# Trig equations with multiple angles

1. Jul 9, 2007

### GregA

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
What I'm scratching my head with is trying to find mechanically, a way of finding all the solutions of the expression $$sin(a \theta ) - sin(b \theta) = 0$$ (where a and b are integers (for now) with a > b)

2. Relevant equations
I can get the roots that are regular rotations from a specific starting angle by first solving $$a \theta = \pi - b \theta$$ and then by letting all subsequent values of $$\theta = \frac{(1+2k) \pi}{a+b}$$ (where k is any integer)...it is also easy to spot that $$\theta = n \pi$$ (where n is an integer)

3. The attempt at a solution
what I'm having trouble with is finding quickly the sneaky roots such as $$\theta = \frac{2 \pi}{3} or \frac{4 \pi}{3}$$ in the expression $$sin4 \theta - sin \theta = 0$$(amongst others, though this is the question that I started with) that aren't found with the above method.

I have tried to expand $$sin4 \theta - sin \theta = 0$$ but after:

$$2sin2\theta cos2\theta - sin\theta = 0$$
$$4sin\theta cos\theta (cos^2\theta - sin^2\theta ) - sin\theta = 0$$
$$4cos\theta (2cos^2\theta - 1 ) -1 = 0$$
$$8cos^3\theta - 4cos\theta - 1 = 0$$ I can't see a simple way of solving it without using either newton's method, the cubic formula (there must surely be a simpler way than that though), or getting the protractor out and searching for them.

I'm betting there is a simple method and either I just can't remember it or have not come across it yet...can anyone throw me some hints?

Last edited: Jul 9, 2007
2. Jul 9, 2007

### NateTG

You could try for something a little less fancy:

$$\sin(\theta)=\sin(\phi)$$
means that
$$\theta=\phi + 2 \pi n$$
or
$$\theta=\pi - \phi + 2 \pi n$$

right?

3. Jul 9, 2007

### VietDao29

You forget the family (?, wonder if this is used correctly) of solution:
$$a \theta = b\theta + 2k' \pi \Rightarrow \theta = \frac{2k' \pi}{a - b}$$
No, that's not correct. $$\frac{1 + 2k}{a + b}$$ does not mean that it's a natural number, or even an integer. And, nor does $$\frac{2k'}{a - b}$$. Say, we have k = 1, and a = 3, b = 1? $$\frac{1 + 2k}{a + b} = \frac{1 + 2}{3 + 1} = \frac{3}{4} \notin \mathbb{Z}$$

You've dropped the solution $$\sin \theta = 0$$, when moving from the former line to the later one.

Well, you can see NateTG's post, if you want to have a neater version of it. :)

Last edited: Jul 9, 2007
4. Jul 10, 2007

### GregA

agh, I knew it was something simple!...I forgot the family: $$a \theta = b\theta + 2k' \pi \Rightarrow \theta = \frac{2k' \pi}{a - b}$$ :grumpy: cheers!

hmm...that wasn't what I was saying...I meant just that you fling integers into k and get an answer, not that the resulting fraction is an integer.

agh...true!

Thankyou Viet Dao

Last edited: Jul 10, 2007
5. Jul 10, 2007

### GregA

Cheers for the reply but I was looking for a way to find specific elements of the solution set namely $$\frac {2n\pi}{3}$$ but it has been pointed out to me what I didn't do :)