Summing sines/cosines (Harmonic Addition Theorem)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of the Harmonic Addition Theorem in a mathematical model involving points on a unit circle. The user examines a scenario with three points, each 120° apart, and explores the implications of allowing two points to be free while fixing one. The model is expressed through equations incorporating cosine and sine functions, demonstrating the relationship between phase differences. The consensus is that the Harmonic Addition Theorem is applicable in this context, although the clarity of the model's symmetry remains a point of contention.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the unit circle and trigonometric functions
  • Familiarity with the Harmonic Addition Theorem
  • Knowledge of phase differences in periodic functions
  • Basic grasp of sum-to-product formulas in trigonometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Harmonic Addition Theorem in detail
  • Explore the application of sum-to-product formulas in trigonometric identities
  • Investigate the implications of phase shifts in periodic functions
  • Learn about modeling with trigonometric functions in 2D space
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Mathematicians, physics students, and anyone interested in trigonometric modeling and the application of the Harmonic Addition Theorem in mathematical contexts.

omission9
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I have a mathematical model which, in part, does a calculation based on the location of certain points on a unit circle.
I am just working in 2d so for some arbitrary values of a,b,c,d,e,f
In the case of the unit circle equally divided so that I have three points on the unit circle (120° apart) this would look like this:
x=a cos (θ) + b cos (θ) + c cos (θ)
y=d sin (θ) + e sin (θ) + f sin (θ)
Now, I want to examine what happens if any two of these points are "free". That is, only one of the points is fixed and the others may individually take on any value from 0° to 360°.
Here is my question:
In this case I believe the model must use the Harmonic Addition Theorem, yes?
I believe this is the case since the two free positions on the circle have the same period but are out of phase with each other since they are moving independent of each other and can take on any arbitrary value. Is that right?
In this case my model would then look like this (where A and B represent the differences in phase)
x=a cos (θ) + (b cos (θ-A) + c cos (θ-B) )
y=d sin (θ) + (e sin (θ-A) + f sin (θ-B))
Is this correct?
 
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omission9 said:
In the case of the unit circle equally divided so that I have three points on the unit circle (120° apart) this would look like this:
x=a cos (θ) + b cos (θ) + c cos (θ)
y=d sin (θ) + e sin (θ) + f sin (θ)

If you are using different points on the circle, you need different arguments i.e. ##\theta_1, \theta_2, \theta_3##.

In any case I believe the formulas you are asking for are the sum-to-product formulas. Look at the bottom of this link: trig formulas, or if you really want the harmonic addition theorem, it's here harmonic addition
 
theorem4.5.9 said:
If you are using different points on the circle, you need different arguments i.e. ##\theta_1, \theta_2, \theta_3##.

In any case I believe the formulas you are asking for are the sum-to-product formulas.

I am not asking for the formulas. I already know those! What am I asking is if this is an appropriate application of the Harmonic Addition Theorem. Is it?
 
In that case I'm not sure what you're asking. I'm not sure what your model is suppose to be or what symmetry you're trying to take advantage of. The harmonic addition theorem is just a formula, so there's not really a wrong application of it.
 

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