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Trigonometry — Diagnostic Tests

Unit Tests

Tests edge cases, boundary conditions, and common misconceptions for trigonometry.

UT-1: Ambiguous Case of the Sine Rule

Question:

In triangle ABCABC, a=8a = 8, b=10b = 10, and A=35°A = 35°.

(a) Find the two possible values of angle BB, giving your answers to 1 decimal place.

(b) For each value of BB, find the corresponding value of angle CC and the length of side cc.

(c) Explain why a student who applies the cosine rule to find BB directly (without first finding cc) would fail to discover the ambiguous case.

[Difficulty: hard. Tests the ambiguous case of the sine rule where two valid triangles exist, and why alternative methods miss the second solution.]

Solution:

(a) By the sine rule:

LBsinBRB◆◆LBbRB=LBsinARB◆◆LBaRB\frac◆LB◆\sin B◆RB◆◆LB◆b◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆\sin A◆RB◆◆LB◆a◆RB◆

sinB=LBbsinARB◆◆LBaRB=LB10sin35°RB◆◆LB8RB=LB10×0.5736RB◆◆LB8RB=0.7170\sin B = \frac◆LB◆b \sin A◆RB◆◆LB◆a◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆10 \sin 35°◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆10 \times 0.5736◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆ = 0.7170

Since sinB=0.7170\sin B = 0.7170 and BB is an angle in a triangle (0°<B<180°0° \lt B \lt 180°), there are two solutions:

B1=arcsin(0.7170)=45.8°B_1 = \arcsin(0.7170) = 45.8°

B2=180°45.8°=134.2°B_2 = 180° - 45.8° = 134.2°

Both are valid: B1+A=80.8°<180°B_1 + A = 80.8° \lt 180° and B2+A=169.2°<180°B_2 + A = 169.2° \lt 180°.

(b) For B1=45.8°B_1 = 45.8°:

C1=180°35°45.8°=99.2°C_1 = 180° - 35° - 45.8° = 99.2°

c1=LBasinC1RB◆◆LBsinARB=LB8sin99.2°RB◆◆LBsin35°RB=LB8×0.9863RB◆◆LB0.5736RB=13.76c_1 = \frac◆LB◆a \sin C_1◆RB◆◆LB◆\sin A◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆8 \sin 99.2°◆RB◆◆LB◆\sin 35°◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆8 \times 0.9863◆RB◆◆LB◆0.5736◆RB◆ = 13.76

For B2=134.2°B_2 = 134.2°:

C2=180°35°134.2°=10.8°C_2 = 180° - 35° - 134.2° = 10.8°

c2=LB8sin10.8°RB◆◆LBsin35°RB=LB8×0.1874RB◆◆LB0.5736RB=2.61c_2 = \frac◆LB◆8 \sin 10.8°◆RB◆◆LB◆\sin 35°◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆8 \times 0.1874◆RB◆◆LB◆0.5736◆RB◆ = 2.61

(c) The cosine rule for finding BB is cosB=a2+c2b22ac\cos B = \frac{a^2 + c^2 - b^2}{2ac}. This requires knowing cc, which is not given. The cosine rule is not directly applicable with the SSA (two sides and a non-included angle) configuration.

More fundamentally, cos\cos is injective on (0°,180°)(0°, 180°) (it is strictly decreasing), so the cosine rule can only ever yield one value for BB. The ambiguity is an inherent property of the sine rule, because sin\sin is symmetric about 90°90° on (0°,180°)(0°, 180°): sinθ=sin(180°θ)\sin\theta = \sin(180° - \theta).


UT-2: Cancelling sinθ\sin\theta When sinθ=0\sin\theta = 0

Question:

(a) Solve the equation sinθ=2sinθcosθ\sin\theta = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta for θ[0°,360°)\theta \in [0°, 360°).

(b) A student's working is shown below. Identify the error, state which solutions are lost, and explain why.

sinθ=2sinθcosθ\sin\theta = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta

Dividing both sides by sinθ\sin\theta:

1=2cosθ1 = 2\cos\theta

cosθ=12\cos\theta = \frac{1}{2}

θ=60°\theta = 60° or θ=300°\theta = 300°

(c) Find all solutions of tan2x=tanx\tan 2x = \tan x for x[0,π)x \in [0, \pi), taking care not to lose solutions.

