# Simplify and Solve Trig Equation

1. Jan 14, 2007

### Gib Z

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Simplify and Solve the Following Trigonometric Equation

2. Relevant equations

$$\cos^2 x - 3\cos x - 2\sin x +2 =0$$

3. The attempt at a solution

I've changed the expression, but it doesn't seem any better...

I've got $$\frac{\cot x \cdot (\cos (x) -3)}{2}=1 - \csc x$$

But that doesn't seem to help me at all...Stuck badly.

2. Jan 14, 2007

### Moridin

Solving equations that only contain sin x or cos x is easier than an equation that contains both.

3. Jan 14, 2007

### Gib Z

Yes, I know how to solve those ones. Unfortunately this one didn't come this way...

4. Jan 14, 2007

### mjsd

try using the fact that if $$t=\tan\frac{x}{2}$$ then
$$\displaystyle{\cos x = \frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2}}$$ and
$$\displaystyle{\sin x = \frac{2t}{1+t^2}}$$, solve for $$t$$, should be a quatic eqn and then you can solve for $$x$$.

NB: may not be the simplest way to do things, but at least in principle this will work. would like to see if there is a simpler way to do this....

5. Jan 14, 2007

### robphy

Upon substituting $$\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}(e^{ix}+e^{-ix}})$$ and $$\sin(x)=\frac{1}{2i}(e^{ix}-e^{-ix}})$$, where $$i^2=-1$$, you end up with a quartic polynomial in one variable "$$e^{ix}$$", which generally has four solutions.

If the above method is not allowed or not what is expected, you probably have to rewrite the equation in terms of one trigonometric-function of x [using trig identities], as suggested by Moridin.

6. Jan 14, 2007

### Gib Z

I have absolutely no idea how to do this using identities, just makes anything I do more messy and doesnt help. And I don't think this problem should require math from that level, but ill try it. Solving quartics are hard though...

7. Jan 14, 2007

### robphy

I (hopefully correctly) typed in the equation to Maple and asked for solutions. Two of the four roots for x are real (and will probably arise simply).. the other two are complex and are not pretty (though trig function of these may be prettier).

8. Jan 14, 2007

### mjsd

if you use my method, the quartic in $$t$$ that you need to solve is actually very easy to do! try it! Hint: there are two real integer roots, the remaining complex roots can then be easily worked out using the quadratic equation. Finding $$x$$ is then a matter of inverting the $$\tan$$.
NB: robphy's method is in essence the same; the only difference is that you introduce complex numbers from the very beginning.

9. Jan 14, 2007

### Gib Z

Maybe there is a simpler way. I didn't actaully post my original question, but what I got it to correctly, heres the whole thing.

cos^3 x-3cos^2 x+ cos x = 2cos(x/2 + pi/4)sin(3x/2 - pi/4)
cos^3 x-3cos^2 x+ cos x= sin2x - cos x
cos^3 x-3cos^2 x+ 2cos x - 2sinxcosx=0
cos x(cos^2 - 3cos x +2 - 2sin x)=0

Now I'll do the first one, cos x=0, now I needed the 2nd part. Was there an easier way from the start?

Ill try using the t, looks good.