Question Bank › IGCSE Shape & Space › Basic Trigonometry
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Higher June 2025 Paper 2 Q10
10 \(ABD\) and \(ABC\) are right-angled triangles.
Diagram NOT accurately drawn
\(AB = 16\) cm \(BC = 12\) cm \(AD = 1.5 \times AC\)
Find the length of \(CD\) Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
(5)
Mark scheme
Mark scheme Scheme Marks \(\left(AC^2 =\right)12^2 + 16^2 \;(= 144 + 256 = 400)\) or \((BAC =)\tan^{-1}\left(\dfrac{12}{16}\right)\left(= 36.8(698\ldots)\right)\) or 36.9 or
\((BCA =)\tan^{-1}\left(\dfrac{16}{12}\right)\left(= 53.1(301\ldots)\right)\)
M1 \((AC =)\sqrt{12^2 + 16^2}\left(= \sqrt{144 + 256} = \sqrt{400} = 20\right)\) or \((AC =)\frac{16}{\cos\text{``}{36.8}\text{''}}(= 20)\) or
\((AC =)\frac{12}{\sin\text{``}{36.8}\text{''}}(= 20)\) or \((AC =)\frac{16}{\sin\text{``}{53.1}\text{''}}(= 20)\) or \((AC =)\frac{12}{\cos\text{``}{53.1}\text{''}}(= 20)\)
M1 \(\left(BD^2 =\right)\left(1.5 \times \text{``}{20}\text{''}\right)^2 - 16^2 \;(= 644)\) or \(\left(BD^2 =\right)30^2 - 16^2 \;(= 900 - 256 = 644)\) or
\((BAD =)\cos^{-1}\left(\dfrac{16}{\text{``}{30}\text{''}}\right)\left(= 57.7(690\ldots)\right)\) or 57.8 or \((BDA =)\sin^{-1}\left(\dfrac{16}{\text{``}{30}\text{''}}\right)\left(= 32.2(309\ldots)\right)\)
or \((BCA =)\sin^{-1}\left(\dfrac{16}{\text{``}{20}\text{''}}\right)\left(= 53.1(301\ldots)\right)\) and \(\dfrac{(CD)}{\sin(180 - 126.9 - 32.2)} = \dfrac{\text{``}{30}\text{''}}{\sin(180 - 53.1)}\) oe
M1 \((BD =)\sqrt{\left(1.5 \times \text{``}{20}\text{''}\right)^2 - 16^2}\) (= 25.3(771…)) or
\((BD =)\sqrt{30^2 - 16^2}\left(= \sqrt{900 - 256} = \sqrt{644} = 2\sqrt{161} = 25.3(771\ldots)\right)\) or
\((BD =)16 \times \tan\text{``}{57.7}\text{''}\left(= 25.3(771\ldots)\right)\) or \((BD =)\text{``}{30}\text{''} \times \sin\text{``}{57.7}\text{''}\left(= 25.3(771\ldots)\right)\) or
\((BD =)\sqrt{16^2 + \text{``}{30}\text{''}^2 - 2 \times 16 \times \text{``}{30}\text{''} \times \cos\text{``}{57.7}\text{''}}\left(= 25.3(771\ldots)\right)\) or
\((BD =)30 \times \cos\text{``}{32.2}\text{''}\left(= 25.3(771\ldots)\right)\) or \((BD =)\dfrac{16}{\tan\text{``}{32.2}\text{''}}\left(= 25.3(771\ldots)\right)\) or
\((BD =)\dfrac{16}{\sin\text{``}{32.2}\text{''}} \times \sin\text{``}{57.7}\text{''}\left(= 25.3(771\ldots)\right)\) or \((CD =)\dfrac{\text{``}{30}\text{''}}{\sin\text{``}{126.9}\text{''}} \times \sin\text{``}{20.9}\text{''}\) oe
M1 Working not required, so correct answer scores full marks (unless from obvious incorrect working) Answer: 13.4A1 (5) (5 marks)
Notes M1: for a correct method using triangle \(ABC\)
M1: for a correct method to find \(AC\)
M1: for a correct method using triangle to find \(BD^2\) or angle \(BAD\) or angle \(BDA\) or for a correct equation for side \(CD\)
M1: for a correct method to find \(BD\) or \(CD\)
A1: awrt 13.4
Higher June 2025 Paper 1 Q9
9
Diagram NOT accurately drawn
\(ABCD\) is a trapezium with one line of symmetry.
angle \(ADC = 60^\circ\) \(AD = 12\) cm \(DC = 47\) cm
Work out the area of the trapezium. Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. Show your working clearly.