[Difficulty: hard. Tests the common error of dividing by a trigonometric expression that may equal zero, which systematically discards valid solutions.]

Solution:

(a) sinθ=2sinθcosθ\sin\theta = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta

sinθ2sinθcosθ=0\sin\theta - 2\sin\theta\cos\theta = 0

sinθ(12cosθ)=0\sin\theta(1 - 2\cos\theta) = 0

Case 1: sinθ=0    θ=0°,180°,360°\sin\theta = 0 \implies \theta = 0°, 180°, 360°

Case 2: 12cosθ=0    cosθ=12    θ=60°,300°1 - 2\cos\theta = 0 \implies \cos\theta = \frac{1}{2} \implies \theta = 60°, 300°

All solutions: θ=0°,60°,180°,300°,360°\theta = 0°, 60°, 180°, 300°, 360°.

(b) The error is dividing both sides by sinθ\sin\theta. This is only valid when sinθ0\sin\theta \neq 0. By dividing, the student implicitly assumes sinθ0\sin\theta \neq 0, which discards the solutions θ=0°,180°,360°\theta = 0°, 180°, 360°. The correct approach is to factorise, not to divide.

(c) tan2x=tanx\tan 2x = \tan x for x[0,π)x \in [0, \pi).

First, establish the domain. Both tanx\tan x and tan2x\tan 2x must be defined:

  • tanx\tan x undefined at x=LBπRB◆◆LB2RBx = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆
  • tan2x\tan 2x undefined at 2x=LBπRB◆◆LB2RB2x = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ and 2x=LB3πRB◆◆LB2RB2x = \frac◆LB◆3\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆, i.e. x=LBπRB◆◆LB4RBx = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆ and x=LB3πRB◆◆LB4RBx = \frac◆LB◆3\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆

So the domain excludes x=LBπRB◆◆LB4RB,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB,LB3πRB◆◆LB4RBx = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆, \frac◆LB◆3\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆.

Using the double angle formula tan2x=LB2tanxRB◆◆LB1tan2xRB\tan 2x = \frac◆LB◆2\tan x◆RB◆◆LB◆1 - \tan^2 x◆RB◆:

LB2tanxRB◆◆LB1tan2xRB=tanx\frac◆LB◆2\tan x◆RB◆◆LB◆1 - \tan^2 x◆RB◆ = \tan x

Do NOT divide by tanx\tan x. Bring everything to one side:

LB2tanxtanx(1tan2x)RB◆◆LB1tan2xRB=0\frac◆LB◆2\tan x - \tan x(1 - \tan^2 x)◆RB◆◆LB◆1 - \tan^2 x◆RB◆ = 0

LBtanx+tan3xRB◆◆LB1tan2xRB=0\frac◆LB◆\tan x + \tan^3 x◆RB◆◆LB◆1 - \tan^2 x◆RB◆ = 0

LBtanx(1+tan2x)RB◆◆LB1tan2xRB=0\frac◆LB◆\tan x(1 + \tan^2 x)◆RB◆◆LB◆1 - \tan^2 x◆RB◆ = 0

Since 1+tan2x=sec2x11 + \tan^2 x = \sec^2 x \geq 1 for all xx where tanx\tan x is defined, the numerator is zero when tanx=0\tan x = 0:

tanx=0    x=0\tan x = 0 \implies x = 0

(The solution x=πx = \pi is excluded by the interval [0,π)[0, \pi).)

Verify: tan0=0\tan 0 = 0 and tan0=0\tan 0 = 0. Confirmed.

Solution: x=0x = 0 only.


UT-3: Solving cos(3x)=12\cos(3x) = \frac{1}{2} with Full Periodicity

Question:

(a) Solve cos(3x)=12\cos(3x) = \frac{1}{2} for x[0,2π)x \in [0, 2\pi). A common error produces only 2 or 4 solutions. Find all solutions.

