Cot(θ) = tan(2θ - 3π) find 0 < θ < 2π

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the equation $\cot{(\theta)}=\tan{(2\theta-3\pi)}$ for values of $\theta$ within the interval $0 < \theta < 2\pi$. Participants explore various mathematical identities and approaches to find the solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using the periodic formula for tangent to rewrite the equation as $\cot{(\theta)}=\tan{(2\theta)}$ and notes being stuck at this point.
  • Another participant proposes stopping at $\cot(\theta)=\tan(2\theta)$ and suggests using co-function identities and periodicity to find the six roots.
  • A different participant assumes $2\theta = \frac{\pi}{2} - \theta$ leading to $\theta = \frac{\pi}{6}$ and identifies two solutions, $\frac{\pi}{6}$ and $\frac{7\pi}{6}$, but acknowledges that this is not the complete set of solutions.
  • Another reply suggests a different equation, $\theta=\frac{\pi}{2}-2\theta+k\pi$, and encourages further exploration of this approach.
  • A later post provides a detailed derivation involving tangent identities, leading to the conclusion that $\tan^2\theta = \frac{1}{3}$, resulting in potential solutions $\theta = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{5\pi}{6}, \frac{7\pi}{6}, \frac{11\pi}{6}$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various methods to approach the problem, with some proposing different equations and identities. There is no consensus on the complete set of solutions, as different participants arrive at different conclusions and some acknowledge that more solutions may exist.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on various trigonometric identities and properties, but the discussion does not clarify all assumptions or the complete derivation of solutions, leaving some steps unresolved.

karush
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$\cot{(\theta)}=\tan{(2\theta-3\pi)}$ find $0<\theta<2\pi$

From the periodic Formula $\tan{(\theta+\pi n)}=\tan{\theta}$

thus
$
\displaystyle
\cot{(\theta)}
=\tan{(2\theta)}
\Rightarrow
\frac{1}{\tan{\theta}}
=\tan{(2\theta)}
$

there are 6 answers to this, but stuck here
 
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I would stop at:

$$\cot(\theta)=\tan(2\theta)$$

Then, I would try combining the following:

Co-function identity:

$$\cot(\theta)=\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{2}-\theta \right)$$

Periodicity of tangent function:

$$\tan(\theta)=\tan(\theta+k\pi)$$ where $$k\in\mathbb{Z}$$

This will give you the six roots you desire.
 
by this I assume

$\displaystyle 2 \theta =\frac{\pi}{2}-\theta$
so
$\displaystyle
\theta=\frac{\pi}{6}$
then for $\displaystyle 0<\theta<2\pi $ using $\tan{(\theta+\pi n)}=\tan{\theta}$ for period
$$
\theta = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{7\pi}{6}
$$
or
$$30^o,210^o$$

but that is only 2 of them
 
You would actually have:

$$\theta=\frac{\pi}{2}-2\theta+k\pi$$

See what you get from that. :D
 
Hello, karush!

\cot \theta\:=\:\tan(2\theta-3\pi),\quad 0&lt;\theta&lt;2\pi
\tan(2\theta - 3\pi) \;=\;\frac{\tan(2\theta) - \tan(3\pi)}{1 + \tan(2\theta)\tan(3\pi)} \;=\;\tan(2\theta)

. . . . . . . . . . =\;\frac{2\tan\theta}{1-\tan^2\theta}

The equation becomes: .\frac{1}{\tan\theta} \;=\;\frac{2\tan\theta}{1-\tan^2\theta}

. . 1 - \tan^2\theta \:=\:2\tan^2\theta \quad\Rightarrow\quad 3\tan^2\theta \:=\:1

. . \tan^2\theta \:=\:\frac{1}{3} \quad\Rightarrow\quad \tan\theta \:=\:\pm\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}

Therefore: .\theta \;=\;\frac{\pi}{6},\;\frac{5\pi}{6},\;\frac{7\pi}{6},\;\frac{11\pi}{6}
 

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