Finding the Final Sum of Trigonometric Functions: Cosine and Sine Formulas

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the sums of trigonometric functions, specifically the finite sums of cosines and sines raised to the second power. The original poster presents a complex approach involving Euler's formula and seeks guidance on how to proceed with their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definitions of the sums and question the use of complex numbers in the calculations. There are discussions about the Pythagorean trigonometric identity and the geometric series, with some participants suggesting different methods to approach the problem.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various participants offering insights and questioning the original poster's understanding of the concepts involved. Some guidance has been provided regarding the geometric series and the use of Euler's formula, but there is no clear consensus on the next steps.

Contextual Notes

Several participants note that the original poster may lack foundational knowledge about summing geometric series and the application of complex numbers in trigonometric contexts, which may hinder their progress in solving the problem.

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Homework Statement



Hi :smile:

Find the (finite,ultimate,definitive,peremptory,eventua,conclusive) sum:

a) cos^2x+cos^22x+...+cos^2nx ; b) sin^2x+sin^22x+...+sin^2nx

Homework Equations



z=A+Bi

The Attempt at a Solution



A=cos^2x+cos^22x+...+cos^2nx

B=sin^2x+sin^22x+...+sin^2nx

z=cos^2x+cos^22x+...+cos^2nx+i(sin^2x+sin^22x+...+sin^2nx)=(cos^2x+isin^2x)+(cos^22x+isin^22x)+...+(cos^2nx+isin^2nx)=(cos^2x+isin^2x)+
(cos^2x+isin^2x)^2+...+(cos^2x+isin^2x)^n

How will I continue?
 
Last edited:
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Not sure what you are trying to do.

First, you defined two sums - a and b.

Is your task to find sum of those two sums? a+b is what you are looking for?

If so, why do use i?

Do you know what Pythagorean trigonometric identity is?
 
I don't know if they are separate or together... I should use "i", since that's my task, to find it through i.
 
Any help?
 
You won't get more help without giving more information. At present - at least IMHO - question as posted, and the idea of using i for calculations, doesn't make sense.
 
The real part of exp(i*n*x)^2 is cos(n*x)^2-sin(n*x)^2. So summing the geometric series exp(i*2*n*x) and taking the real part will give you the difference A-B. What's the sum A+B? That's one way to do it.
 
(\frac{1+cos2x}{2}+i\frac{1-cos2x}{2})+(\frac{1+cos4x}{2}+i\frac{1-cos4x}{2})+(\frac{1+cosnkx}{2}+i\frac{1-cosnkx}{2})

\frac{1}{2}(1+cos2x+i(1-cos2x))+\frac{1}{2}(1+cos2x+i(1-cos2x))+\frac{1}{2}(1+cos4x+i(1-cos4x))+\frac{1}{2}(1+cosnkx+i(1-cosnkx))

How will I get rid of "1"?

How will I go next?
 
Dick, someone?
 
Theofilius said:
Dick, someone?

Why did you ignore my last message? It had some reasonable suggestions in it.
 
  • #10
I have never learn about it. Is mine correct? How will I continue solving?
 
  • #11
Theofilius said:
I have never learn about it. Is mine correct? How will I continue solving?

What you wrote is a version of A+Bi. Do you know how to sum the series
cos(2n)+cos(4n)+cos(6n)+...?
 
  • #12
Actully, I have never learned. So I don't know.
 
  • #13
Theofilius said:
Actully, I have never learned. So I don't know.

Can you sum a geometric series?
 
  • #14
I don't know how.
 
  • #15
Theofilius said:
I don't know how.

If you haven't been given the sum of the finite series sin(nx) and cos(nx), or been taught how to derive them by summing geometric series like exp(i*n*x), then I don't know how you are supposed to do this problem.
 
  • #16
I know something...
a=cosx+cos2x+...+cosnx

B=sinx+sin2x+...+sinnx

A=Re(z) ; B=Im(z)

z=A+Bi

z=A+iB=(cosx+cos2x+...+cosnx)+i(sinx+sin2x+...+sinnx)= (cosx+isinx)+

+(cos2x+isin2x)+...+(cosnx+isinnx)= (cosx+isinx)+(cosx+isinx)^2+...+(cosx+isinx)^n=

I don't know where to go out of here.
 
  • #17
Theofilius said:
I(cosx+isinx)+(cosx+isinx)^2+...+(cosx+isinx)^n=

I don't know where to go out of here.

That's a geometric series with a common ratio of exp(ix). You should know how to write down it's sum. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_progression
Once you do that the real part of the sum is A and the imaginary part is B.
 
  • #18
For (cosx+isinx) is simpler, but still got no clue how to continue.
 
  • #19
Theofilius said:
For (cosx+isinx) is simpler, but still got no clue how to continue.

I just TOLD you. Review geometric series.
 
  • #20
Yes, yes, but I don't understand this step.
Now I have
(cosx+isinx)(1+(cosx+isinx)+...+(cosx+sinx)^n^-^1)
I understand this. But don't understand where the next step comes from?
 
  • #21
Theofilius said:
Yes, yes, but I don't understand this step.
Now I have
(cosx+isinx)(1+(cosx+isinx)+...+(cosx+sinx)^n^-^1)
I understand this. But don't understand where the next step comes from?

Why did you do that?? Look, look up the formula for the sum of a geometric series and apply it to this problem. Until you do that, there's not much more I can say.
 
  • #22
But, please. I want to know where the formula comes from.
 
  • #23
Call the sum S=exp(ix)+exp(ix)^2+...+exp(ix)^n. Calculate S-exp(ix)*S. All but two terms cancel. Now solve for S.
 
  • #24
Ok, in my problem.

\frac{1-(cos^2x+isin^2x)^n^+^1}{1-cos^2x-isin^2x}. But where I will go out of here?
 
  • #25
Theofilius said:
Ok, in my problem.

\frac{1-(cos^2x+isin^2x)^n^+^1}{1-cos^2x-isin^2x}. But where I will go out of here?

No. That's wrong. If you want the sum of S=exp(i*2x)+exp(i*4x)+...exp(i*n2x) it's (exp(i*2x)-exp(i*2(n+1)x)/(1-exp(i*2x)). If you manage to take the real part of S, what would it be? What would that have to do with your problem?
 
  • #26
I was talking about the problem in my first post of this thread. I know for cosx+isinx that we can use De Moivre formula.
 
  • #27
Theofilius said:
I was talking about the problem in my first post of this thread. I know for cosx+isinx that we can use De Moivre formula.

I was talking about what you just posted. It's wrong. exp(i*2*x) is not equal to cos^2(x)+i*sin^2(x).
 
  • #28
Ok. Using \frac{(cos^2x+isin^2x)(1-(cos^2x+isin^2x)^n)}{1-cos^2x-isin^2x}. But how will I take the real part out?
 
  • #29
"It's wrong. exp(i*2*x) is not equal to cos^2(x)+i*sin^2(x)." You really aren't paying much attention to me, are you? To get the real part out you generally multiply the denominator by it's complex conjugate. But I wouldn't waste your time doing it on what you just posted. Because it's wrong.
 
  • #30
S=d+d^2+...+d^n

Sd=d^2+d^3+...+d^n^+^1

S-Sd=S(1-d)=d-d^n^+^1

S=\frac{d-d^n^+^1}{1-d}

If we substitute for d=cos^2x+isin^2x

S=\frac{(cos^2x+isin^2x)-(cos^2x+isin^2x)^n^+^1}{1-cos^2x-isin^2x}

Why you say it is not correct?
 

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