[Q] Trigonometry Tricks - 3

Sine and Cosine Rules

See the image above and mug the formulas thoroughly. Sin and cosine rules are important in trigonometry and can help you in solving some complex questions.

Q. 1)

The figure will look something like this -

In triangle ACD
sin∠CAD/3x = sin45/AD   ... (1)
In triangle ABD
sin∠BAD/x = sin60/AD    ...  (2)

Divide equation (2) by (1)

3* sin∠BAD/sin∠CAD = sin60/sin45

sin∠BAD/sin∠CAD = √6/6 = 1/√6

Answer: (C)

Similarly you can use cosine law to find any angle, if all the sides are given or to find a side, if the other two sides and an angle is given.

Q. 2)  In the below figure, ABC is right angled at B and AD = CD. If ∠ACB=30, find ∠ABD

          (A) 30                (B) 60                (C) 45                (D) 75

∠BAD = 180 - (90 + 30) = 60

In triangle ABD

sin∠ABD/AD = sin60/BD  [Since ∠BAD = 60]

In triangle BCD

sin∠CBD/CD = sin30/BD

Divide equation (2) by (1)

sin∠CBD/sin∠ABD = sin30/sin60     [AD = CD and hence they will cancel out]

Now, sin∠CBD = sin(90 - ∠ABD) = cos∠ABD  [Click here if you don't know how to convert sin into cos]

Hence, cos∠ABD/sin∠ABD = sin30/sin60

cot∠ABD = 1/√3

Hence ∠ABD = 60

Answer: (B)

Alternative Method

The figure given in this question is very important and at times it is embedded in some other figures. There is one short-cut  to calculate the angle.

Imagine the triangle in circumscribed in a circle

Now, D will be the centre of the triangle with diameter AC. We can say with surety that AC is the diameter of the circle because ∠ABC = 90, and we know angle in a semicircle is right angle. Moreover AD = CD, hence D is the midpoint of the diameter or the centre of the circle

Now you can see that AD, CD and BD are radii of the circle. Hence AD = CD = BD

∠BAD = 180 - (90 + 30) = 60

∠ABD = ∠BAD = 60 [Since AD = BD]

Answer: (B)

Now let us see a CGL question, in which the above figure was embedded.

Q. 3) G is the centroid of Triangle ABC, and AG=BC. Find angle BGC.

(A) 60              (B) 90               (C) 120                (D) 75

Let AG = 2x
Then BG = x (centroid divided the median in 2:1 ratio)
BC = AG = 2x
Let AG when extended cuts BC at D
Then D is the midpoint of BC  (as AD is the median)
BD = DC = x  [Since BC = 2x]
Now DG = BD = DC = x
That means D is the centre of a circle with diameter BC and one of the radius as DG.
Hence BGC = 90 (angle in a semi-circle)

Answer: (B)

Q. 4)

sec²x + tan²x = 5/3

We know, sec²x – tan²x = 1

Adding the above two equations

2sec²x = 8/3 or sec²x = 4/3

secx = 2/√3

That means x = 30

cos2x = cos60 = 1/2
Answer: (C)
Method 2:
sec²x = 4/3
That means, cos^2x = 3/4 and sin^2x = 1 - 3/4 = 1/4
cos2x = cos^2x - sin^2x = 3/4 - 1/4 = 1/2

Q. 5)

Multiply and Divide RHS by 2

(cosx - sinx)/(cosx + sinx) = (√3/2 - 1/2)/(√3/2 + 1/2)

Match RHS with LHS and you can easily see x = 30

Answer: (A)

Method 2

Cross multiply

(cosx - sinx)(√3 + 1) = (cosx + sinx)(√3 - 1)

Solve it and you will get, tanx = 1/√3

Hence x = 30

Q. 6)

Put θ = 45
2y*cos45 - x*sin45 = 0
2y = x  ... (1)
2x*sec45  - y*cosec45 = 3
2x - y = 3/√2
4y - y = 3/√2  [Put x = 2y]
y = 1/√2
Hence, x = 2y = √2
x^2 + 4y^2 = 2 + 4*(1/2) = 2 + 2 = 4
Answer: (C)


Some important values to mug:

1.  sin15 = (√3 - 1) /2√2
2.  cos15 = (√3 + 1) /2√2
3.  tan15 = 2 - √3
4.  cot15 = 2 + √3

These values are very important to solve some tricky trigonometric questions. Examples :

Q. 7) 

Although you can solve this question with the direct formula, which I discussed in Geometry Tricks - 1. But let us assume, you forget that formula. In such cases, the values of sin15 and cos15 will come handy.

Let the perpendicular and base of the triangle be P and B, respectively.

sin15 = Perpendicular/Hypotenuse = P/100

P = sin15*100
Similarly, B = cos15*100

Area = 1/2 * P * B = 1/2 * sin15 * 100 * cos15 * 100 =  (√3 - 1) /2√2 * (√3 + 1) /2√2 * 100 * 100/2

Area = 100*100/8 = 1250

Answer: (D)

Q. 8)

       A) 0               B) 1                 C) -1                 D) 2

Put x = 15
= cot15/(cot15 - cot45) + tan15/(tan15 - tan45)
= (2 + √3)/(1 + √3) + (2 - √3)/(1 - √3)
= 1
Answer: (B)


Some candidates are asking me the book which I refer to write these articles. But, I can assure you that all these tricks are authored by me and you won't find them in any book or coaching...

If you have any doubt in this article, please drop a comment...
Keep Reading :)

To buy the super-hit SSC Hack-Book, follow the below link-
Buy SSC Hack-Book