This is a guest article by Mr.Dipak Singh.

Today well see how to find the maximum value (greatest value ) or the minimum value (least value)
of a trigonometric function without using differentiation. Take a pen and note-book, keep doing the
steps while reading this article.
First Remember following identities:

Trig-Identities
1. sin2 + cos2 = 1
2. 1+ cot2 = cosec2
3. 1+ tan2 = sec2
how did we get these formulas? Already explained, click me

Min-Max table
Can be written as
-1 Sin n 1
-1 Cos n 1
0
+1
Can be written as
0 Sin2 n 1
cos2 , cos2 3 , cos2 8 cos2 n
0 Cos2 n 1
Sin Cos
-1/2
+1/2
-1/2 Sin Cos
observe that in case of sin2 and cos2, the minimum value if 0 and not (-1). Why does this happen?
because (-1)2=+1
sin , sin 2, sin 9 . sin n
cos , cos 4 , cos 7 cos n
sin2 , sin2 4 , sin2 9 sin2 n

Min value
-1

Max value
+1

Negative Signs inside out

Sin (- ) = - Sin ()

Cos (-) = Cos ()

Ratta-fication formulas
1. a sin b cos = (a2 + b2 ) { for min. use - , for max. use + }
2. a sin b sin = (a2 + b2 ) { for min. use - , for max. use + }
3. a cos b cos = (a2 + b2 ) { for min. use - , for max. use + }
4. Min. value of (sin cos )n = ()n

The AM GM Logic
Let A ,B are any two numbers then,
Arithmetic Mean (AM)= (A + B) / 2 and
Geometric Mean (GM) = (A.B)

Hence, A.M G.M ( We can check it by putting any values of A and B )

Consider the following statement My age is greater than or equal to 25 years .

What could you conclude about my age from this statement ?

Answer : My age can be anywhere between 25 to infinity means it can be 25 , , 50 ,99, 786 or
1000 years etc but it can not be 24 or 19 or Sweet 16 . Infact it can not be less than 25, strictly.

Means, We can confidently say that my age is not less 25 years. Or in other words my minimum
age is 25 years.

Showing numerically, if Age 25 years ( minimum age = 25 )

Similarly, If I say x 56 ( minimum value of x = 56 )

If, y 77 ( minimum value of y = 77 )

If, x + y 133 ( minimum value of x + y = 133 )

If, sin - 1 ( minimum value of Sin = -1 )

If, tan + cot 2 (minimum value of tan + cot = 2 ) ]]

Sometimes, we come across a special case of trigonometric identities like to find min. value of sin +
cosec or tan + cot or cos2 + sec2 etc. These identities have one thing in common i.e., the
first trigonometric term is opposite of the second term or vice-versa ( tan = 1/ cot , sin = 1/
cosec , cos2 = 1/ sec2 ).
These type of problems can be easily tackled by using the concept of
A.M G .M
Meaning, Arithmetic mean is always greater than or equal to geometric mean. For example:

Find minimum value of 4 tan2 + 9 cot2

(theyll not ask maximum value as it is not defined. )
We know that tan2 = 1/ cot2 , hence applying A.M G.M logic, we get
A.M of given equation = (4 tan2 + 9 cot2) / 2 . (1)
G.M of given equation = (4 tan2 . 9 cot2 )
= 4 * 9 # ( tan2 and cot2 inverse of each other, so tan x cot =1)

= 36 = 6 . (2)
Now, we know that A.M G. M
From equations (1) and (2) above we get,
=> (4 tan2 + 9 cot2) / 2 6
Multiplying both sides by 2
=> 4 tan2 + 9 cot2 12 ( minimum value of tan2 + cot2 is 12 )

Deriving a common conclusion:

Consider equation a cos2 + b sec2 ( find minimum value)

As, A.M G.M

(a cos2 + b sec2 / 2 ) (a cos2 . b sec2 )

a cos2 + b sec2 2 (ab) ( minimum value 2 ab )

So, we can use 2 ab directly in these kind of problems.

Summary:
While using A.M G.M logic :

Term should be like a T1 + b T2 ; where T1 = 1 / T2

Positive sign in between terms is mandatory. (otherwise how would you calculate mean ? )

Directly apply 2ab .

Rearrange/Break terms if necessary -> priority should be given to direct use of identities -> find
terms eligible for A.M G.M logic -> if any, apply -> convert remaining identities, if any, to sine
and cosines -> finally put known max., min. values.

