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SSC CGL level Solution Set 40, Trigonometry 4

Trigonometry high level questions solved SSC CGL Set 40

SSC CGL Set 40: Trigonometry high level questions solved

Trigonometry high level questions solved SSC CGL Set 40: Learn all the tricks and techniques to solve the 10 difficult trigonometry questions in 12 mins.

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SSC CGL level Question Set 40 on Trigonometry 4.


Quick solutions to Trigonometry high level questions SSC CGL Set 40 - test time was 12 mins

Problem 1.

If $cosec 39^0=p$, the value of, $\displaystyle\frac{1}{cosec^2 51^0} + sin^2 39^0 + tan^2 51^0 - \displaystyle\frac{1}{sin^2 51^0 sec^2 39^0}$ is,

  1. $p^2 - 1$
  2. $\sqrt{p^2 - 1}$
  3. $1-p^2$
  4. $\sqrt{1-p^2}$

Solution - Problem analysis and execution

From Complementary Trigonometric functions concepts we know,

$sin\left(\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta\right) = cos\theta$

$cos\left(\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta\right) = sin\theta$, and so,

$tan\left(\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta\right) = cot\theta$, where $\theta$ is acute.

With this knowledge and analyzing the terms of the target expression we decide to transform the requisite functions giving the target expression,

$E=sin^2 51^0 + sin^2 39^0 + tan^2 51^0 - \displaystyle\frac{cos^2 39^0}{sin^2 51^0}$

$\hspace{5mm}=cos^2 39^0 + sin^2 39^0 + cot^2 39^0 - \displaystyle\frac{cos^2 39^0}{cos^2 39^0}$

$\hspace{5mm}=1 + (cosec^2 39^0 - 1) - 1$

$\hspace{5mm}=p^2 - 1$

Answer: a: $p^2 - 1$.

Before converting the terms to their complementary form, we have analyzed the potential of simplification and then only converted the functions into complementary functions so that the basic trigonometric concepts such as $sin^2 \theta + cos^2 \theta=1$ and $cot^2 \theta = cosec^2 \theta - 1$ can be used for faster simplification.

Key concepts and techniques used: Identifying the useful pairing patterns in the series of terms -- Key pattern identification -- use of Complementary Trigonometric functions concepts for $sin\theta$, $cos\theta$ and $tan \theta$ -- Basic and Rich Trigonometric Concepts.

Note: In this case the analysis and simplifying actions went hand in hand wholly in mind producing the final result in no time. Only the initial identification of the patterns of result bearing terms was needed.

Problem 2.

If $sec \theta=x + \displaystyle\frac{1}{4x}$, where $(0^0 \lt \theta \lt 90^0)$, then $sec \theta + tan \theta$ is,

  1. $\displaystyle\frac{x}{2}$
  2. $2x$
  3. $\displaystyle\frac{2}{x}$
  4. $x$

Solution - Problem analysis and execution

We identify the value of $sec \theta$ as similar to the form of sum of inverses we have encountered so often in Algebraic problem simplification where Principle of interaction of inverses led us to the desired solution always. We also recognize that for using the method we need to make minor transformation of the input expression.

Solution - Simplifying actions

$sec \theta=x + \displaystyle\frac{1}{4x}$,

Or, $sec \theta=\displaystyle\frac{1}{2}\left(2x + \displaystyle\frac{1}{2x}\right)$.

As we know, $sec^2 \theta -1 = tan^2 \theta$, squaring and subtracting 1 from both sides of the above equation we get,

$sec^2 \theta - 1=\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}\left(4x^2 + 2 + \displaystyle\frac{1}{4x^2}\right) -1$,

Or, $tan^2 \theta = \displaystyle\frac{1}{4}\left(4x^2 - 2 + \displaystyle\frac{1}{4x^2}\right)$

$\hspace{19mm}=\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}\left(2x - \displaystyle\frac{1}{2x}\right)^2$,

Or, $tan \theta = \displaystyle\frac{1}{2}\left(2x - \displaystyle\frac{1}{2x}\right)$.

Adding $sec \theta$ and $tan \theta$ expressions finally we get,

$sec \theta + tan \theta = 2x$

Answer: b: $2x$.

Key concepts and techniques used: Identification and use of sum of inverses pattern -- principle of interaction of inverses -- input transformation of sum of inverses -- basic trigonometric concepts.

Problem 3.

