Solving trig equation for giving range

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thomas49th
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Homework Statement



(b) Solve, for 0 <= x < 360°, the equation
2tan²x + secx = 1,

Homework Equations



I think I have to solve it quadratically but I need to get the trigs to the same trig form

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]2\frac{sin^{2}x}{cos^{2}x} + \frac{1}{cosx} = 1[/tex]

but I can't see any other logical step after that?

Thanks :)
 
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thomas49th said:

Homework Statement



(b) Solve, for 0 <= x < 360°, the equation
2tan²x + secx = 1,

Homework Equations



I think I have to solve it quadratically but I need to get the trigs to the same trig form

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]2\frac{sin^{2}x}{cos^{2}x} + \frac{1}{cosx} = 1[/tex]

but I can't see any other logical step after that?

Thanks :)

It would seem logical to me to multiply both sides by cos2 x: 2sin2 x+ cos x= cos2 x. Now replace sin2 x by 1- cos2 x and you have a quadratic equation for cos x.
 
HallsofIvy said:
It would seem logical to me to multiply both sides by cos2 x: 2sin2 x+ cos x= cos2 x. Now replace sin2 x by 1- cos2 x and you have a quadratic equation for cos x.

Or, as Defennder was hinting :wink:, use one of the standard trigonometric identities :
tan²x = sec²x - 1 :smile:
 
Last edited:
yay you i got it :) cheers :)