Trig Graphs & Exact Values

120 questions · 24 question types identified

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Find coordinates of turning points

A question is this type if and only if it asks you to state or find the coordinates of maximum/minimum points on a given trigonometric curve, either from a graph or equation.

14 Moderate -0.9
11.7% of questions
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$$f(x) = 5\sin 3x°, \quad 0 \leq x \leq 180.$$
  1. Sketch the graph of \(f(x)\), indicating the value of \(x\) at each point where the graph intersects the \(x\)-axis [3]
  2. Write down the coordinates of all the maximum and minimum points of \(f(x)\). [3]
  3. Calculate the values of \(x\) for which \(f(x) = 2.5\) [4]
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Easiest question Easy -1.8 »
3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{6a5d0ffc-a725-404b-842a-f3b6000e6fed-08_625_835_264_557} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} Figure 1 shows a sketch of part of the curve \(C _ { 1 }\) with equation \(y = 4 \cos x ^ { \circ }\) The point \(P\) and the point \(Q\) lie on \(C _ { 1 }\) and are shown in Figure 1.
  1. State
    1. the coordinates of \(P\),
    2. the coordinates of \(Q\). The curve \(C _ { 2 }\) has equation \(y = 4 \cos x ^ { \circ } + k\), where \(k\) is a constant.
      Curve \(C _ { 2 }\) has a minimum \(y\) value of - 1
      The point \(R\) is the maximum point on \(C _ { 2 }\) with the smallest positive \(x\) coordinate.
  2. State the coordinates of \(R\).
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Hardest question Moderate -0.3 »
5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{c8f8d35d-c2dd-4a1f-a4bb-a4fa06413d12-10_677_1036_260_456} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a plot of part of the curve with equation \(y = \cos 2 x\) with \(x\) being measured in radians. The point \(P\), shown on Figure 2, is a minimum point on the curve.
  1. State the coordinates of \(P\). A copy of Figure 2, called Diagram 1, is shown at the top of the next page.
  2. Sketch, on Diagram 1, the curve with equation \(y = \sin x\)
  3. Hence, or otherwise, deduce the number of solutions of the equation
    1. \(\cos 2 x = \sin x\) that lie in the region \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 20 \pi\)
    2. \(\cos 2 x = \sin x\) that lie in the region \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 21 \pi\) \begin{figure}[h]
      \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{c8f8d35d-c2dd-4a1f-a4bb-a4fa06413d12-11_693_1050_301_447} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{
      Diagram 1}\}
      \end{figure} \textbackslash section*\{Diagram 1
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Real-world modelling (tides, daylight, etc.)

A question is this type if and only if it applies a trigonometric model to a real-world context (harbour depth, daylight hours, Ferris wheel) and asks for specific times or values.

11 Moderate -0.3
9.2% of questions
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8. The length of the daylight, \(D ( t )\) in a town in Sweden can be modelled using the equation $$D ( t ) = 12 + 9 \sin \left( \frac { 360 t } { 365 } - 63.435 \right) \quad 0 \leq t \leq 365$$ where \(t\) is the number of days into the year, and the argument of \(\sin x\) is in degrees
a. Find the number of daylight hours after 90 days in that year.
b. Find the values of \(t\) when \(D ( t ) = 17\), giving your answers to the nearest integer. (Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable)
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Easiest question Easy -1.2 »
12 One of the rides at a theme park is a room where the floor and ceiling both move up and down for \(10 \pi\) seconds. At time \(t\) seconds after the ride begins, the distance \(f\) metres of the floor above the ground is $$f = 1 - \cos t$$ At time \(t\) seconds after the ride begins, the distance \(c\) metres of the ceiling above the ground is $$c = 8 - 4 \sin t$$ The ride is shown in the diagram below. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{6a03a035-ff32-4734-864b-a076aa9cbec0-16_448_766_932_635} 12
  1. Show that the initial distance between the floor and ceiling is 8 metres.
    [0pt] [1 mark]
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{6a03a035-ff32-4734-864b-a076aa9cbec0-17_2500_1721_214_148}
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Hardest question Standard +0.3 »
13. The height of sea water, \(h\) metres, on a harbour wall at time \(t\) hours after midnight is given by $$h = 3.7 + 2.5 \cos ( 30 t - 40 ) ^ { \circ } , \quad 0 \leqslant t < 24$$
  1. Calculate the maximum value of \(h\) and the exact time of day when this maximum first occurs. Fishing boats cannot enter the harbour if \(h\) is less than 3
  2. Find the times during the morning between which fishing boats cannot enter the harbour.
    Give these times to the nearest minute.
    (Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.)
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Sketch single standard trig graph (sin/cos/tan)

Sketch the graph of a single sin, cos, or tan function (possibly with amplitude/period/phase transformations) over a specified interval, where the function is NOT an inverse or reciprocal trig function.

