Trigonometry questions I'm stuck on

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around two trigonometry questions: proving a summation involving sine functions and finding the general solution for a trigonometric equation. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving techniques related to trigonometry.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to prove the summation formula for sine functions: sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x + ... + sin nx = {sin (n/2)x sin [(n+1)/2]x}/ sin (x/2), and mentions using mathematical induction but feels stuck.
  • Another participant suggests using the double angle formula and angle sum identities to simplify the summation, providing a series of transformations to reach the desired result.
  • There is a request for clarification on a specific step involving the transformation of tan(2x - pi) = sin x into sin x = 0 or 2cos x - cos 2x = 0, with a follow-up for more detailed explanation on this derivation.
  • One participant expresses confusion about applying the quadratic formula to find the general solution and questions the validity of their result compared to an expected solution.
  • Another participant confirms the correctness of the cosine value obtained but advises on the necessity of solving for x and checking the validity of the cosine values within their range.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express confusion and seek clarification on various steps, indicating that multiple interpretations and methods are being discussed without a clear consensus on the solutions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific mathematical transformations and identities, but there is uncertainty regarding the application of these methods and the correctness of the derived solutions. The discussion does not resolve these uncertainties.

nicodemus1
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Good Day,

I'm stuck on two trigonometry questions.

One requires me to prove a trigonometry summation and the other requires me to find the general solution of the given equation.

1. I am required to prove the b/m
sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x + ... + sin nx = {sin (n/2)x sin [(n+1)/2]x}/ sin (x/2)

I've attempted to prove this using mathematical induction. However, I'm stuck and need help/ advice on how I should proceed further. Attached is the work I have done so far.

View attachment 279

2. I have to find the general solution of the following equation:
tan (2x - pi) = sin x

I've been able to get till tan 2x = sin x. However, whatever I've done after that doesn't give me the correct solution, which is
x = n*pi or 2n*pi + 1.946
.

Your help/ advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
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nicodemus said:
Good Day,

I'm stuck on two trigonometry questions.

One requires me to prove a trigonometry summation and the other requires me to find the general solution of the given equation.

1. I am required to prove the b/m
sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x + ... + sin nx = {sin (n/2)x sin [(n+1)/2]x}/ sin (x/2)

I've attempted to prove this using mathematical induction. However, I'm stuck and need help/ advice on how I should proceed further. Attached is the work I have done so far.

View attachment 279

2. I have to find the general solution of the following equation:
tan (2x - pi) = sin x

I've been able to get till tan 2x = sin x. However, whatever I've done after that doesn't give me the correct solution, which is
x = n*pi or 2n*pi + 1.946
.

Your help/ advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hi nicodemus, :)

1) Use the double angle formula for \(\sin(k+1)\theta\). Then you will get,

\[\sin x + \sin 2x + \sin 3x + ... + \sin kx+\sin(k+1)x=\sin\left(\frac{k+1}{2}\right)\theta\left[\frac{\sin\frac{k\theta}{2}+2\sin\frac{\theta}{2}\cos\left(\frac{k+1}{2}\right)\theta}{\sin\frac{ \theta}{2}}\right]\]

Now use the angle sum identity for \(\cos\left(\frac{k+1}{2}\right)\theta\) and simplify(Using Double angle formulas of Sine and Cosine) to obtain,

\[\sin x + \sin 2x + \sin 3x + ... + \sin kx+\sin(k+1)x=\sin\left(\frac{k+1}{2}\right)\theta\left[\frac{\sin\frac{k\theta}{2}\cos\theta+\sin\theta \cos\frac{k\theta}{2}}{\sin\frac{ \theta}{2}}\right]\]

Using the angle sum identity again, \(\sin\left(\frac{k+2}{2}\right)\theta=\sin\frac{k\theta}{2}\cos\theta+\sin\theta\cos\frac{k\theta}{2}\) you can get the required answer.

2) \[\tan2x=\sin x\]

\[\Rightarrow \frac{2\sin x\cos x}{\cos 2x}=\sin x\]

\[\Rightarrow \sin x=0\mbox{ or }2\cos x-\cos 2x=0\]

\[\Rightarrow \sin x=0\mbox{ or }2\cos^{2}x-2\cos x-1=0\]

Hope you can continue. :)

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
Good Day,

Thank you so much for your help.

However, I don't understand how you got this part:

[FONT=MathJax_Main]⇒[FONT=MathJax_Main]sin[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]=[FONT=MathJax_Main]0[FONT=MathJax_Main] or [FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Main]cos[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]−[FONT=MathJax_Main]cos[FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]=[FONT=MathJax_Main]0​

Could you please give a more detailed explanation?
 
nicodemus said:
Good Day,

Thank you so much for your help.

However, I don't understand how you got this part:

[FONT=MathJax_Main]⇒[FONT=MathJax_Main]sin[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]=[FONT=MathJax_Main]0[FONT=MathJax_Main] or [FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Main]cos[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]−[FONT=MathJax_Main]cos[FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]=[FONT=MathJax_Main]0

Could you please give a more detailed explanation?

You are welcome. :)

\[\frac{2\sin x\cos x}{\cos 2x}=\sin x\]

\[\Rightarrow \sin x\left(\frac{2\cos x}{\cos 2x}-1\right)=0\]

\[\Rightarrow \sin x\left(\frac{2\cos x-\cos 2x}{\cos 2x}\right)=0\]

Since, \(\frac{1}{\cos 2x}\neq 0\) we have,

\[\sin x(2\cos x-\cos 2x)=0\]

\[\therefore \sin x=0\mbox{ or }2\cos x-\cos 2x=0\]

Is it clear to you now? :)
 
Brilliant! It's crystal clear to me now.

Thanks very much!
 
Good Day,

I'm sorry about this but I'm still having trouble finding the general solution for this part
[FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Main]cos[FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]−[FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Main]cos[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]−[FONT=MathJax_Main]1[FONT=MathJax_Main]=[FONT=MathJax_Main]0
I applied the Quadratic Formula and got cos x = (1 + 3) / 2 but I don't think it's anywhere near this: 2n*pi + 1.946.

What am I doing wrong?
 
nicodemus said:
Good Day,

I'm sorry about this but I'm still having trouble finding the general solution for this part
[FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Main]cos[FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]−[FONT=MathJax_Main]2[FONT=MathJax_Main]cos[FONT=MathJax_Math]x[FONT=MathJax_Main]−[FONT=MathJax_Main]1[FONT=MathJax_Main]=[FONT=MathJax_Main]0
I applied the Quadratic Formula and got cos x = (1 + 3) / 2 but I don't think it's anywhere near this: 2n*pi + 1.946.

What am I doing wrong?

Hi nicodemus, :)

The answer you have obtained for \(\cos x\) is correct. However you should solve for \(x\). First see whether both of these answers are possible for a cosine value. Note that \(cos x\leq 1\).

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 

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