Solving trig equation Mathematica repeats results

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of Mathematica's Solve[] function when solving the trigonometric equation 2 Sin[x]^2 + 3 Sin[x] + 1 == 0 within the interval [0, 2π]. Users noted that the output includes repeated solutions, specifically (3π)/2, which appears twice due to its classification as a double root. The user was advised to study the concept of multiplicity in roots to better understand this behavior. The example illustrates the importance of recognizing how Mathematica handles solutions with multiplicity.

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  • Study the concept of multiplicity in roots in algebra
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NigelTufnel
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I am new to Mathematica and I'm not sure if I'm using it properly but sometimes the output doesn't make sense to me. I Hope someone can help me understand or correct my usage.

When solving trig equations Mathematica's Solve[] function gives the correct list of solutions but some of the solutions are repeated more than once. I present an example below.

Given the simple trig equation:
2 Sin[x]^2 + 3 Sin[x] + 1 == 0

Find only those solutions that are in the interval zero to 2*Pi.

There are only three solutions:
(7 Pi)/6, (3 Pi)/2, and (11 Pi)/6

Here is how I input the problem into Mathematica:
Solve[{2 Sin[x]^2 + 3 Sin[x] + 1 == 0, 0 <= x <= 2 Pi}, x]

Here is the output that Mathematica produces:
{{x -> (7 Pi)/6}, {x -> (3 Pi)/2}, {x -> (3 Pi)/2}, {x -> (11 Pi)/6}}

Notice that one of the solutions (3 Pi)/2 is repeated twice in the list of solutions. Why does it repeat this one solution. Why not repeat the others? Why repeat any of them? Am I doing something wrong?
 
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Mathematica considers it a double root. Compare with Solve[x^2 == 0, x].
 
Thank you very much Hypersphere. You have made me aware of my need to study the concept of multiplicity and multiple roots.
 

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