How Do You Convert a Trigonometric Expression into a Sine Equation Form?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around converting a trigonometric expression, specifically a combination of sine and cosine terms, into a sine equation form. Participants explore various methods and approaches for this conversion, including the use of angular shifts and relationships between sine and cosine.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the expression $$-2 \sqrt{3}\cos\left({\theta}\right)+6\sin\left({\theta}\right)$$ and seeks guidance on converting it to the form $$A\sin\left({B\left[\theta-C\right]}\right)+D$$.
  • Another participant suggests switching to a single cosine first before using an angular shift to achieve the sine form.
  • A participant notes the phase difference of $\dfrac{\pi}{2}$ between sine and cosine functions.
  • Several participants reference the relationship $$a\cos\left({\theta}\right)+b\sin\left({\theta}\right)=R\cos\left({\theta-\alpha}\right)$$ as a method for conversion.
  • One participant provides specific values for $R$ and $\alpha$, leading to the expression $$4\sqrt{3}\sin\left({\theta}-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)$$.
  • Another participant outlines an alternative approach using equations involving $c$ and $d$ to arrive at the same sine form.
  • A later reply questions how to determine the sign in the conversion process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple methods for converting the expression, and while there is some agreement on the relationships between sine and cosine, the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach and the specifics of determining signs in the conversion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants rely on specific mathematical relationships and transformations without fully resolving the implications of their choices, such as the sign in the conversion process.

karush
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$$-2 \sqrt{3}\cos\left({\theta}\right)+6\sin\left({\theta}\right) $$

Convert to

$$A\sin\left({B\left[\theta-C\right]}\right)+D$$

I couldn't find an example how to do this coversion
 
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karush said:
$$-2 \sqrt{3}\cos\left({\theta}\right)+6\sin\left({\theta}\right) $$

Convert to

$$A\sin\left({B\left[\theta-C\right]}\right)+D$$

I couldn't find an example how to do this coversion

I would recommend switching to a single cosine first, then use an angular shift to get the sine. Does that help?
 
Do you know that cosine and sine are $\dfrac{\pi}{2}$ (or 90 degrees) out-of-phase?
 
$$a\cos\left({\theta}\right)+b\sin\left({\theta}\right)=R\cos\left({\theta-\alpha}\right)$$
 
Last edited:
karush said:
$$a\cos\left({\theta}\right)+b\sin\left({\theta}\right)=R\cos\left({\theta-\alpha}\right)$$

Right. So you can find $R$ and $\alpha$ from the usual rectangular-to-polar equations. Then, if you recall that $\sin(\theta+\pi/2)=\cos(\theta)$, as Deveno mentioned earlier, you can finish.
 
$$R=4\sqrt{3}$$
$$ \alpha=\frac{2\pi}{3}$$
$$4\sqrt{3}\sin\left({\theta}-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)$$
 
Alternatively,

$$6\sin x-2\sqrt3\cos x=c\sin(x+d)$$

$$c\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}+d\right)=6$$

$$c\sin(\pi+d)=2\sqrt3$$

$$c\cos d=6$$

$$c\sin d=-2\sqrt3$$

$$\tan d=-\frac{1}{\sqrt3}\Rightarrow d=-\frac{\pi}{6}$$

$$c\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=6\Rightarrow c=4\sqrt3$$

$$6\sin x-2\sqrt3\cos x=4\sqrt3\sin\left(x-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)$$
 
Well that save $\cos\left({\theta}\right)$ to
$\sin\left({\theta}\right)$ conversion
How do know to use + or -. :cool:
 
Can you be more specific?
 

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