Representing sum of cosine and sine as a single cosine expression

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on representing the sum of cosine and sine functions, specifically the equation a.cos(wt) + b.sin(wt) as M.cos(wt + ϕ). The derived expressions for M and ϕ are confirmed as M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2) and ϕ = arctan(-b/a). Participants emphasize the importance of self-derivation in understanding trigonometric identities, reinforcing that M is always positive while ϕ can take negative values based on the signs of a and b.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, specifically cosine and sine functions.
  • Familiarity with the concept of phase angles in trigonometric representations.
  • Knowledge of the arctangent function and its application in determining angles.
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills to derive expressions from equations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of trigonometric identities in detail.
  • Learn about the applications of phasors in electrical engineering.
  • Explore the use of the arctangent function in various mathematical contexts.
  • Investigate the implications of phase shifts in waveforms and signal processing.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, electrical engineers, and students studying trigonometry or signal processing will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in simplifying expressions involving sine and cosine functions.

hkBattousai
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a.cos(wt) + b.sin(wt) = M.cos(wt + ϕ)

Can you give me M and ϕ in terms of a and b?
 
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cos(u+v)=cos(u)cos(v)-sin(u)sin(v)

That 's all you need.
 
The final representation was something like
M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2)
and
ϕ = arctan(-b/a)
but I'm no sure.

Can anyone confirm it for me?
 
hkBattousai said:
The final representation was something like
M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2)
and
ϕ = arctan(-b/a)
but I'm no sure.

Can anyone confirm it for me?
No.

Try to do it for yourself, and we can correct whatever mistakes you make.
 
Code:
M.cos(wt + ϕ) = a.cos(wt) + b.sin(wt)

cos(wt + ϕ) = (a/M).cos(wt) + (b/M).sin(wt)...(I)

cos(wt + ϕ) = cos(wt).cos(ϕ) - sin(wt).sin(ϕ)...(II)

From (I) and (II),
cos(ϕ) = (a/M)
sin(ϕ) = -(b/M)

cos^2(ϕ) + sin^2(ϕ) = (a^2 + b^2)/(M^2) = 1

We assume that M is always positive and we keep any negativity in the phase angle ϕ,
M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2)

sin(ϕ)/cos(ϕ) = tan(ϕ) = -(b/M)/(a/M) = -b/a

tan(ϕ) = -b/a   ==>   ϕ = arctan(-b/a)

Is there anything wrong in my derivation?
 
hkBattousai said:
Code:
M.cos(wt + ϕ) = a.cos(wt) + b.sin(wt)

cos(wt + ϕ) = (a/M).cos(wt) + (b/M).sin(wt)...(I)

cos(wt + ϕ) = cos(wt).cos(ϕ) - sin(wt).sin(ϕ)...(II)

From (I) and (II),
cos(ϕ) = (a/M)
sin(ϕ) = -(b/M)

cos^2(ϕ) + sin^2(ϕ) = (a^2 + b^2)/(M^2) = 1

We assume that M is always positive and we keep any negativity in the phase angle ϕ,
M = sqrt(a^2 + b^2)

sin(ϕ)/cos(ϕ) = tan(ϕ) = -(b/M)/(a/M) = -b/a

tan(ϕ) = -b/a   ==>   ϕ = arctan(-b/a)

Is there anything wrong in my derivation?

No. :smile:
 
I liked your way of "you must do it yourself if you want to success"... :)
 
hkBattousai said:
I liked your way of "you must do it yourself if you want to success"... :)

It's true, isn't it? :smile:
 
Yeah, either I don't like the ones who ask a big problem and wait for others to solve it for him.
In my question, this is a simple trigonometric identity, I expected a mathematician to write it for me since most of math guys have memorized and actively use these kind of identities.
 
  • #11
You could also do the following:

t=0 gives a=M cos(ϕ),
t=pi/(2w) gives b=-M sin(ϕ).

Hence

a^2+b^2=M^2,
tan(ϕ)=-b/a.
 
  • #12
Landau said:
You could also do the following:

t=0 gives a=M cos(ϕ),
t=pi/(2w) gives b=-M sin(ϕ).

Hence

a^2+b^2=M^2,
tan(ϕ)=-b/a.

Wow, that's super simple, thanks!
 

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