# Help with Trig Identity Simplification

1. Dec 16, 2012

### je1ani

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Simplify (2cos2x-cos4x)/(2cos2x+cos4x)

3. The attempt at a solution

I let θ = 2x

(2cosθ-cos2θ)/2cosθ+cos2θ)

Since cos2θ= 1-2cos^2

(2cosθ-(1-2cos^2)/2cosθ+1-2cos^2

But I get lost when applying it and can't get beyond this, Do i have to use the quadratic formula?

2. Dec 16, 2012

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
How can you use the quadratic formula without an equation? (Actually it is possible to do that.)

You dropped some θs and some important parentheses.

Your identity for cos(2θ) is incorrect.
cos(2θ) = 2cos2(θ) - 1
= cos2(θ) - sin2(θ)

= 1 - 2sin2(θ)​
Take your pick.​

Writing your expression with LaTeX after substituting θ for 2x gives:

$\displaystyle \frac{2\cos(\theta)-\cos(2\theta)}{2\cos(\theta)+\cos(2\theta)}$

3. Dec 17, 2012

### zaddyzad

how do you delete a comment, irrelevant I know. But I made an accidental post.

4. Dec 17, 2012

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
Click the edit.

Choose the delete message box.

Then there's another place that shows up. Click that to finally delete the post.

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