How Does Trigonometry Relate Voltage Levels in Transmission Lines?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between voltage levels in high-pressure transmission lines and trigonometric functions. Participants are examining the equation connecting the sending end voltage E and the receiving end voltage e, specifically focusing on expanding and manipulating the equation to express certain terms in a trigonometric form.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to expand the equation and express terms like a*cos(x) + b*sin(x) in the form R*cos(x + alpha). There are questions about the maximum and minimum values of R as x varies and how to correctly manipulate the trigonometric expressions.

Discussion Status

Some participants are providing clarifications and tidying up equations for better readability. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct interpretation of the problem, with differing views on how to approach the expression of trigonometric terms. No consensus has been reached, and multiple interpretations are being considered.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the extent of guidance provided. There is an emphasis on understanding the trigonometric relationships involved without providing direct solutions.

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The voltage E applied to the sending end of a high-pressure transmitting line is connected to the voltage e at the receiving end by the equation
E^2=(e*cos(x) + a)^2 + (e*sin(x) + b)^2, where a and b are constants. Expand the right-hand side of the equation and by expressing a*cos(x) + b*sin(x) in the form R*cos(x + alpha) show that the maximum and minimum values of R, as x varies, are e +/-sqr(a^2 + b^2)? On expanding I get the following:

E^2 = e^2*((cos(x))^2 + (sin(x))^2) + a^2 + b^2 + 2*e*(a*cos(x) + b*sin(x))
E^2 = e^2 + a^2 + b^2 + 2*e*sqr(a^2 + b^2)*(cos(alpha)*cos(x) + sin(alpha)*sin(x)); where,
cos(alpha) = a/sqr(a^2 + b^2), and sin(alpha) = b/sqr(a^2 + b^2), and tan(alpha) = b/a. Therefore
E^2 = e^2 + a^2 + b^2 +2*e*sqr(a^2 + b^2)(cos(x - alpha)), so I get R = 2*e*sqr(a^2 + b^2) not what it is claimed above. What is the next step? Many thanks.
 
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Let me tidy up your equation.. otherwise no one is able to read that...

John O' Meara said:
The voltage E applied to the sending end of a high-pressure transmitting line is connected to the voltage e at the receiving end by the equation
[tex]E^2=(ecos(x) + a)^2 + (esin(x) + b)^2[/tex], where a and b are constants. Expand the right-hand side of the equation and by expressing [tex]acos(x) + bsin(x)[/tex] in the form [tex]Rcos(x + \alpha)[/tex] show that the maximum and minimum values of R, as x varies, are [tex]e +/-\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}[/tex]? On expanding I get the following:

[tex]E^2 = e^2(cos^2(x) + sin^2(x)) + a^2 + b^2 + 2e(acos(x) + bsin(x))[/tex]
[tex]E^2 = e^2 + a^2 + b^2 + 2e\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}(cos(\alpha)cos(x) + sin(\alpha)sin(x))[/tex]; where,
[tex]cos(\alpha) = a/\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}[/tex], and [tex]sin(\alpha) = b/\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}[/tex] ,and [tex]tan(\alpha) = b/a[/tex]. Therefore
[tex]E^2 = e^2 + a^2 + b^2 +2e\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}(cos(x - \alpha))[/tex], so I get [tex]R = 2e\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}[/tex] not what it is claimed above. What is the next step? Many thanks.

Okay, I've finished my part... someone going to help him...
 
Last edited:
I believe you mis-understand what the question is asking...

The question is asking you to express [tex]acos(x) + bsin(x)[/tex] in term of [tex]Rcos(x+\alpha)[/tex], then show the maximum and minimum value of E is [tex]e+/-\sqrt{a^2+b^2}[/tex], That would be more make sense...
 
Last edited:
Thanks for taking the time to make my post readable chanvincent.
 
Expanding [tex]a cos(x) + b sin(x) [/]tex] I get :<br /> [tex]= \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}(a/\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}cos(x) + b/\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}sin(x))<br /> = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}(sin(\alpha)cos(x) + cos(\alpha)sin(x))[/tex], where [tex]\(alpha)=tan(a/b)[/tex], this expands out to: [tex]\sqrt{a^2 + b ^2}(1/2( sin(\(alpha) + x) + sin(\alpha - x)) + 1/2( sin(\alpha + x) - sin(\alpha -x)))[/tex] <br /> , which reduces to [tex]\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}(sin(\alpha + x))[/tex].The question is how do you expand it to get [tex]R cos(x + \alpha)[\tex], and what do you do then.<br /> <br /> (Edited by HallsofIvy to fix tex. John, you put [ \tex ] when you should have [ /tex ] to end the tex.)[/tex][/tex]
 
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