If $tan \theta=1$, then the value of $\displaystyle\frac{8sin \theta + 5cos \theta}{sin^3 \theta -2cos^3 \theta + 7cos \theta}$ is,

  1. $2\displaystyle\frac{1}{2}$
  2. $2$
  3. $3$
  4. $\displaystyle\frac{4}{5}$

Solution - Problem analysis

First observation is, the target expression contains only $sin \theta$ and $cos \theta$, whereas the value of $tan \theta$ is given in simplest terms of 1. This urges us to transform the given expression as,

$tan \theta = 1$,

Or, $sin \theta = cos \theta$.

Because of the above reasoning, this result should be the key to simplify the target expression quickly and elegantly.

Solution - Simplifying actions

So the target expression can be expressed now as,

$E=\displaystyle\frac{8sin \theta + 5sin \theta}{sin^3 \theta - 2sin^3 \theta + 7sin \theta}$

$\hspace{5mm}=\displaystyle\frac{13}{-sin^2 \theta + 7}$.

At this point we realize that we also have to evaluate $sin^2 \theta$ from the input value $tan \theta =1$. This is the second way to use the same input expression. Thus we have,

$tan \theta = 1$,

Or, $cot^2 \theta = 1$,

Or, $cosec^2 \theta - 1 = 1$,

Or, $sin^2 \theta = \displaystyle\frac{1}{2}$.

Substituting,

$E=\displaystyle\frac{13}{-\frac{1}{2} + 7}$

$\hspace{5mm}=\displaystyle\frac{13}{\displaystyle\frac{13}{2}}$

$\hspace{5mm}=2$

Answer: b: 2.

Key concepts and techniques used: End state analysis -- Target based input transformation -- simplification -- trigonometric basic function transformation principle -- Multiple input use technique (we have used the input expression in two ways).

Multiple input use is a powerful technique.


Trigonometric basic function tranformation principle:

If value of one of the trigonometric functions, $sin \theta$, $cos \theta$, $tan \theta$, $cosec \theta$, $sec \theta$ or $cot \theta$ is given, any of the other functions can be derived using the following basic trigonometric relations,

$sin^2 \theta + cos^2 \theta=1$,

$sec^2 \theta=1 + tan^2 \theta$,

$cosec^2 \theta=1 + cot^2 \theta$ and the inverse functions of,

$cosec \theta = \displaystyle\frac{1}{sin \theta}$, 

$sec \theta = \displaystyle\frac{1}{cos \theta}$ and

$cot \theta = \displaystyle\frac{1}{tan \theta}$.


Problem 4.

If $7sin \theta = 24cos \theta$, where $0 \lt \theta \lt \displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2}$, then the value of $14tan \theta - 75cos \theta - 7sec \theta$ is,

  1. 1
  2. 3
  3. 2
  4. 4

Solution - Problem analysis

By End state analysis, comparing the target expression with the input expression we find that the value of $tan \theta$ in the target expression can easily be derived from the input using direct transfomation of the input,

$7sin \theta = 24cos \theta$,

Or, $tan \theta = \displaystyle\frac{24}{7}$.

This leaves basically $cos \theta$ in the target expression. So we need a second input tranformation applying Multiple input use technique,

$7sin \theta = 24cos \theta$,

Or, $tan \theta = \displaystyle\frac{24}{7}$,

Or, $tan^2 \theta + 1 = \displaystyle\frac{24^2}{7^2} + 1$,

Or, $sec^2 \theta = \displaystyle\frac{576}{49} + 1=\displaystyle\frac{625}{49}$,

Or, $sec \theta = \displaystyle\frac{25}{7}$, as $0 \lt \theta \lt \displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2}$, $sec \theta$ is positive.

So,

$cos \theta = \displaystyle\frac{7}{25}$.

Solution - Simplifying actions

Using these values in the target expression we have,

$E=14tan \theta - 75cos \theta - 7sec \theta$,

$\hspace{5mm}=14\times{\displaystyle\frac{24}{7}} - 75\times{\displaystyle\frac{7}{25}} -7\times{\displaystyle\frac{25}{7}}$

$\hspace{5mm}=48 - 21 - 25$

$\hspace{5mm}=2$.

Answer: c: 2.

Key concepts and techniques used: End state analysis -- input transformation technique -- Multiple input use technique -- basic and rich trigonometric concepts -- Trigonometric basic function transformation principle.

Problem 5.

The minimum value of $sin^2 \theta + cos^2 \theta + sec^2 \theta + cosec^2 \theta + tan^2 \theta + cot^2 \theta$ is equal to,

  1. 1
  2. 7
  3. 3
  4. 5

Solution - Problem analysis

On quick analysis we can visualize the first two terms being transformed to a numeral and the last four terms resulting in a part expression that is a sum of square of inverses. Let us see how.