(b) A student argues: "cos(3x)=12\cos(3x) = \frac{1}{2} means 3x=LBπRB◆◆LB3RB3x = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆ or 3x=LB5πRB◆◆LB3RB3x = \frac◆LB◆5\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆, giving x=LBπRB◆◆LB9RBx = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆ or x=LB5πRB◆◆LB9RBx = \frac◆LB◆5\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆." Explain the error in this reasoning and state how many solutions the student is missing.

(c) The curve y=cos(3x)y = \cos(3x) intersects the line y=12y = \frac{1}{2} at NN distinct points in the interval [0,2π)[0, 2\pi). Find NN and the sum of all xx-coordinates of the intersection points.

[Difficulty: hard. Tests understanding that multiplying the argument of a trigonometric function by a constant changes the period, requiring systematic enumeration of all solutions within the given interval.]

Solution:

(a) cos(3x)=12\cos(3x) = \frac{1}{2}.

Let θ=3x\theta = 3x. Since x[0,2π)x \in [0, 2\pi), we have θ[0,6π)\theta \in [0, 6\pi).

cosθ=12\cos\theta = \frac{1}{2} gives θ=LBπRB◆◆LB3RB+2nπ\theta = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆ + 2n\pi or θ=LB5πRB◆◆LB3RB+2nπ\theta = \frac◆LB◆5\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆ + 2n\pi for nZn \in \mathbb{Z}.

Systematically listing all θ[0,6π)\theta \in [0, 6\pi):

nnθ=LBπRB◆◆LB3RB+2nπ\theta = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆ + 2n\piθ=LB5πRB◆◆LB3RB+2nπ\theta = \frac◆LB◆5\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆ + 2n\pi
0LBπRB◆◆LB3RB\frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆LB5πRB◆◆LB3RB\frac◆LB◆5\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆
1LB7πRB◆◆LB3RB\frac◆LB◆7\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆LB11πRB◆◆LB3RB\frac◆LB◆11\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆
2LB13πRB◆◆LB3RB\frac◆LB◆13\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆LB17πRB◆◆LB3RB\frac◆LB◆17\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆

All six values are in [0,6π)[0, 6\pi) since LB17πRB◆◆LB3RB=523π<6π\frac◆LB◆17\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆ = 5\frac{2}{3}\pi \lt 6\pi.

Dividing by 3:

x=LBπRB◆◆LB9RB,LB5πRB◆◆LB9RB,LB7πRB◆◆LB9RB,LB11πRB◆◆LB9RB,LB13πRB◆◆LB9RB,LB17πRB◆◆LB9RBx = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆,\quad \frac◆LB◆5\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆,\quad \frac◆LB◆7\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆,\quad \frac◆LB◆11\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆,\quad \frac◆LB◆13\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆,\quad \frac◆LB◆17\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆

(b) The student correctly identifies the principal solutions for 3x3x but fails to account for the fact that the period of cos(3x)\cos(3x) is LB2πRB◆◆LB3RB\frac◆LB◆2\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆, not 2π2\pi. When xx ranges over [0,2π)[0, 2\pi), the argument 3x3x ranges over [0,6π)[0, 6\pi), which spans three full periods of cosine. The student finds solutions from only the first period, missing the four solutions from the second and third periods. The student is missing 4 out of 6 solutions.

(c) N=6N = 6 (from part (a)).

The sum of all xx-coordinates:

S=LBπRB◆◆LB9RB+LB5πRB◆◆LB9RB+LB7πRB◆◆LB9RB+LB11πRB◆◆LB9RB+LB13πRB◆◆LB9RB+LB17πRB◆◆LB9RB=LB60πRB◆◆LB9RB=LB20πRB◆◆LB3RBS = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆ + \frac◆LB◆5\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆ + \frac◆LB◆7\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆ + \frac◆LB◆11\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆ + \frac◆LB◆13\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆ + \frac◆LB◆17\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆60\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆9◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆20\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆


Integration Tests

Tests synthesis of trigonometry with other topics. Requires combining concepts from multiple units.

Question:

A ladder of length 5 metres is leaning against a vertical wall. The foot of the ladder is pulled away from the wall horizontally at a constant rate of 0.50.5 m/s.

(a) Find the rate at which the top of the ladder is sliding down the wall when the foot of the ladder is 3 metres from the wall.

(b) Find the angle θ\theta between the ladder and the ground at the instant when the top of the ladder is sliding down at the same speed as the foot is being pulled away.

