Solving a Trig Problem - is this iterative only?

1. Mar 18, 2008

Sparky_

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Find when this is "0" for the first time:

$$q(t) = e^{-20t} (5cos(40t) + \frac{5} {2} sin(40t))$$

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

$$0 = e^{-20t} (5cos(40t) + \frac{5} {2}sin(40t))$$

$$0 = (5cos(40t) + \frac{5} {2}sin(40t))$$

$$cos(40t) = -\frac{1} {2}sin(40t))$$

Is the best way to solve this perform interations?

Thanks
Sparky

Last edited: Mar 18, 2008
2. Mar 18, 2008

Kreizhn

Iterations on what? You've basically solved it. Make that into $tan(40t) = -2$ and apply arctan. If you don't want a negative number in the argument, you can use the fact that arctan is an odd function.

3. Mar 18, 2008

Sparky_

Thanks Kreizhn,

I'm now embarrassed.

this was not seeing the forest for the trees.

I was about to open Excel and try different values of t until I got it to work out.

Thanks
Sparky

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