Find all solutions to Sin 2x = 2Tan 2x

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding all solutions to the equation Sin 2x = 2Tan 2x. Participants explore various mathematical manipulations and interpretations of the equation, addressing both theoretical and practical aspects of solving it.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a series of transformations leading to the equation Sin^2x = -1/2, questioning the correctness of their approach.
  • Another participant points out that the equation cos^2x - sin^2x = 2 has no real solutions, suggesting that the original manipulations were flawed.
  • A different approach is introduced by expressing Tan(2x) in terms of Sin(2x) and Cos(2x), leading to a reformulation of the problem.
  • One participant identifies t = 0 as a solution while noting that other derived equations yield no real solutions, indicating a focus on complex solutions instead.
  • Several participants express confusion regarding the implications of the 2x term in the original equation, seeking clarification on its meaning and impact on the solution process.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of identifying conditions under which the equation holds true, particularly highlighting the impossibility of cos(2x) equaling 2.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct approach to solving the equation. Multiple competing views and interpretations of the problem remain, with some focusing on real solutions and others considering complex solutions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the transformations used and the implications of the 2x term, indicating potential limitations in their understanding of trigonometric identities and their applications.

powp
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Is this correct??

Hello All

I need to find all solutions to the following did i do it correct?

Sin 2x = 2Tan 2x

2Sinx Cosx = 2(2Tanx / 1-Tan^2x)

Sinx Cosx = (2(Sinx / Cosx)/(cos^2x-Sin^2x / Cos^2x))

Sinx Cosx = 2(Sinx / Cosx) X (Cos^2x / cos^2x-Sin^2x)

Cosx = 2 (Cosx / Cos^2x - Sin^2x)

1 = (2 / Cos^2x - Sin^2x)

Cos^2x - Sin^2x = 2

1 - Sinx^2 - Sin^2x = 2

2Sin^2x = -1
Sin^2x = -1/2

Sinx = -1/SQROOT(2)



Is this correct??
 
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Nope.
Remember that Tan(2x)=Sin(2x)/Cos(2x)

Thus, you may rewrite your original equation as:
[tex]\sin(2x)(1-\frac{2}{\cos(2x)})=0[/tex]

EDIT:
Find out the requirements for either factor to be zero; you should find that one of those requirements is impossible to achieve.
 
Last edited:
You certainly made a mistake. You arrived to the equation:
[tex]cos^2x - sin^2x = 2[/tex]
but
[tex]cos^2x - sin^2x = cos 2x[/tex]
So you have
cos 2x = 2
This has no real solution.
proceeding your development you got
[tex]sin^2x = -\frac{1}{2}[/tex]
whose solution is
[tex]sin x = -\frac{i}{\sqrt{2}}[/tex]
 
Let's call tan(x) "t"

then we have 2*t/(1+t^2)=4*t/(1-t^2)

we must exclude that t=+-1 to give the expression a meaning. (x!=pi/4+kpi/2)

then we obtain one solution: t=0 (x=kpi)
we have if t!=0: 1-t^2=2+2t^2 that is 3t^2=-1, which has no real solution (anyway you could be interested in finding the complex ones)
So the only real solution is x=k*pi, where k belongs to Z
 
Arildno Which side are you talking about?

SGT: Did have COS2x = 2 but was told by a classmate that I did the problem wrong. I kind of get confussed with the 2x in the statement. What does it really mean.
 
powp said:
Arildno Which side are you talking about?

SGT: Did have COS2x = 2 but was told by a classmate that I did the problem wrong. I kind of get confussed with the 2x in the statement. What does it really mean.
I did not follow all your development because your notation is almost unintelligible, but I think your classmate is right. You probably made some mistake.
The 2x means the double of the arc x. If [tex]x = \frac{\pi}{3}[/tex] for instance, then [tex]2x = \frac{2\pi}{3}[/tex]
 
powp said:
Arildno Which side are you talking about?

SGT: Did have COS2x = 2 but was told by a classmate that I did the problem wrong. I kind of get confussed with the 2x in the statement. What does it really mean.
1. Our problem is to determine the set of x-values that makes
[tex]\sin(2x)=2\tan(2x)[/tex]
into a TRUE statement.
That is, we want to find the "solutions" to that equation.

2. We have, for all x-values the identity [tex]\tan(2x)=\frac{\sin(2x)}{\cos(2x)}[/tex]
where with "all x-values" should be understood all real values except those for which [tex]\cos(2x)=0[/tex] (i.e, when tan(2x) is infinite).

3. Given the identity in 2., we may rephrase our original problem into finding the solution set for the following equation:
[tex]\sin(2x)=2\frac{\sin(2x)}{\cos(2x)}[/tex]

4. Now, adding any arbitrary number to both sides of an equation won't change the solution set we're after, so by adding -sin(2x) to both sides, we can rephrase our problem into determining the solution set to the following equation:
[tex]2\frac{\sin(2x)}{\cos(2x)}-\sin(2x)=0[/tex]

5) Arbitrary real numbers a,b,c fulfill the distributive law: a*(b+c)=a*b+a*c
Recognizing the common factor sin(2x) on the left-hand side expression in the equation given under 4., we may rephrase our problem into determining the solution set of the following equation:
[tex]\sin(2x)*(\frac{2}{\cos(2x)}-1)=0[/tex]

6) Now, if the product of two numbers is to be zero, then at least one of the numbers themselves must be zero.
Therefore, if the equation under 5. is to be a true statement, then we must have EITHER:
[tex]\sin(2x)=0[/tex]
OR:
[tex]\frac{2}{\cos(2x)}-1=0[/tex]

7. Let's look at the last one.
If we are to have [tex]\frac{2}{\cos(2x)}-1=0[/tex], then this is equivalent to demanding [tex]\cos(2x)=2[/tex]
But, since the cosine is always less than or equal to 2, we see that the statement:
[tex]\cos(2x)=2[/tex] cannot have any solutions at all
(that is, whatever number "x" you substitute into the expression on the left-hand side, will never make cos(2x) equal to 2.

8.
Thus, we may conclude, that the solution set to our original problem will be the solution set of the equation:
[tex]\sin(2x)=0[/tex]
 

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