100sin(alpha) = 500cos(alpha) - how do you solve such a thing?

[Femme_physics]

100sin(alpha) = 500cos(alpha) ---- how do you solve such a thing?

100sin(alpha) = 500cos(alpha)

I see there's only one unknown, but I'm a little befuddled how to approach trigo equations like that when the angle is unkown (I know about the arc-cos/sin/tan function) but there are 2 functions in the equation! Cosine AND Sine! Arg... perhaps you guys can help me with a short guide/link/whatever...

I'll appreciate the help :)

-Dory

 

[praharmitra]

Why don't you square both sides. Do you know of any relation relating squares of sines and cosines?

 

[Mentallic]

Or even more simply, divide through by $$\cos(\alpha)$$

 

[Femme_physics]

Thanks! Right, I forgot that sine/cosine is tan! :) That simplifies things!

 

[praharmitra]

Or even more simply, divide through by $$\cos(\alpha)$$

Oh! :P