Periodicity and General Solutions

Periodicity and General Solutions

Secondary 4
TGM Original Questions

Add whole periods to obtain every solution. In the formulae below, α is a principal solution and n is any integer.

FunctionPeriod (degrees)Period (radians)
\(\sin x\)\(360^\circ\)\(2\pi\)
\(\cos x\)\(360^\circ\)\(2\pi\)
\(\tan x\)\(180^\circ\)\(\pi\)

General solutions in radians

\(\sin x=\sin\alpha:\quad x=\alpha+2\pi n\text{ or}\hspace{0.5em}x=\pi-\alpha+2\pi n\)

\(\cos x=\cos\alpha:\quad x=\pm\alpha+2\pi n\)

\(\tan x=\tan\alpha:\quad x=\alpha+\pi n\)

For degrees, replace \(2\pi\) by \(360^\circ\) and \(\pi\) by \(180^\circ\). Repeated families at extreme values are counted once.

For a finite interval, substitute suitable integers and list only the resulting angles inside it.

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