A-Level Maths Specification

OCR B (MEI) H640

Section 7: Trigonometry

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#7.1

Know how to solve right-angled triangles using trigonometry.

Trigonometric ratios

#7.2

Be able to use the definitions of \(\sin{θ}\), \(\cos{θ}\) and \(\tan{θ}\) for any angle.

By reference to the unit circle, \(\sin{θ}=y\), \(\cos{θ}=x\), \(\tan{θ}=\dfrac{y}{x}\).

Trigonometric ratios

#7.3

Know and use the graphs of \(\sin{θ}\), \(\cos{θ}\) and \(\tan{θ}\) for all values of \(θ\), their symmetries and periodicities.

Stretches, translations and reflections of these graphs.
Combinations of these transformations.

Notation: Period

Trigonometric ratios

#7.4

Know and be able to use the exact values of \(\sin{θ}\) and \(\cos{θ}\) for \(θ = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°\) and the exact values of \(\tan{θ}\) for \(θ = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°\).

Trigonometric graphs, exact values

#7.5

Know and be able to use the fact that the area of a triangle is given by \(\dfrac{1}{2}ab\sin{C}\).

Sine and cosine rules, area of a triangle

#7.6

Know and be able to use the sine and cosine rules.

Use of bearings may be required.

Sine and cosine rules, area of a triangle

#7.7

Understand and be able to use \(\tan{θ} = \dfrac{\sin{θ}}{\cos{θ}}\)

e.g. solve \(\sin{θ} = 3\cos{θ}\) for \(0° \le θ \le 360°\).

Trigonometric identities

#7.8

Understand and be able to use the identity \(\sin^2{θ} + \cos^2{θ} = 1\).

e.g. solve \(\sin^2{θ} = \cos{θ}\) for \(0° \le θ \le 360°\).

Trigonometric identities

#7.9

Be able to solve simple trigonometric equations in given intervals and know the principal values from the inverse trigonometric functions.

e.g. \(\sin{θ} = 0.5\), in \([0°, 360°] \iff θ = 30° ,150°\)
Includes equations involving multiples of the unknown angle e.g. \(\sin{2θ} = 3\cos{2θ}\).
Includes quadratic equations.

Notation:
\(\arcsin{x} = \sin^{-1}{x}\)
\(\arccos{x} = \cos^{-1}{x}\)
\(\arctan{x} = \tan^{-1}{x}\)

[Excludes: General solutions.]

Solve trigonometric equations

#7.10

Know and be able to use exact values of \(\sin{θ}\), \(\cos{θ}\) and \(\tan{θ}\) for \(θ = 0, \dfrac{\pi}{6}, \dfrac{\pi}{4}, \dfrac{\pi}{3}\), \(\pi\) and multiples thereof and \(\sin{θ}\), \(\cos{θ}\) for \(θ = \dfrac{\pi}{2}\) and multiples thereof.

Trigonometric graphs, exact values

#7.11

Understand and use the definitions of the functions \(\arcsin\), \(\arccos\) and \(\arctan\), their relationship to \(\sin\), \(\cos\) and \(\tan\), their graphs and their ranges and domains.

Inverse trigonometric functions

#7.12

Understand and use the definition of a radian and be able to convert between radians and degrees.

Radians

#7.13

Know and be able to find the arc length and area of a sector of a circle, when the angle is given in radians.

The results \(s = rθ\) and \(A = \dfrac{1}{2}r^2θ\) where \(θ\) is measured in radians.

Arc length, area of a sector

#7.14

Understand and use the standard small angle approximations of sine, cosine and tangent.

\(\sin{θ} = θ\), \(\cos{1-\dfrac{θ^2}{2}}\), \(\tan{θ}\) where \(θ\) is in radians.

Small angle approximations

#7.15

Understand and use the definitions of the \(\sec\), \(\cosec\) and \(\cot\) functions.

Including knowledge of the angles for which they are undefined.

Reciprocal trigonometric functions

#7.16

Understand relationships between the graphs of the \(\sin\), \(\cos\), \(\tan\), \(\cosec\), \(\sec\) and \(\cot\) functions.

Including domains and ranges.

Reciprocal trigonometric functions

#7.17

Understand and use the relationships \(\tan^2{θ} + 1 = \sec^2{θ}\) and \(\cot^2{θ} + 1 = \cosec^2{θ}\).

Trigonometric identities

#7.18

Understand and use the identities for \(\sin{(θ \pm ϕ)}\), \(\cos{(θ \pm ϕ)}\), \(\tan{(θ \pm ϕ)}\).

Includes understanding geometric proofs. The starting point for the proof will be given.

[Excludes: Proofs using de Moivre’s theorem will not be accepted.]

Addition and double angle formulae

#7.19

Know and use identities for \(\sin{2θ}\), \(\cos{2θ}\), \(\tan{2θ}\).

Includes understanding derivations from \(\sin{(θ \pm ϕ)}\), \(\cos{(θ \pm ϕ)}\), \(\tan{(θ \pm ϕ)}\).
\(\cos{2θ} ≡ \cos^2{θ} - \sin^2{θ}\)
\(\cos{2θ} ≡ 2\cos^2{θ} - 1\)
\(\cos{2θ} ≡ 1 - 2\sin^2{θ}\)

Addition and double angle formulae

#7.20

Understand and use expressions for \(a \cos{θ} \pm b \sin{θ}\) in the equivalent forms \(R\sin{(θ \pm α)}\) and \(R\cos{(θ \pm α)}\).

Includes sketching the graph of the function, finding its maximum and minimum values and solving equations.

a cosθ + b sinθ

#7.21

Use trigonometric identities, relationships and definitions in solving equations.

Solve trigonometric equations

#7.22

Construct proofs involving trigonometric functions and identities.

Proofs involving trigonometry

#7.23

Use trigonometric functions to solve problems in context, including problems involving vectors, kinematics and forces.

The argument of the trigonometric functions is not restricted to angles.

Solve problems using trigonometry