Is \(\theta=360^\circ-\beta\) When \(\sin(\beta)=\frac{1}{3}\)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between angles in trigonometry, specifically exploring the equation \(\theta=360^\circ-\beta\) when \(\sin(\beta)=\frac{1}{3}\). Participants engage in applying trigonometric identities and solving related equations, with a focus on understanding the implications of these relationships in different quadrants.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants discuss the application of trigonometric identities such as \(\tan(x) = \frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)}\) and \(1 - \cos^2(x) = \sin^2(x)\) to solve the problem.
  • There is a suggestion to factor a quadratic equation derived from manipulating the sine function, leading to expressions like \(3\sin^2(\theta) - 2\sin(\theta) - 1 = 0\).
  • Participants explore the solutions to the quadratic equation, identifying potential values for \(\sin(\theta)\) and discussing their implications in different quadrants.
  • One participant proposes that the solutions can be expressed in terms of reference angles, specifically noting the forms \(\theta=360^\circ-\beta\) and \(\theta=180^\circ+\beta\).
  • There is a discussion about the symmetry of solutions in quadrants III and IV, particularly in relation to the angle \(270^\circ\).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the solutions and their derivations, with no consensus reached on the exact values of \(\beta\) or the interpretation of the angles involved. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific reference angle and its implications.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the derivation of solutions and the application of trigonometric identities, indicating potential gaps in understanding or assumptions that have not been fully articulated.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and enthusiasts of trigonometry seeking to understand the relationships between angles and sine values, as well as those interested in exploring problem-solving techniques in mathematical reasoning.

jevanuD
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Do you have ideas yourself? What standard trigonometric identities that you already know could possibly be applied here?
 
I am aware that $\tan(x) = \frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)}$ and the other fundamental which is $1-\cos ^2(x)=\sin ^2(x)$ i just need some clarity on how its proven.x
 
jevanuD said:
I am aware that [M]\tan\left({}\right)[/M] = \sin\left({}\right)/\cos\left({}\right) and the other fundamental which is [M]\:1-\cos ^2\left(x\right)=\sin ^2\left(x\right)[/M] i just need some clarity on how its proven.

Use the $\sum$ button to wrap your code, instead of the M button. ;)

The two identities you cited:

$$\tan(\theta)=\frac{\sin(\theta)}{\cos(\theta)}$$

$$1-\cos^2(\theta)=\sin^2(\theta)$$

will be very useful for the first problem...can you use them to make some substitutions?
 
Hi jevanuD. I've edited your second post to allow the $\LaTeX$ code to render properly and made some other minor edits. The delimiters for inline $\LaTeX$ are \$...\$. You can view the code by right-clicking on the $\LaTeX$ and selecting Show Math As > TeX Commands.
 
MarkFL said:
Use the $\sum$ button to wrap your code, instead of the M button. ;)

The two identities you cited:

$$\tan(\theta)=\frac{\sin(\theta)}{\cos(\theta)}$$

$$1-\cos^2(\theta)=\sin^2(\theta)$$

will be very useful for the first problem...can you use them to make some substitutions?

Yes correct, I've made my substitutions to prove that question A is indeed true, however i am not sure how to start "B"
 
jevanuD said:
Yes correct, I've made my substitutions to prove that question A is indeed true, however i am not sure how to start "B"

For the first part of part (b), multiply through by $\sin(\theta)$ to get a quadratic in $\sin(\theta)$. Then factor...what do you get?
 
MarkFL said:
For the first part of part (b), multiply through by $\sin(\theta)$ to get a quadratic in $\sin(\theta)$. Then factor...what do you get?

$$3\sin\left({\theta}\right){}^{2}=3$$?
 
jevanuD said:
$$3\sin\left({\theta}\right){}^{2}=3$$?

No, let's start with:

$$3\sin(\theta)=2+\frac{1}{\sin(\theta)}$$

Multiply through by $\sin(\theta)$ to get:

$$3\sin^2(\theta)=2\sin(\theta)+1$$

Arrange in standard form:

$$3\sin^2(\theta)-2\sin(\theta)-1=0$$

Now factor...what do you get?
 
