Solve a trigonometric equation

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the trigonometric equation $\tan 4y=\dfrac{\cos y-\sin y}{\cos y +\sin y}$ for $y$ in the interval $0 PREREQUISITES

  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, specifically tangent functions.
  • Knowledge of radians and their application in trigonometric equations.
  • Familiarity with the tangent subtraction formula: $\tan(a-b)=\frac{\tan(a)-\tan(b)}{1+\tan(a)\tan(b)}$.
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills to solve equations involving trigonometric functions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and applications of the tangent subtraction formula in various contexts.
  • Explore the properties of the tangent function and its behavior in different intervals.
  • Learn about solving trigonometric equations involving multiple angles, such as $\tan 4y$.
  • Investigate the graphical representation of trigonometric functions to visualize solutions.
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in mathematics, particularly those focusing on trigonometry, as well as anyone interested in solving complex trigonometric equations.

anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Let $y$ be in radians and $0<y<\dfrac{\pi}{4}$.

Solve for $y $ if $\tan 4y=\dfrac{\cos y-\sin y}{\cos y +\sin y}$.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
anemone said:
Let $y$ be in radians and $0<y<\dfrac{\pi}{4}$.

Solve for $y $ if $\tan 4y=\dfrac{\cos y-\sin y}{\cos y +\sin y}$.

We can rewrite the RHS as:
$$\tan 4y=\frac{1-\tan y}{1+\tan y}=\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{4}-y\right)$$
$$\Rightarrow 4y=n\pi+\frac{\pi}{4}-y$$
Only n=0 gives a solution in the specified range, hence
$$y=\frac{\pi}{20}$$
 
Pranav said:
$$\frac{1-\tan y}{1+\tan y}=\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{4}-y\right)$$

How did you get that?
It's not something you had to learn by heart did you? :rolleyes:
 
I like Serena said:
It's not something you had to learn by heart did you? :rolleyes:

Nope. :D

I used the following formula:
$$\tan(a-b)=\frac{\tan(a)-\tan(b)}{1+\tan(a)\tan(b)}$$
with $a=\pi/4$ and $b=y$. :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K