10 Moderate -1.0
8.3% of questions
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  1. Sketch the graph of $$y = \sin 2x$$ for \(0° \leq x \leq 360°\) \includegraphics{figure_5a} [2 marks]
  2. The equation $$\sin 2x = A$$ has exactly two solutions for \(0° \leq x \leq 360°\) State the possible values of \(A\). [1 mark]
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Easiest question Easy -2.0 »
Sketch, on separate diagrams, the graphs of the following functions for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 2\pi\) giving the coordinates of all points of intersection with the axes.
  1. \(y = \sin x\). [1]
  2. \(y = \sin\left(x + \frac{1}{6}\pi\right)\). [2]
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Hardest question Moderate -0.8 »
5 The equation of a curve is \(y = 2 \cos x\).
  1. Sketch the graph of \(y = 2 \cos x\) for \(- \pi \leqslant x \leqslant \pi\), stating the coordinates of the point of intersection with the \(y\)-axis. Points \(P\) and \(Q\) lie on the curve and have \(x\)-coordinates of \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi\) and \(\pi\) respectively.
  2. Find the length of \(P Q\) correct to 1 decimal place.
    The line through \(P\) and \(Q\) meets the \(x\)-axis at \(H ( h , 0 )\) and the \(y\)-axis at \(K ( 0 , k )\).
  3. Show that \(h = \frac { 5 } { 9 } \pi\) and find the value of \(k\).
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Find exact trig values from given ratio

A question is this type if and only if you are given one trigonometric ratio (like sin θ or cos θ) and must find the exact value of another ratio (like tan θ) without a calculator.

9 Moderate -0.7
7.5% of questions
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3 Given that \(\cos \theta = \frac { 1 } { 3 }\) and \(\theta\) is acute, find the exact value of \(\tan \theta\).
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Easiest question Easy -1.2 »
Given that \(\theta\) is an obtuse angle measured in radians and that \(\sin \theta = k\), find, in terms of \(k\), an expression for
  1. \(\cos \theta\), [1]
  2. \(\tan \theta\), [2]
  3. \(\sin(\theta + \pi)\). [1]
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Hardest question Challenging +1.2 »
5. A cotangent function \(\cot x\) is defined as \(\cot x = \frac { \cos x } { \sin x } , x \neq 180 ^ { \circ } k , k \in \mathbb { Z }\).
a) If \(- 270 ^ { \circ } \leq \alpha \leq - 180 ^ { \circ }\) and \(\cot \alpha = - \frac { 12 } { 5 }\), find the exact value of \(\sin \alpha\) and \(\cos \alpha\).
b) If the sum of the squares of the side lengths of a triangle equals 2021 and the sum of the cotangents of its angles is 43 , find the area of that triangle.
[0pt] [Question 5 - Continued]
[0pt] [Question 5 - Continued]
[0pt] [Question 5 - Continued]
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Calculate intersection coordinates algebraically

A question is this type if and only if it requires finding the exact coordinates where two trigonometric curves (or a curve and line) intersect by solving equations.

