Find Resultant Wave of y1 & y2: Get Hint Now!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the resultant wave from two given wave equations, y1=3sin(kx-wt) and y2=4cos(kx+wt). Participants explore methods for combining these waves, including trigonometric identities and addition formulas, while seeking hints and corrections regarding the proposed resultant wave.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a resultant wave of y= 7 cos(wt+45) sin(kx+45) and seeks confirmation of its correctness.
  • Another participant shares an addition formula for waves with different amplitudes, suggesting a method to combine them mathematically.
  • A question is raised about the implications if the arguments of the sine and cosine functions are not equal in both wave equations.
  • A participant notes that the arguments for the sine and cosine in the proposed identity are both x, indicating a potential issue with the wave directions being different.
  • One participant provides a detailed breakdown of the sine and cosine terms, suggesting a method to combine them and apply the addition formula to the resulting terms.
  • A later reply indicates that the initial proposed answer may not be correct, while encouraging the original poster to continue exploring the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the proposed resultant wave, with some suggesting it may be incorrect while others provide methods to explore the problem further. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the final answer.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved mathematical steps and potential simplifications that participants are navigating, particularly concerning the different arguments in the sine and cosine functions.

moham_87
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Hiiiiiiiiiii everyone
I've these two waves
y1=3sin(kx-wt)
y2=4cos(kx+wt)
I need to find the resultant wave (y1+y2)
I got that answer:

y= 7 cos(wt+45) sin(kx+45)
is that right?? please if not give me a hint

==================My efforts=============================
I added the amplidtude mathematically
then using trigonometric rules i added the two "sin" and "cos" functions
but i still need to know if my answer is true

bYYyYyyyYYyYYyYE
 
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The addition formula that I have for the sum of waves with different amplitudes is:

[tex]A cos(x) + B sin(x) = \sqrt {A^2 + B^2} cos(x \pm \delta)[/tex]
[tex]tan( \delta) = \frac {sin \delta} {cos \delta} = \pm \frac B A[/tex]
 
Integral said:
The addition formula that I have for the sum of waves with different amplitudes is:

[tex]A cos(x) + B sin(x) = \sqrt {A^2 + B^2} cos(x \pm \delta)[/tex]
[tex]tan( \delta) = \frac {sin \delta} {cos \delta} = \pm \frac B A[/tex]

What is that segma?
 
and what about if...

What about if "x" is not equal in both equations??
 
Integral,

The arguments for the sin and cos in your identity are both x. I may be missing a simplification you're seeing, but he's got one wave going left and one going right, so his arguments aren't the same.

I tried using the identities for the sum and difference of two angles, but nothing cancelled, so it just got messy. But like I said, I may be missing something.
 
yeah it gets a little messy but:

[tex]3 \sin {(kx-\omega t)}= 3( \sin{kx} \cos{\omega t }- \sin{\omega t} \cos {kx} )[/tex]
and
[tex]4\cos{(kx+\omega t)}= 4(\cos{kx} \cos {\omega t}+ \sin{kx} \sin{\omega t})[/tex]
add these together to get

[tex]\cos {kx} (4 \cos {\omega t} - 3 \sin {\omega t})+ \sin{kx}(3 \cos {\omega t}+ 4 \sin{\omega t})[/tex]

now apply the formula in my first post to the terms in parentheses.

the [tex]\delta[/tex] (thats a low case delta) is defined in the second line of my first post.
 
Last edited:
Integral, nicely done!

Ok moham87, it doesn't look like your answer's right. But you've got your hint, so have at it! And watch those signs, or they'll kill you.
 

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