Chapter 4.

6
Equations Involving
Circular and Inverse
Circular Functions

Types of Equations
Identities are satisfied by all values of the
unknown arc length for which the functions
are defined.
sinxcscx 1 is an identity.

Types of Equations

Conditional equations are satisfied only by

particular values of the unknown arc length.
sinx 0 is a conditional equation.

Fundamental Solution Set

The fundamental solution set FSS of an

equation involving circular functions is the
set of all solutions of the equation in 0,2 .

Example 4.6.1
Find the FSS for each equation.
1. 1 2sinx 0
2sinx 1
1
sinx
2
7 11
x
,
6 6
7 11
FSS
,
6 6

Example 4.6.1
2.

sinx 2sinxcosx 0
sinx 1 2cosx 0
sinx 0
x 0,

1 2cosx 0
2cosx 1
cosx 12
x ,

FSS 0, , ,

5
3

5
3 3

3.

2tan x sec x 2
2

2tan x tan x 1 2
2

3tan x 1 2
2

3tan2 x 1
tan x 13
2

tanx
tanx

1
3

3
3

tanx

3
3

x 6 , 76

FSS , , ,
5
6 6

7
6

11
6

x 56 , 116

3
3

4.

2 2cosx sin x
2

2 2cosx sin2 x 0

2 2cosx 1 cos2 x 0
cos2 x 2cosx 1 0

cosx 1

cosx 1 0
cosx 1
x
FSS

cos x sin x 1
2

sin x 1 cos x
2

5.

secx tanx 0
1
sinx

0
cosx cosx
1 sinx
0
cosx
1 sinx 0
sinx 1
x

3
2

FSS

3
2

is an extraneous solution.

Example 4.6.1
6.

sin 2x sinx 0
2sinxcosx sinx 0
sinx 2cosx 1 0
Verify that FSS 0, , 23 , 43

7.

2cos 2x cos 2x

0 x 2
0 2x 4

2cos 2x cos 2x 0
2

cos 2x 2cos 2x 1 0
cos 2x 0

2cos 2x 1 0

2x ,

2x

3
2 2
5
2

, 72

3
4 4

, , 54 , 74

cos 2x 12
5
3 3

7
3

, 113

x 6 , 56 , 76 , 116

FSS 6 , 4 , 34 , 56 , 76 , 54 , 74 , 116

8.

x 1
2 1
sin 2 x 14
sin 12 x 12
sin 12 x 12
2 1
2

4sin

1
2

x 6 , 56

x 3 , 53

FSS 3 , 53

sin 12 x 12

no solution on 0,2

9.

4sinx 3
sinx 43

Arcsin 43

x Arcsin

Arcsin 43

, Arcsin
FSS Arcsin 43 , Arcsin 43
3
4

3
4

EXERCISES!
In Leithold, answer all odd-numbered
items in
Exercise 7.6 from 11-18, 35-46 page
428.
Check your answers in A-59.

Example 4.6.2

Find the solution set of the following equations.

1.

Arccosx
x cos
x 1
SS 1

Example 4.6.2
2.

1
Arccos x 1 Arcsin
3
2
2
Arccos x 1
6 3
5
Arccos x 1
6
5
x 1 cos
6
3
3
x 1
x
1
2
2
3
SS
1

Example 4.6.2
3.

1
Arcsin x 1 Arccos
2

Arcsin x 1
3
4
Arcsin x 1
no solution
3
SS

Example 4.6.2
4.

Arcsinx Arccosx 0
Let u Arcsinx
u v 0
sin u v 0
sinucosv cosusinv 0

v Arccosx

Example 4.6.2
sinucosv cosusinv 0
u Arcsinx
v Arccosx
sinu x

u 2 , 2

cos u sin u 1
2

cos u x 1
2

cos u 1 x
2

cosu 1 x

Example 4.6.2
sinucosv cosusinv 0
u Arcsinx
v Arccosx
v 0,

cosv x

cos v sin v 1
2

x sin v 1
2

sin v 1 x
2

sinv 1 x2

sinucosv cosusinv 0
sinu x
cosv x
cosu 1 x

x x

1 x

x 1 x 0
2

2x 1 0
2

x 12
2

2
2

sinv 1 x

1 x 0
2

Arcsinx Arccosx 0
x

2
2

Check:
x

2
2

2
2

SS

:
2
2

Arcsin Arccos

Arcsin
:

2
2

Arccos

2
2

is an extraneous solution.

2
2

2
2

4 4 0
2
2

34

2. Arctan 1 x Arctan 1 x 2
Let u Arctan 1 x

v Arctan 1 x

u v 2

tanu 1 x

cot u v 0
1 tanutanv
0
tanu tanv
1 1 x 1 x
0
1 x 1 x

1 1 x2 0
x 0
2

x 0

tanv 1 x

Arctan 1 x Arctan 1 x 2
x 0
Checking:
x 0: Arctan 1 0 Arctan 1 0
Arctan 1 Arctan 1
4 4
2

SS 0