Trigonometric Equations

More questions on this topic: AS Pure: Trigonometry (107) A2 Pure: Trigonometry (227)

AQA

AQA · Old spec

June 2025 Paper 2 Q21

21

(a)

\(\theta\) is an angle between \(270^\circ\) and \(360^\circ\)

\(\qquad \cos\theta = \dfrac{1}{5k} \quad\) and \(\quad \tan\theta = -3k \qquad\) where \(k\) is a positive constant.

Work out the value of \(\theta\). [2 marks]

(b)

Work out the values of \(x\) between \(0^\circ\) and \(360^\circ\) for which

\[8\cos^2 x - \cos x = 0\]

[3 marks]

June 2025 Paper 1 Q7

7 Here is a sketch of \(\quad y = \tan x \quad\) for \(\quad 0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 360^\circ\)

Sketch of y = tan x for 0° to 360°, with asymptotes at 90° and 270°

You are given that \(\quad \tan 72^\circ = k\)

Work out the two values of \(x\) between \(0^\circ\) and \(360^\circ\) for which \(\quad \tan x = -k\) [2 marks]

June 2024 Paper 1 Q22

22

\[\mathrm{f}(x) = \frac{3\sin x\cos x + \sin^2 x}{12\cos^2 x + 4\sin x\cos x}\]

Simplify \(\mathrm{f}(x)\) and hence solve \(\quad \mathrm{f}(x) = -\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \quad\) for \(\quad 90^\circ \lt x \lt 180^\circ\)

You must show your working. [4 marks]

June 2023 Paper 2 Q18

18 Here is a sketch of \(\quad y = \cos x \quad\) for values of \(x\) from \(0^\circ\) to \(360^\circ\)

\(\alpha\) is an obtuse angle measured in degrees.

\(\cos \alpha = -k \quad\) where \(k\) is a positive constant.

Graph of y = cos x from 0° to 360°, with y from −1 to 1. A dashed line at y = −k meets the curve at x = α, just greater than 90°
(a) Tick (✓) two boxes that show expressions for \(x\) where \(\quad \cos x = -k\) [2 marks]
\(180^\circ - \alpha\)\(180^\circ + \alpha\)
\(270^\circ - \alpha\)\(270^\circ + \alpha\)
\(360^\circ - \alpha\)\(360^\circ + \alpha\)
(b) Circle the expression for \(x\) where \(\quad \sin x = -k\) [1 mark]
  • \(\alpha\)
  • \(90^\circ + \alpha\)
  • \(180^\circ - \alpha\)
  • \(180^\circ + \alpha\)

June 2023 Paper 1 Q12

12

(a) Write down the value of \(x\) for \(\quad 0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 360^\circ \quad\) when \(\quad \sin x = -1\) [1 mark]
(b) Work out the values of \(y\) for \(\quad 0^\circ \leqslant y \leqslant 360^\circ \quad\) when \(\quad \sqrt{3}\tan y = 1\) [3 marks]

June 2022 Paper 2 Q21

AQACurrent spec4 marksTrigonometric Equations

21 Work out the values of \(x\) between \(0^\circ\) and \(360^\circ\) for which

\[2\tan^2 x = 3\]

Give your answers to 1 decimal place.

You must show your working. [4 marks]

November 2021 Paper 1 Q15

15 Work out the value of \(x\) where \(\quad 0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 90^\circ \quad\) for which \(\quad 3\tan^2 x = 1\) [2 marks]

Specimen 2020 Paper 1 Q20

20

(a) Show that \(\quad 2\cos^2\theta \equiv 2 - 2\sin^2\theta\) [1 mark]
(b) Hence, solve \(\quad 2\cos^2\theta + 3\sin\theta = 3 \qquad\) for \(\ 0 \lt \theta \lt 180^\circ\) [4 marks]

June 2019 Paper 2 Q22

22

(a) Show that \(\quad \dfrac{2\sin^2 x - 1 + \cos^2 x}{\sin x \cos x} \quad\) is equivalent to \(\ \tan x\) [3 marks]
(b) Hence solve \(\quad \dfrac{2\sin^2 x - 1 + \cos^2 x}{\sin x \cos x} = -1 \quad\) for \(\ 0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 360^\circ\) [2 marks]

June 2019 Paper 1 Q15

15 Here is a sketch graph of \(\quad y = \cos x \quad\) for \(\quad 0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 360^\circ\)

Sketch of y = cos x from 0° to 360°: starts at 1, crosses the x-axis at 90°, minimum −1 at 180°, crosses at 270°, back to 1 at 360°

You are given that \(\quad \cos 36^\circ = 0.8090\)

Solve \(\quad \cos x = -0.8090 \quad\) for \(\quad 0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 360^\circ\) [2 marks]

June 2018 Paper 2 Q22

22

(a) \(8 \cos x + 5 \sin x = 0 \quad\) where \(\ 90^\circ \lt x \lt 180^\circ\)

Work out the size of angle \(x\). [3 marks]

(b) \(6 \sin^2 x + 4 \cos^2 x \equiv \mathrm{A} + \mathrm{B} \cos^2 x \qquad\) where A and B are integers.

Work out the values of A and B.
You must show your working. [2 marks]

June 2018 Paper 2 Q13

13

(a) Here is a sketch of \(\ y = \tan x\ \) for \(\ 0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 360^\circ\)
Sketch of y = tan x from 0° to 360° with vertical asymptotes at 90° and 270°; it crosses the x-axis at 0°, 180° and 360°. Not drawn accurately

How many solutions of \(\ \tan x = k\ \) where \(k \gt 0\) are between \(90^\circ\) and \(360^\circ\)? [1 mark]

(b) \(0 \lt p \lt 1\)

How many solutions of \(\ \sin x = p - 1\ \) are between \(0^\circ\) and \(180^\circ\)?

You may use a sketch graph to help you. [1 mark]

(c) State the coordinates of each point where the graph

\(y = \cos x \qquad\) for \(\ 0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 360^\circ\)

meets or intersects an axis. [2 marks]

June 2017 Paper 1 Q17

AQAOld spec5 marksTrigonometric Equations

17

(a) Factorise \(\quad 2x^2 + 7x + 5\) [2 marks]
(b) Hence, or otherwise, work out the value of \(\theta\) between \(0^\circ\) and \(360^\circ\) for which\[2\sin^2\theta + 7\sin\theta + 5 = 0\]

[3 marks]

June 2016 Paper 2 Q26

26

(a) Prove that \(\quad \sin^2 x - 3\cos^2 x \equiv 4\sin^2 x - 3\) [2 marks]
(b) Hence, or otherwise, work out the values of \(x\) between 0° and 360° for which\[\sin^2 x - 3\cos^2 x = 0\] [4 marks]