How do I solve this trigonometry equation involving sine and cosine?

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Homework Statement


Solve the following equation, where 0 [tex]\leq[/tex]u [tex]\leq[/tex] 2pi [360 degrees]

2sinucosu = 0

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



(2sinucosu/2) = (0/2)

sinucosu = 0
 
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Try seeing if there's a specific trig identity to help you :wink:
 
Draggu said:

Homework Statement


Solve the following equation, where 0 [tex]\leq[/tex]u [tex]\leq[/tex] 2pi [360 degrees]

2sinucosu = 0

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



(2sinucosu/2) = (0/2)

sinucosu = 0

You got to read this step by step alright no peeping into the next step.

1st step
Refer to the rule
Sin 2A=2 SinA CosA

Your range of 2U
0 [tex]\leq[/tex]u [tex]\leq[/tex] 2pi
0 [tex]\leq[/tex]2u [tex]\leq[/tex] 4pi
 
Mark44 said:
If 2 sin(u)cos(u) = 0, then sin(2u) = 0. What can you say about 2u? You should several values for 2u, and several for u.

going off of what he was saying, imagine for a second that the 2 wasn't there, so that you have sin(u)=0. For confusions sake, let's call it n now. So you've got sin(n)=0 Essentially saying the sign of some angle "n" equals 0 right? You should be able to figure out what that angle n is. If you think of it like that and can solve for n, then all you have to do now is think of n=2u, and that i think you can figure out =). Hope that wasn't too revealing =X
 
Draggu said:

Homework Statement


Solve the following equation, where 0 [tex]\leq[/tex]u [tex]\leq[/tex] 2pi [360 degrees]

2sinucosu = 0

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



(2sinucosu/2) = (0/2)

sinucosu = 0
So either sin u= 0 or cos u= 0. What values if y satisfy those?
 
HallsofIvy said:
So either sin u= 0 or cos u= 0. What values if y satisfy those?

haha.. tats true we nid consider tat factor..

Therefore u = 2pi
 
icystrike said:
haha.. tats true we nid consider tat factor..

Therefore u = 2pi

Well... I got as far as sinu = 0 . I honestly have no idea how to continue it further, since no special triangle can get you to equal 0. On a sin graph with a period of 2pi though, sin touches 0 at pi and 2pi
 
icystrike said:
haha.. tats true we nid consider tat factor..

Therefore u = 2pi
Apparently you didn't consider it. sin(u)= 0 for more values than 2pi, cos(u)= 0 for other values.
 
Draggu said:
Well... I got as far as sinu = 0 . I honestly have no idea how to continue it further, since no special triangle can get you to equal 0. On a sin graph with a period of 2pi though, sin touches 0 at pi and 2pi
Yes, exactly. And since your problem says "[itex]0\le u\le 2\pi[/itex], those are two solutions. Now, what values of u make cos(u)= 0?
 
HallsofIvy said:
Yes, exactly. And since your problem says "[itex]0\le u\le 2\pi[/itex], those are two solutions. Now, what values of u make cos(u)= 0?

pi/2 and 3pi/2

I have a question though, how would I show my work for it? It's worth 6 marks...would I sketch the graph for each of them or? :)
 
Draggu said:
pi/2 and 3pi/2

I have a question though, how would I show my work for it? It's worth 6 marks...would I sketch the graph for each of them or? :)

Also, is using cosu necessary for the equation too? If so, changing it to sin2u = 0 is irrelevant. Since sin2u = 0 and diving sin2u by 2 and 0 by 2, giving us sinu = 0 , then would cos not be apart of this?
 
No sin(au)/a is NOT equal to sin(u).

If xy= 0, then either x= 0 or y= 0. Surely you know that?
 
Draggu said:
Also, is using cosu necessary for the equation too? If so, changing it to sin2u = 0 is irrelevant. Since sin2u = 0 and diving sin2u by 2 and 0 by 2, giving us sinu = 0 , then would cos not be apart of this?


You should get the same solutions either way:
By solving sin(2u) = 0
By solving sin(u)cos(u) = 0
 
HallsofIvy said:
No sin(au)/a is NOT equal to sin(u).

If xy= 0, then either x= 0 or y= 0. Surely you know that?

u=theta

sin2u=0 , is the double angle identity. Sorry but cos has nothing to do with the answer.

2pi/2 = pi pi is the period.
 
HallsofIvy said:
No sin(au)/a is NOT equal to sin(u).

If xy= 0, then either x= 0 or y= 0. Surely you know that?

u=theta

sin2u=0 , is the double angle identity. Sorry but cos has nothing to do with the answer.

(2pi/2) = pi ---->pi is the period.
 
Draggu said:
u=theta

sin2u=0 , is the double angle identity. Sorry but cos has nothing to do with the answer.

(2pi/2) = pi ---->pi is the period.

Mark44 was right

[tex]sin(2u) = 0[/tex] is the same thing as [tex]sin(u)cos(u) = 0[/tex]. You will get the same answers either way, it is just a matter of preference.