Exploring the Solutions of Trigonometric Equations: 2tanx= 1/2tan2x

  • Thread starter JohanX
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In summary, to solve for x in the equation 2tanx= 1/2 tan2x, we can use the double angle and half angle identities to simplify the expression. After using the tan2A identity, we can solve for x by taking the inverse tangent of the simplified expression. The solutions for x are 0 and +/- 0.615 radians.
  • #1
JohanX
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Homework Statement
Solve for X
Relevant Equations
2tanx= 1/2 tan2x
2tanx= 1/2tan2x

4tanx=2tanx / 1 - tan^2x

1- tan^2x = 2tanx / 4tanx

tan^2x = 1/2

tanx = √1/2

Textbook answer 0 ; +/- 0.615 rad

Not sure where I am going wrong.
 
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  • #2
JohanX said:
Homework Statement: Solve for X
Homework Equations: 2tanx= 1/2 tan2x

2tanx= 1/2tan2x

4tanx=2tanx / 1 - tan^2x

1- tan^2x = 2tanx / 4tanx

tan^2x = 1/2

tanx = √1/2

Textbook answer 0 ; +/- 0.615 rad

Not sure where I am going wrong.
What trig identities are you using?
 
  • #3
Im using the double angles, half angles:

sin^2x + cos ^2x = 1
sin(a+/-b)= sinAcosB +/- cosAsinB
cos(a+/b)= cosAcosB -/+ sinAsinB
tan(a+/-b)= tanA+/-tanB / 1-/+ tanAtanB

sin2A = 2sinAcosA
cos2A= cos^2A - sin^2A
cos2A= 1 - 2sin^2A
tan2A= 2tanA / 1 - tan^2A

sin A/2 = √1/(1-cosA)
cosA/2= √1/(1+cosA)
tanA/2= √1-cosA/1+cosA

In this question I used tan2A identity.
 
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  • #4
Well, you have solve it and you haven't realized it.

##tanx=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\Rightarrow x=tan^{-1}\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}=0.615rad##

The only step you omit is that when you divide by ##tanx## you also have to take the case where
##tanx=0\Rightarrow x=0##
 
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  • #5
JohanX said:
Homework Statement: Solve for X
Homework Equations: 2tanx= 1/2 tan2x

2tanx= 1/2tan2x
4tanx=2tanx / 1 - tan^2x
<snip>
Please use parentheses. In the first equation, 1/2tan2x means ##\frac 1 2 \tan(2x)##. If you don't use LaTeX, it should be written as 1/(2 tan(2x)).
In the second equation, what you wrote on the right side means ##\frac{2\tan(x)}1 - \tan^2(x)##, which is probably not what you meant. As inline text, this should be 2 tan(x)/(1 - tan^2(x))

In the lower left corner there's a link to our LaTeX tutorial.
 
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  • #6
Thanks for the help👍
 

1. What is the solution to the equation 2tanx= 1/2tan2x?

The solution to this equation is x = π/4 or x = 5π/4 + nπ, where n is any integer.

2. How do you simplify the equation 2tanx= 1/2tan2x?

To simplify this equation, you can use the double angle identity for tangent: tan2x = 2tanx / (1-tan^2x). This will result in the equation 2tanx = 2tanx / (1-tan^2x). Then, you can multiply both sides by (1-tan^2x) and simplify to get the solution.

3. Can this equation have multiple solutions?

Yes, this equation can have multiple solutions. In this case, the solution is given in the form of x = π/4 or x = 5π/4 + nπ, where n is any integer. This means that there are infinitely many solutions to this equation.

4. Is there a way to graph this equation?

Yes, you can graph this equation using a calculator or graphing software. You would graph the two functions 2tanx and 1/2tan2x, and find the points where they intersect to determine the solutions.

5. How is this equation applicable in real life?

This equation is applicable in many areas of science, particularly in physics and engineering. It can be used to solve for unknown angles in trigonometric problems involving forces, motion, and waves. It is also useful in determining the equilibrium position of objects in a system.

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