How Do You Solve for Theta in Goniometric Equations?

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Homework Statement


Given the following relation for θ:
[itex]\frac{I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma}} = \frac{\sin^2{\theta}}{1 + \cos^2{\theta}}[/itex]
solve for θ


Homework Equations


[itex]\cos^2 x + \sin^2 x = 1[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution


If I solve this I get: [itex]\theta = \arcsin{\left(\pm\frac{2 I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma}+I_{\pi}}\right)}[/itex]
But the paper where this equation is from says: Consequently θ becomes:
[itex]\theta = \arctan{\left(\pm\frac{2 I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma}-I_{\pi}}\right)}[/itex]

Is there a way to come to the arctan expression? Or is the paper wrong? I'm quite stuck.
 
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The Alchemist said:

Homework Statement


Given the following relation for θ:
[itex]\frac{I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma}} = \frac{\sin^2{\theta}}{1 + \cos^2{\theta}}[/itex]
solve for θ

Homework Equations


[itex]\cos^2 x + \sin^2 x = 1[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


If I solve this I get: [itex]\theta = \arcsin{\left(\pm\frac{2 I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma}+I_{\pi}}\right)}[/itex]
But the paper where this equation is from says: Consequently θ becomes:
[itex]\theta = \arctan{\left(\pm\frac{2 I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma}-I_{\pi}}\right)}[/itex]

Is there a way to come to the arctan expression? Or is the paper wrong? I'm quite stuck.

Are you missing a square root sign on both your expressions?

Because I'm getting [itex]\theta = \arcsin{\left(\pm \sqrt{\frac{2I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma} + I_{\pi}}}\right)} = \arctan{\left(\pm \sqrt{\frac{2I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma} - I_{\pi}}}\right)}[/itex]

To get the arctan expression, find cos θ then divide sin θ by cos θ to get tan θ, then take the arctangent.
 
Curious3141 said:
Are you missing a square root sign on both your expressions?

Because I'm getting [itex]\theta = \arcsin{\left(\pm \sqrt{\frac{2I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma} + I_{\pi}}}\right)} = \arctan{\left(\pm \sqrt{\frac{2I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma} - I_{\pi}}}\right)}[/itex]

To get the arctan expression, find cos θ then divide sin θ by cos θ to get tan θ, then take the arctangent.

You're right I missed the square root in the arcsin, the arctan though doesn't have one!

When I solve for cosine θ [itex]\theta = \arccos{ \left( \pm \sqrt{ \frac{I_{\sigma} - I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma} + I_{\pi}}}\right)}[/itex]
How can I then come to an arctan expression?
 
The Alchemist said:
You're right I missed the square root in the arcsin, the arctan though doesn't have one!

When I solve for cosine θ [itex]\theta = \arccos{\left(\pm \sqrt{\frac{I_{\sigma} - I_{\pi}}{I_{\sigma} + I_{\pi}}\right)}[/itex]
How can I then come to an arctan expression?

Just divide the sine by the cosine. The denominators cancel out.

There should be a sqrt on the arctan expression as well.
 
Oh, I was too dazzled! thanks for the help.
So the equation in the paper misses the sqrt...
 
The Alchemist said:
Oh, I was too dazzled! thanks for the help.
So the equation in the paper misses the sqrt...

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