9 Challenging +1.2
7.5% of questions
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5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{f759ce41-708e-4fe7-80b9-adc2be2972ac-08_526_499_258_824} The diagram shows the graphs of \(y = \tan x\) and \(y = \cos x\) for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant \pi\). The graphs intersect at points \(A\) and \(B\).
  1. Find by calculation the \(x\)-coordinate of \(A\).
  2. Find by calculation the coordinates of \(B\).
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Easiest question Standard +0.3 »
9 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{6dd10d03-5fe2-4a70-b5a2-03347dff0360-4_406_625_248_721} The diagram shows part of the curve \(y = 2 \cos \frac { 1 } { 3 } x\), where \(x\) is in radians, and the line \(y = k\).
  1. The smallest positive solution of the equation \(2 \cos \frac { 1 } { 3 } x = k\) is denoted by \(\alpha\). State, in terms of \(\alpha\),
    1. the next smallest positive solution of the equation \(2 \cos \frac { 1 } { 3 } x = k\),
    2. the smallest positive solution of the equation \(2 \cos \frac { 1 } { 3 } x = - k\).
    3. The curve \(y = 2 \cos \frac { 1 } { 3 } x\) is shown in the Printed Answer Book. On the diagram, and for the same values of \(x\), sketch the curve of \(y = \sin \frac { 1 } { 3 } x\).
    4. Calculate the \(x\)-coordinates of the points of intersection of the curves in part (ii). Give your answers in radians correct to 3 significant figures. \section*{END OF QUESTION PAPER}
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Hardest question Hard +2.3 »
7. \(\left[ \arccos x \right.\) and \(\arctan x\) are alternative notation for \(\cos ^ { - 1 } x\) and \(\tan ^ { - 1 } x\) respectively \(]\) \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{fc5d0d07-b750-4646-bdcb-419a290200c9-5_387_935_322_566} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a sketch of the curve \(C _ { 1 }\) with equation \(y = \cos ( \cos x ) , 0 \leqslant x < 2 \pi\) .
The curve has turning points at \(( 0 , \cos 1 ) , P , Q\) and \(R\) as shown in Figure 2.
  1. Find the coordinates of the points \(P , Q\) and \(R\) . The curve \(C _ { 2 }\) has equation \(y = \sin ( \cos x ) , 0 \leqslant x < 2 \pi\) .The curves \(C _ { 1 }\) and \(C _ { 2 }\) intersect at the points \(S\) and \(T\) .
  2. Copy Figure 2 and on this diagram sketch \(C _ { 2 }\) stating the coordinates of the minimum point on \(C _ { 2 }\) and the points where \(C _ { 2 }\) meets or crosses the coordinate axes. The coordinates of \(S\) are \(( \alpha , d )\) where \(0 < \alpha < \pi\) .
  3. Show that \(\alpha = \arccos \left( \frac { \pi } { 4 } \right)\) .
  4. Find the value of \(d\) in surd form and write down the coordinates of \(T\) . The tangent to \(C _ { 1 }\) at the point \(S\) has gradient \(\tan \beta\) .
  5. Show that \(\beta = \arctan \sqrt { } \left( \frac { 16 - \pi ^ { 2 } } { 32 } \right)\) .
  6. Find,in terms of \(\beta\) ,the obtuse angle between the tangent to \(C _ { 1 }\) at \(S\) and the tangent to \(C _ { 2 }\) at \(S\) .
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Sketch two trig curves and count intersections/solutions

Sketch two trigonometric curves on the same axes and use the sketch to deduce the number of solutions to an equation or intersections in a given interval.

9 Moderate -0.5
7.5% of questions
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4
  1. Sketch and label, on the same diagram, the graphs of \(y = 2 \sin x\) and \(y = \cos 2 x\), for the interval \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant \pi\).
  2. Hence state the number of solutions of the equation \(2 \sin x = \cos 2 x\) in the interval \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant \pi\).
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Easiest question Easy -1.3 »
  1. Sketch the graph of \(y = \cos x\) for \(0° \leq x \leq 360°\). On the same axes, sketch the graph of \(y = \cos 2x\) for \(0° \leq x \leq 360°\). Label each graph clearly. [3]
  2. Solve the equation \(\cos 2x = 0.5\) for \(0° \leq x \leq 360°\). [2]
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Hardest question Standard +0.8 »
  1. (i) Sketch on the same diagram the graphs of \(y = \sin 2 x\) and \(y = \tan \frac { x } { 2 }\) for \(x\) in the interval \(0 \leq x \leq 360 ^ { \circ }\).
    (ii) Hence state how many solutions exist to the equation
$$\sin 2 x = \tan \frac { x } { 2 } ,$$ for \(x\) in the interval \(0 \leq x \leq 360 ^ { \circ }\) and give a reason for your answer.
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Read parameters from graph of transformed trig function

Given a graph of a transformed trigonometric function of the form y = a sin(bx) + c or similar, determine the values of the constants a, b, c from the graph.

