Solve the equation: ##\tan x ⋅\tan 4x = 1##

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the equation ##\tan x \cdot \tan 4x = 1##, which involves trigonometric identities and properties. Participants explore various approaches to manipulate the equation and derive potential solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different methods, including transforming the equation into a cosine form and considering the implications of dividing by zero. Some suggest rewriting the equation in terms of cotangent and question the justification for certain steps taken in the reasoning.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with multiple approaches being explored. Some participants have offered insights into the advantages of their methods, while others are questioning the validity of certain leaps in reasoning. There is no explicit consensus on a single approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention constraints such as avoiding division by zero and considering solutions near zero, which may affect the approaches taken. The presence of Taylor series expansions is also noted as a potential avenue for exploration.

chwala
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Homework Statement
Solve the equation ##\tan x ⋅\tan 4x = 1##
Relevant Equations
trigonometry
I saw this link; is the approach here correct?

https://www.google.com/search?q=tan+x+tan+4x+=+1&oq=&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgAECMYJxjqAjIJCAAQIxgnGOoCMgkIARAjGCcY6gIyCQgCECMYJxjqAjIJCAMQIxgnGOoCMgkIBBAjGCcY6gIyCQgFECMYJxjqAjIJCAYQIxgnGOoCMgkIBxAjGCcY6gLSAQkyNTc3ajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7ceabfd6,vid:F4aNmm2QblY,st:0In my approach, i worked with:

...
##\cos 4x ⋅\cos x - \sin4 x⋅\sin x=0##

##\cos(4x + x)=0##

##\cos 5x = 0##

From here the solutions are determined easily...

cheers.
 
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This method has the advantage of not knowingly dividing by zero, which <br /> \tan (5x) = \frac{\tan x + \tan 4x}{1 - \tan x \tan 4x} suffers from.
 
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I propose to write tan x= cot 4x because x cannot be 0. Then one will get:
3x=k Pi
where k integer positive or negative
 
bamboum said:
I propose to write tan x= cot 4x because x cannot be 0. Then one will get:
3x=k Pi
where k integer positive or negative
You have skipped a lot of steps going from ##\tan(x) = \cot(4x)## to ##3x = k\pi##. How do you justify this large leap?
 
Others solutions are related to x close to 0. Then tan x is x+1/3x^3. One obtains 4x^2+8/3x^4=1 giving x=0.218 or -0.218. If Taylor's serie is greatest in order perhaps one will get x close to 0.3
 
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