Optics problem, adding quantities

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thezac11
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Homework Statement



-Find the sum of the two quantities:

Y1=sin(Wt) Y2=sin(Wt+30 degrees)

Homework Equations



Y(x,t)=AsinK(kx+Wt) <------- not sure if this is relevant

W=2(3.14)f , where f=frequency

The Attempt at a Solution



sin(Wt) + sin(Wt+30) = sin(Wt) + sin(Wt) + sin(30) = 2sin(Wt) + 0.5

-This is all I've got. I'm really not sure how to go about this problem, I know there something more to it than simply adding the quantities as I did. This problem is in the Optics section of my physics course, but I'm not sure how it relates to optics. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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hi thezac11! :smile:
thezac11 said:
sin(Wt) + sin(Wt+30) = sin(Wt) + sin(Wt) + sin(30)

sorry, but that doesn't work at all :redface:

you need to look up your trigonometric identities :wink: