Solving 4x for sin^-1(1) between -pi and pi

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In summary, to find all angles x, -pi <= x <= pi which satisfy sin4x = 1, you need to solve x = pi - pi/8 for one angle in quadrant two, and then for each of the two other angles in [-4pi, 0] which satisfy sin(x) = 1.
  • #1
spynjr
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Homework Statement


Find all angles x, -pi <= x <= pi which satisfy sin4x = 1

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Solved x, ie

4x = sin^-1(1)
4x = pi/2
x = pi/8

Sine is positive for angles in quadrants one and two, so there's one other angle which is in quadrant two?

x = pi - pi/8
x = 7pi/8

Final answer, x = pi/8, 7pi/8

Just not feeling confident. There are about five other similar questions, ie solving x between -pi and pi
 
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  • #2
Well, you could always just plug your solutions into a calculator. :)

But really there is only 1 point on the circle that sin(x) = 1. This is at pi/2. But the function you are given multiplies whatever argument you pass to sin by 4. In order for this to come out correctly, you need to divide pi/2 by 4.

Your work looks ok, but there isn't a solution in quadrant 2.
 
  • #3
spynjr said:

Homework Statement


Find all angles x, -pi <= x <= pi which satisfy sin4x = 1


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Solved x, ie

4x = sin^-1(1)
4x = pi/2
x = pi/8

Sine is positive for angles in quadrants one and two, so there's one other angle which is in quadrant two?

x = pi - pi/8
x = 7pi/8

Final answer, x = pi/8, 7pi/8

Just not feeling confident. There are about five other similar questions, ie solving x between -pi and pi

x = pi/8 is a solution, but 7pi/8 is not.

Since your solutions have to satisfy -pi <= x <= pi, then -4pi <= 4x <= 4pi. There are two values of 4x for which sin(4x) = 1, of which one of them is pi/2, hence x = pi/8, which you've already gotten. What is the other value of 4x in [0, 4pi] for which sin(4x) = 1? Once you get it, you can solve for x.

Also, there are two values of 4x in [-4pi, 0] for which sin(4x) = 1. What are they? Once you get them, solve for x for each of them.
 

1. What does "4x" represent in this equation?

In this equation, "4x" represents the argument of the sine function. It is the value that is being input into the function to find the inverse sine.

2. What is the significance of the range between -pi and pi?

The range between -pi and pi is significant because it represents a full revolution on the unit circle. This range covers all possible values for the inverse sine function.

3. How do you solve for the inverse sine of 1?

To solve for the inverse sine of 1, you can use the inverse sine function on a calculator or by hand to find the angle that has a sine value of 1. In this case, the solution is pi/2 or 90 degrees.

4. Can you solve for the inverse sine of any number between -1 and 1?

Yes, you can solve for the inverse sine of any number between -1 and 1. The result will be an angle between -pi/2 and pi/2.

5. Why is it important to specify the range when solving for the inverse sine?

It is important to specify the range when solving for the inverse sine because the sine function is not a one-to-one function, meaning it has multiple inputs that can result in the same output. By specifying the range, we can determine the unique angle that corresponds to the given sine value.

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