(5)
Mark scheme
Mark scheme Scheme Marks eg \(12\sin 60\left(= 6\sqrt{3} = 10.3(9\ldots)\right)\) or \(\sqrt{12^2 - \text{``}{6}\text{''}^2}\left(= 6\sqrt{3} = 10.3(9\ldots)\right)\)
or (Area \(ADC\) =) \(\dfrac{1}{2} \times 12 \times 47 \times \sin 60 \;(= 244.2\ldots)\)
M1 eg \(12\cos 60 (= 6)\) or \(\sqrt{12^2 - \left(\text{``}{6\sqrt{3}}\text{''}\right)^2}\;(= 6)\) M1 eg (\(AB\) =) 47 – “6” – “6” (= 35) M1 eg (Trapezium =) \(\dfrac{1}{2} \times \left(47 + \text{``}{35}\text{''}\right) \times \text{``}{10.3(9\ldots)}\text{''}\)
or (Rectangle + 2 × Triangle =) \(\text{``}{35}\text{''} \times \text{``}{10.3(9\ldots)}\text{''} + 2 \times \dfrac{1}{2} \times \text{``}{6}\text{''} \times \text{``}{10.3(9\ldots)}\text{''}\)
or (Rectangle + 2 × Triangle =) \(\text{``}{35}\text{''} \times \text{``}{10.3(9\ldots)}\text{''} + 2 \times \dfrac{1}{2} \times \text{``}{6}\text{''} \times 12 \times \sin 60\)
or (Triangle \(ADC\) + Triangle \(ABC\) =) \(\text{``}{244.2\ldots}\text{''} + \dfrac{1}{2} \times 12 \times \text{``}{35}\text{''} \times \sin 120\)
oe eg \(\left(47 - \text{``}{6}\text{''}\right) \times \text{``}{10.3(9\ldots)}\text{''}\)
M1 Working required Answer: 426A1 (5) (5 marks)
Notes M1: for a method find the height of the trapeziumor the area of triangle \(ADC\) The first two M1 marks can be awarded in either order
M1: (indep)
for a method find the base of the triangle, condone missing brackets around \(\text{``}{6\sqrt{3}}\text{''}\)
The first two M1 marks can be awarded in either order
M1: (dep on previous M1) for method to find the length of \(AB\)
M1: for a complete method There are other methods and marks should be awarded for a complete method that should give the correct area
A1: (dep on M1) allow 420 – 427 from correct working
Higher June 2025 Paper 1R Q9
9 The diagram shows triangle \(PQR\)
Diagram NOT accurately drawn
Work out the length of \(QR\) Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
(3)
Mark scheme
Mark scheme Scheme Marks eg \(\tan 24 = \dfrac{6.5}{QR}\) or \(\dfrac{6.5}{\sin 24} = \dfrac{QR}{\sin(180 - 90 - 24)}\) oe
or \(\tan(180 - 90 - 24) = \dfrac{QR}{6.5}\) or
\((PR =)\dfrac{6.5}{\sin 24}(= 15.9\ldots)\) and \(6.5^2 + QR^2 = \text{``}{15.9}\text{''}^2\)
M1 eg \((QR =)\dfrac{6.5}{\tan 24}\) or \((QR =)\dfrac{6.5}{\sin 24} \times \sin 66\)
or \((QR =)\;6.5\tan 66\) [where 66 = 180 – 90 – 24]
or \((QR =)\sqrt{\text{``}{15.9}\text{''}^2 - 6.5^2}\)
M1 Correct answer scores full marks (unless from obvious incorrect working) Answer: 14.6A1 (3) (3 marks)
Notes M1: for setting up a trig equation in \(QR\) or for a complete method to find \(PR\) and then setting up Pythagoras or trig equation for \(QR\)
M1: for a complete method
A1: accept 14.5 – 14.61
Higher November 2024 Paper 2 Q25
25 The diagram shows an equilateral triangle \(ABC\) and a circle with centre \(O\)
Diagram NOT accurately drawn
\(AB\), \(BC\) and \(CA\) are tangents to the circle. The radius of the circle is \(x\) cm
The total area, in cm², of the regions shown shaded in the diagram is \(nx^2\)
