Find all solutions to Sin 2x = 2Tan 2x

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The discussion centers on solving the equation Sin 2x = 2Tan 2x. The original attempt led to the incorrect conclusion that cos²x - sin²x = 2, which has no real solutions. The correct approach reveals that the only real solutions occur when Sin 2x = 0, leading to x = kπ, where k is an integer. The participants clarify the implications of the double angle, emphasizing the importance of understanding trigonometric identities in solving such equations.

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  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, specifically Sin and Tan functions.
  • Familiarity with double angle formulas, particularly Sin(2x) and Cos(2x).
  • Knowledge of solving trigonometric equations for real and complex solutions.
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions involving trigonometric functions.
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  • Learn how to solve trigonometric equations involving multiple angles, such as Sin(2x) and Tan(2x).
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Is this correct??

Hello All

I need to find all solutions to the following did i do it correct?

Sin 2x = 2Tan 2x

2Sinx Cosx = 2(2Tanx / 1-Tan^2x)

Sinx Cosx = (2(Sinx / Cosx)/(cos^2x-Sin^2x / Cos^2x))

Sinx Cosx = 2(Sinx / Cosx) X (Cos^2x / cos^2x-Sin^2x)

Cosx = 2 (Cosx / Cos^2x - Sin^2x)

1 = (2 / Cos^2x - Sin^2x)

Cos^2x - Sin^2x = 2

1 - Sinx^2 - Sin^2x = 2

2Sin^2x = -1
Sin^2x = -1/2

Sinx = -1/SQROOT(2)



Is this correct??
 
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Nope.
Remember that Tan(2x)=Sin(2x)/Cos(2x)

Thus, you may rewrite your original equation as:
\sin(2x)(1-\frac{2}{\cos(2x)})=0

EDIT:
Find out the requirements for either factor to be zero; you should find that one of those requirements is impossible to achieve.
 
Last edited:
You certainly made a mistake. You arrived to the equation:
cos^2x - sin^2x = 2
but
cos^2x - sin^2x = cos 2x
So you have
cos 2x = 2
This has no real solution.
proceeding your development you got
sin^2x = -\frac{1}{2}
whose solution is
sin x = -\frac{i}{\sqrt{2}}
 
Let's call tan(x) "t"

then we have 2*t/(1+t^2)=4*t/(1-t^2)

we must exclude that t=+-1 to give the expression a meaning. (x!=pi/4+kpi/2)

then we obtain one solution: t=0 (x=kpi)
we have if t!=0: 1-t^2=2+2t^2 that is 3t^2=-1, which has no real solution (anyway you could be interested in finding the complex ones)
So the only real solution is x=k*pi, where k belongs to Z
 
Arildno Which side are you talking about?

SGT: Did have COS2x = 2 but was told by a classmate that I did the problem wrong. I kind of get confussed with the 2x in the statement. What does it really mean.
 
powp said:
Arildno Which side are you talking about?

SGT: Did have COS2x = 2 but was told by a classmate that I did the problem wrong. I kind of get confussed with the 2x in the statement. What does it really mean.
I did not follow all your development because your notation is almost unintelligible, but I think your classmate is right. You probably made some mistake.
The 2x means the double of the arc x. If x = \frac{\pi}{3} for instance, then 2x = \frac{2\pi}{3}
 
powp said:
Arildno Which side are you talking about?

SGT: Did have COS2x = 2 but was told by a classmate that I did the problem wrong. I kind of get confussed with the 2x in the statement. What does it really mean.
1. Our problem is to determine the set of x-values that makes
\sin(2x)=2\tan(2x)
into a TRUE statement.
That is, we want to find the "solutions" to that equation.

2. We have, for all x-values the identity \tan(2x)=\frac{\sin(2x)}{\cos(2x)}
where with "all x-values" should be understood all real values except those for which \cos(2x)=0 (i.e, when tan(2x) is infinite).

3. Given the identity in 2., we may rephrase our original problem into finding the solution set for the following equation:
\sin(2x)=2\frac{\sin(2x)}{\cos(2x)}

4. Now, adding any arbitrary number to both sides of an equation won't change the solution set we're after, so by adding -sin(2x) to both sides, we can rephrase our problem into determining the solution set to the following equation:
2\frac{\sin(2x)}{\cos(2x)}-\sin(2x)=0

5) Arbitrary real numbers a,b,c fulfill the distributive law: a*(b+c)=a*b+a*c
Recognizing the common factor sin(2x) on the left-hand side expression in the equation given under 4., we may rephrase our problem into determining the solution set of the following equation:
\sin(2x)*(\frac{2}{\cos(2x)}-1)=0

6) Now, if the product of two numbers is to be zero, then at least one of the numbers themselves must be zero.
Therefore, if the equation under 5. is to be a true statement, then we must have EITHER:
\sin(2x)=0
OR:
\frac{2}{\cos(2x)}-1=0

7. Let's look at the last one.
If we are to have \frac{2}{\cos(2x)}-1=0, then this is equivalent to demanding \cos(2x)=2
But, since the cosine is always less than or equal to 2, we see that the statement:
\cos(2x)=2 cannot have any solutions at all
(that is, whatever number "x" you substitute into the expression on the left-hand side, will never make cos(2x) equal to 2.

8.
Thus, we may conclude, that the solution set to our original problem will be the solution set of the equation:
\sin(2x)=0
 

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