Square Roots Give Two Signs

Part of the Trig Equations and Inverses section of Coddy's Trigonometry journey. Lesson 45 of 56.

2cos(x)² = 1 has no cos x term, so take the square root instead of factoring: cos(x)² = 1/2, so cos x = √2/2 or cos x = −√2/2. Both signs count.

The positive case gives 45° and 315°, the negative case 135° and 225°: four answers, one in each quadrant. Keeping only the positive root halves the answer, the trap of x² = 4 with only x = 2.

Challenge

Solve 4sin(x)² = 1 for every x in [0°, 360°), keeping both signs, and press Check.

Try it yourself

4sin(x)^2 = 1

Solve for x

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Trig Equations and Inverses

1Your First Trig Equations

One Equation, Two Angles Reading Signs on the Circle The Reference Angle Recap: First Equations

4Compositions

Draw the Triangle The Outer Function A Negative Inside When Undoing Does Not Undo Recap: Compositions

7General Solutions

Every Solution Tangent's Single Family Families in Radians Families, Rounded Recap: Every Solution

10Identities First

Write sin 2x Out Pick the Right cos 2x Swap cos²x for sin²x sec, csc and cot Recap: Identities First

2Inverses and Their Ranges

Why arcsin Gives One Angle Negative Inputs to arcsin The Range of arccos The Range of arctan Recap: Inverse Ranges

5Equations on a Domain

A Negative Cosine Tangent Equations Equations in Radians Two Turns, Four Answers Recap: On a Domain

8Multiple Angles

Two Turns for 2x Solving sin 2x Half Angles Every Solution of sin 3x Recap: Multiple Angles

11Final Challenges

Final: The Bicycle Pedal Final: The Big Wheel Final: Every Solution Final: An Identity and More Final: An Inverse Inside

3Evaluating Inverse Trig

Rounded Angles in Degrees Rounded Angles in Radians arctan, Rounded An Angle From a Slope Recap: Inverse Values

6Off the Special Angles

Both Answers, Rounded A Negative Sine, Rounded Cosine, Rounded Tangent, Rounded Rounded, in Radians Recap: Off the Table

9Factoring Trig Equations

A Common Factor Never Divide by sin x A Quadratic in Sine A Case With No AngleSquare Roots Give Two SignsRecap: Factoring