Find the value of \(n\) Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
(5)
Mark scheme Mark scheme (using a value for the radius)
Mark scheme Scheme Marks eg \(\tan 30 = \dfrac{x}{0.5AB}\) or \(\tan 60 = \dfrac{0.5AB}{x}\) oe or
\(0.5AB = \dfrac{x}{\tan 30}\) or \(0.5AB = x\tan 60\) oe or \(\dfrac{1}{2}AB = \sqrt{3}x\)
M1 eg \((AB =)\;2x\tan 60\) or \(\dfrac{2x}{\tan 30}\) or \(2\sqrt{3}x\) or \(3.46..x\) oe
OR
area small triangle \(\left(\dfrac{1}{6}\textit{shape}\right) = \dfrac{1}{2} \times x\tan 60 \times x\) or \(\dfrac{1}{2} \times \sqrt{3}x \times x\) or \(\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}x^2\)
M1 eg \(6 \times \dfrac{1}{2} \times x\tan 60 \times x\) or \(\dfrac{1}{2} \times (2x\tan 60)^2 \times \sin 60\) or \(\dfrac{1}{2}\left(\dfrac{2x}{\tan 30}\right)^2 \sin 60\)
or \(\dfrac{1}{2} \times 2\sqrt{3}x \times \sqrt{\left(2\sqrt{3}x\right)^2 - \left(\sqrt{3}x\right)^2}\) or \(0.5 \times 2\sqrt{3}x \times 3x\) or \(3\sqrt{3}x^2\) or \(5.19\ldots x^2\)
M1 \(6 \times \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}x^2 - \pi x^2\) or \(3\sqrt{3}x^2 - \pi x^2\) or \(\text{``}{5.19\ldots}\text{''}x^2 - \pi x^2\)
or \(6 \times \dfrac{1}{2} \times \tan 60 \times x^2 - \pi x^2\) or \(\dfrac{1}{2}\left(\dfrac{2x}{\tan 30}\right)^2 \sin 60 - \pi x^2\) oe
M1 Correct answer scores full marks (unless from obvious incorrect working) Look for values written on the diagram Answer: 2.05A1 (5) (5 marks)
Notes M1: (off spec but a student who knows without calc that height of triangle = \(3x\): \(\tan 60 = \dfrac{3x}{0.5AB}\) or \(\sin 60 = \dfrac{3x}{BC}\) )
M1: Expression for side of triangle (\(AB\) or \(BC\) or \(AC\))OR the area of one or more of the six triangles
M1: a correct expression for the area of triangle \(ABC\)
M1: a correct expression for the area of the shaded parts of the diagram or a correct equation for the shaded parts of the diagram
A1: 2.05 – 2.06
Mark scheme (using a value for the radius) Scheme Marks eg \(\tan 30 = \dfrac{100}{0.5AB}\) or \(\tan 60 = \dfrac{0.5AB}{100}\) oe or
\(0.5AB = \dfrac{100}{\tan 30}\) or \(0.5AB = 100\tan 60\) oe or
\(\dfrac{1}{2}AB = \sqrt{3} \times 100\)
M1 eg \((AB =)\;200\tan 60\) or \(\dfrac{200}{\tan 30}\) or \(200\sqrt{3}x\) or \(346\ldots x\) )
or
area small triangle \(\left(\dfrac{1}{6}\textit{shape}\right) = \dfrac{1}{2} \times \text{``}{173\ldots}\text{''} \times 100\;(= 8660\ldots)\)
M1 eg \(\dfrac{1}{2} \times 200\sqrt{3} \times 200\sqrt{3} \times \sin 60\;(= 51961.52\ldots)\) or
or
\(6 \times \dfrac{1}{2} \times \text{``}{173\ldots}\text{''} \times 100\;(= 6 \times \text{``}{8660\ldots}\text{''} = 51961.52\ldots)\)
M1 eg \(\text{``}{51961.52}\text{''} - \pi \times 100^2 = 100^2 n\) M1 Correct answer scores full marks (unless from obvious incorrect working) Answer: 2.05A1
Notes M1: eg using radius = 100 ANY VALUE CAN BE USED CONSISTENTLY FOR AWARD OF MARKS
M1: Expression for side of triangle or the area of one or more of the six triangles
M1: a correct expression for the area of the triangle
M1: a correct equation for the area of the shaded parts of the diagram.
