Show that ##2 {\cos \theta} +(1- \tan \theta)^2≈ 3 - 2\theta##

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the mathematical expression ##2 \cos \theta + (1 - \tan \theta)^2 \approx 3 - 2\theta##, emphasizing the importance of small angle approximations. Participants highlight that for small values of θ, the approximations ##\cos \theta \approx 1 - \frac{1}{2} \theta^2## and ##\tan \theta \approx \theta## are crucial for simplifying the equation. The conversation also touches on the coefficients of various powers of θ, confirming that the even and odd functions contribute differently to the overall expression. The consensus is that the solution hinges on recognizing θ as a small angle.

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chwala
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Homework Statement
Show that ##2 \cos \theta +(1- \tan \theta)^2≈ 3 - 2\theta##
Relevant Equations
trigonometry
This is a past paper question...

find the solution here from ms
1645159566726.png
...wawawawawa...it took a little bit of my time because i was only thinking of taking limits...then realized that i was wrong as we have to remain with ##2θ##...i later realized that for small approximations, ##\cos θ≈1-\frac {1}{2}θ^2, \tan θ≈θ##.

Is there a different way of solving this problem?
 
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Term order of 1 comes as 2+1=3
Coefficient of ##\theta## comes as 0-2=-2
Coefficient of ##\theta^2## comes as -1+1=0
Coefficient of ##\theta^3## comes as 0+0=0
and so on.

When we write the formula
[2\ cos\theta+\sec^2\theta]+[-2\tan\theta]
=[even function of ##\theta##]+[odd function of ##\theta##]
All the even power terms come from the first term. All the odd power terms come from the second term and it is easy to get.
 
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This is the continuation of the question...part (b)... i really am not getting how they are solving this...the angles are in radians...approximation is their approach...

1645187085927.png


solution;

1645187131484.png


any better way?
 
chwala said:
any better way?
I doubt it. In this part, as in the first part, they're assuming that ##\theta## is reasonably small, so ##\sin(\theta) \approx \theta##.

Using the result of the first part of the problem, we have ##3 - 2 \theta = 28\sin(\theta) \approx 28\theta##. The result follows almost immediately.
 
Mark44 said:
I doubt it. In this part, as in the first part, they're assuming that ##\theta## is reasonably small, so ##\sin(\theta) \approx \theta##.

Using the result of the first part of the problem, we have ##3 - 2 \theta = 28\sin(\theta) \approx 28\theta##. The result follows almost immediately.
Noted ...cheers Mark.
 
chwala said:
This is the continuation of the question...part (b)... i really am not getting how they are solving this...the angles are in radians...approximation is their approach...

View attachment 297267

It would have been helpful to include, in Post #1, a statement about θ being a small angle.
 
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