De Moivre's Theorem: Expressing cos(3θ) and sin(3θ) using n = 3

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De Moivre's Theorem states that for any real number θ and integer n, the equation \( e^{i n \theta} = (e^{i \theta})^n \) holds. For n = 3, this theorem can be used to express \( \cos(3\theta) \) and \( \sin(3\theta) \) in terms of \( \cos(\theta) \) and \( \sin(\theta) \). The derived formulas are \( \cos(3\theta) = 4\cos^3(\theta) - 3\cos(\theta) \) and \( \sin(3\theta) = 3\sin(\theta) - 4\sin^3(\theta) \). This discussion emphasizes the importance of expanding the right-hand side using the distributive property to relate these trigonometric functions.

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Homework Statement




Use De Moivre's Theorem with n = 3 to express cos(3θ) and sin(3θ) in terms of cos(θ) and sin(θ)
cos(3θ) =
sin(3θ) =


The Attempt at a Solution



To me this seems like a very vague problem. I am not entirely sure what they are asking me to do here.
 
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toothpaste666 said:

Homework Statement




Use De Moivre's Theorem with n = 3 to express cos(3θ) and sin(3θ) in terms of cos(θ) and sin(θ)
cos(3θ) =
sin(3θ) =


The Attempt at a Solution



To me this seems like a very vague problem. I am not entirely sure what they are asking me to do here.

Your first step should probably be to write down De Moivre's Theorem for the case n = 3.
 
r^3(cos(3θ)+isin(3θ))

I can't figure out how to go about solving this because I am not really sure what they are asking me to find.
 
if
$$
\frac{\cos(3\theta)}{\cos(\theta)}=A\, \cos^2(\theta)+B\, \sin^2(\theta) \\
\frac{\sin(3\theta)}{\sin(\theta)}=C\, \cos^2(\theta)+D\, \sin^2(\theta) $$

What are A,B,C,and D?
 
Last edited:
toothpaste666 said:
r^3(cos(3θ)+isin(3θ))

I can't figure out how to go about solving this because I am not really sure what they are asking me to find.

That should be an equation, what is the other side?
 
the other side would be r(cosθ+isinθ) ?
 
^3

what does that tell you about how sin(3theta),cos(3theta),cos(theta), and sin(theta) are related?
 
cos(3θ) = cos(θ)^3

sin(3θ) = sin(θ)^3

was it really that simple?
 
^no

given

$$\cos(3\theta)+\imath \sin(3\theta)=[\cos(\theta)+\imath \sin(\theta)]^3$$
expand the right hand side using the distributive property
this will allow you to relate sin(3theta),cos(3theta),cos(theta), and sin(theta)
 
  • #10
No. You are wrong.
Write down the full formula (De Moivre's).

You can use a calculator to check your answer numerically.
If cos(3x) = cos(x)^3, cos(3) - cos(1)^3 = 0.
While cos(3) - cos(1)^3 is approximately -1.1477211018514388810043820516307.
 
  • #11
ok so far after expanding i have:

r^3(cos(3θ)+isin(3θ)) = r^3(cos^3(θ)+3cos^2(θ)isin(θ)-3cos(θ)sin^2(θ)-sin^3(θ)i)cos(3θ)+isin(3θ) = (cos^3(θ)+3cos^2(θ)isin(θ)-3cos(θ)sin^2(θ)-sin^3(θ)i)

cos(3θ)+isin^3(θ) = (cos^3(θ)+3cos^2(θ)isin(θ)-3cos(θ)sin^2(θ)-sin^3(θ)i)

cos(3θ)= (cos^3(θ)+3cos^2(θ)isin(θ)-3cos(θ)sin^2(θ)-2sin^3(θ)i)

and then i would do the same thing for sin?
 
  • #12
actually you have done both at once
equate the real and imaginary parts
$$\cos(3\theta)+\imath \sin(3\theta)=[\cos^2(\theta)-3 \sin^2(\theta)]\cos(\theta)+\imath[-\sin^2(\theta)+3 \cos^2(\theta)]\sin(\theta) $$
 
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  • #13
thanks!
 
  • #14
The original problem said "Use DeMoivre's theorem" and, in the first response, pasmith asked you to write out what DeMoivre's theorem is. You still have not done that. Do you not know what "DeMoivre's theorem" is?
 
  • #15
$$e^{\jmath3 \theta}= (e^{\jmath \theta})^3$$
 

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