One More Trig Identity Problem

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The discussion revolves around solving a trigonometric identity problem where secx=5 and sin is negative. The user seeks help in finding sinx, cosx, tanx, sin2x, cos2x, and tan2x. Key points include using the relationship between secant and cosine, identifying the quadrant for sine and cosine values, and applying the double-angle formulas. The user calculates various trigonometric values but questions the correctness of their results, particularly for cos2x and tan2x. The conversation highlights the confusion around applying trigonometric identities and the need for clarity in understanding the relationships between these functions.
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There is one last problem i have on my trig assignment and i have no clue how to do it. The questions is:

Find sinx, cosx, tanx, sin2x, cos2x, and tan2x from the given information:

secx=5, sin is negative.

If anyone could show me how to do this problem it would be soooo appreciated.

Thanks
 
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\sec x = 5 \Rightarrow \frac{1}{\sec x} = \frac{1}{5} = \cos x

\cos x is positive and \sin x is negative in the fourth quadrant.

\sin 2x = 2\sin x \cos x

\cos 2x = 1-2\sin^{2} x
 
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so how do i find sinx cause if you go from cos wouldn't you have to express sin in terms of tan since cos=sin/tan?
 
draw a right triangle. If you know the adjacent side is 1, and the hypotenuse is 5, then the opposite side is 2\sqrt{6}.
 
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I don't understand how that will help?
 
not that I am saying your wrong lol I am just saying i don't understand how to do that
 
ah i get you
 
wouldnt the other side be square root of 24 if you use pythagorins theorem?
 
yes it would. sorry, a typo.
 
  • #10
Ok just to make sure I am doing it correctly here are the answers i got, would be great if you could tell me if i totally messed it up lol.

I got:

sinx= -2 squareroot 6/5
tanx= -2 squareroot 6
sin2x= -4 squareroot 6/25
cos2x= 23/25
tan2x= -4 squareroot 6/5

thanks for all the help!
 
  • #11
\cos 2x = -\frac{23}{25}

\tan 2x = \frac{\sin 2x}{\cos 2x}

All the rest look good.
 
  • #12
why are those 2 like that?
 
  • #13
how can cosx and cos2x both be 1/5?

Also here's how i did those 2 questions I am just wondering why they are wrong?

cos2x=1-2sin^2x
=1-2(-2 squareroot 6/5)squared
=1-2(24/25)
=23/25

tan2x=2tanx/1-tan^2x
=2(-2 squareroot 6)/1-6
=-4 squareroot 6/-5
=4 squareroot 6/5
 
  • #14
cos2x=1-2sin^2x
=1-2(-2 squareroot 6/5)squared
=1-2(24/25)
=23/25
I said that it should be a -23/25.

And you are right.
 
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  • #15
To quote courtigrad:
"\sin 2x = 2\sin x \cos x"


I think this might be a problem for some, because I was doing problems similar to this the other day, and only today did we begin learning the double-angle, half-angle, and power down formulas.
 

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