Extra facts:

The reciprocal of 0 is + and vice-versa.

The reciprocal of 1 is 1 and -1 is -1.

If a function has a maximum value its opposite has a minimum value.

A function and its reciprocal have same sign.

Keeping these tools (not exhaustive) in mind we can easily find Maximum or Minimum values easily.

SSC CGL 2012 Tier II Question

What is The minimum value of sin2 + cos2 + sec2 + cosec2 + tan2 + cot2
A. 1
B. 3

C. 5
D. 7

Solution:
We know that sin2 + cos2 = 1 (identitiy#1)
Therefore,
(sin2 + cos2 ) + sec2 + cosec2 + tan2 + cot2
= (1) + sec2 + cosec2 + tan2 + cot2
Using A.M G.M logic for tan2 + cot2 we get ,
= 1 + 2 + sec2 + cosec2
changing into sin and cos values
( Because we know maximum and minimum values of Sin , Cos :P and by using simple identities
we can convert all trigonometric functions into equation with Sine and Cosine.)
= 1 + 2 + (1/ cos2 ) + (1/ sin2 )
solving taking L.C.M
= 1 + 2 + (sin2 + cos2 )/( sin2 . cos2 )..eq1
but we already know two things
sin2 + cos2 =1 (trig identity #1)
Min. value of (sin cos )n = ()n (Ratta-fication formula #4)
Apply them into eq1, and we get
= 1 + 2 + (sin2 + cos2 )/( sin2 . cos2 )
= 1 + 2 + (1/1/4) = 1+2+4
= 7 (correct answer D)

The least value of 2 sin2 + 3 cos2 (CGL2012T1)

A.
B.
C.
D.

1
2
3
5

We can solve this question via two approaches

Approach #1
Break the equation and use identity no. 1
= 2 sin2 + 2 cos2 + cos2
=2(sin2 + cos2 ) + cos2 ; (but sin2 + cos2 =1)
= 2 + cos2 ;(but as per min-max table, the minimum value of cos2 =0)
= 2 + 0 = 2 (correct answer B)

Approach #2
convert equation into one identity ,either sin or cos
first convert it into a sin equation :
= 2 sin2 + 3 (1- sin2 ) ;(because sin2 + cos2 =1=>cos2 =1- sin2 )
= 2 sin2 + 3 3 sin2
= 3 - sin2
= 3 ( 1) = 2 (but Min. value of sin2 is 0 confusing ???? )
As sin2 is preceded by a negative sign therefore we have to take max. value of sin2 in order to get
minimum value .
Converting into a cos equation :
= 2 sin2 + 3 cos2
= 2 (1- cos2 ) + 3 cos2
= 2 2 cos2 + 3 cos2
= 2 + cos2
= 2 + 0 = 2 ( correct answer B )

The maximum value of Sin x + cos x is

A.
B.
C.
D.

2
1/ 2
1
2

Applying Ratta-fication formulae No.1

a sin b cos = (a2 + b2 ) { for min. use - , for max. use + }
in the given question, weve to find the max value of
Sin x + cos x
= + (12+ 12 )
= 2 ( correct answer A )

The maximum value of 3 Sin x 4 Cos x is

A.
B.
C.
D.

-1
5
7
9

Solution:
Applying Ratta-fication formulae No.1
a sin b cos = (a2 + b2 ) { for min. use - , for max. use + }
in the given question, weve to find the max value of
3 Sin x 4 Cos x
= + (32+ 42 )
= 25
= 5 ( correct answer B )

Min Max values of sin 4x + 5 are

(A) 2, 6
(B) 4, 5
(C) -4, -5
(D) 4, 6
Solution:
We know that, -1 Sin nx 1
= -1 Sin 4x 1
Adding 5 throughout, 4 Sin 4x +5 6
Therefore, the minimum value is 4 and maximum value is 6 ( correct answer D )

Minimum and maximum value of Sin Sin x is

A.
B.
C.
D.

Do not exist
-1, 1
Sin -1 , Sin +1
- Sin 1 , Sin 1

We know that, -1 Sin nx 1

= Sin (-1) Sin x Sin (1)
= - Sin 1 Sin x Sin 1 ; [Sin(-) is same as Sin ]
Therefore, Minimum value is Sin 1 and maximum is Sin 1 ( correct answer D)
The key to success is Practice! Practice! Practice!
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