(c) Show that θ\theta is always decreasing, and find the rate of change of θ\theta in rad/s when θ=LBπRB◆◆LB4RB\theta = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆.

[Difficulty: hard. Combines implicit differentiation with trigonometric relationships in a kinematics context.]

Solution:

(a) Let xx be the distance from the foot of the ladder to the wall, and yy be the height of the top of the ladder above the ground.

By Pythagoras' theorem: x2+y2=25x^2 + y^2 = 25.

Differentiating implicitly with respect to tt:

2xdxdt+2ydydt=0    xdxdt+ydydt=02x\frac{dx}{dt} + 2y\frac{dy}{dt} = 0 \implies x\frac{dx}{dt} + y\frac{dy}{dt} = 0

Given dxdt=0.5\frac{dx}{dt} = 0.5. When x=3x = 3: y=259=4y = \sqrt{25 - 9} = 4.

3(0.5)+4dydt=0    dydt=38 m/s3(0.5) + 4\frac{dy}{dt} = 0 \implies \frac{dy}{dt} = -\frac{3}{8} \text{ m/s}

The negative sign confirms the top is sliding down.

(b) We need dydt=dxdt=0.5\left\lvert\frac{dy}{dt}\right\rvert = \left\lvert\frac{dx}{dt}\right\rvert = 0.5.

From xdxdt+ydydt=0x\frac{dx}{dt} + y\frac{dy}{dt} = 0: dydt=xydxdt\frac{dy}{dt} = -\frac{x}{y}\frac{dx}{dt}.

xy0.5=0.5    xy=1    x=y\left\lvert-\frac{x}{y} \cdot 0.5\right\rvert = 0.5 \implies \frac{x}{y} = 1 \implies x = y

Since x2+y2=25x^2 + y^2 = 25 and x=yx = y: 2x2=252x^2 = 25, so x=LB5RB◆◆LB2RBx = \frac◆LB◆5◆RB◆◆LB◆\sqrt{2}◆RB◆.

cosθ=x5=LB1RB◆◆LB2RB\cos\theta = \frac{x}{5} = \frac◆LB◆1◆RB◆◆LB◆\sqrt{2}◆RB◆, giving θ=LBπRB◆◆LB4RB\theta = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆.

(c) cosθ=x5\cos\theta = \frac{x}{5}.

Differentiating with respect to tt:

sinθLBdθRB◆◆LBdtRB=15dxdt-\sin\theta \cdot \frac◆LB◆d\theta◆RB◆◆LB◆dt◆RB◆ = \frac{1}{5}\frac{dx}{dt}

LBdθRB◆◆LBdtRB=LB1RB◆◆LB5sinθRBdxdt=LB0.5RB◆◆LB5sinθRB=LB1RB◆◆LB10sinθRB\frac◆LB◆d\theta◆RB◆◆LB◆dt◆RB◆ = -\frac◆LB◆1◆RB◆◆LB◆5\sin\theta◆RB◆ \cdot \frac{dx}{dt} = -\frac◆LB◆0.5◆RB◆◆LB◆5\sin\theta◆RB◆ = -\frac◆LB◆1◆RB◆◆LB◆10\sin\theta◆RB◆

Since sinθ>0\sin\theta \gt 0 for 0<θ<π0 \lt \theta \lt \pi, we have LBdθRB◆◆LBdtRB<0\frac◆LB◆d\theta◆RB◆◆LB◆dt◆RB◆ \lt 0, confirming θ\theta is always decreasing.

When θ=LBπRB◆◆LB4RB\theta = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆: sinLBπRB◆◆LB4RB=LB1RB◆◆LB2RB\sin\frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆1◆RB◆◆LB◆\sqrt{2}◆RB◆.