  • #10
MarkFL said:
No, let's start with:

$$3\sin(\theta)=2+\frac{1}{\sin(\theta)}$$

Multiply through by $\sin(\theta)$ to get:

$$3\sin^2(\theta)=2\sin(\theta)+1$$

Arrange in standard form:

$$3\sin^2(\theta)-2\sin(\theta)-1=0$$

Now factor...what do you get?

$$\sin\left({\theta}\right)\left(3\sin\left({\theta}\right)-3\right)=0$$
 
  • #11
jevanuD said:
$$\sin\left({\theta}\right)\left(3\sin\left({\theta}\right)-3\right)=0$$

No...what if I ask you to factor:

$$3x^2-2x-1=0$$
 
  • #12
MarkFL said:
No...what if I ask you to factor:

$$3x^2-2x-1=0$$

$$\left(3x+1\right)\left(x-1\right)$$
 
  • #13
jevanuD said:
$$\left(3x+1\right)\left(x-1\right)$$

Excellent...the same applies whether you have the quadratic in $x$ or $\sin(\theta)$ or any other expression. So, this gives you:

$$\left(3\sin(\theta)+1\right)\left(\sin(\theta)-1\right)=0$$

From this, of course, we get:

$$\sin(\theta)=-\frac{1}{3}$$

$$\sin(\theta)=1$$

Can you see how many solutions you are going to have, and in which quadrants?
 
  • #14
MarkFL said:
Excellent...the same applies whether you have the quadratic in $x$ or $\sin(\theta)$ or any other expression. So, this gives you:

$$\left(3\sin(\theta)+1\right)\left(\sin(\theta)-1\right)=0$$

From this, of course, we get:

$$\sin(\theta)=-\frac{1}{3}$$

$$\sin(\theta)=1$$

Can you see how many solutions you are going to have, and in which quadrants?

Are you saying I should plot my 2 solutions into: $${0}^{0}\le\theta\le360^{0}$$
 
  • #15
jevanuD said:
Are you saying I should plot my 2 solutions into: $${0}^{0}\le\theta\le360^{0}$$

What I would do is plot the unit circle, and the lines $y=1$ and $$y=-\frac{1}{3}$$...

View attachment 8024

From this graph, can you see how many solutions we're going to have on the required interval?
 

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  • #16
MarkFL said:
What I would do is plot the unit circle, and the lines $y=1$ and $$y=-\frac{1}{3}$$...
From this graph, can you see how many solutions we're going to have on the required interval?

from that I'm seeing 3 points marked, which is 3 solutions?
 
  • #17
jevanuD said:
from that I'm seeing 3 points marked, which is 3 solutions?

Yes, and we should know immediately that:

$$\theta=90^{\circ}$$

is a solution corresponding to the intersection with the circle and the line $y=1$. Now, for the other two solutions, in quadrants III and IV, there are several ways you could approach finding them, and what I would do is observe they are symmetric about $270^{\circ}$...and so I would write:

$$\theta=\left(\frac{3\pi}{2}\pm\arccos\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)\right)\frac{180^{\circ}}{\pi}$$

Does that make sense?
 
  • #18
MarkFL said:
Yes, and we should know immediately that:

$$\theta=90^{\circ}$$

is a solution corresponding to the intersection with the circle and the line $y=1$. Now, for the other two solutions, in quadrants III and IV, there are several ways you could approach finding them, and what I would do is observe they are symmetric about $270^{\circ}$...and so I would write:

$$\theta=\left(\frac{3\pi}{2}\pm\arccos\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)\right)\frac{180^{\circ}}{\pi}$$

Does that make sense?

wow I am lost there, but i would then solve this equation?
 
  • #19
jevanuD said:
wow I am lost there, but i would then solve this equation?

Do you see that the quadrant III and IV solutions are symmetric about $270^{\circ}$?
 
  • #20
Another approach we could use is to observe that the two solutions will be of the form:

$$\theta=360^{\circ}-\beta$$

$$\theta=180^{\circ}+\beta$$

Do you see what the reference angle $\beta$ must be?
 
  • #21
MarkFL said:
Another approach we could use is to observe that the two solutions will be of the form:

$$\theta=360^{\circ}-\beta$$

$$\theta=180^{\circ}+\beta$$

Do you see what the reference angle $\beta$ must be?

We've only stated 2 angles 90 and 270, is it either of those?
 
  • #22
jevanuD said:
We've only stated 2 angles 90 and 270, is it either of those?

Let's look at the following diagram:

View attachment 8029

Do you see that one of the solutions, the quadrant IV solution must be:

$$\theta=360^{\circ}-\beta$$

Do you also see that:

$$\sin(\beta)=\frac{1}{3}$$

If you see the above, then what is $\beta$?
 

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