180° b. y
y = –3 sin(2x)
–1
3
b. 360°
i.
ii. 1
0 x
iii. y 90° 180° 270° 360°
–3

Period = 180°
y = sin(x)
1

Amplitude = 3
0 x c. y
180° 360° 540° 720° y = 3 sin –x
()
2
–1 3

24. a. i. 180°
x
ii. 1 –180° –90° 0 90° 180°
iii. y

Period = 720°
y = sin(2x) –3
1

Amplitude = 3
0 x
90° 180° 270° 360°
–1

*16.
1.73 undef. −1.73 −0.58 1.73 undef. −1.73 −0.58
x 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
tan(x) 0 0.58 0 0.58 0

1.73 undef. −1.73 −0.58 1.73 undef. −1.73 −0.58

x 390° 420° 450° 480° 510° 540° 570° 600° 630° 660° 690° 720°
tan(x) 0.58 0 0.58 0

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1099

 d. y y = –cos(3x) 29. a. y
y = cos(2x)
1 1

0 x 0 x
120° 240° 360° 180° 360°

Period = 120°
–1 –1

i. −1
Max value = 3, min value = 1
ii. 1
Amplitude = 1

Max value of sin(x) = 1, hence max value of

b.
e. y

y=2×1+3=5
y = 5cos(2x)
5 c.

Min value of sin(x) = −1, hence min value of

x
y = 2 × −1 + 3 = 1
0 180°
30. a. x 0 30° 60° 90° 120°150° 180°
√ √
− 3 −
–5 3 √ √ 3

Period = 180°
y 0 3 undef 0
3 3
Amplitude = 5 b. y
f. y y = tan(x)
y = –sin(4x)
1
0 x
90° 180°
0 x
90° 180°

At x = 90°, y is undefined.
–1

Period = 90° x = 270°

c.

Amplitude = 1
e. The period = 180°, amplitude is undefined.
d.

28. a. y
y = cos(x) + 1 31. a. y = tan(2x)
2
y
1

0 x
–1 90° 180° 270° 360°
–2 0 x
90° 180°

x = 45° and x = 135°

b. y

The period = 90° and amplitude is undefined.

0 x b.
–1 90° 180° 270° 360°
c.
–2
–3 32. a. h
y = sin(2x) – 2 4
–4
3
c. 2
2 1
1.5 t
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
1
0.5 (π (x – 60)
y = cos –––
180 ) –1
–2
–3
0 60 120 180 240 300 360 –4
–0.5
–1

−2.6 metres
–1.5 b. 3 metres
–2 c.

d. y
y = 2sin(4x) + 3
5
4
3
2
1

0 x
90° 180° 270° 360°

1100 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

33. a. y (3, 10) 15. a.
(15, 10)
10 3.0

Height (m)
(24, 6)
(0, 6) 2.6 m
5 2.5

(9, 2) (21, 2)
2.0 1.05 m

Depth (m)
0 x
5 10 15 20 25
Time from midnight (h) 1.5 1.55 m
10 metres
b. 1 1.05 m
≈ 12 –
2 hours
1.0
2 metres
c.

34. a. 22 °C
d. 2.54 metres 0.5 m
0.5

b. T 0
25 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
am pm
24 Time (hours)
1
23 12 hours
b. i. ii. 1.05 m
2
22 c. 10.00 am, 10.30 pm, 11.00 am, 11.30 pm, noon.
d. Until 1.45 am Sunday, 8 am to 2.15 pm and after

16. a. x = 30°, 210° b. x = 153.43°, 333.43°

21 8.30 pm.

20 17. x = 30°, 150°

g g g g
18. a. 100 b. 200 c. 300 d. 400
19

Project
t

Coolest 20 °C, warmest 24 °C

0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 1. Follow given instructions.
c. 2. a. 4𝜋 cm

c. 𝜋 cm
b. 3𝜋 cm

Exercise 17.7 Solving trigonometric equations

d. The largest arc length equals the sum of the two smaller
1. Calculator answers
arc lengths.
a. 25.84°, 334.16° b. 72.54°, 287.46°
3. Sample responses can be found in the worked solutions in the
2. a. 101.54°, 258.46° b. 126.87°, 233.13°
online resources.

b. In ∆AYZ: AZ2 = AY2 + YZ2

3. a. 30°, 150° b. 60°, 120° 4. a. 3𝜋 cm2

= 62 + YZ2
4. a. 120°, 240° b. 135°, 225°

In ∆BYZ: BZ2 = BY2 + YZ2

5. a. 90° b. 180°

210°, 330° b. 225°, 315°

= 22 + YZ2
6. a.