Transforming the target expression thus we have,

$E=1 + (tan^2 \theta + 1) + (cot^2\theta + 1) + tan ^2 \theta + cot^2 \theta$

$\hspace{5mm}=3 + 2(tan^2 \theta + cot^2 \theta)$.

This expression potentially conforms to the well known algebraic technique for finding maxima and minima in quadratic expressions.


Maxima minima technique

Problem:

Find the minimum value (or minima) of the expression, $ax^2 + bx + c$, where variable $x$ has real values.

Solution:

The standard technique to solve this problem is to transform the expression so that one part of it becomes a square of sum of two terms where all the variable terms are absorbed in the square expression leaving only one numeric term outside the square expression, like,

$ax^2 + bx + c = p + (qx - r)^2$.

From this transformed expression we can then mathematically conclude that, for all real values of variable $x$, the square term will always be positive and hence will increase the value of the expression from the minimum value of $p$ except when the square term is zero.


Problem solving execution

With this knowledge the target expression is transformed to the desired form as,

$E=3 + 2(tan^2\theta -2 + cot^2\theta) + 4$

$\hspace{5mm}=7+(tan \theta - cot\theta)^2$.

The square term of this expression will always be positive except when $tan\theta=cot\theta$.

Thus the minimum value of the given expression is 7.

Answer: b: 7.

Key concepts and techniques used: Basic trigonometric concepts -- simplification -- transformation of the square variable terms into a square of a two term expression -- algebraic maxima minima technique - rich algebraic concepts.

Problem 6.

In a right $\triangle ABC$ with right angle at $\angle ABC$, if $AB=2\sqrt{6}$ and $AC - BC = 2$ then, $sec A + tan A$ is,

  1. $\displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{6}}{2}$
  2. $2\sqrt{6}$
  3. $\sqrt{6}$
  4. $\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}$

Solution - Problem analysis

The following figure describes the problem,

SSC-CGL-level-solution-set-40-trigonometry-4-1.jpg

As the length of a side is given and the target expression is in usual form of sum of basic trigonometric functions that primarily are ratios of side lengths of a right triangle, we decide to go for finding the length of sides using Pythagoras theorem rather than trigonometric simplification of target expression.

Solution - Simplifying actions

In $\triangle ABC$,

$AB = 2\sqrt{6}$ and,

$AC - BC=2$.

Multiplying both sides by $(AC+BC)$ we get,

$AC^2 - BC^2 = 2(AC+BC)$,

Or, $AB^2 = 2(AC+BC)$,

Or, $AC + BC = \frac{1}{2}(2\sqrt{6})^2 = 12$.

Adding this with the equation of $AC - BC =2$ we get,

$2AC = 14$,

Or, $AC=7$.

And subracting,

$2BC = 10$,

Or, $BC=5$.

So,

$sec A = \displaystyle\frac{AC}{AB} = \displaystyle\frac{7}{2\sqrt{6}}$, and

$tan A = \displaystyle\frac{BC}{AB} = \displaystyle\frac{5}{2\sqrt{6}}$, giving,

$sec A + tan A = \displaystyle\frac{12}{2\sqrt{6}}=\sqrt{6}$.

Answer: c: $\sqrt{6}$.

Key concepts and techniques used: Deductive reasoning -- End state analysis approach -- adopting the strategy of finding the length of sides -- basic algebraic concept of $(a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2$ -- Pythagoras theorem -- basic algebraic concept of solving two linear equations in two variables -- basic trigonometric functions as ratio of sides of a right triangle -- basic trigonometric concepts.

Problem 7.

If $tan 2\theta . tan 4\theta = 1$, then the value of $tan 3\theta$ is,

  1. $\sqrt {3}$
  2. $0$
  3. $\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}$
  4. $1$

Solution - problem analysis

By comparing the target expression with the input expression we don't find any other solution path than to find the actual value of the angle $\angle \theta$ itself.

Solution - simplifying actions

$tan 2\theta . tan 4\theta = 1$,

Or, $tan 2\theta = \displaystyle\frac{1}{tan 4\theta}=cot 4\theta$.

From Complementary Trigonometric functions concepts we know,

$sin\left(\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta\right) = cos\theta$

$cos\left(\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta\right) = sin\theta$, and so,

$tan\left(\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta\right) = cot\theta$, where $\theta$ is acute.

