Value of this trigonometric expression

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a trigonometric problem involving two equations: sin A + sin B = 1 and cos A + cos B = 0. Participants are exploring the implications of these equations on the angles A and B, particularly in the context of their values and relationships.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive relationships between A and B based on the given equations, questioning the validity of certain assumptions about the angles' ranges. Some are exploring the implications of squaring the equations and others are considering counterexamples to challenge initial claims.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with various interpretations being explored. Some participants have provided hints and suggestions for proving relationships between the angles, while others express confusion about the implications of the equations and the ranges of A and B. There is no explicit consensus yet, but several productive lines of reasoning are being developed.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing debate about the intervals in which angles A and B lie, with some participants questioning the assumption that both angles are in the interval (0, π). Additionally, the implications of the equations on the positivity of sine values are being discussed.

songoku
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Homework Statement
Given that sin A + sin B = 1 and cos A + cos B = 0, find the value of 12 cos 2A + 4 cos 2B
Relevant Equations
Trigonometry
Let:
equation 1 : sin A + sin B = 1
equation 2 : cos A + cos B = 0

Squaring both sides of equation 1 and 2 then add the result gives me: cos (A - B) = -1/2

Then how to proceed? Thanks
 
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We know from equation 1
[tex]0<A,B<\pi[/tex]
so equation 2 says
[tex]A,B=\frac{\pi}{2}-\theta, \frac{\pi}{2}+\theta[/tex] where
[tex]0<\theta<\frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]
 
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anuttarasammyak said:
We know from equation 1
[tex]0<A,B<\pi[/tex]
so equation 2 says
[tex]A,B=\frac{\pi}{2}-\theta, \frac{\pi}{2}+\theta[/tex] where
[tex]0<\theta<\frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]
I get it. From there, we can get the value of A and B.

Thank you very much anuttarasammyak
 
anuttarasammyak said:
We know from equation 1
[tex]0<A,B<\pi[/tex]
Edited...
No, this isn't true. Consider ##A = \frac \pi 6## and ##B = \frac{13\pi} 6##. Then ##\sin A + \sin B = 1##. This is just one of an infinite number of counterexamples.
anuttarasammyak said:
so equation 2 says
[tex]A,B=\frac{\pi}{2}-\theta, \frac{\pi}{2}+\theta[/tex] where
[tex]0<\theta<\frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]
I've tried several different approaches, but none has been successful so far.
 
Last edited:
Mark44 said:
Edit: B should read ##\frac{13\pi} 6##.
No, this isn't true. Consider ##A = \frac \pi 6## and ##B = \frac{7\pi} 6##. Then ##\sin A + \sin B = 1##.
I am not sure I understand your hint, but:
sin (π/6) + sin (7π/6) = sin (π/6) + sin (π + π/6) = sin (π/6) - sin (π/6) = 0 ?

Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hint: First focus to prove that ##\cos 2A=\cos 2B##. To prove this you can proceed relatively easily from ##\cos A=-\cos B## by squaring both sides.

Once you prove that ##\cos 2A=\cos 2B## then you can solve this relatively simple trigonometric equation and relate directly the angles A,B. Then use equation 1.
 
Last edited:
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songoku said:
I am not sure I understand your hint, but:
sin (π/6) + sin (7π/6) = sin (π/6) + sin (π + π/6) = sin (π/6) - sin (π/6) = 0 ?

Thanks
I have edited my earlier post.
What I meant was ##A = \frac \pi 6## and ##B = \frac {13\pi} 6##. Then ##\sin A + \sin B = 1##, but it's not true that both A and B are in the interval ##[0, \frac \pi 2]## as was earlier claimed.
 
songoku said:
Homework Statement:: Given that sin A + sin B = 1 and cos A + cos B = 0, find the value of 12 cos 2A + 4 cos 2B
Relevant Equations:: Trigonometry

Let:
equation 1 : sin A + sin B = 1
equation 2 : cos A + cos B = 0
eq. 2 says that cosB=-cosA, From eq.1, it follows that both angles are in the interval (0,pi). Therefore B=pi-A. Substitute for B into eq. 1
sinA+sin(pi-A)=2sinA=1--->sinA=0.5 , A=30°, B=°150°.
 
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ehild said:
eq. 2 says that cosB=-cosA, From eq.1, it follows that both angles are in the interval (0,pi). Therefore B=pi-A. Substitute for B into eq. 1
sinA+sin(pi-A)=2sinA=1--->sinA=0.5 , A=30°, B=°150°.
I don't understand how you conclude that the angles are in the interval ##(0,\pi)##. My approach at the very end of day concludes the same result, that is ##\sin A=\sin B=0.5## but without making any conclusions on what are the exact values of the angles.
 
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  • #10
Mark44 said:
I have edited my earlier post.
What I meant was ##A = \frac \pi 6## and ##B = \frac {13\pi} 6##. Then ##\sin A + \sin B = 1##, but it's not true that both A and B are in the interval ##[0, \frac \pi 2]## as was earlier claimed.
Sorry I still not fully understand. Isn't 13π/6 located in first quadrant? And I think post #2 claimed that A and B are in interval (0, π), not [0, π/2]

Delta2 said:
I don't understand how you conclude that the angles are in the interval ##(0,\pi)##. My approach at the very end of day concludes the same result, that is ##\sin A=\sin B=0.5## but without making any conclusions on what are the exact values of the angles.

This is what I concluded from hint in post#2:

From sin A + sin B = 1, both sin A and sin B must be positive because if either one is negative, the value of the other trigonometry function will more than 1 (which is impossible) so this means 0 < A , B < π
 
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  • #11
Delta2 said:
My approach at the very end of day concludes the same result, that is ##\sin A=\sin B=0.5## but without making any conclusions on what are the exact values of the angles.
Yes, you noted that cos(A) = - cos(B) which directly means B= pi-+A. And the sine of both angles must be positive, so B=pi-A.
You overcomplicated the solution a bit by squaring and working with double angles.
 
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  • #12
ehild said:
A=30°, B=150°.
Or vice versa. But because we are only interested in cos(2A) and cos(2B), it makes no difference.
I have the feeling there is some quick way that avoids finding the angles, but I don't see it.
 
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  • #13
haruspex said:
Or vice versa. But because we are only interested in cos(2A) and cos(2B), it makes no difference.
I have the feeling there is some quick way that avoids finding the angles, but I don't see it.
The way i did it avoids finding the angles (i found only sines/cosines of angles/double angles) but its not quicker, its longer actually...
 
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  • #14
haruspex said:
I have the feeling there is some quick way that avoids finding the angles, but I don't see it.
I managed it by writing ##\cos A=-\cos B## and ##\sin A=1-\sin B## and squaring both sides of each. This gives you ##\sin B## in a couple of lines.
 
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  • #15
haruspex said:
Or vice versa. But because we are only interested in cos(2A) and cos(2B), it makes no difference.
I have the feeling there is some quick way that avoids finding the angles, but I don't see it.
Quick way: Note that ##|\cos A|=| \cos B |##. Therefore ##|\sin A|=\sqrt{1-\cos^2 A}=\sqrt{1-\cos^2B}=|\sin B|##. Since the sum of the sines is equal to +1, both of them must be positive and ##\sin A=\sin B=\frac{1}{2}##. Now $$\cos(2A)=1-2\sin^2A=1-2\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2=\frac{1}{2}=1-2\sin^2B=\cos(2B).$$
 
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