Representing sum of cosine and sine as a single cosine expression

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on representing the sum of cosine and sine functions as a single cosine expression, specifically a.cos(wt) + b.sin(wt) = M.cos(wt + ϕ). The participants confirm that M is calculated as M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2) and the phase angle ϕ is given by ϕ = arctan(-b/a). They emphasize the importance of deriving these results independently for better understanding. The conversation also touches on the simplicity of the trigonometric identity used in the transformation. Overall, the derivation and final expressions are validated and appreciated by the participants.
hkBattousai
Messages
64
Reaction score
0
a.cos(wt) + b.sin(wt) = M.cos(wt + ϕ)

Can you give me M and ϕ in terms of a and b?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
cos(u+v)=cos(u)cos(v)-sin(u)sin(v)

That 's all you need.
 
The final representation was something like
M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2)
and
ϕ = arctan(-b/a)
but I'm no sure.

Can anyone confirm it for me?
 
hkBattousai said:
The final representation was something like
M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2)
and
ϕ = arctan(-b/a)
but I'm no sure.

Can anyone confirm it for me?
No.

Try to do it for yourself, and we can correct whatever mistakes you make.
 
Code:
M.cos(wt + ϕ) = a.cos(wt) + b.sin(wt)

cos(wt + ϕ) = (a/M).cos(wt) + (b/M).sin(wt)...(I)

cos(wt + ϕ) = cos(wt).cos(ϕ) - sin(wt).sin(ϕ)...(II)

From (I) and (II),
cos(ϕ) = (a/M)
sin(ϕ) = -(b/M)

cos^2(ϕ) + sin^2(ϕ) = (a^2 + b^2)/(M^2) = 1

We assume that M is always positive and we keep any negativity in the phase angle ϕ,
M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2)

sin(ϕ)/cos(ϕ) = tan(ϕ) = -(b/M)/(a/M) = -b/a

tan(ϕ) = -b/a   ==>   ϕ = arctan(-b/a)

Is there anything wrong in my derivation?
 
hkBattousai said:
Code:
M.cos(wt + ϕ) = a.cos(wt) + b.sin(wt)

cos(wt + ϕ) = (a/M).cos(wt) + (b/M).sin(wt)...(I)

cos(wt + ϕ) = cos(wt).cos(ϕ) - sin(wt).sin(ϕ)...(II)

From (I) and (II),
cos(ϕ) = (a/M)
sin(ϕ) = -(b/M)

cos^2(ϕ) + sin^2(ϕ) = (a^2 + b^2)/(M^2) = 1

We assume that M is always positive and we keep any negativity in the phase angle ϕ,
M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2)

sin(ϕ)/cos(ϕ) = tan(ϕ) = -(b/M)/(a/M) = -b/a

tan(ϕ) = -b/a   ==>   ϕ = arctan(-b/a)

Is there anything wrong in my derivation?

No. :smile:
 
I liked your way of "you must do it yourself if you want to success"... :)
 
hkBattousai said:
I liked your way of "you must do it yourself if you want to success"... :)

It's true, isn't it? :smile:
 
Yeah, either I don't like the ones who ask a big problem and wait for others to solve it for him.
In my question, this is a simple trigonometric identity, I expected a mathematician to write it for me since most of math guys have memorized and actively use these kind of identities.
 
  • #11
You could also do the following:

t=0 gives a=M cos(ϕ),
t=pi/(2w) gives b=-M sin(ϕ).

Hence

a^2+b^2=M^2,
tan(ϕ)=-b/a.
 
  • #12
Landau said:
You could also do the following:

t=0 gives a=M cos(ϕ),
t=pi/(2w) gives b=-M sin(ϕ).

Hence

a^2+b^2=M^2,
tan(ϕ)=-b/a.

Wow, that's super simple, thanks!
 
Back
Top