A1: 2.05 – 2.06
Higher November 2024 Paper 1 Q12
12 \(ABC\) is a right-angled triangle. \(D\) is a point on \(BC\)
Diagram NOT accurately drawn
\(AB = 4250\) m angle \(BAD = 47^\circ\) angle \(BCA = 24^\circ\)
Work out the length of \(DC\) Give your answer correct to the nearest integer.
(4)
Mark scheme
Mark scheme Scheme Marks eg
\(\tan 47 = \dfrac{(BD)}{4250}\) or \(\tan 24 = \dfrac{4250}{(BC)}\) or \(\tan(47 + \text{“}19\text{”}) = \dfrac{(BC)}{4250}\) or \(\dfrac{(BD)}{\sin 47} = \dfrac{4250}{\sin 43}\)
or \((AD =)\;\dfrac{4250}{\cos 47}\;(= 6231.686\ldots)\) or \((AD =)\;\dfrac{4250}{\sin 43}\;(= 6231.686\ldots)\)
or \((AC =)\;\dfrac{4250}{\sin 24}\;(= 10\,449.021\ldots)\) or \((AC =)\;\dfrac{4250}{\cos 66}\;(= 10\,449.021\ldots)\)
M1 eg
\((BD =)\;4250\tan 47\;(= 4557.567\ldots)\) or \((BC =)\;\dfrac{4250}{\tan 24}\;(= 9545.656\ldots)\)
or \((BD =)\;\dfrac{4250}{\sin 43} \times \sin 47\;(= 4557.567\ldots)\) or \(\dfrac{(DC)}{\sin\text{“}19\text{”}} = \dfrac{\text{“}10449\ldots\ldots\text{”}}{\sin\text{“}137\text{”}}\)
or \(\dfrac{(DC)}{\sin\text{“}19\text{”}} = \dfrac{\text{“}6231.686\text{”}}{\sin 24}\) or \((BC =)\;4250 \times \tan(47 + \text{“}19\text{”})\;(= 9545.656\ldots)\)
or \((DC^2 =)\;\text{“}6231\text{”}^2 + \text{“}10449\text{”}^2 - 2 \times \text{“}6231\text{”} \times \text{“}10449\text{”} \times \cos 19\)
M1 eg
“9545.656” – “4557.567” (= 4988.089)
or \((DC =)\;\dfrac{\text{“}6231.686\text{”}}{\sin 24} \times \sin 19\) or \((DC =)\;\dfrac{\text{“}10449\ldots\ldots\text{”}}{\sin\text{“}137\text{”}} \times \sin\text{“}19\text{”}\)
or \((DC =)\sqrt{\text{“}6231\text{”}^2 + \text{“}10449\text{”}^2 - 2 \times \text{“}6231\text{”} \times \text{“}10449\text{”} \times \cos 19}\)
M1 Correct answer scores full marks (unless from obvious incorrect working) Answer: 4988A1 (4) (4 marks)
Notes M1: for a complete method
A1: allow in the range 4932 – 4990
Higher November 2024 Paper 2 Q3
3 The diagram shows triangle \(PQR\)
Diagram NOT accurately drawn
Work out the value of \(x\) Give your answer correct to one decimal place.
(3)
Mark scheme
Mark scheme Scheme Marks \(\cos 43 = \dfrac{x}{8.6}\) or
\(\tan 43 = \dfrac{8.6\sin 43}{x}\) or
\(\sin(90 - 43) = \dfrac{x}{8.6}\) or
\(\dfrac{x}{\sin(90 - 43)} = \dfrac{8.6}{\sin 90}\) or
\((x^2 =)\;8.6^2 - (8.6\sin 43)^2\) or \((x^2 =)\;8.6^2 - 5.8(65\ldots)^2\)
M1 \((x =)\;8.6\cos 43\) or
\((x =)\;\dfrac{8.6\sin 43}{\tan 43}\left(= \dfrac{\text{“}5.8(65\ldots)\text{”}}{\tan 43}\right)\) or
\((x =)\;8.6\sin(90 - 43)\) or
\((x =)\;\dfrac{8.6\sin 47}{\sin 90}\) or
\((x =)\sqrt{8.6^2 - \text{“}5.8(65\ldots)\text{”}^2}\)
M1 Correct answer scores full marks (unless from obvious incorrect working) Answer: 6.3A1 (3) (3 marks)
Notes M1: a correct trig statement for \(x\) or \(QR\) or a correct Pythagoras statement for \(x^2\)
M1: a fully correct calculation to find \(x\) (some students go straight to this and gain M2)
A1: awrt 6.3 seen even if then rounded incorrectly
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