Solving Trig Equations: Identifying Techniques
Set each factor equal to 0
What should you use to solve sin^2xcos^2x = 0?
Factor out a cosx
What should you use to solve sin^2xcosx - cosx = 0?
Multiply both sides by tanx
What should you use to solve tanx + 1 = sqrt(3) + sqrt(3)cotx?
Multiply both sides by tanx
What should you use to solve tanx - cotx = 0?
A double-angle identity for cos2x
What identity is: 2cos^2x - 1?
A half-angle identity for tan(x/2)
What identity is: sinx/(1 + cosx)?
Identity: sec^2x = 1 + tan^2x
What should you use to solve (tanx + sqrt(3))^2 = sec^2x?
Set each factor equal to 0
What should you use to solve (tanx - 1)(cosx - 1) = 0?
Use a half-angle formula
What should you use to solve 2sin(x/2) = 1?
Multiply both sides by sinx
What should you use to solve 2sinx - 1 = cscx
Factor out a tan^2x
What should you use to solve 2tan^2xsinx - tan^2x = 0?
Use a double-angle formula
What should you use to solve cos(2x) = cosx?
Identity: cos^2x = 1 - sin^2x
What should you use to solve cos^2x - sin^2x = 0?
Identity: cos^2x = 1 - sin^2x
What should you use to solve cos^2x = sin^2x + 1?
Identity: csc^2x = 1 + cot^2x
What should you use to solve csc^2x - 2cotx = 0?
Factor out a tanx
What should you use to solve sec^2xtanx - 2tanx = 0?
