Solve the trigonometric equation sin(2theta-pi/6) = cos(2theta)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the trigonometric equation $$\sin\left(2\theta-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=\cos(2\theta)$$ for the interval $$0\le\theta\le2\pi$$. Participants explore various methods and identities related to trigonometric functions, including angle difference identities and the tangent function.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using the angle difference identity for sine to rewrite the equation.
  • Others propose simplifying the equation by substituting known values for sine and cosine at specific angles.
  • One participant indicates that multiplying through by 2 leads to a new form of the equation involving sine and cosine terms.
  • Another participant suggests dividing through by a cosine term to express the equation in terms of tangent.
  • Several participants derive potential solutions for $$\theta$$ based on the tangent function and discuss the values of $$k$$ that satisfy the interval constraints.
  • A later reply points out an error in the derivation of one participant's solution, suggesting that the right-hand side of an equation was incorrectly stated.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally engage in a collaborative exploration of the problem, with some expressing understanding and others correcting or questioning earlier steps. There is no consensus on a single method or solution, and some disagreements about specific steps and interpretations remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some steps in the mathematical reasoning are not fully resolved, and there are indications of potential errors in the derivations presented by participants. The discussion reflects varying levels of understanding and approaches to solving the equation.

iixfaith
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View attachment 5897

i need help with question 4a.
Thank to anyone who helped.
 

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Re: need help with this Trigo question 4a

We are given to solve:

$$\sin\left(2\theta-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=\cos(2\theta)$$ for $0\le\theta\le2\pi$

I would begin by looking at the angle difference identity for sine:

$$\sin(A-B)=\sin(A)\cos(B)-\cos(A)\sin(B)$$

Applying that identity, what do you get for the equation?
 
Re: need help with this Trigo question 4a

MarkFL said:
We are given to solve:

$$\sin\left(2\theta-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=\cos(2\theta)$$ for $0\le\theta\le2\pi$

I would begin by looking at the angle difference identity for sine:

$$\sin(A-B)=\sin(A)\cos(B)-\cos(A)\sin(B)$$

Applying that identity, what do you get for the equation?
i would be getting this:

View attachment 5898
 

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Please crop and attach your images inline, as those free image hosting sites don't work well at all...I see only blank space when you link to them, and so I have to edit your post to load the image URL into my browser, save the image to my hard drive, resize it, crop it, and then attach it and save the edited post so that everyone will be able to see the images.

Okay, can you simplify, as you should know the values of $\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)$ and $\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)$. :)
 
MarkFL said:
Please crop and attach your images inline, as those free image hosting sites don't work well at all...I see only blank space when you link to them, and so I have to edit your post to load the image URL into my browser, save the image to my hard drive, resize it, crop it, and then attach it and save the edited post so that everyone will be able to see the images.

Okay, can you simplify, as you should know the values of $\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)$ and $\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)$. :)
$\sin\left({2\theta}\right)\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}-\cos\left({2\theta}\right)\frac{1}{2}$
 
iixfaith said:
$\sin\left({2\theta}\right)\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}-\cos\left({2\theta}\right)\frac{1}{2}$

Okay, good! (Yes)

So, if we multiply through by $2$, the equation becomes:

$$\sqrt{3}\sin(2\theta)-\cos(2\theta)=2\cos(2\theta)$$

What do you get now if you add $\cos(2\theta)$ to both sides?
 
MarkFL said:
Okay, good! (Yes)

So, if we multiply through by $2$, the equation becomes:

$$\sqrt{3}\sin(2\theta)-\cos(2\theta)=2\cos(2\theta)$$

What do you get now if you add $\cos(2\theta)$ to both sides?

is it ?

$\sqrt{3}\sin\left({2\theta}\right) = 2\cos\left({2\theta}\right)/+\cos\left({2\theta}\right)$
 
iixfaith said:
is it ?

$\sqrt{3}\sin\left({2\theta}\right) = 2\cos\left({2\theta}\right)/+\cos\left({2\theta}\right)$

You can combine the 2 terms on the right so that you have:

$$\sqrt{3}\sin(2\theta)=3\cos(2\theta)$$

we have lots of choices at this point on how to proceed...my choice would be to divide through by:

$$\sqrt{3}\cos(2\theta)\ne0$$ to obtain:

$$\tan(2\theta)=\sqrt{3}$$

Now, if given:

$$\tan(u)=\sqrt{3}$$

and knowing that $\tan(u)=\tan(u+k\pi)$ where $k\in\mathbb{Z}$

then we can state:

$$u=\frac{\pi}{3}+k\pi=\frac{\pi}{3}(3k+1)$$

And so applying this to our equation, we may state:

