MATHEMATICS STUDY GUIDE

Trigonometry | Logarithms | Vectors | Waveforms

Complete worked solutions, rules, diagrams, and challenge questions
Q1 — Logarithms: log 64 − log 128 + log 32

📌 Key Logarithm Laws

• log(a) + log(b) = log(a × b) [Product Rule]
• log(a) − log(b) = log(a ÷ b) [Quotient Rule]
• log(aⁿ) = n·log(a) [Power Rule]
• log_b(b) = 1 and log_b(1) = 0 [Base Rules]
• log(a) means log base 10 unless stated otherwise

✅ Step-by-step Solution
Expression: log 64 − log 128 + log 32

Step 1: Combine using log laws:

= log(64 ÷ 128) + log 32 [Quotient rule for subtraction]
= log(0.5) + log 32

Step 2: Combine remaining logs:

= log(0.5 × 32) [Product rule for addition]
= log(16)

Step 3: Express as power of 10 or use log:

= log(16)
= log(2⁴) = 4 log 2
= 4 × 0.3010 = 1.2041

★ FINAL ANSWER: log 64 − log 128 + log 32 = log 16 ≈ 1.2041

Q2a — Trig Identity: Show 2cos²θ − 1 = cos²θ − sin²θ

📌 Key Trig Identities

• sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 [Pythagorean Identity]
• sin²θ = 1 − cos²θ
• cos²θ = 1 − sin²θ
• cos 2θ = cos²θ − sin²θ = 2cos²θ − 1 = 1 − 2sin²θ
TIP: To prove an identity, simplify one side to match the other.
 ✅ Proof
We start with the RIGHT HAND SIDE (RHS):
RHS = cos²θ − sin²θ

Substitute sin²θ = 1 − cos²θ:

= cos²θ − (1 − cos²θ)
= cos²θ − 1 + cos²θ
= 2cos²θ − 1
= LHS ✓

★ PROVED: Both sides equal cos 2θ (double angle formula).

Q2b — Solve: 2 − 4cos²x = 0 for 0° to 360°

📌 How to Solve Trig Equations

Step 1: Isolate the trig function (e.g., cos x = k)
Step 2: Find the principal angle using inverse trig (ignore sign)
Step 3: Use CAST diagram to find ALL angles in given range:
• cos positive: 1st and 4th quadrant (0°–90°, 270°–360°)
• sin positive: 1st and 2nd quadrant (0°–90°, 90°–180°)
• tan positive: 1st and 3rd quadrant (0°–90°, 180°–270°)
Step 4: List all solutions within range.

✅ Step-by-step Solution
2 − 4cos²x = 0
4cos²x = 2
cos²x = 1/2
cos x = ±1/√2 = ±√2/2 ≈ ±0.7071

Principal angle: cos⁻¹(0.7071) = 45°

For cos x = +0.7071 (positive → Q1 and Q4):

x = 45° and x = 360° − 45° = 315°

For cos x = −0.7071 (negative → Q2 and Q3):

x = 180° − 45° = 135° and x = 180° + 45° = 225°

★ SOLUTIONS: x = 45°, 135°, 225°, 315°

CAST Diagram (which trig is positive where):
90°
|
S (sin+) | A (all+)
─────────┼───────── → 0°/360°
T (tan+) | C (cos+)
|
270°
Q3 — Resultant of Two Sine Waves (Phasors)

Given: y₁ = 2 sin(wt) and y₂ = 3 sin(wt + π/4)

Find the resultant yr = y₁ + y₂ by (a) drawing and (b) calculation

📌 Phasor Rules
• Each sine wave A sin(wt + φ) is a PHASOR with amplitude A at phase angle φ
• y₁ = 2 sin(wt): amplitude = 2, phase = 0°
• y₂ = 3 sin(wt + π/4): amplitude = 3, phase = 45°
• To add phasors: convert to x and y components, add, then convert back
• Resultant: R = √(X² + Y²), Phase angle: φ = tan ⁻¹(Y/X)

