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A trigonometric equation is any equation that includes a trigonometric function. There are two basic types of trigonometric equations: identities and conditional equations. Identities are equations that hold for any angle. Conditional equations are equations that are solved only by certain angles.

There are dozens of important trigonometric identities. Remember, the identities below are true for any angle.

Eight Fundamental Identities

fundamental

csc(θ) = .    

sec(θ) = .    

cot(θ) = .    

tan(θ) = .    

cot(θ) = .    

(sin(θ))2 + (cos(θ))2 = 1.    

1 + (tan(θ))2 = (sec(θ))2.    

1 + (cot(θ))2 = (csc(θ))2.    

Cofunction Identities

cofunction

sin( - x) = cos(x).    

cos( - x) = sin(x).    

tan( - x) = cot(x).    

cot( - x) = tan(x).    

csc( - x) = sec(x).    

sec( - x) = csc(x).    

Negative Angle Identities

Sine, tangent, cosecant, and cotangent are odd functions. Cosine and secant are even functions. These characteristics are evident in the negative angle identities.

negative

sin(- θ) = - sin(θ).    

cos(- θ) = cos(θ).    

tan(- θ) = - tan(θ).    

csc(- θ) = - csc(θ).    

sec(- θ) = sec(θ).    

cot(- θ) = - cot(θ).    

Double Angle Formulas

double

sin(2x) = 2 sin(x)cos(x).    

cos(2x) = cos2(x) - sin2(x) = 1 - 2 sin2(x) = 2 cos2(x) - 1.    

tan(2x) = .    

Half Angle Formulas

half

sin() = ±.    

cos() = ±.    

tan() = ± = = .    

Addition Formulas

addition

sin(α + β) = sin(α)cos(β) + cos(α)sin(β).    

cos(α + β) = cos(α)cos(β) - sin(α)sin(β).    

tan(α + β) = .    

Subtraction Formulas

subtraction

sin(α - β) = sin(α)cos(β) - cos(α)sin(β).    

cos(α - β) = cos(α)cos(β) + sin(α)sin(β).    

tan(α - β) = .    

Product Formulas

product

sin(α)sin(β) = - (cos(α + β) - cos(α - β)).    

cos(α)cos(β) = (cos(α + β) + cos(α - β)).    

sin(α)cos(β) = (sin(α + β) + sin(α - β)).    

cos(α)sin(β) = (sin(α + β) - sin(α - β)).    

Sum and Difference Formulas

sumdifference

sin(α) + sin(β) = 2 sin(cos(.    

cos(α) + cos(β) = 2 cos(cos(.    

sin(α) - sin(β) = 2 cos(sin(.    

cos(α) - cos(β) = - 2 sin(sin(.    

There is no single method for solving trigonometric equations. A few techniques come in handy, though. 1) Resolve everything into terms of sine and cosine, then cancel everything possible. 2) Manipulate the equation with factoring and other algebraic techniques to create trigonometric identities that can be simplified. 3) If a solution can't be reached, try graphing the equation to solve it.

In every trigonometric equation, there will be either no solutions or an infinite number of solutions. The reason for this is that the trigonometric functions are periodic. It is customary to only list the solutions x where 0≤x < 2Π or, if the period involved is different from 2Π, to describe all solutions.

Solving triangles is one of the key applications of trigonometric functions. To see a discussion of solving triangles using trigonometry, see Solving Right Triangles and Solving Oblique Triangles.

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