Eliminating Theta: Steps to Follow

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the elimination of the variable theta from two equations involving trigonometric functions, specifically sine and cosine. The original poster presents equations relating cosine and sine to constants m and n, seeking guidance on how to proceed with the elimination of theta.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the possibility of using tangent and cotangent to eliminate theta, with some suggesting division of the equations as a potential method. Others question the necessity of using the identity sin² + cos² = 1 and consider finding independent values for sine and cosine in terms of m and n.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various approaches being considered. Some participants express uncertainty about the methods proposed, while others suggest checking results with specific values for m and n. There is no explicit consensus on the best path forward.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the requirement to eliminate theta entirely from the final expression, emphasizing that the answer should relate only to m and n. There is a concern about potential loss of information through the operations performed on the equations.

sahilmm15
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Homework Statement
If ##cosec\theta - sin\theta = m## and ##sec\theta - cos\theta = n##, then eliminate ##\theta##
Relevant Equations
N/A
I did try a few steps:-​
After converting both the equations in terms of cos and sin I got-
$$cos^2\theta = msin\theta$$
and $$sin^2\theta = ncos\theta$$.

That's all what I am able to do. Cant find how do I eliminate ##\theta## from here

 
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Assuming this is right what you have done, then changing to ##\tan ## and ##\cot## seems to be an option.
 
fresh_42 said:
Assuming this is right what you have done, then changing to ##\tan ## and ##\cot## seems to be an option.
How do we change to ##tan\theta## and ##cot\theta## to eliminate ##\theta##
 
sahilmm15 said:
How do we change to ##tan\theta## and ##cot\theta## to eliminate ##\theta##
By dividing the equations. At last you still have ##\sin^2+\cos^2=1##.
 
fresh_42 said:
By dividing the equations. At last you still have ##\sin^2+\cos^2=1##.
By dividing both the equations we get ##cot^3\theta = {\frac{m}{n}}##
 
And? What do you get from the other hint I gave?
 
fresh_42 said:
And? What do you get from the other hint I gave?
I can't figure it out. The only way to make use of ##sin^2\theta + cos^2\theta## is by adding both the two equations??
 
sahilmm15 said:
I can't figure it out. The only way to make use of ##sin^2\theta + cos^2\theta## is by adding both the two equations??
I am not sure whether this is necessary. You can already solve for ##\theta## by taking the cubic root. However, the other equation can be used to check the result.
 
fresh_42 said:
I am not sure whether this is necessary. You can already solve for ##\theta## by taking the cubic root. However, the other equation can be used to check the result.
I think we need to find the independent values of ##sin\theta## and ##cos\theta## (in terms of m and n) and then put in ##sin^2\theta + cos^2\theta ## to get rid of ##\theta##, but that would be tedious.
 
  • #10
sahilmm15 said:
I think we need to find the independent values of ##sin\theta## and ##cos\theta## (in terms of m and n) and then put in ##sin^2\theta + cos^2\theta ## to get rid of ##\theta##, but that would be tedious.
That is not what you wrote. Your text says
... then eliminate ##\theta##
And under the assumption you made no mistake, you got ##\theta =\operatorname{arc}\cot \sqrt[3]{\dfrac{m}{n}}##.
 
  • #11
fresh_42 said:
That is not what you wrote. Your text says And under the assumption you made no mistake, you got ##\theta =\operatorname{arc}\cot \sqrt[3]{\dfrac{m}{n}}##.
The question states under the given conditions eliminate ##\theta##. It means there should be no ##\theta## in the answer. Then it implies answer should be in the terms of m and n( a relation between m and n where there is no ##\theta##).
 
  • #12
sahilmm15 said:
The question states under the given conditions eliminate ##\theta##. It means there should be no ##\theta## in the answer. Then it implies answer should be in the terms of m and n( a relation between m and n where there is no ##\theta##).
And since we have ##\theta=\theta(n,m)## we can substitute every occurrence of ##\theta ## by an expression which only has ##n,m## in it. This is an elimination. And please stop shouting!
 
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  • #13
fresh_42 said:
And since we have ##\theta=\theta(n,m)## we can substitute every occurrence of ##\theta ## by an expression which only has ##n,m## in it. This is an elimination. And please stop shouting!
To be honest, I was not shouting. And I think it is not fair of you to assume anything. There are bold and italics formatting tools to convey ones expressions and what they are thinking, and it doesn't mean one is shouting when they are using them.
 
  • #14
Yes, and boldface means shouting on the internet.

I do not like that solution either, and I am not sure whether we lost information on the way by squaring or dividing. I would check it with some easy values for ##n,m##.
 
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  • #15
fresh_42 said:
Yes, and boldface means shouting on the internet.

I do not like that solution either, and I am not sure whether we lost information on the way by squaring or dividing. I would check it with some easy values for ##n,m##.
Lol, honestly I didn't knew that it meant shouting. So I misinterpreted you. I am sorry.
 

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