✅ Part (b): By Calculation

Resolve each phasor into horizontal (x) and vertical (y) components:

y₁: x₁ = 2 cos(0°) = 2 × 1 = 2
y₁ = 2 sin(0°) = 2 × 0 = 0

y₂: x₂ = 3 cos(45°) = 3 × 0.7071 = 2.121

y₂ = 3 sin(45°) = 3 × 0.7071 = 2.121

Total components:
X = x₁ + x₂ = 2 + 2.121 = 4.121
Y = y₁ + y₂ = 0 + 2.121 = 2.121

Resultant amplitude: R = √(4.121² + 2.121²)

= √(16.98 + 4.499) = √21.48 ≈ 4.635

Phase angle: φ = tan⁻¹(2.121 / 4.121) = tan⁻¹(0.5147) ≈ 27.2°

Convert to radians: 27.2° = 0.475 rad

★ RESULT: yr ≈ 4.635 sin(wt + 0.475)

Part (a): By Drawing — Phasor Diagram

Draw on graph paper (to scale):
1. Draw a horizontal arrow of length 2 (representing y₁, phase 0°).
2. From the tip of y₁, draw an arrow of length 3 at 45° (representing y₂).
3. Draw the resultant from the origin to the final tip.
4. Measure the length (≈ 4.64) and angle from horizontal (≈ 27°).

Y yr (resultant ≈ 4.64)
↑ ↗
| y₂ ↗ ← 3 units at 45°
| ↗
|────────────→ X
O ← y₁ = 2 →
Q4 — Sine Graph & Trigonometric Ratios

Part a: Sketch y = sin x

📌 Key Features of y = sin x

• Amplitude = 1 (max = +1 at 90°, min = −1 at 270°)
• Period = 360° (one full cycle from 0° to 360°)
• Crosses x-axis at: 0°, 180°, 360°
• Peak at 90° (value = +1)
• Trough at 270° (value = −1)
• Symmetric: sin(180° − x) = sin x

y = sin x Graph Sketch:

y
1 | *
| * *
| * *
0 |* * *──────→ x(°)
|0° 90° 180° * * 360°
| * *
-1 | * (270°)

Key points: (0°,0), (90°,1), (180°,0), (270°,−1), (360°,0)

Part b: Trig Ratios for the Triangle (BC=5, AC=3, angle C=90°)

Right-angled Triangle (right angle at C):

B
|\
| \ Hypotenuse (BA) = ?
3 | \ 5
| \
C──────── A
BC=3 (opposite to A), BA=5 (hypotenuse), find AC

✅ Finding AC and all 6 Trig Ratios for Angle A

First find AC using Pythagoras:
BA² = BC² + AC²
5² = 3² + AC²
25 = 9 + AC²
AC² = 16 → AC = 4

For angle A: opposite = BC = 3, adjacent = AC = 4, hypotenuse = BA = 5

sin A = opposite/hypotenuse = 3/5 = 0.6

cos A = adjacent/hypotenuse = 4/5 = 0.8
tan A = opposite/adjacent = 3/4 = 0.75

cosec A = 1/sin A = 5/3 ≈ 1.667

sec A = 1/cos A = 5/4 = 1.25
cot A = 1/tan A = 4/3 ≈ 1.333

★ This is a 3-4-5 Pythagorean triple triangle!

Q5 — Vectors: a = 3i + 4j and b = 7i − 5j

📌 Vector Rules
• Scalar (dot) product: a·b = (a₁×b₁) + (a₂×b₂)
• Magnitude: |a| = √(a₁² + a₂²)
• Angle between vectors: cos θ = (a·b) / (|a| × |b|)
• If a·b = 0, the vectors are perpendicular (orthogonal)

✅ Complete Solution
a = 3i + 4j (a₁=3, a₂=4)
b = 7i − 5j (b₁=7, b₂=−5)

a) Scalar product:
a·b = (3)(7) + (4)(−5)
= 21 + (−20) = 1

b) Magnitudes:
|a| = √(3² + 4²) = √(9+16) = √25 = 5
|b| = √(7² + (−5)²) = √(49+25) = √74 ≈ 8.602

c) Angle between vectors:

cos θ = a·b / (|a||b|) = 1 / (5 × 8.602)
= 1 / 43.01 ≈ 0.02325
θ = cos⁻¹(0.02325) ≈ 88.7°

★ The vectors are nearly perpendicular (almost 90° apart)!

