\(\dfrac{2\sin 25^\circ \cdot \cos 25^\circ}{-2 + 4\sin^2 25^\circ}\)
About this question
Question 5.1.2 of Mathematics Grade 12 Paper 2, NSC Examination (DBE, November 2025). It tests the Term 1 ATP topic Trigonometry (Compound Angles, Identities, Equations).
- TermTerm 1
- ATP topicTrigonometry (Compound Angles, Identities, Equations)
- PaperPaper 2
- Marks5 marks for the method (formula and substitution) and the correct final answer
It is given that \(\tan 50^\circ = k\). Express each of the following in terms of \(k\).
Numerator:
\[2\sin 25^\circ \cos 25^\circ = \sin 50^\circ\]Denominator:
\[-2 + 4\sin^2 25^\circ = -2(1 - 2\sin^2 25^\circ) = -2\cos 50^\circ\]\[\text{Expression} = \frac{\sin 50^\circ}{-2\cos 50^\circ}\]\[= -\frac{1}{2}\tan 50^\circ\]\(= -\dfrac{k}{2}\)
Other points that earn marks
- Substituting \(\sin 50^\circ = \frac{k}{\sqrt{k^2 + 1}}\) and \(\cos 50^\circ = \frac{1}{\sqrt{k^2 + 1}}\) also gives \(-\frac{k}{2}\).
More Questions On Trigonometry (Compound Angles, Identities, Equations)
\(\sin x = 1\) is rejected, since \(\sin x \lt 0\)
Reference angle \(= 41{,}81^\circ\); \(\sin\) is negative in quadrants 3 and 4
\(x = 221{,}81^\circ + k\cdot 360^\circ\) or \(x = 318{,}19^\circ + k\cdot 360^\circ\), \(k \in \mathbb{Z}\)
\(\cos\theta \lt 0\) and \(180^\circ \lt \theta \lt 360^\circ\), so \(\theta\) is in the third quadrant.
\(x = -5\), \(r = 13\):
\[y^2 = 13^2 - (-5)^2 = 144\]\[y = -12\]\[\sin\theta = -\frac{12}{13}\]\[\sin^2\theta = \left(-\frac{12}{13}\right)^2\]\(\sin^2\theta = \frac{144}{169}\)
In \(\triangle ABC\), use the cosine rule with \(BC = x\):
\[19^2 = x^2 + 15^2 - 2(x)(15)\cos 105{,}61^\circ\]\[x^2 + 8{,}07x - 136 = 0\]\[x = \frac{-8{,}07 \pm \sqrt{(8{,}07)^2 - 4(1)(-136)}}{2(1)}\]\(x = 8{,}30\) m (\(x = -16{,}38\) is not valid)
\(B\hat{E}C = 180^\circ - 122^\circ = 58^\circ\) (\(\angle\)s on a str line)
In right-angled \(\triangle BCE\):
\[\tan 58^\circ = \frac{BC}{EC}\]\[EC = \frac{8{,}30}{\tan 58^\circ} = 5{,}19 \text{ m}\]\[DE = 16 - 5{,}19\]\(DE = 10{,}81\) m
\(3\)
LHS = RHS