9 Moderate -0.9
7.5% of questions
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1 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{62f7f1e2-a8e7-4574-a432-8e9b20b54d7a-2_750_1287_258_427} The diagram shows part of the graph of \(y = a + b \sin x\). State the values of the constants \(a\) and \(b\). [2
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Easiest question Easy -1.3 »
  1. Fig. 5 shows the graph of a sine function. \includegraphics{figure_5} State the equation of this curve. [2]
  2. Sketch the graph of \(y = \sin x - 3\) for \(0° \leq x \leq 450°\). [2]
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Hardest question Moderate -0.8 »
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{80a20f05-61db-42d9-b4ba-53eea2290b2d-05_677_1591_260_278} The diagram shows part of the graph of \(y = a \tan ( x - b ) + c\).
Given that \(0 < b < \pi\), state the values of the constants \(a , b\) and \(c\).
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Sketch trig curve and straight line, count intersections

Sketch a trigonometric curve and a straight line on the same axes and deduce the number of intersections/solutions.

7 Moderate -0.4
5.8% of questions
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2 The equation of a curve is \(y = 3 \cos 2 x\). The equation of a line is \(x + 2 y = \pi\). On the same diagram, sketch the curve and the line for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant \pi\).
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Find function constants from given conditions

A question is this type if and only if you must determine constants a, b, c in a trigonometric function y = a + b cos x or similar from given function values at specific points.

6 Moderate -0.6
5.0% of questions
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3 The function \(\mathrm { f } : x \mapsto a + b \cos x\) is defined for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 2 \pi\). Given that \(\mathrm { f } ( 0 ) = 10\) and that \(\mathrm { f } \left( \frac { 2 } { 3 } \pi \right) = 1\), find
  1. the values of \(a\) and \(b\),
  2. the range of \(f\),
  3. the exact value of \(\mathrm { f } \left( \frac { 5 } { 6 } \pi \right)\).
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Find period or state transformations

A question is this type if and only if it asks you to state the period of a trigonometric function or describe geometric transformations mapping one graph to another.

6 Moderate -0.9
5.0% of questions
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6
  1. Sketch the graph of \(y = \cos 2 x\) for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 2 \pi\).
  2. Describe the transformation which maps the graph of \(y = \cos x\) onto the graph of \(y = \cos 2 x\).
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Find general solution of trig equation

A question is this type if and only if it asks for the general solution (all solutions) of a trigonometric equation, typically expressed in terms of n or involving 2πn.

3 Standard +0.1
2.5% of questions
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3 Find the general solution, in degrees, of the equation $$\cos \left( 5 x - 20 ^ { \circ } \right) = \cos 40 ^ { \circ }$$
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{763d89e4-861a-4754-a93c-d0902987673f-04_2228_1705_475_155}
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Prove or show algebraic identity

A question is this type if and only if it asks you to show or prove that one trigonometric expression equals another, or to manipulate an equation into a specific form.

3 Standard +0.6
2.5% of questions
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7. (a) Show that $$12 \sin ^ { 2 } x - \cos x - 11 = 0$$ may be expressed in the form $$12 \cos ^ { 2 } x + \cos x - 1 = 0$$ (b) Hence, using trigonometry, find all the solutions in the interval \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 360 ^ { \circ }\) of $$12 \sin ^ { 2 } x - \cos x - 11 = 0$$ Give each solution, in degrees, to 1 decimal place. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{e878227b-d625-4ef2-ac49-a9dc05c5321a-15_106_97_2615_1784}
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Determine range or set of values

A question is this type if and only if it asks for the range of a trigonometric function or the set of values of a parameter k for which certain conditions hold (like no solutions).

3 Moderate -0.6
2.5% of questions
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State the interval for which \(\sin x\) is a decreasing function for \(0° \leq x \leq 360°\) [2 marks]
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Sketch or identify transformed graph

A question is this type if and only if it asks you to sketch or identify a graph after a specific transformation (translation, stretch, reflection) has been applied to a standard trig function.

3 Moderate -0.8
2.5% of questions
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Sketch the curve \(y = 2\arccos x\) for \(-1 \leqslant x \leqslant 1\). [3]
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Solve trigonometric equation with exact values

A question is this type if and only if it requires solving a trigonometric equation to find exact solutions (involving surds, fractions of π, or exact angle values) in a given interval, possibly using identities or algebraic manipulation.

3 Moderate -0.1
2.5% of questions
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4 In this question you must show detailed reasoning.
Determine the exact solutions of the equation \(2 \cos ^ { 2 } x = 3 \sin x\) for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 2 \pi\).
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Sketch single reciprocal or inverse trig graph

Sketch the graph of a single reciprocal trig function (sec, cosec, cot) or inverse trig function (arcsin, arccos, arctan) over a specified interval.