Q6 — Direct Proportion: Current & Voltage

📌 Direct Proportion Rules

• If y ∝ x, then y = kx where k is the constant of proportionality
• Find k using known values, then use k for unknowns
• Equivalent ratio: y₁/x₁ = y₂/x₂ = k

✅ Solution
Given: I ∝ V (current is directly proportional to voltage)
When V = 30V, I = 2.14 × 10⁻² A

Find constant k:
k = I/V = (2.14 × 10⁻²) / 30 = 7.133 × 10⁻⁴

When V = 52V:
I = k × V = 7.133 × 10⁻⁴ × 52
I = 0.03709 A = 3.71 × 10⁻² A

★ ANSWER: I = 3.71 × 10⁻² amps when V = 52V

Q7 — Tan Graph & Waveform Analysis

Part a: Sketch y = tan x for 0° to 360°

📌 Key Features of y = tan x

• Period = 180° (repeats every 180°)
• Asymptotes (undefined) at: 90° and 270°
• Zero crossings: 0°, 180°, 360°
• tan is positive in Q1 (0–90°) and Q3 (180–270°)
• tan is negative in Q2 (90–180°) and Q4 (270–360°)
• tan 45° = 1, tan 135° = −1, tan 225° = 1, tan 315° = −1

y = tan x Graph Sketch:

y y
↑ ↑ ↑
| / | | / |
| / | | / |
─|/──────|──|/──────|──→ x(°)
0° 90° 180° 270° 360°
↕ ↕
(asymptote) (asymptote)
Asymptotes (vertical dotted lines) at x = 90° and x = 270°

Part b: i = 40 sin(50πt + 0.29) — Waveform Analysis

📌 General Waveform: A sin(ωt + φ)

• A = Amplitude (peak value)
• ω (omega) = Angular frequency in rad/s
• T = Period = 2π/ω (in seconds)
• f = Frequency = 1/T = ω/(2π) (in Hz)
• φ (phi) = Phase angle in radians
• Phase LEADS if φ > 0, LAGS if φ < 0 (compared to A sin ωt)

✅ i = 40 sin(50πt + 0.29)
i) Amplitude = 40 A

ii) Angular frequency ω = 50π rad/s

 Period T = 2π/ω = 2π/(50π) = 2/50 = 0.04 seconds

iii) Frequency f = 1/T = 1/0.04 = 25 Hz

iv) Phase angle = 0.29 rad = 0.29 × (180/π) ≈ 16.6°

Since phase = +0.29 rad (positive), the current LEADS
i = 40 sin 50πt by 0.29 radians

v) Converting 30° to radians:

30° × (π/180) = 30π/180 = π/6 ≈ 0.5236 rad
Q8 — Trigonometric Identities

Part a: Show sec θ cos θ − cot θ = tan θ

✅ Proof — Start with LHS

LHS = sec θ · cos θ − cot θ

sec θ = 1/cos θ and cot θ = cos θ/sin θ

LHS = (1/cos θ)(cos θ) − cos θ/sin θ

= 1 − cos θ/sin θ
= sin θ/sin θ − cos θ/sin θ
= (sin θ − cos θ)/sin θ

Wait — let's try again more carefully:

LHS = sec θ · cos θ − cot θ
= (1/cos θ)(cos θ) − (cos θ/sin θ)
= 1 − (cos θ/sin θ)

Hmm, this ≠ tan θ unless we use: 1 − cot θ = tan θ only when...

Actually the identity is: sec θ · cos θ − cot θ · tan θ = 0,
or re-reading: sec θ · cos θ − cot θ = tan θ means 1 − cot θ = tan θ

Multiply both sides by sin θ cos θ:

sin θ cos θ − cos²θ = sin²θ
This equals: sin θ cos θ = sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 — only true for specific θ.

★ NOTE: Verify the exact form with your teacher — likely:

sec θ / cos θ − cot θ · tan θ = tan²θ or similar variant.

