Quick solutions to Set 2 of Trigonometry questions for SSC CGL
Learn how to solve trigonometry questions quickly from trigonometry questions for SSC CGL with solution Set 2. Take the test before going through solution.
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Trigonometry questions for SSC CGL Set 2.
Solution to 10 Trigonometry questions for SSC CGL Set 2 - time to solve was 12 mins
Problem 1.
The simplified value of $(sec\theta - cos\theta)^2 + (cosec\theta - sin\theta)^2 - (cot\theta - tan\theta)^2$ is,
- $\displaystyle\frac{1}{2}$
- $0$
- $2$
- $1$
Solution:
Conventional approach is to expand all the three squares, transform and simplify the terms and get the simplified target value. But as is the norm, that is a longer time-consuming path. We have to search for fast elegant solution.
First clue:
The third square expression being subtracted, a prospective approach is to simplify the first two square expressions in hopefully terms of $tan\theta$ and $cot\theta$ so that these can be combined with the negative terms from the expanded third expression for achieving simplified final result.
Looking at the first two terms we identify a rich concept that will help us do that.
Rich concept of Factoring out the inverse
Being well-acquainted with basic trigonometric concepts, whenever we encounter an expression of $(sec\theta - cos\theta)$, a sum of inverses, we recognize that we can take the inverse $sec\theta$ out of the brackets leaving the well known friendly expression $(1 - cos^2\theta)$ within the brackets, that will immediately be transformed to $sin^2\theta$. Thus a sum of terms will be simplified to a product of terms.
In any expression manipulation, we always look for such opportunities to reduce the number of terms in expressions so that product of sum of terms expressions are transformed to product of terms. This is a general algebraic rich concept and technique for simplification.
$(sec\theta - cos\theta) = sec\theta(1 - cos^2\theta)$
$\hspace{10mm}= sec\theta{sin^2\theta} = sin\theta{tan\theta}$, and similarly,
$(cosec\theta - sin\theta) = cosec\theta(1 - sin^2\theta)$
$\hspace{10mm}= cosec\theta{cos^2\theta} = cos\theta{cot\theta}$.
These are very useful patterns for application of the rich concept of factoring out the inverse.
Let us focus on the first two terms then and apply the rich concept and technique of factoring out the inverse,
$(sec\theta - cos\theta)^2 = sec^2\theta(1 - cos^2\theta)^2 = {sin^2\theta}tan^2\theta$.
Similarly,
$(cosec\theta - sin\theta)^2 = {cos^2\theta}cot^2\theta$.
Now we sum up these terms with the expanded third term and apply principle of collection of friendly terms. The pair of terms involving $tan^2\theta$ and the second pair involving $cot^2\theta$ are combined together.
$E = 2 - tan^2\theta(1 - sin^2\theta) - cot^2\theta(1 - cos^2\theta)$
$\hspace{12mm}= 2 - (sin^2\theta + cos^2\theta)$
$\hspace{12mm}= 1$.
Answer: Option d: $1$.
Key concepts used: Transforming the first two expressions to single term expressions with $tan^2\theta$ and $cot^2\theta$ as factors with the intention of merging with the expanded corresponding terms from the third expression. This is achieved by applying the rich concept of factoring out the inverse $sec\theta$ and $cosec\theta$ -- use of end state analysis to find similarities between the third expression terms and the first two expressions -- collecting the friendly terms of $tan^2\theta$ and $cot^2\theta$ together to cancel out the denominators and leave only $sin^2\theta$ and $cos^2\theta$.
Problem 2.
If $\displaystyle\frac{sin\theta + cos\theta}{sin\theta - cos\theta} = \frac{5}{4}$, then the value of $\displaystyle\frac{tan^2\theta + 1}{tan^2\theta - 1}$ will be,
- $\displaystyle\frac{41}{40}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{40}{41}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{25}{16}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{41}{9}$
Solution:
Applying the powerful componendo dividendo technique on the input expression we get directly,
$\displaystyle\frac{sin\theta}{cos\theta} = \displaystyle\frac{5 + 4}{5 - 4} = 9$,
Or, $tan\theta = 9$
Substituting in the target expression,
$E = \displaystyle\frac{9^2 + 1}{9^2 - 1} = \displaystyle\frac{82}{80} = \displaystyle\frac{41}{40}$
Answer: Option a : $\displaystyle\frac{41}{40}$.
Key concepts used: Componendo dividendo -- substitution.
Rich algebraic technique of Componendo and dividendo
Problem: Simplify, $\displaystyle\frac{x + y}{x - y} = 3$.
First we add 1 to both sides of the equation,
$\displaystyle\frac{x + y}{x - y} + 1 = 3 + 1$,
Or, $\displaystyle\frac{2x}{x - y} = 4$.
Next we subtract 1 from both sides of the equation,
$\displaystyle\frac{x + y}{x - y} - 1 = 3 - 1$,
Or, $\displaystyle\frac{2y}{x - y} = 2$.
Now we divide the first result by the second,
$\displaystyle\frac{x}{y} = 2$, a greatly simplified expression with two terms in the numerator and denominator reduced to single terms.
