How to express cos((n*pi*)/2))

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on expressing the value of cos((n*pi)/2) in the context of solving the heat equation with homogeneous boundary conditions in partial differential equations (PDE). The key conclusion is that cos((n*pi)/2) yields values of -1, 0, or 1, depending on the integer value of n. A suggested method to uncover the pattern involves creating a table that lists values of n alongside their corresponding cos((n*pi)/2) results.

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  • Create a table of values for cos((n*pi)/2) for integers n = 0 to 10
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Mathematicians, physics students, and engineers working with partial differential equations and seeking to understand trigonometric behavior in boundary value problems.

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I am doing PDE, heat equation with Homogenous BC's...

I am solving my constant, Bn, but I do not know how to express cos((n*pi*)/2)).
I know that cos(n*pi) is (-1)^n...but what is cos((n*pi*)/2)).


Thank you.
 
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Well, it's one of -1, 0, or 1, depending on the value of n.

Make a table with values of n and the corresponding values of cos(n*pi/2), and see if you can discover a pattern.
 

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