Tricky Quadratic formula / trig identities

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a quadratic equation involving complex exponentials and trigonometric identities. Participants are exploring the equation \((k+l)^{2}e^{-ila}-(k-l)^{2}e^{ila}=0\) for \(k\) and its implications, including a potential typo in the problem statement.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the quadratic formula to solve for \(k\) but are encountering difficulties in simplifying their results. There are also discussions on verifying the equivalence of two expressions involving trigonometric identities.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered insights into alternative approaches, such as recognizing a difference of squares and suggesting simplifications. There is ongoing exploration of the problem without a clear consensus on the best method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a possible typo in the original problem statement, which may affect the interpretation of the equation. Participants are also considering the implications of multiplying terms to simplify the equation.

binbagsss
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Im to solve ##(k+l)^{2}e^{-ila}-(k-l)^{2}e^{ila}=0##, for ## k##,

The solution is ##k=l(e^{ial}-1)/(e^{ial}+1)=il tan(al/2)##

FIRST QUESTION

So it's a quadratic in k, should be simple enough, my working so far using the quad. formula is ##k= (4l^{2}(e^{-ila}+e^{ila})\pm \sqrt{4l^{2}(e^{-ila}+e^{ila})^{2}-4l^{2}(e^{-ila}-e^{ila})^{2}})/2(e^{-ila}-e^{ila})##
=##(4l^{2}(e^{-ila}+e^{ila})\pm \sqrt{16l^{2}})/2(e^{-ila}-e^{ila})##
... which doesn't give the correct answer.

SECOND QUESTION.

Even after attaining the correct solution, I'm struggling to show that ##l(e^{ial}-1)/(e^{ial}+1)=il tan(al/2)##
LHS: ##cos (al) + isin (al) -1 / cos (al) + isin (al) +1=(cos^{2}(al/2)-sin^{2}(al/2)+isin(al/2)cos(al/2)-1)/(cos^{2}(al/2)-sin^{2}(al/2)+isin(al/2)cos(al/2)+1)##

using## cos 2x= cos^{2}x-sin^{2}x##
and ##sin 2x=2sinxcosx,##

but this doesn't seem to be going anywhere...

Any help on either question really appreciated,
Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
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binbagsss said:
Im to solve ##(k^{\color{red}{2}}+l)^{2}e^{-ila}-(k-l)^{2}e^{ila}=0##, for ## k##,

The solution is ##k=l(e^{ial}-1)/(e^{ial}+1)=il tan(al/2)##

FIRST QUESTION

So it's a quadratic in k, should be simple enough, my working so far using the quad. formula is ##k= (4l^{2}(e^{-ila}+e^{ila})\pm \sqrt{4l^{2}(e^{-ila}+e^{ila})^{2}-4l^{2}(e^{-ila}-e^{ila})^{2}})/2(e^{-ila}-e^{ila})##
=##(4l^{2}(e^{-ila}+e^{ila})\pm \sqrt{16l^{2}})/2(e^{-ila}-e^{ila})##
... which doesn't give the correct answer.

SECOND QUESTION.

Even after attaining the correct solution, I'm struggling to show that ##l(e^{ial}-1)/(e^{ial}+1)=il \tan(al/2)##
LHS: ##\cos (al) + i\sin (al) -1 / \cos (al) + i\sin (al) +1=(\cos^{2}(al/2)-\sin^{2}(al/2)+i\sin(al/2)\cos(al/2)-1)/(\cos^{2}(al/2)-\sin^{2}(al/2)+i\sin(al/2)\cos(al/2)+1)##

using## cos 2x= cos^{2}x-sin^{2}x##
and ##sin 2x=2sinxcosx,##

but this doesn't seem to be going anywhere...

Any help on either question really appreciated,
Thanks in advance.
The given solution is consistent with there being a typo in your stated problem statement.

It seems there should be no exponent on the k inside the first parenthesis .
 
SammyS said:
The given solution is consistent with there being a typo in your stated problem statement.

It seems there should be no exponent on the k inside the first parenthesis .
apologies, yes that was a typo,
edited ta.
 
binbagsss said:
apologies, yes that was a typo,
edited ta.
Does that help you in solving the problem, or are you still stuck?
 
SammyS said:
Does that help you in solving the problem, or are you still stuck?
The original question remains.
it was a typo.
 
For the first part, less tedious and error-prone than using your quadratic solution maybe, you have got there a slightly disguised difference of two squares.

If you can't see that, you can also take a term from right to the left hand side and see how you could then best simplify.
 
Last edited:
epenguin said:
For the first part,less tedious and error-prone than using your quadratic solution maybe, you have got there a slightly disguised difference of two squares.

If you can't see that, you can also take a term from right to the left hand side and see how you could then best simplify.

I think what you are saying is equivalent to the step I took in simpifying the part inside the square root of the quadratic formula, the last line where I get it simplifies to square rt of 16l^{2} ?
 
binbagsss said:
The original question remains.
Second Question:
Multiply the numerator & denominator by ## \ e^{-i\, l a/2}\ .##
 
First Question:

Multiply the original equation by ##\ e^{ila} \ ## .

Then it's pretty quick to get difference of squares else, add ##\displaystyle \ (k-l)^{2}e^{2ila} \ ## to both sides & take square root.

The given solution only uses one of the two possible sign choices.
 
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how many variables have your equation?
 

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