Trouble Simplifying Homework Equations

  • Thread starter Thread starter ACLerok
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Simplifying
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on simplifying a trigonometric equation involving the expansion of cos(θ + π/4) multiplied by √2. The user attempts to apply the identity cos(θ + φ) = cos(θ)cos(φ) - sin(θ)sin(φ) but struggles with the resulting terms. They realize that the coefficients of sine and cosine cannot both equal 2, indicating a need for division to simplify further. The key question remains about finding the appropriate value of φ that satisfies the condition where cos(φ) equals sin(φ). The conversation highlights the challenges of applying trigonometric identities in homework problems.
ACLerok
Messages
194
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I am reviewing some old exam solutions and came across something I cannot figure out. I'm don't understand how they simplify from the first equation to the second. I looked up a table of trig identies but could not find anything that would help.


Homework Equations


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/864/untitledimageda3.th.jpg


The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Expand cos ( theta + pi/4), and times it by root 2.
 
The relevant trig identity is cos(\theta+ \phi)= cos(\theta)cos(\phi)- sin(\theta)sin(\phi)

Ignoring the 'm(t)' which just "goes along for the ride", you have 2cos(\theta)- 2 sin(\theta). Obviously, since 2> 1, there is no \phi that has both sine and cosine equal to 2- you will need divide by something. But you would still have cos(\phi)= sin(\phi). What value of \phi has that property? And what do you then need to divide by?
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
Back
Top