Part b: Expand cos(y − π)

📌 Compound Angle Formulae

• sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
• sin(A − B) = sin A cos B − cos A sin B
• cos(A + B) = cos A cos B − sin A sin B
• cos(A − B) = cos A cos B + sin A sin B
 • tan(A + B) = (tan A + tan B)/(1 − tan A tan B)
• tan(A − B) = (tan A − tan B)/(1 + tan A tan B)

✅ Expand cos(y − π)
cos(y − π) = cos y · cos π + sin y · sin π

cos π = −1 and sin π = 0

= cos y × (−1) + sin y × 0

= −cos y

★ cos(y − π) = −cos y

Part c: Expand and simplify tan 2A using compound angle formulae

✅ tan 2A = tan(A + A)
tan(A + B) = (tan A + tan B)/(1 − tan A tan B)

tan 2A = tan(A + A)
= (tan A + tan A)/(1 − tan A · tan A)
= 2 tan A / (1 − tan²A)

★ Double Angle Formula: tan 2A = 2 tan A / (1 − tan²A)

Q9 — Pythagorean Identities from cos²θ + sin²θ = 1

✅ Dividing by cos²θ
cos²θ/cos²θ + sin²θ/cos²θ = 1/cos²θ
1 + tan²θ = sec²θ

★ Identity 1: 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ (or sec²θ − tan²θ = 1)

✅ Dividing by sin²θ
cos²θ/sin²θ + sin²θ/sin²θ = 1/sin²θ
cot²θ + 1 = cosec²θ

★ Identity 2: cot²θ + 1 = cosec²θ (or cosec²θ − cot²θ = 1)

Part b: Express 5cosθ − 12sinθ in the form R cos(θ + α)

📌 R cos(θ + α) Form
a cos θ + b sin θ ≡ R cos(θ − α) where:
• R = √(a² + b²)
• tan α = b/a (for cos form: a cos θ + b sin θ = R cos(θ − α))
• For a cos θ − b sin θ = R cos(θ + α): R = √(a² + b²), tan α = b/a

✅ Solution: 5cosθ − 12sinθ = R cos(θ + α)

Here a = 5, b = 12

R = √(5² + 12²) = √(25 + 144) = √169 = 13

tan α = 12/5 = 2.4

α = tan⁻¹(2.4) = 67.38°

★ ANSWER: 5cosθ − 12sinθ = 13 cos(θ + 67.38°)

Part c: Solve 1.5 tan x − 1.8 = 0 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°

✅ Solution
1.5 tan x = 1.8
tan x = 1.8/1.5 = 1.2

Principal angle: x = tan⁻¹(1.2) = 50.19°

tan is positive in Q1 and Q3:

x = 50.19° and x = 180° + 50.19° = 230.19°

★ SOLUTIONS: x = 50.2° and x = 230.2°

Q11 — Prove log MN = log M + log N

✅ Formal Proof using index laws

Let log M = p → M = 10ᵖ
Let log N = q → N = 10ᵍ

Then: MN = 10ᵖ × 10ᵍ = 10^(p+q) [Index law: aᵐ × aⁿ = a^(m+n)]

Taking log of both sides:

log(MN) = p + q = log M + log N

★ PROVED: log MN = log M + log N

Part b: Simplify (2√5 + 1)/(2√5 + 3)

✅ Rationalise the denominator

Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate (2√5 − 3):

= (2√5 + 1)(2√5 − 3) / (2√5 + 3)(2√5 − 3)

Denominator: (2√5)² − 3² = 20 − 9 = 11

Numerator: (2√5)(2√5) + (1)(2√5) − 3(2√5) − 3(1)

= 20 + 2√5 − 6√5 − 3
= 17 − 4√5

★ ANSWER: (17 − 4√5) / 11

Part c: Solve log₃x − 4 log_x 3 + 3 = 0

✅ Substitution method
Let t = log₃x, then log_x 3 = 1/t (change of base reciprocal)

t − 4(1/t) + 3 = 0
Multiply by t: t² + 3t − 4 = 0
(t + 4)(t − 1) = 0
t = −4 or t = 1

log₃x = 1 → x = 3
log₃x = −4 → x = 3⁻⁴ = 1/81

★ SOLUTIONS: x = 3 or x = 1/81
Q13 — Show (1 − sin²θ)/(1 + sinθ) = 1 − sinθ

✅ Proof using difference of squares

LHS = (1 − sin²θ)/(1 + sinθ)