So,

$tan 2\theta = cot 4\theta=tan\left(\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - 4\theta\right)$,

Or, $2\theta = \left(\displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2} - 4\theta\right)$,

Or, $6\theta = \displaystyle\frac{\pi}{2}$,

Or, $3\theta = \displaystyle\frac{\pi}{4}=45^0$, and

$tan 3\theta=tan 45^0=1$.

Answer: d: 1.

Key concepts used: Deductive reasoning -- adopting the strategy of finding the value of the angle $\theta$ itself -- use of Complementary Trigonometric functions concepts for $tan\theta$  -- final simplification.

Problem 8.

If $sin \displaystyle\frac{\pi x}{2}=x^2 -2x +2$, then the value of $x$ is,

  1. $0$
  2. $-1$
  3. $1$
  4. none of these

Solution - problem analysis

Getting no direct path to the solution the obvious decision has been to examine the RHS expression closely.

Solution - Problem solving execution

$sin \displaystyle\frac{\pi x}{2}= x^2 - 2x + 2 = (x-1)^2 + 1$.

As for any real value of $x$ the square of sum term will be positive it will make the value of the RHS larger than 1 which is not possible for any value of a $sin$ function. So the square term must be 0 and so, $x=1$.

Answer: c: 1.

Key concepts and techniques used: Deductive reasoning -- analysis of RHS to transform it to a square of sum term plus 1 form -- basic trigonometric concepts -- basic algebraic concepts.

Problem 9.

If $2sin \theta + cos \theta = \displaystyle\frac{7}{3}$, then the value of $(tan^2 \theta - sec^2 \theta)$ is,

  1. $0$
  2. $\displaystyle\frac{7}{3}$
  3. $\displaystyle\frac{3}{7}$
  4. $-1$

Solution - Problem analysis and execution

As a rule we examine the target expression and this time it handed us the solutuon in one step without going into any complexity of using the awkward input expression,

$(tan^2 \theta - sec^2 \theta)=tan^2\theta - (1 + tan^2 \theta)=-1$

Answer: d: $-1$.

Key concepts and techniques used: Target expression analysis -- basic trigonometric concepts.

Problem 10.

If $(rcos \theta - \sqrt{3})^2 + (rsin \theta - 1)^2 = 0$, then the value of $\displaystyle\frac{rtan \theta + sec \theta}{rsec \theta + tan \theta}$ is,

  1. $\displaystyle\frac{4}{5}$
  2. $\displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}$
  3. $\displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{5}}{4}$
  4. $\displaystyle\frac{5}{4}$

Solution - Problem analysis

While analysing the problem the very first thing that strikes us is the presence of zero sum of square terms. In such situations we know that individually the square terms must be zero. So we have the breakthrough at the very beginning.

From the given expression,

$(rcos \theta - \sqrt{3})=0$,

Or, $rcos \theta = \sqrt{3}$, and

$(rsin \theta -1)=0$,

Or, $rsin \theta = 1$.

Because of our awareness of the values of $sin \theta$ and $cos \theta$ for various values of $\theta$, it is recognized immediately that the often used values of,

$sin30^0 = \displaystyle\frac{1}{2}$, and

$cos30^0 = \displaystyle\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$

will satisfy the two equations nicely, giving,

$r=2$, and

$\theta=30^0$.

Solution - Derivation and Simplifying actions

To derive the above results we square the two expressions and sum up giving,

$r^2(sin^2 \theta + cos^2 \theta) = r^2 = 4$,

Or, $r=2$.

Substituting this value of $r$ in any of the two equations we get the value of $\theta$ as $30^0$.

Using these values of $r=2$ and $\theta=30^0$ in the target expression we have the simplified target expression as,

$E=\displaystyle\frac{2tan 30^0 + sec 30^0}{2sec 30^0 + tan 30^0}$

$\hspace{5mm}=\displaystyle\frac{\displaystyle\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} + \displaystyle\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}}{\displaystyle\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}} + \displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}}$

$\hspace{5mm}=\displaystyle\frac{\displaystyle\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}}}{\displaystyle\frac{5}{\sqrt{3}}}$

$\hspace{5mm}=\displaystyle\frac{4}{5}$.

Answer: a: $\displaystyle\frac{4}{5}$.

Key concepts and techniques used: Rich algebraic principle of zero sum of square terms -- basic algebraic techniques to find values of $r$ and $\theta$ -- substitution and simplification.

Note: You will observe that in many of the Trigonometric problems rich algebraic concepts and techniques are to be used. In fact that is the norm. Algebraic concepts are frequently used for elegant solutions of Trigonometric problems.


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