Solving -25FCosα + 1.5FSinα= -80 with Trigonometric Identities

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The equation -25FCosα + 1.5FSinα = -80 can be solved by iterating to find the angle α, especially with F given as 4 kN. It can be reformulated using trigonometric identities, specifically the form aSin(α) + bCos(α) = c, which allows for rewriting as Sin(α + β) = c/√(a² + b²). The discussion highlights the challenge of having three unknowns with only two equations, complicating the solution process. Iterative methods are suggested to pinpoint the angle α, which lies between 30° and 35°. The conversation emphasizes the importance of knowing the value of F and clarifying units for accurate calculations.
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-25FCosα + 1.5FSinα= -80

Can someone please solve this and tell what trigonometric identities are we going to be using this solving?
 
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There are two unknowns in one equation, doesn't seem to be solvable.
 
Esas Shakeel said:
-25FCosα + 1.5FSinα= -80

Can someone please solve this and tell what trigonometric identities are we going to be using this solving?
I can't think of any. For a given value of F, your best bet would be to iterate to find the angle α which satisfies this equation.
 
You can try with some methods for solving trigonometric equations... For example putting ##X=\cos{\alpha}## and ##Y=\sin{\alpha}## you can form the system ##\left\{ \begin{array}{rl} -25FX+1.5FY=-80 \\ X^2+Y^2=1 \end{array} \right.##
 
In general, an equation ##a\sin(\alpha) + b\cos(\alpha)=c## can be rewritten as
##sin(\alpha + \beta)=\frac{c}{\sqrt{a²+b²}}##,
where ##\beta## satisfies ##\cos(\beta)=\frac{a}{\sqrt{a²+b²}}##, ##\sin(\beta)=\frac{b}{\sqrt{a²+b²}}##.
 
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Ssnow said:
You can try with some methods for solving trigonometric equations... For example putting ##X=\cos{\alpha}## and ##Y=\sin{\alpha}## you can form the system ##\left\{ \begin{array}{rl} -25FX+1.5FY=-80 \\ X^2+Y^2=1 \end{array} \right.##
That still gives three unknowns with two equations.
 
blue_leaf77 said:
That still gives three unknowns with two equations.
But F = 4 kN, according to the OP. It's still not clear if 80 is in kN or what.

Knowing a value for F, you can still solve the original equation by iterating for the angle α.

-100 kN ⋅ cos α + 6 kN ⋅ sin α = -80 kN (?)

f(α) = 80 - 100 ⋅ cos α + 6 ⋅ sin α

Code:
   α         f(α)
  Deg.       kN
  10       -17.44
  15       -15.04
  20       -11.92
  25        -8.10
  30        -3.60
  35        +1.53
α lies somewhere between 30° and 35°.

You can continue the iteration to reach the desired precision for α.
 
Yes @blue_leaf77, it will be a system with three unknowns and two equations, or a system with two unknowns, one parameter ##F## and two equations :-D
 
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