LBdθRB◆◆LBdtRB=LB1RB◆◆LB10LB1RB◆◆LB2RB◆◆RB=LB2RB◆◆LB10RB◆ rad/s\frac◆LB◆d\theta◆RB◆◆LB◆dt◆RB◆ = -\frac◆LB◆1◆RB◆◆LB◆10 \cdot \frac◆LB◆1◆RB◆◆LB◆\sqrt{2}◆RB◆◆RB◆ = -\frac◆LB◆\sqrt{2}◆RB◆◆LB◆10◆RB◆ \text{ rad/s}


IT-2: Area Enclosed by a Parametric Trigonometric Curve (with Coordinate Geometry)

Question:

A curve is defined parametrically by:

x=a(cost+cos2t),y=a(sint+sin2t)x = a(\cos t + \cos 2t), \quad y = a(\sin t + \sin 2t)

for 0t2π0 \leq t \leq 2\pi, where a>0a \gt 0.

(a) Show that the curve is closed.

(b) Find the total area enclosed by the curve, giving your answer in terms of aa.

(c) Find the coordinates of all points on the curve where the tangent is horizontal, giving exact answers in terms of aa.

[Difficulty: hard. Combines parametric differentiation, trigonometric identities, and definite integration for area under a parametric curve.]

Solution:

(a) At t=0t = 0: x=a(1+1)=2ax = a(1 + 1) = 2a, y=a(0+0)=0y = a(0 + 0) = 0.

At t=2πt = 2\pi: x=a(cos2π+cos4π)=a(1+1)=2ax = a(\cos 2\pi + \cos 4\pi) = a(1+1) = 2a, y=a(sin2π+sin4π)=0y = a(\sin 2\pi + \sin 4\pi) = 0.

The curve starts and ends at (2a,0)(2a, 0), so it is closed.

(b) The area enclosed by a parametric curve (x(t),y(t))(x(t), y(t)) traced once anticlockwise is:

A=02πydxdtdtA = \left\lvert\int_0^{2\pi} y\frac{dx}{dt}\, dt\right\rvert

dxdt=a(sint2sin2t)\frac{dx}{dt} = a(-\sin t - 2\sin 2t)

ydxdt=a(sint+sin2t)a(sint2sin2t)=a2(sint+sin2t)(sint+2sin2t)y\frac{dx}{dt} = a(\sin t + \sin 2t) \cdot a(-\sin t - 2\sin 2t) = -a^2(\sin t + \sin 2t)(\sin t + 2\sin 2t)

Expanding:

=a2[sin2t+3sintsin2t+2sin22t]= -a^2[\sin^2 t + 3\sin t\sin 2t + 2\sin^2 2t]

Integrate each term separately over [0,2π][0, 2\pi]:

02πsin2tdt=02πLB1cos2tRB◆◆LB2RBdt=[t2LBsin2tRB◆◆LB4RB]02π=π\int_0^{2\pi}\sin^2 t\, dt = \int_0^{2\pi}\frac◆LB◆1 - \cos 2t◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\, dt = \left[\frac{t}{2} - \frac◆LB◆\sin 2t◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆\right]_0^{2\pi} = \pi

02πsintsin2tdt=02π2sin2tcostdt=2[LBsin3tRB◆◆LB3RB]02π=0\int_0^{2\pi}\sin t\sin 2t\, dt = \int_0^{2\pi}2\sin^2 t\cos t\, dt = 2\left[\frac◆LB◆\sin^3 t◆RB◆◆LB◆3◆RB◆\right]_0^{2\pi} = 0

02πsin22tdt=02πLB1cos4tRB◆◆LB2RBdt=[t2LBsin4tRB◆◆LB8RB]02π=π\int_0^{2\pi}\sin^2 2t\, dt = \int_0^{2\pi}\frac◆LB◆1 - \cos 4t◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\, dt = \left[\frac{t}{2} - \frac◆LB◆\sin 4t◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆\right]_0^{2\pi} = \pi

Therefore:

02πydxdtdt=a2[π+3(0)+2π]=3πa2\int_0^{2\pi} y\frac{dx}{dt}\, dt = -a^2[\pi + 3(0) + 2\pi] = -3\pi a^2

A=3πa2=3πa2A = \lvert -3\pi a^2 \rvert = 3\pi a^2

(c) The tangent is horizontal when dydt=0\frac{dy}{dt} = 0 and dxdt0\frac{dx}{dt} \neq 0.

