2025 HSC Mathematics Extension 1
Question 5:
Trigonometric equation
How many distinct solutions are there to for ?
How to recognise this question
Question type: advanced trig equations
- The command and notation point to advanced trig equations.
- The requested response is a multiple choice.
How to handle it: rewrite the equation into a familiar trig form, solve each branch, then filter by the interval.
Watch out: Do not select a formula until its domain, interval, sign and units match the question.
Step-by-step answer
- .
- Solve the two cosine branches over , taking care not to double-count endpoints.
- The complete interval count is , so option D is correct.
Common mistake: choosing a familiar formula before checking that its conditions, signs, interval and units match this question.
The paper records 1 total mark for this group. Where the official marking guide provides useful partial-credit criteria, those criteria are stated in the steps above.
Try your hand at it again by answering these questions
Question 1
Solve for .
Question 2
Solve for .
Question 3
Express as a single sine and solve for .