One More Trig Identity Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a trigonometry problem involving the calculation of various trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan, sin2x, cos2x, tan2x) given the value of secx and the sign of sinx. The context is a homework assignment where the original poster expresses confusion about how to approach the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of secx=5 and the quadrant in which the angles lie. There are attempts to derive sinx from cosx and questions about the relationships between the trigonometric functions. Some participants suggest using a right triangle to visualize the problem, while others express confusion about the methods being proposed.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various attempts to clarify the calculations for sinx, cos2x, and tan2x. Some participants have provided calculations and expressed uncertainty about their correctness. There is no explicit consensus on the final answers, but several participants are actively engaging with the problem and offering insights.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the relationships between trigonometric identities and the implications of the given values. There is mention of recent learning on double-angle and half-angle formulas, indicating that some participants may be grappling with new concepts in their understanding of trigonometry.

DethRose
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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
 
Last edited:
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}.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
Last edited:
  • #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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