$$2\theta=\frac{\pi}{3}(3k+1)$$

And upon dividing through by $2$, we obtain:

$$\theta=\frac{\pi}{6}(3k+1)$$

Now, you just need to find the values for $k$ which put $\theta$ in the given interval:

$$0\le\theta\le2\pi$$

Substitute for $\theta$:

$$0\le\frac{\pi}{6}(3k+1)\le2\pi$$

Multiply through by $$\frac{6}{\pi}$$

$$0\le3k+1\le12$$

$$-1\le3k\le11$$

$$-\frac{1}{3}\le k\le\frac{11}{3}$$

Hence:

$$k\in\{0,1,2,3\}$$

Now with:

$$\theta(k)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3k+1)$$

We may give the 4 solutions to the equation as:

$$\theta(0)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3(0)+1)=\frac{\pi}{6}$$

$$\theta(1)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3(1)+1)=\frac{2\pi}{3}$$

$$\theta(2)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3(2)+1)=\frac{7\pi}{6}$$

$$\theta(3)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3(3)+1)=\frac{5\pi}{3}$$

Does this make sense?
 
MarkFL said:
You can combine the 2 terms on the right so that you have:

$$\sqrt{3}\sin(2\theta)=3\cos(2\theta)$$

we have lots of choices at this point on how to proceed...my choice would be to divide through by:

$$\sqrt{3}\cos(2\theta)\ne0$$ to obtain:

$$\tan(2\theta)=\sqrt{3}$$

Now, if given:

$$\tan(u)=\sqrt{3}$$

and knowing that $\tan(u)=\tan(u+k\pi)$ where $k\in\mathbb{Z}$

then we can state:

$$u=\frac{\pi}{3}+k\pi=\frac{\pi}{3}(3k+1)$$

And so applying this to our equation, we may state:

$$2\theta=\frac{\pi}{3}(3k+1)$$

And upon dividing through by $2$, we obtain:

$$\theta=\frac{\pi}{6}(3k+1)$$

Now, you just need to find the values for $k$ which put $\theta$ in the given interval:

$$0\le\theta\le2\pi$$

Substitute for $\theta$:

$$0\le\frac{\pi}{6}(3k+1)\le2\pi$$

Multiply through by $$\frac{6}{\pi}$$

$$0\le3k+1\le12$$

$$-1\le3k\le11$$

$$-\frac{1}{3}\le k\le\frac{11}{3}$$

Hence:

$$k\in\{0,1,2,3\}$$

Now with:

$$\theta(k)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3k+1)$$

We may give the 4 solutions to the equation as:

$$\theta(0)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3(0)+1)=\frac{\pi}{6}$$

$$\theta(1)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3(1)+1)=\frac{2\pi}{3}$$

$$\theta(2)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3(2)+1)=\frac{7\pi}{6}$$

$$\theta(3)=\frac{\pi}{6}(3(3)+1)=\frac{5\pi}{3}$$

Does this make sense?
Thanks ! i have been stuck at this question for at least 2 days finally able to understand and solve thanks to you
 
  • #10
iixfaith said:
\text{4(a). Solve: }\:\sin(2\theta - \tfrac{\pi}{6}) \:=\:\cos2\theta\; \text{ for }0 \le \theta \le 2\pi.
\begin{array}{ccc}<br /> \sin(2\theta - \frac{\pi}{6}) \;=\; \cos(2\theta) \\ \\<br /> \sin(2\theta) \cos(\frac{\pi}{6}) - \sin(\frac{\pi}{6})\cos(2\theta) \;=\;\cos(2\theta) \\ \\<br /> \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\sin(2\theta) - \frac{1}{2}\cos(2\theta) \;=\;\cos(2\theta) \\ \\<br /> <br /> \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\sin(2\theta) \;=\;\frac{3}{2}\cos(2\theta) \\ \\<br /> <br /> \dfrac{\sin(2\theta)}{\cos(2\theta)} \;=\;\dfrac{\frac{3}{2}}{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \\ \\<br /> <br /> \tan(2\theta) \;=\;\sqrt{3} \\ \\<br /> <br /> 2\theta \;=\;\dfrac{\pi}{3},\;\dfrac{4\pi}{3},\;\dfrac{7\pi}{3},\;\dfrac{10\pi}{3} \\ \\<br /> <br /> \theta \;=\;\dfrac{\pi}{6},\;\dfrac{2\pi}{3},\;\dfrac{7\pi}{6},\;\dfrac{5\pi}{3}<br /> <br /> \end{array}
 
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  • #11
soroban, going from your 3rd to 4th lines of work you have an error in which the RHS of the 4th line should be:

$$\frac{3}{2}\cos(2\theta)$$

You have essentially solved:

$$\sin\left(2\theta-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=0$$
 

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