Trigonometry : Trigonometric Functions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Trigonometry

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Example Questions

Example Question #6 : Graphs Of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Which of the following is the correct graph and range of the inverse function of   with ?

Possible Answers:

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 3.51.45 pm

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 3.51.45 pm

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 3.51.52 pm

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 3.51.52 pm

Correct answer:

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 3.51.52 pm

Explanation:

First, we must solve for the inverse of 

So now we are trying to find the range of and plot the function .  Let’s start with the graph of .  We know the domain is .

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 3.51.45 pm

Now using the formula  where  = Period, the period of   is .  And so we perform a transformation to the graph of  to change the period from  to .

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 3.51.52 pm

We can see that the graph has a range of  

Example Question #7 : Graphs Of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

True or False: The domain for  will always be all real numbers no matter the value of  or any transformations applied to the tangent function.

Possible Answers:

False

True 

Correct answer:

True 

Explanation:

This is true because just as the range of  is all real numbers due to the vertical asymptotes of the function, the function  extends to all values of  but is limited in its values of  .  No matter the transformations applied, all values of will still be reached.

 

 

 

Example Question #8 : Graphs Of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Which of the following is the graph of ?

Possible Answers:

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 1.54.54 pm

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 1.55.06 pm

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 1.55.00 pm

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 1.57.17 pm

Correct answer:

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 1.55.06 pm

Explanation:

First, we must consider the graph of .

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 1.54.54 pm

Using the formula  we can apply the transformations step-by-step.  First we will transform the amplitude, so  so we must shorten the amplitude to .

Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 1.55.00 pm

Now we must apply a vertical shift of one unit since .  This leaves us with our answer. 

 Screen shot 2020 08 27 at 1.55.06 pm

Example Question #1 : Solve A Trigonometric Function By Squaring Both Sides

True or False: All solutions found from squaring both sides of a trigonometric function are valid should be given as a final answer.

Possible Answers:

True 

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

This is not true.  This is because when squaring both sides and then plugging back into the original equations, some of our solutions may be extraneous solutions.  Therefore, when solving a trigonometric equation by squaring both sides, all solutions found must be plugged back into the original equation and validated.

Example Question #2 : Solve A Trigonometric Function By Squaring Both Sides

True or False: You should always solve for a trigonometric equation by squaring both sides.  This will always be the most efficient method.

Possible Answers:

True 

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

We should only square by both sides when all other identities are not able to be used in an equation.  Quite often, you will find that a trigonometric identity can be used to simplify an equation.  Squaring both sides is ultimately trying to produce a trigonometric identity in order to solve for the equation.

Example Question #3 : Solve A Trigonometric Function By Squaring Both Sides

Solve the following equation by squaring both sides: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We begin with our original equation:

 

                 (Pythagorean Identity)

 

Looking at the unit circle we see that  at  and .  We must plug these back into our original equation to validate them.

 

Checking 

 

Checking 

 

And so our only solution is 

 

 

 

Example Question #4 : Solve A Trigonometric Function By Squaring Both Sides

Solve the following equation by squaring both sides: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We begin with our original equation:

 

               (Pythagorean Identity)

 

From the unit circle, we see that We must check both of these solutions in the original equation.

 

Checking 

 

 

Checking  

 

 

So we see our only solution is 

Example Question #5 : Solve A Trigonometric Function By Squaring Both Sides

Solve the following equation by squaring both sides: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We begin with our original equation

 

                                  (Pythagorean Identity)

                                                                                            (substitution)

 

Using this form, we see we really only need to consider when   at   and .  Now we must plug these values into the original equation to check and see if they are both acceptable solutions to our problem.


Checking :

 

 

Checking 


By checking our solutions we see the only solution to our equation is .

Example Question #6 : Solve A Trigonometric Function By Squaring Both Sides

Solve the following equation by squaring both sides: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We begin with our original equation.

 

                                             (Pythagorean Identity)

                                                                    (Double-Angle Formula)

 

We know that  will be equal to  for when  is any multiple of and when .  We need to check both solutions (we will simply check  for simplicity) to make sure they are valid solutions.


Checking :

 

Checking 


By checking our solutions, we see the only solution to this equation is 

 

Example Question #7 : Solve A Trigonometric Function By Squaring Both Sides

Solve the following equation by squaring both sides: .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This one is not as straight-forward.  We must manipulate the original equation before squaring both sides.

 

                                     (Pythagorean Identity)

                                                                 (divide both sides by 2)

 

Solving for each:

 

   radians

 

Or 

 

From the unit circle we know that  when .

 

So now we must go back and check all of our solutions.

Checking 

 

Checking  (this is also equal to checking )

Both of our solutions are correct.

 

 

 

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