Simplifying cosine and sine expressions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around simplifying trigonometric expressions involving sine and cosine functions, particularly in the context of a transfer function derived from a signal block diagram. Participants are exploring the rules of simplification and the implications of using specific trigonometric identities.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about whether the negative coefficients in sine and cosine functions can be factored out, indicating uncertainty about the rules of trigonometric simplification.
  • Another participant suggests using known formulas for sine and cosine to evaluate the expressions, noting that sine is an odd function and cosine is an even function.
  • A later reply mentions that applying these formulas may not necessarily lead to a simpler expression, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
  • One participant points out that the expression can be rewritten using exponential notation, suggesting that this might simplify the expression further.
  • Another participant acknowledges a mistake in deriving the transfer function, which they believe affects the relevance of their current simplification efforts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the simplification methods. Some propose using trigonometric identities, while others question their effectiveness. The discussion remains unresolved as participants explore different approaches without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific trigonometric identities and properties, but there is uncertainty about their application in this context. The discussion also highlights a potential misunderstanding of the transfer function's derivation, which may affect the simplification process.

Evo8
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Homework Statement


So I am a little rusty on my basic math and I am trying to simplify this expression. In case you were curious the expression came from a signal block diagram that I calculated the transfer function H(z) to then found the frequency response H(f) and I think i have done that correctly I just need to reduce this further. I have attached a picture of what I have left. The theta stands for exp(j2pifT) if that maters to you.


Homework Equations


eq.jpg


The Attempt at a Solution



So this is where I get confused and can't remember the proper rules. These are super basic I know. Unfortunately I never learned them that well to begin with which is why I am having trouble now..

the terms that are j*sin(-2*theta) can I bring the -2 out of the sin function? Same with the cosine? I want to say no but part of me feels like you can... If so I am thinking this might help me cross out a few terms?

Or if i break it up into sections i get something like this for the first few terms. -2/4 * cos(-theta)/cos(-theta). I then feel like i can cross out the cosine terms and be left with -1/2? Same with the -2jsin(theta)/4jsin(theta) etc.

Am I going about this correctly? Some of it just doesn't seem right to me.

I really appreciate any help here guys/girls.

Thanks

p.s. Sorry if my handwriting is messy. I tried my best to write it down as neat as possible. I figured it would be easier to see if i took a picture rather then type it out here and have you try to understand what I am looking at.
 
Last edited:
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Evo8 said:

Homework Statement


So I am a little rusty on my basic math and I am trying to simplify this expression. In case you were curious the expression came from a signal block diagram that I calculated the transfer function H(z) to then found the frequency response H(f) and I think i have done that correctly I just need to reduce this further. I have attached a picture of what I have left. The theta stands for exp(j2pifT) if that maters to you.


Homework Equations


https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=c4bc008f8c&view=att&th=1341cd0519bbc3f6&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw


The Attempt at a Solution



So this is where I get confused and can't remember the proper rules. These are super basic I know. Unfortunately I never learned them that well to begin with which is why I am having trouble now..

the terms that are j*sin(-2*theta) can I bring the -2 out of the sin function? Same with the cosine? I want to say no but part of me feels like you can... If so I am thinking this might help me cross out a few terms?

Or if i break it up into sections i get something like this for the first few terms. -2/4 * cos(-theta)/cos(-theta). I then feel like i can cross out the cosine terms and be left with -1/2? Same with the -2jsin(theta)/4jsin(theta) etc.

Am I going about this correctly? Some of it just doesn't seem right to me.

I really appreciate any help here guys/girls.

Thanks

p.s. Sorry if my handwriting is messy. I tried my best to write it down as neat as possible. I figured it would be easier to see if i took a picture rather then type it out here and have you try to understand what I am looking at.
I don't see an attachment. There are formulas that tell you how to evaluate sin(2x) and cos(2x). If you remember the formulas for sin(x+y) and cos(x+y), you can use them with y=x. Also, keep in mind that sin is an odd function, and cos is an even function.
 
Sorry about that i had a link to the picture but it must be just me that can see it because it was local or something like that. I've uploaded it to a flikr type account and changed the link. You should be able to see it now.

I saw some of these forumulas but I am not 100% I am still looking at them as we speak.
 
I can see it now. You can certainly use the formulas I mentioned, but my first thought is that it doesn't look like the result will be any simpler.
 
Hmm maybe that's it then. The reason I said I want 100% was because I did try those formulas and it did not make the eq more simple so I suspected that I was doing something wrong. If it looks in simplest form to you then maybe that's the case.

Thanks for taking a look at this for me.
 
You should at least use the fact that sin is odd and cos even to get rid of the minus signs in front of the θ and 2θ.

I had another look at this, and I think the formulas I mentioned can simplify this a little. The expression cos θ-j sin θ shows up in a couple of places. Is j2=-1? In that case, cos θ-j sin θ=e-jθ.

The final result I got has 4(cos θ+1) as the denominator (after cancelling a factor of) e-jθ), and the numerator is at least a little bit simpler than what you started with.
 
Hi Evo8! :smile:

It seems a bit weird to me that you have a cosine with exp(j2pifT) as argument.
And that for a transfer function H(z)?

If you expand part of what you have, you get:
\cos(-\theta)+j\sin(-\theta)=e^{-j\theta}=e^{-j e^{j2\pi f T}}

I don't know... it just doesn't look like part of a transfer function...
 
I pretty sure that Evo8 meant to say that θ=2πfT, given the pattern of cos+j.sin combinations.

\frac{-2cos(-θ)-2j.sin(-θ)+cos(-2θ)+j.sin(-2θ)}{2+4cos(-θ)+4j.sin(-θ)+2cos(-2θ)+2j.sin(-2θ)}

\ldots = \frac{-2e^{-jθ}+e^{-j2θ}}{2+4e^{-jθ}+2e^{-j2θ}}

\ldots = \frac{e^{-jθ}(e^{-jθ}-2)}{2(e^{-jθ}+1)^{2}}

Hmm, things behave badly when θ=π, or using my assumed identity above when 2fT=1
 
Well for starters my transfer function was derived wrong...:( I derived it from a block diagram and now realize the mistake. So this is irrelivent but at least i get some more experience with this.

Yes in this case i had theta=(2pifT). Its a method my book used so i tried mimicking it.

I appreciate all the help guys. You have been super helpful.
 

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