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Help With A level Trig

how do I find the values of theta for the equation: sin(60∘+θ)=cosθ
for 0∘≤θ≤360∘

Edit: I have got the lowest value which is 15, I am just unsure on how to work out the 2nd value
(edited 7 months ago)
Reply 1
Original post by max33456789
how do I find the values of theta for the equation: sin(60∘+θ)=cosθ
for 0∘≤θ≤360∘

Edit: I have got the lowest value which is 15, I am just unsure on how to work out the 2nd value


You could use the complementary identity for sin or cos.
Reply 2
Original post by mqb2766
You could use the complementary identity for sin or cos.


I used cos theta = sin (90 - theta)
I am unsure how to calculate the other value using it though
Reply 3
Original post by max33456789
I used cos theta = sin (90 - theta)
I am unsure how to calculate the other value using it though

Thats what I meant. So when you do arcsin, what are the multiple values? If necessary, think of cast or sin curves.
Reply 4
Original post by mqb2766
Thats what I meant. So when you do arcsin, what are the multiple values? If necessary, think of cast or sin curves.


When I done it I done:
sin(60+theta) = sin(90-theta)
60+theta = 90-theta
Then solved to get theta = 15

How do I do the arcsin in this case?


Edit: Do I do sin 15 and then plot against a sin graph to then see where it intersects to give me my 2nd value?
(edited 7 months ago)
Reply 5
Original post by max33456789
When I done it I done:
sin(60+theta) = sin(90-theta)
60+theta = 90-theta

Then solved to get theta = 15

How do I do the arcsin in this case?

When you go from line 1 to line 2 (bold) you take inverse sin or arcsin. sin has a restricted domain to make it invertible so when you do the inverse its got multiple solutions. As an example
sin(x) = sin(90-x)
is obviously satisfied by x=45 so sin(x) = 1/sqrt(2) but also by x=225
https://www.desmos.com/calculator/bybfbtk8ci
when sin(x)=-1/sqrt(x).

arcsin is has a range -90 to 90 and you have to explcitly think about solutions outside that domain.
(edited 7 months ago)
It would just be easier to use addition formulae.
Reply 7
Original post by mqb2766
When you go from line 1 to line 2 (bold) you take inverse sin or arcsin. sin has a restricted domain to make it invertible so when you do the inverse its got multiple solutions. As an example
sin(x) = sin(90-x)
is obviously satisfied by x=45 so sin(x) = 1/sqrt(2) but also by x=225
https://www.desmos.com/calculator/bybfbtk8ci
when sin(x)=-1/sqrt(x).

arcsin is has a range -90 to 90 and you have to explcitly think about solutions outside that domain.

Thank you I have got the right answer now. I had to add 180 each time, which makes sense now I look at the ATSC diagram
Reply 8
Original post by max33456789
Thank you I have got the right answer now. I had to add 180 each time, which makes sense now I look at the ATSC diagram


Thats correct, solutions occur every +/-k*180. Its down to the +/- solutions rather than the usual positive or negative symmetry in the cast diagram. As noted above you could do the angle addition identity and that would come out as tan() = ... and obv tan solutions repeat every 180.
(edited 7 months ago)

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