Simplify in sum and difference equation

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around simplifying trigonometric expressions involving sum and difference identities, specifically focusing on the expressions \(\cos(\pi+x) + \cos(\pi-x)\) and \(\cos\left(\frac{7\pi}{10}\right) \cos\left(\frac{\pi}{5}\right) + \sin\left(\frac{7\pi}{10}\right) \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{5}\right)\).

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the simplification of trigonometric identities, with some attempting to apply standard identities while others express confusion about the steps involved. There are questions about the application of specific formulas and the reasoning behind certain transformations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using trigonometric identities, while others are still seeking clarity on the concepts. There is an ongoing exploration of the identities and their applications, with no clear consensus on understanding yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express frustration with the complexity of sum and difference identities and indicate a lack of prior instruction on these topics, which contributes to their confusion.

aisha
Messages
584
Reaction score
0
I was never taught how to do this I was just given problems with no solutions so I don't know what to do can someone please help me I have two questions which are similar maybe if I get help with one I can solve the other one on my own.

It says simplify the following
[tex]\cos(\pi+x) + \cos (\pi-x)[/tex]
for this one i expanded cos into the brackets and simplified and got 2cospi is this correct?

and

[tex]\cos (\frac {7\pi} {10}) \cos (\frac {\pi} {5}) +\sin (\frac {7\pi} {10}) \sin (\frac {\pi} {5})[/tex]

Help please quick!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
It says simplify the following
[tex]\cos(\pi+x) + \cos (\pi-x)[/tex]

and

[tex]\cos (\frac {7\pi} {10}) \cos (\frac {\pi} {5}) +\sin (\frac {7\pi} {10}) \sin (\frac {\pi} {5})[/tex]
From standard trig identities:
cos(a + b) = cos(a)cos(b) - sin(a)sin(b)
cos(-e) = cos(e)
sin(-g) = -sin(g)

cos(Pi + x) + cos(Pi - x) = cos(Pi)cos(x) - sin(Pi)sin(x) + cos(Pi)cos(-x) - sin(Pi)sin(-x) =
= (-1)cos(x) - (0)sin(x) + (-1)cos(x) + (0)sin(x) =
= (-2)cos(x)

cos(7*Pi/10)cos(Pi/5) + sin(7*Pi/10)sin(Pi/5) = cos{(7*Pi/10) - (Pi/5)} =
= cos{Pi/2} =
= 0


~~
 
Holy moly that looks really confusing I don't understand what is going on and that doesn't look very familiar from the unit ... :cry:
 
[tex]\cos(\pi+x)=\cos\pi\cos x-\sin\pi\sin x=-\cos x[/tex]

[tex]\cos (\pi-x)=\cos\pi\cos x+\sin\pi\sin x=-\cos x[/tex]

Add them and see what u get.

As for the last,u have to use the identity:

[tex]\cos a\cos b+\sin a\sin b=\cos(a-b)[/tex]

See who's "a" & who's "b"...

Daniel.

EDIT:The typo was because of a missing space between \cos and b... o:)
 
Last edited:
dextercioby said:
[tex]\cos a\cosb+\sin a\sin b=\cos(a-b)[/tex]

That, BTW, should be :

[tex]\cos a\cos b+\sin a\sin b=\cos(a-b)[/tex]
 
Check the code by clicking on the formula,it (the "cos b") was there...

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
Check the code by clicking on the formula,it (the "cos b") was there...

Daniel.

Yes, I know it was, but you forgot the space.
 
:blushing: :redface: :cry: :frown: You got me...Yes,as the Americans say :"S*** happens".Today I've had a lousy day...

daniel.
 
[tex]\cos(\pi+x)=\cos\pi\cos x-\sin\pi\sin x=-\cos x[/tex]

[tex]\cos (\pi-x)=\cos\pi\cos x+\sin\pi\sin x=-\cos x[/tex]

What are u doing to these pies and xs to get -cosx? How do u get that?
 
  • #10
There's no "pie" there...:-p I used the fact that
[tex]\cos \pi =-1[/tex]
[tex]\sin \pi =0[/tex]

Daniel.
 
  • #11
dextercioby said:
There's no "pie" there...:-p I used the fact that
[tex]\cos \pi =-1[/tex]
[tex]\sin \pi =0[/tex]

Daniel.


See I don't know that :cry: wish I was as smart as you, ahhhhh so what do I do for the other question?? This is so confusing, I hate these sum and difference identities I don't know what to do with them :cry:
 
  • #12
What about the other one...?In post #2 it was solved...

Daniel.
 
  • #13
[tex]\cos (\frac {7\pi} {10}) \cos (\frac {\pi} {5}) +\sin (\frac {7\pi} {10}) \sin (\frac {\pi} {5})[/tex]

here is the question in post 2 the person wrote [tex]cos [(\frac {7\pi}{10}) -(\frac {\pi} {5})] = \cos (\frac {\pi} {2}) = 0[/tex]

How come I don't know what is going on what is happening where are these numbers coming from how do I do this on my own?

So the final simplified answer for this problem is 0? Can someone please help me understand how to do these problems I don't have a clue I know how to evaluate sin(75 degrees) but that's about it because it uses special triangles but these problems are totally confusing for me . :frown:
 
Last edited:
  • #14
So what...?That's perfectly correct...

Daniel.
 
  • #15
:-p ahhhhhhhh meany ur a smarty pant that's y u know how to do this if ud explain maybe i'd get it too
 
  • #16
Label
[tex]\frac{7\pi}{10}=a[/tex]
and
[tex]\frac{\pi}{5}=b[/tex]
And then compute
[tex]\cos a\cos b+\sin a\sin b[/tex]

using addition and subtraction formulas for cosine and sine.

Daniel.
 
  • #17
dextercioby said:
Label
[tex]\frac{7\pi}{10}=a[/tex]
and
[tex]\frac{\pi}{5}=b[/tex]
And then compute
[tex]\cos a\cos b+\sin a\sin b[/tex]

using addition and subtraction formulas for cosine and sine.

Daniel.

addition and subtraction formulas for cos and sin?
 
  • #18
My dear god,the formulas:
[tex]\cos (a-b),\cos(a+b),\sin(a-b),\sin(a+b)[/tex]

Daniel.

P.S.I'm going to bed now,so be a nice girl and don't make anything bad till i return.:wink:
 

Similar threads

Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
28
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
1K