dydt=a(cost+2cos2t)=0\frac{dy}{dt} = a(\cos t + 2\cos 2t) = 0

cost+2cos2t=0\cos t + 2\cos 2t = 0

Using cos2t=2cos2t1\cos 2t = 2\cos^2 t - 1:

cost+2(2cos2t1)=0    4cos2t+cost2=0\cos t + 2(2\cos^2 t - 1) = 0 \implies 4\cos^2 t + \cos t - 2 = 0

Let u=costu = \cos t:

u=LB1±1+32RB◆◆LB8RB=LB1±33RB◆◆LB8RBu = \frac◆LB◆-1 \pm \sqrt{1 + 32}◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆-1 \pm \sqrt{33}◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆

Both roots lie in [1,1][-1, 1]: u1=LB331RB◆◆LB8RB0.593u_1 = \frac◆LB◆\sqrt{33}-1◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆ \approx 0.593 and u2=LB33+1RB◆◆LB8RB0.843u_2 = -\frac◆LB◆\sqrt{33}+1◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆ \approx -0.843.

Each gives two values of tt in [0,2π)[0, 2\pi), producing four horizontal tangent points.

For u1=LB331RB◆◆LB8RBu_1 = \frac◆LB◆\sqrt{33}-1◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆: t=±arccos(LB331RB◆◆LB8RB)t = \pm\arccos\left(\frac◆LB◆\sqrt{33}-1◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆\right). Substituting into xx and yy:

x=a(LB331RB◆◆LB8RB)+a(2(LB331RB◆◆LB8RB)21)x = a\left(\frac◆LB◆\sqrt{33}-1◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆\right) + a\left(2\left(\frac◆LB◆\sqrt{33}-1◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆\right)^2 - 1\right)

=a(LB331RB◆◆LB8RB+LB34233RB◆◆LB32RB1)=aLB4334+3423332RB◆◆LB32RB=LBa(331)RB◆◆LB16RB= a\left(\frac◆LB◆\sqrt{33}-1◆RB◆◆LB◆8◆RB◆ + \frac◆LB◆34-2\sqrt{33}◆RB◆◆LB◆32◆RB◆ - 1\right) = a \cdot \frac◆LB◆4\sqrt{33}-4+34-2\sqrt{33}-32◆RB◆◆LB◆32◆RB◆ = \frac◆LB◆a(\sqrt{33}-1)◆RB◆◆LB◆16◆RB◆

By symmetry, the four horizontal tangent points are:

(LBa(331)RB◆◆LB16RB,±a16LB30+233RB)\left(\frac◆LB◆a(\sqrt{33}-1)◆RB◆◆LB◆16◆RB◆,\quad \pm\frac{a}{16}\sqrt◆LB◆30+2\sqrt{33}◆RB◆\right)

(LBa(33+1)RB◆◆LB16RB,±a16LB30233RB)\left(\frac◆LB◆-a(\sqrt{33}+1)◆RB◆◆LB◆16◆RB◆,\quad \pm\frac{a}{16}\sqrt◆LB◆30-2\sqrt{33}◆RB◆\right)


IT-3: Inverse Trigonometric Composition and Domain Restrictions (with Functions)

Question:

The function ff is defined by f(x)=cosxf(x) = \cos x on the domain [0,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]\left[0, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right].

(a) State the range of ff and explain why f1f^{-1} exists on this domain.

(b) Let g(x)=arccosxg(x) = \arccos x (principal inverse cosine, domain [1,1][-1, 1], range [0,π][0, \pi]). Find g(f(x))g(f(x)) and f(g(x))f(g(x)), stating the domain of each composition.

(c) A student claims f1(f(π))=πf^{-1}(f(\pi)) = \pi. Explain why this is incorrect.

(d) The function hh is defined by h(x)=arcsin(cosx)h(x) = \arcsin(\cos x) for xRx \in \mathbb{R}. Express h(x)h(x) as a piecewise function and find all xx for which h(x)=xh(x) = x.

[Difficulty: hard. Tests the interplay between trigonometric functions and their inverses, requiring careful attention to domain and range restrictions.]

Solution:

(a) On [0,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]\left[0, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right], f(x)=sinx<0f'(x) = -\sin x \lt 0 for 0<x<LBπRB◆◆LB2RB0 \lt x \lt \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆, so ff is strictly decreasing and therefore injective.

f(0)=1f(0) = 1 and f ⁣(LBπRB◆◆LB2RB)=0f\!\left(\frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right) = 0, so the range is [0,1][0, 1].

