Adding Sine and Cosine Waves- How to get formula

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the formula for adding sine and cosine waves, specifically the expression Asin(x) + Bcos(x) and its transformation into a single sine function with a phase shift. Participants explore the derivation of this formula and the implications of the phase shift.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the placement of the term √(A² + B²) in the formula for adding sines and cosines.
  • Another participant suggests multiplying the expression by √(A² + B²)/√(A² + B²) to clarify the derivation.
  • A later reply acknowledges the previous participant's suggestion and finds it helpful for understanding the derivation.
  • Some participants inquire whether the +θ in the formula represents a phase shift, questioning if it indicates a leftward shift of the sine graph.
  • One participant confirms that the +θ does indeed represent a phase shift.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the transformation of the sine and cosine sum into a single sine function with a phase shift, but there is some initial confusion regarding the derivation and the role of the √(A² + B²) term.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes varying levels of understanding regarding the derivation of the formula and the implications of the phase shift, indicating that some assumptions may not be fully articulated or understood by all participants.

opus
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I have included a screenshot of a part of my textbook that is giving me a slight bit of confusion.

It's talking about how to get the formula for adding sines and cosines.

The part that I am confused about is the very first formula introduced in the screenshot.

From what I understand, we are taking one side of the sum of sines formula, and Asin(x)+Bcos(x).
The part in parentheses I do understand. It's stating the sum of sines formula in a different way. But I do not understand why the ##\sqrt{A^2+B^2}##, which would be the hypotenuse, is on the outside of the parentheses.
 

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Here’s a shot of my understanding of it thus far.
 

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opus said:
I have included a screenshot of a part of my textbook that is giving me a slight bit of confusion.

It's talking about how to get the formula for adding sines and cosines.

The part that I am confused about is the very first formula introduced in the screenshot.

From what I understand, we are taking one side of the sum of sines formula, and Asin(x)+Bcos(x).
The part in parentheses I do understand. It's stating the sum of sines formula in a different way. But I do not understand why the ##\sqrt{A^2+B^2}##, which would be the hypotenuse, is on the outside of the parentheses.
In a thread earlier today, you learned that you could multiply one side of an equation by 1 and still maintain equality. So multiply ##A~sin(x) + B~cos(x)## by ##\frac {\sqrt{A^2+B^2}} {\sqrt{A^2+B^2}}## and see what you get. It should look a lot like the first line of the derivation.
 
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AH! That's the one! Threw me off a little because it looks like they did that, and they factored the square root term out of the numerator and left it in the denominator. That is perfect, thank you!
 
As an additional question, now that we have the Sum of Sines and Cosines formula
##Asin\left(x\right)+Bcos\left(x\right)## = ##\sqrt{A^2+B^2}sin\left(x+θ\right)##,
is the +θ considered a phase shift? That is, are we taking the graph of sin(x) and shifting it θ to the left?
 
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opus said:
As an additional question, now that we have the Sum of Sines and Cosines formula
##Asin\left(x\right)+Bcos\left(x\right)## = ##\sqrt{A^2+B^2}sin\left(x+θ\right)##,
is the +θ considered a phase shift? That is, are we taking the graph of sin(x) and shifting it θ to the left?
Yes, that is exactly the case.
 
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Thank you tnich.
 
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