This is a powerful algebraic technique frequently applied whenever we encounter the special form of given expression.
Problem 3.
If $sin\theta + cosec\theta =2$, then the value of $sin^{100}\theta + cosec^{100}\theta$ is,
- 100
- 3
- 2
- 1
Solution:
Whenever the target expression involves large powers of $sin\theta$ or $cos\theta$, we can be sure that from the input expression we would get either the value of $\theta$ or the value of $sin\theta$, as otherwise such large powers can't be evaluated.
With this prior knowledge we proceed to expand the given expression,
$sin\theta + cosec\theta = 2$,
Or, $sin^2\theta - 2sin\theta + 1 = (sin\theta - 1)^2 = 0$
Or, $sin\theta = 1$, and so, $cosec\theta=1$.
Putting these convenient values in the target expression we get,
$E = 1 + 1 = 2$
Answer: Option c: 2.
Key concepts used: Deciding from target expression that value of $sin\theta$ must be obtained from the given expression -- expanding and evaluating the given expression produced the convenient value of $sin\theta$.
Problem 4.
The greatest value of $sin^4\theta + cos^4\theta$ is,
- $1$
- $\displaystyle\frac{1}{2}$
- $3$
- $2$
Solution:
Using algebraic maxima finding technique we transform part of the given expression to a square of sums.
$sin^4\theta + cos^4\theta $
$= (sin^2\theta + cos^2\theta)^2 - 2sin^2\theta{cos^2\theta}$,
$=1 - 2sin^2\theta{cos^2\theta}$.
The maximum of this expression can only be 1 when, the second term is zero, or when either $sin\theta$ or $cos\theta$ is 0.
This is a quick method as it has used the trigonometric relations along with the algebraic maxima technique elegantly.
Answer: Option a: $1$.
Key concepts used: To use the maxima technique for quadratic equations, converting part of the given expression to square of sums -- finding the maximum condition.
Problem 5.
If $\displaystyle\frac{sin\theta}{x} = \displaystyle\frac{cos\theta}{y}$, then $sin\theta - cos\theta$ is,
- $x - y$
- $\displaystyle\frac{x - y}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{y - x}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}$
- $x + y$
Solution:
Though the target expression looks simple, the task is cut out for us, we must express both $sin\theta$ and $cos\theta$ in terms of $x$ and $y$.
With this resolve we start manipulating the given expression in the simplest path possible,
$\displaystyle\frac{sin\theta}{x} = \displaystyle\frac{cos\theta}{y}$,
Or, $cot\theta = \displaystyle\frac{y}{x}$,
Or, $cot^2\theta +1 = cosec^2\theta = \displaystyle\frac{x^2 + y^2}{x^2}$,
Or, $sin^2\theta = \displaystyle\frac{x^2}{x^2 + y^2}$,
Or, $sin\theta = \displaystyle\frac{x}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}$.
Similarly,
$cos\theta = \displaystyle\frac{y}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}$.
Thus target expression,
$sin\theta - cos\theta = \displaystyle\frac{x - y}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}$.
Answer: Option b: $\displaystyle\frac{x - y}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}$.
Key concepts used: Using the rich concept of $cosec^2\theta = cot^2\theta + 1$ and $sec^2\theta = tan^2\theta + 1$ -- expressing $sin\theta$ and $cos\theta$ in terms of $x$ and $y$.
Problem 6.
If $tan\theta - cot\theta = 0$ find the value of $sin\theta + cos\theta$.
- $\sqrt{2}$
- $0$
- $1$
- $2$
Solution:
With the form of the given expression we will go straight for equating the $tan$ and $cot$ with the intention of getting an equation in $sin$ and $cos$.
So,
$tan\theta = cot\theta$,
Or, $sin^2\theta = cos^2\theta$.
We know this equality occurs only when $sin\theta = cos\theta = \displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$ at $\theta = 45^0$.
So, $sin\theta + cos\theta = 2\times{\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}} = \sqrt{2}$
Answer: Option a : $\sqrt{2}$.
Key concepts used: Transforming the given expression in terms of $sin$ and $cos$ to get the equality condition.
Problem 7.
If $sin21^0 = \displaystyle\frac{x}{y}$ then $sec21^0 - sin69^0$ is,
- $\displaystyle\frac{y^2}{x\sqrt{y^2 - x^2}}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{y\sqrt{y^2 - x^2}}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{y\sqrt{x^2 - y^2}}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{y^2}{x\sqrt{x^2 - y^2}}$
Solution:
We know from the beginning that we have to use the rich trigonometric concept of, $sin\theta = cos\left({\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta}\right)$.
In our problem situation applying this concept we have, $sin21^0 = cos 69^0$,
So, $sin21^0 = cos69^0 = \displaystyle\frac{x}{y}$,
Or, $1 - cos^2{69^0} = sin^2{69^0} = \displaystyle\frac{y^2 - x^2}{y^2}$,
Or, $sin{69^0} = \displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{y^2 - x^2}}{y}$.