Note: 1 − sin²θ = (1 − sinθ)(1 + sinθ) [difference of squares: a²−b² = (a+b)(a−b)]

LHS = (1 − sinθ)(1 + sinθ) / (1 + sinθ)

= (1 − sinθ) × [(1 + sinθ)/(1 + sinθ)]
= (1 − sinθ) × 1
= 1 − sinθ
= RHS ✓

★ PROVED

Part c: Angles with sine = −0.4638 between 0° and 360°

✅ Solution
sin x = −0.4638

Principal angle (ignore sign): sin⁻¹(0.4638) = 27.62°

sin is NEGATIVE in Q3 and Q4:

Q3: x = 180° + 27.62° = 207.62°
Q4: x = 360° − 27.62° = 332.38°

★ ANSWERS: x = 207.6° and x = 332.4°

Q14 — Graphs, Exponentials, and Logarithms

Part d: Show (log2 + log8 − log12.5) ÷ (log6 − log5) = 3

✅ Solution
Numerator: log2 + log8 − log12.5
= log(2 × 8 ÷ 12.5)
= log(16/12.5)
= log(1.28)

Denominator: log6 − log5 = log(6/5) = log(1.2)

Numerator ÷ Denominator = log(1.28)/log(1.2)

log(1.28) = log(2⁷/100) ... hmm let's use exact values:

log 2 = 0.3010, log 8 = 3×0.3010 = 0.9031
log 12.5 = log(25/2) = log25 − log2 = 2log5 − log2
= 2(0.6990) − 0.3010 = 1.3980 − 0.3010 = 1.0970

Numerator = 0.3010 + 0.9031 − 1.0970 = 0.1071

log 6 = log2 + log3 = 0.3010 + 0.4771 = 0.7781

log 5 = 0.6990
Denominator = 0.7781 − 0.6990 = 0.0791

Wait: 0.1071/0.0791 ≈ 1.354 ≠ 3

★ NOTE: Check if it's (log2 + log8 − log12.5) ÷ (log6 − log5) = 3

Likely needs log base 10 with specific values. Verify with teacher.
★ CHALLENGE QUESTIONS — Exam Level

These questions are harder than your worksheet and include full worked answers. Try them yourself
first!

Topic 1: Logarithms

Q1. Solve: log₂(x+3) + log₂(x−1) = 5

Answer: log₂[(x+3)(x−1)] = 5 → (x+3)(x−1) = 32 → x²+2x−3=32 → x²+2x−35=0 → (x+7)

(x−5)=0 → x=5 (reject x=−7 as log undefined)

Q2. Solve: 3^(2x+1) = 5^x (give answer to 3 d.p.)

Answer: Take log both sides: (2x+1)log3 = x·log5 → 2x·log3 + log3 = x·log5 → x(2log3 −
log5) = −log3 → x = −log3/(2log3−log5) = −0.4771/(0.6020−0.6990) = −0.4771/(−0.0970) ≈
4.917

Q3. If log_a(2) = p and log_a(3) = q, express log_a(54) in terms of p and q

Answer: 54 = 2 × 27 = 2 × 3³ → log_a(54) = log_a(2) + 3·log_a(3) = p + 3q

Topic 2: Trigonometric Identities & Equations

Q4. Prove: (sin θ + cos θ)² ÷ (1 + 2sinθ cosθ) = 1

Answer: (sinθ+cosθ)² = sin²θ + 2sinθcosθ + cos²θ = 1 + 2sinθcosθ. So

(1+2sinθcosθ)/(1+2sinθcosθ) = 1 ✓

Q5. Solve: 2sin²x − sinx − 1 = 0 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°

Answer: Factor: (2sinx+1)(sinx−1)=0 → sinx=−1/2 or sinx=1. sinx=1: x=90°. sinx=−1/2:

x=210°, 330°. Answers: 90°, 210°, 330°

Q6. Express 8sinθ + 6cosθ in the form R sin(θ + α), find R and α

Answer: R = √(8²+6²) = √(64+36) = √100 = 10. tan α = 6/8 = 0.75 → α = 36.87°. Answer: 10
sin(θ + 36.87°)
 Q7. Show that sin(A+B) − sin(A−B) = 2cosA sinB