3 Moderate -0.3
2.5% of questions
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1 Sketch the graph of \(y = \sec x\), for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 2 \pi\).
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State exact trig values at special angles

A question is this type if and only if it asks you to write down or verify exact values of sin, cos, or tan at standard angles like π/6, π/4, π/3, etc.

2 Moderate -0.5
1.7% of questions
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1
  1. State the exact value of \(\tan 300 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Express \(300 ^ { \circ }\) in radians, giving your answer in the form \(k \pi\), where \(k\) is a fraction in its lowest terms.
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Solve using quadratic in trig function

A question is this type if and only if the equation can be rewritten as a quadratic in sin x, cos x, or similar, requiring substitution and the quadratic formula or factoring.

2 Standard +0.3
1.7% of questions
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4. Find all values of \(x\) in the interval \(0 \leq x < 360 ^ { \circ }\) for which $$2 \sin ^ { 2 } x - 2 \cos x - \cos ^ { 2 } x = 1$$ giving non-exact answers to 1 decimal place.
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Solve trigonometric equation with approximate values

A question is this type if and only if it requires solving a trigonometric equation to find approximate/decimal solutions (to a specified number of decimal places) in a given interval.

2 Moderate -0.6
1.7% of questions
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  1. Sketch, for \(0 \leq x \leq 2\pi\), the graph of \(y = \sin\left(x + \frac{\pi}{6}\right)\). [2]
  2. Write down the exact coordinates of the points where the graph meets the coordinate axes. [3]
  3. Solve, for \(0 \leq x \leq 2\pi\), the equation \(\sin\left(x + \frac{\pi}{6}\right) = 0.65\), giving your answers in radians to 2 decimal places. [5]
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Identify trig function from graph

Given one or more graphs, identify which trigonometric function (e.g. arcsin, sec, cot, etc.) each graph represents.

2 Easy -1.8
1.7% of questions
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One of the diagrams below shows the graph of \(y = \arccos x\) Identify the graph of \(y = \arccos x\) Tick \((\checkmark)\) one box. [1 mark] \includegraphics{figure_4}
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Solve inverse trig equation

A question is this type if and only if it involves solving an equation containing inverse trigonometric functions like arcsin, arccos, or arctan.

1 Moderate -0.8
0.8% of questions
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Given that \(\arcsin x = \frac{1}{6}\pi\), find \(x\). Find \(\arccos x\) in terms of \(\pi\).
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Use trapezium rule with trig function

A question is this type if and only if it asks you to approximate an integral of a trigonometric function using the trapezium rule with given values.

1 Moderate -0.8
0.8% of questions
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5. (a) Sketch the graph of \(y = \sin 2 x , \quad 0 \leqslant x \leqslant \frac { 3 \pi } { 2 }\) Show the coordinates of the points where your graph crosses the \(x\)-axis. The table below gives corresponding values of \(x\) and \(y\), for \(y = \sin 2 x\).
The values of \(y\) are rounded to 3 decimal places where necessary.
\(x\)0\(\frac { \pi } { 12 }\)\(\frac { \pi } { 6 }\)\(\frac { \pi } { 4 }\)
\(y\)00.50.8661
(b) Use the trapezium rule with all the values of \(y\) from the table to find an approximate value for
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Solve trigonometric equation to find exact trigonometric ratio

A question is this type if and only if it requires using a trigonometric equation or identity to find the exact value of a trigonometric ratio (such as sin θ, cos θ, or tan θ) rather than finding angle values, typically involving algebraic manipulation and possibly Pythagorean identities.

1 Standard +0.8
0.8% of questions
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3 In this question you must show detailed reasoning. Given that \(5 \sin 2 x = 3 \cos x\), where \(0 ^ { \circ } < x < 90 ^ { \circ }\), find the exact value of \(\sin x\).
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Sketch trig curve and its inverse and state geometric relationship

Sketch a trigonometric function and its inverse on the same axes and describe the geometric relationship between them (e.g. reflection in y = x).

1 Moderate -0.8
0.8% of questions
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2 Sketch the curve with equation \(y = \tan x\) for \(- \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi < x < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
On the same diagram, sketch the curve with equation \(y = \tan ^ { - 1 } x\) for all \(x\).
State the geometrical relationship between the curves.
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