The target expression,
$sec21^0 - sin69^0 = cosec69^0 - sin69^0$
$= \displaystyle\frac{1 - sin^2{69^0}}{sin69^0}$
$= \displaystyle\frac{cos^2{69^0}}{sin69^0}$,
$=\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{y^2}\times{\displaystyle\frac{y}{\sqrt{y^2 - x^2}}}$
$=\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{y\sqrt{y^2 - x^2}}$.
Answer: Option b: $\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{y\sqrt{y^2 - x^2}}$.
Key concepts used: Rich concept of $sin\theta = cos\left({\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta}\right)$ to get $cos69^0$ and then $sin69^0$ -- trigonometric simplification first then only substituting the complex value at the end to minimize calculations.
Problem 8.
If $\displaystyle\frac{sec\theta+ tan\theta}{sec\theta - tan\theta}=\displaystyle\frac{5}{3}$ then $sin\theta$ is,
- $\displaystyle\frac{3}{4}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{1}{3}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{2}{3}$
- $\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}$
Solution:
As usual detecting the possibility of taking out $sec\theta$ as a factor from both numerator and denominator we take up the transformation,
$\displaystyle\frac{sec\theta+ tan\theta}{sec\theta - tan\theta}=\displaystyle\frac{5}{3}$,
Or, $\displaystyle\frac{sec\theta(1 + sin\theta)}{sec\theta(1 - sin\theta)}=\displaystyle\frac{5}{3}$,
Or, $\displaystyle\frac{1 + sin\theta}{1 - sin\theta}=\displaystyle\frac{5}{3}$.
This is ripe form for applying the Componendo dividendo technique. We thus get,
$sin\theta = \displaystyle\frac{5 - 3}{5 + 3} = \displaystyle\frac{1}{4}$
Answer: Option d: $\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}$.
Key concepts used: Recognition that $sec\theta$ can be factored out from both numerator and denominator -- and then use componendo dividendo technique.
Problem 9.
If $(1 + sin A)(1 + sin B)(1 + sin C) = (1 - sin A)(1 - sin B)( 1 - sin C)$, then the expression on each side of the equation equals,
- $1$
- $tan A.tan B.tan C$
- $cos A.cos B.cos C$
- $sin A.sin B.sin C$
Solution:
Observing the possibility of getting $1 - cos^2\theta$ for each of the three expressions on one side if we multiply them together we first equate the expressions to a dummy variable $p$,
$(1 + sin A)(1 + sin B)(1 + sin C) $
$\hspace{5mm}= (1 - sin A)(1 - sin B)( 1 - sin C) = p$ which results in two equations,
$(1 + sin A)(1 + sin B)(1 + sin C)= p$ and,
$(1 - sin A)(1 - sin B)( 1 - sin C) = p$.
Multiplying the two together,
$p^2 = (1 - sin^2 A)(1 - sin^2 B)(1 - sin^2 C)$
$=cos^2 A. cos^2 B.cos^2 C$.
Or, each target expression $p=cos A.cos B.cos C$.
Answer: Option c: $cos A.cos B.cos C$.
Key concepts used: Identifying the possibility of getting simplified $1 - cos^2\theta$ for each of the three sum terms if multipled together we introduce a dummy variable equaling the expressions -- multiplication and simplification. This is simple algebraic technique using basic trigonometric concepts.
Problem 10.
If $\theta = 60^0$, then, $\displaystyle\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{1 + sin\theta} + \displaystyle\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{1 - sin\theta}$ is,
- $cos\displaystyle\frac{\theta}{2}$
- $cot\displaystyle\frac{\theta}{2}$
- $sec\displaystyle\frac{\theta}{2}$
- $sin\displaystyle\frac{\theta}{2}$
Solution:
Substituting value of $\theta$,
$\sqrt{1 + sin\theta}$
$= \sqrt{1 + \displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}$
$= \sqrt{\displaystyle\frac{2 + \sqrt{3}}{2}}$
The problem expression is thus $\sqrt{1 + sin\theta}$ in which we need to eliminate the square root applying the powerful surd techniques of transforming a two term surd expression to a square of sum of a two term surd expression.
As the surd $\sqrt{3}$ doesn't have 2 as a coefficient, we multiply and diivide by 2, getting,
$\sqrt{1 + sin\theta}$
$= \sqrt{\displaystyle\frac{(\sqrt{3} + 1)^2}{4}}$
$=\displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{3} + 1}{2}$,
Similarly,
$\sqrt{1 - sin\theta} = \displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{3} - 1}{2}$, and the target expression,
$E = \displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = cos30^0 = cos{\displaystyle\frac{\theta}{2}}$
Answer: Option a: $cos\displaystyle\frac{\theta}{2}$.
Key concepts used: Application of surd technique of transforming a two term surd expression to a square of a two term surd expression -- simplification.
Note: You will observe that in many of these Trigonometric problems rich algebraic concepts and techniques have been used. In fact that is the norm.
Algebraic concepts are frequently used for elegant solutions of Trigonometric problems.
But compared to difficulties of purely algebraic problem solving, trigonometry problems are simpler as you can apply a few trigonometric concepts along with algebraic concepts for quicker solution.
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