Can the equation 2 - cos2x =sinx be solved within a specific interval?

  • Thread starter Thread starter FlopperJr
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Trig
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
5 replies · 2K views
FlopperJr
Messages
29
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Solve the equation 2 - cos2x =sinx. Give the solution in the interval 0≤x≤360.

Homework Equations


sin2x+cos2x=1
I know for sin you take inverse. Then subtract that from 180. I believe those are basic angle then you +/- 360. ?

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to manipulate it to work and solve but I am not sure what else and then how to.
2 - cos2x =sinx
2(1-cos2x)=sinx
2(sin2x)=sinx
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Its too late at night for me to start working that out but have you tried the trig identity

tanx=sinx/cosx
 
Um, i think so. Wait yes i did.
 
I would suggest writing it in a form that's quadratic in sin(x). Use the squared identity but in the other way.

edit - also, this step:[itex]2(1-cos^{2}(x))=sin(x)[/itex] is NOT valid. Can you see why?
 
Last edited:
FlopperJr said:

Homework Statement



Solve the equation 2 - cos2x =sinx. Give the solution in the interval 0≤x≤360.

Homework Equations


sin2x+cos2x=1
I know for sin you take inverse. Then subtract that from 180. I believe those are basic angle then you +/- 360. ?

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to manipulate it to work and solve but I am not sure what else and then how to.
2 - cos2x =sinx
2(1-cos2x)=sinx
2(sin2x)=sinx

The following two equations are not equivalent.

 2 - cos2x = sinx    &     2(1-cos2x) = sinx

The first equation is equivalent to
1 + (1 - cos2x) = sinx​

Now substitute sin2x for 1 - cos2x and then subtract sinx from both sides. You then have a quadratic equation in sinx .
 
Of course, the quadratic may not have real roots (and doesn't in this case). This is a pickle if you want real solutions for x.

(To be less cryptic, I meant that there are no real solutions here).