Answer: sin(A+B) = sinAcosB + cosAsinB; sin(A−B) = sinAcosB − cosAsinB. Subtracting:

2cosAsinB ✓

Topic 3: Vectors

Q8. If a = 2i + j, b = i − 3j, find: (a) 2a − b (b) |2a − b| (c) unit vector in direction of (2a − b)

Answer: (a) 2a−b = (4i+2j)−(i−3j) = 3i+5j. (b) |2a−b| = √(9+25) = √34 ≈ 5.831. (c) unit vector
= (3i+5j)/√34

Q9. Vectors p = (k)i + 2j and q = 4i + (k+2)j are perpendicular. Find k.

Answer: p·q = 0: 4k + 2(k+2) = 0 → 4k+2k+4=0 → 6k=−4 → k=−2/3

Topic 4: Waveforms & Phasors

Q10. Two voltages V₁ = 5sin(100πt) and V₂ = 8sin(100πt + π/3). Find the resultant VR = V₁
+ V₂.

Answer: x: 5cos0 + 8cos60° = 5 + 4 = 9. y: 5sin0 + 8sin60° = 0 + 6.928 = 6.928. R =

√(81+48) = √129 ≈ 11.36V. φ = tan⁻¹(6.928/9) = 37.6° = 0.657 rad. VR ≈ 11.36 sin(100πt +
0.657)

Q11. A current i = 15sin(40πt − 0.4) A. Find: amplitude, frequency, period, phase angle, and
value of i when t = 0.01s.

Answer: Amplitude = 15A. ω = 40π rad/s. f = 40π/(2π) = 20 Hz. T = 1/20 = 0.05s. Phase =
−0.4 rad (lags by 0.4 rad). At t=0.01:
i=15sin(40π×0.01−0.4)=15sin(1.257−0.4)=15sin(0.857)=15×0.754=11.31A

Topic 5: Hard Logarithm Equations

Q12. Solve: log_x(27) = 3/2

Answer: x^(3/2) = 27 → x = 27^(2/3) = (27^(1/3))² = 3² = 9

Q13. Show that log(a/b) + log(b/c) + log(c/a) = 0

Answer: = log(a/b × b/c × c/a) = log(abc/abc) = log(1) = 0 ✓

Q14. Solve simultaneously: log(xy) = 7 and log(x/y) = 1

Answer: log x + log y = 7 and log x − log y = 1. Add: 2log x = 8 → log x = 4 → x = 10⁴ =
10000. Subtract: 2log y = 6 → log y = 3 → y = 1000
Quick Reference Summary

Topic Key Formula / Rule Remember

Logarithms log(ab) = log a + log b Convert to same base, use index
log(a/b) = log a − log b laws
log(aⁿ) = n log a

Pythagorean ID sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 Divide Pythagoras by cos²θ or sin²θ

1 + tan²θ = sec²θ
cot²θ + 1 = cosec²θ

CAST Diagram Q1: All +ve Used to find all angles in 0–360°
Q2: sin +ve
Q3: tan +ve
Q4: cos +ve

Compound Angles sin(A±B) = sinAcosB ± cosAsinB Note: signs flip for cos!
cos(A±B) = cosAcosB ∓ sinAsinB

Double Angles sin 2A = 2sinAcosA Substitute A = B in compound angle

cos 2A = cos²A−sin²A
tan 2A = 2tanA/(1−tan²A)

Vectors a·b = a₁b₁ + a₂b₂ Scalar product = 0 means

|a| = √(a₁² + a₂²) perpendicular
cos θ = a·b/(|a||b|)

R sin/cos form a sinθ + b cosθ = R sin(θ+α) Always find R first, then α

R = √(a²+b²)
tan α = b/a

Waveforms A sin(ωt + φ) ω in rad/s — multiply by 2π for Hz

T = 2π/ω, f = 1/T
φ>0: leads, φ<0: lags

Good luck with your exams! Practise each type of question until the method feels automatic.