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Trigonometry - AQATrigonometric graphs - Higher

Trigonometry involves calculating angles and sides in triangles.

Part ofMathsGeometry and measure

Trigonometric graphs - Higher

Click to explore updated revision resources for GCSE Maths: Higher - 2D and 3D trigonometry problems, with step-by-step slideshows, quizzes, practice exam questions, and more!

Circle with triangle from centre to edge, at angle theta

This circle has the centre at the origin and a radius of 1 unit.

The point P can move around the circumference of the circle. At point P the \(x\)-coordinate is \(\cos{\theta}\) and the \(y\)-coordinate is \(\sin{\theta}\).

As the point P moves anticlockwise around the circle from 0°, the angle \(\theta\) changes.

The values of \(\cos{\theta}\) and \(\sin{\theta}\) also change.

The graphs of \(y = \sin{\theta}\) and \(y = \cos{\theta}\) can be plotted.

The graph of y = sin θ

Graph of y = sin theta

The graph of \(y = \sin{\theta}\) has a maximum value of 1 and a minimum value of -1.

The graph has a period of 360°. This means that it repeats itself every 360°.

The graph of y = cos θ

Graph of y = cos theta

The graph of \(y = \cos{\theta}\) has a maximum value of 1 and a minimum value of -1.

The graph has a period of 360°.

The graph of y = tan θ

As the point P moves anticlockwise round the circle, the values of \(\cos{\theta}\) and \(\sin{\theta}\) change, therefore the value of \(\tan{\theta}\) will change.

Y = tan theta

This graph has a period of 180°.

Calculating angles from trigonometric graphs

The symmetrical and periodic properties of the trigonometric graphs will give an number of solutions to any trigonometric equation.

Example

Solve the equation \(\sin{x} = 0.5\) for all values of \(x\) between \(-360^\circ \leq x \leq 360^\circ\).

\(\sin{x} = 0.5\)

Using a calculator gives one solution:

\(x = 30^\circ\)

Draw the horizontal line \(y = 0.5\).

The line \(y = 0.5\) crosses the graph of \(y = \sin{x}\) four times in the interval \(-360^\circ \leq \theta \leq 360^\circ\) so there are four solutions.

Graph of y=sin x

There is a line of symmetry at \(x = 90^\circ\), so there is a solution at \(180 - 30 = 150^\circ\).

The period is 360° so to find the next solutions subtract 360°.

The solutions to the equation \(\sin{x} = 0.5\) are:

\(x\) = -330°, -210°, 30° and 150°.

Question

Solve the equation \(\cos{x} = 0.75\) for all values of \(x\) between \(-360^\circ \leq x \leq 360^\circ\). Give your answer to the nearest degree.

Question

Given that \(\tan{60} = \sqrt{3}\), calculate the other values of \(x\) in the interval \(0^\circ \leq x \leq 720^\circ\) for which \(\tan{x} = \sqrt{3}\).