30°, 330° b. 150°, 210°

Adding these equations: AZ + BZ = 62 + YZ2 + 22 + YZ2

7. a.

8. a. 90° b. 90°, 270° 2 2

9. a. 30°, 60°, 210°, 240° b. 75°, 105°, 255°, 285° But in ∆AZB: AZ2 + BZ2 = AB2
10. a. 15°, 105°, 195°, 285° 62 + YZ2 + 22 + YZ2 = 82
2 YZ2 = 64–36–4
b. 70°, 110°

YZ2 = 12√
−165°, −135°, −45°, −15°, 75°, 105°
11. a. 52.5°, 82.5°, 142.5°, 172.5°

YZ = ±√ 12
b.

But YZ > 0 as it is a length: YZ = 2 3

12. a. 45°
b. 30°, 90°, 150°, 210°, 270°, 330°
13. a. 30°, 150° b. 30°, 330°
3𝜋 cm2
c.

5. Area of the arbelos = 𝜋r1 r2

Yes, same area
14. a. 45°, 315° b. 135°, 315°

Sample responses can be found in the worked solutions in the

online resources.

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1101

 x = 191.54, 348.46
x = 22.79, 157.21, 202.79, 337.21
Exercise 17.8 Review questions 18. a.

x = 88.09, 271.91
14.15 cm b.
20°31′
1.

b = 22.11 m, c = 5.01 m, C = 10° x = 7.02, 97.02, 187.02, 277.02

2. c.
3. d.
4. 3.64 cm 19. a. 30°, 150° b. 30°, 330°
34° c. 45°, 315° d. 45°, 135°

94°56′
5.
6. 20. E
7. a. 159.10 cm
2
b. 17.68 cm c. 159.10 cm
2 21. a. y y = 2sin(2x) – 3

9. a. 0.94, −0.34 −2.75

8. 4th quadrant 0 x
–1 180° 360°
b. –2
10. B –3
11. tan(53°) –4
–5
12.

Period = 180, amplitude = 2

y
1 y = sin(x)
b.
22. a. y
0 x y = 2cos(2x)
2
90°
180°
270°
360°
450°

–1
0 x
13. y 180° 360°
y = cos(x)
1 –2

Period = 180°
Amplitude = 2
i.
0 x
90°
180°
270°
360°
450°

ii.
–1
b. y y = 3sin(4x)
3
14. y = tan(x)
y

0 x
90° 180°
0 x
180° 360°
–3

Period = 90°
Amplitude = 3
15. B i.
ii.
y
c. y = –2cos(3x)
x y
A 46° 2
68°

Period = 120 , amplitude = 2

C 0 x
–60° 60°

b. Period = 180 , amplitude = 3

o
16. a.
–2

c. Period = 180 , amplitude = 1 Period = 120°

o

Amplitude = 2
o
i.
17. a. y ii.
2 y = 2sin(x) d. y = 4sin(2x)
1 y
x 4
0 180° 360°
–1
–2
0 x
–90° 90°
b. y –4
y = cos(2x)

Period = 180°
1
i.

–180° 0 180°
x ii. Amplitude= 4

–1

1102 Jacaranda Maths Quest 10 + 10A

 −70°, 10°, 50°
23. a. 15°, 165°, 195°, 345°
b.
c. 22.5°, 67.5°, 202.5°, 247.5°
d. 45°, 75°, 165°, 195°, 285°, 315°
e. 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°
f. 33.75°, 78.75°, 123.75°, 168.75°
24. a. 60°, 300° b. 240°, 300°
c. 45°, 315° d. 225°, 315°
25. y = tan(2x)
y

0 x
90° 180°

Period = 90°, amplitude is undefined.

Asymptotes are at x = 45° and x = 135°.
26. 3.92 m

27. a.
t V
0.000 0
0.005 240

−240
0.010 0
0.015
0.020 0
0.025 240

−240
0.030 0
0.035
0.040 0

V (Volts)

240

.010 .020 .030 .040

0 .005 .015 .025 .035 t (seconds)

–240

b. Maximum voltage occurs at t = 0.005 s, 0.025 s

c. 0.02 s
d. 50 cycles per second

TOPIC 17 Trigonometry II 1103