Since ff is injective, f1f^{-1} exists. Its domain is [0,1][0, 1] and its range is [0,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]\left[0, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right].

(b) g(f(x))=arccos(cosx)g(f(x)) = \arccos(\cos x): defined when cosx[1,1]\cos x \in [-1, 1], which is always true. Domain: [0,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]\left[0, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right].

For x[0,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]x \in \left[0, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right]: since x[0,π]x \in [0, \pi] (the range of arccos\arccos), we have arccos(cosx)=x\arccos(\cos x) = x. So g(f(x))=xg(f(x)) = x.

f(g(x))=cos(arccosx)f(g(x)) = \cos(\arccos x): defined when arccosx[0,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]\arccos x \in \left[0, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right], i.e. x[0,1]x \in [0, 1].

For x[0,1]x \in [0, 1]: cos(arccosx)=x\cos(\arccos x) = x. So f(g(x))=xf(g(x)) = x.

The domains differ: gfg \circ f has domain [0,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]\left[0, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right] while fgf \circ g has domain [0,1][0, 1].

(c) π\pi is not in the domain of ff (which is [0,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]\left[0, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right]), so f(π)f(\pi) is undefined. The expression f1(f(π))f^{-1}(f(\pi)) is therefore meaningless.

Even if ff were extended to R\mathbb{R}, then f(π)=1f(\pi) = -1, but 1-1 is not in the domain of f1f^{-1} (which is [0,1][0, 1], the range of ff on its original domain). So f1(1)f^{-1}(-1) would also be undefined.

(d) h(x)=arcsin(cosx)h(x) = \arcsin(\cos x). Using cosx=sin ⁣(LBπRB◆◆LB2RBx)\cos x = \sin\!\left(\frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ - x\right):

h(x)=arcsin ⁣(sin ⁣(LBπRB◆◆LB2RBx))h(x) = \arcsin\!\left(\sin\!\left(\frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ - x\right)\right)

Since arcsin(sinθ)=θ\arcsin(\sin\theta) = \theta only when θ[LBπRB◆◆LB2RB,LBπRB◆◆LB2RB]\theta \in \left[-\frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆, \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆\right]:

When LBπRB◆◆LB2RBLBπRB◆◆LB2RBxLBπRB◆◆LB2RB-\frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ \leq \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ - x \leq \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆, i.e. 0xπ0 \leq x \leq \pi: h(x)=LBπRB◆◆LB2RBxh(x) = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ - x.

When πx2π\pi \leq x \leq 2\pi: cosx=cos(2πx)\cos x = \cos(2\pi - x) and 2πx[0,π]2\pi - x \in [0, \pi], so h(x)=LBπRB◆◆LB2RB(2πx)=xLB3πRB◆◆LB2RBh(x) = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ - (2\pi - x) = x - \frac◆LB◆3\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆.

By periodicity (period 2π2\pi):

h(x)={LBπRB◆◆LB2RBx+2nπif 2nπx(2n+1)πxLB3πRB◆◆LB2RB+2nπif (2n+1)πx(2n+2)πh(x) = \begin{cases} \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ - x + 2n\pi & \text{if } 2n\pi \leq x \leq (2n+1)\pi \\ x - \frac◆LB◆3\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ + 2n\pi & \text{if } (2n+1)\pi \leq x \leq (2n+2)\pi \end{cases}

for nZn \in \mathbb{Z}.

To find h(x)=xh(x) = x: on [0,π][0, \pi], LBπRB◆◆LB2RBx=x    x=LBπRB◆◆LB4RB\frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ - x = x \implies x = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆.

On [π,2π][\pi, 2\pi]: xLB3πRB◆◆LB2RB=x    0=LB3πRB◆◆LB2RBx - \frac◆LB◆3\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆ = x \implies 0 = \frac◆LB◆3\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆2◆RB◆, impossible.

By periodicity: x=LBπRB◆◆LB4RB+2nπx = \frac◆LB◆\pi◆RB◆◆LB◆4◆RB◆ + 2n\pi for nZn \in \mathbb{Z}.