What is the solution to finding the sum of square sin() functions?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the sum of squared sine functions from sin²(10°) to sin²(90°). Participants suggest using the identity sin²(x) = (1 - cos(2x))/2 to simplify the problem. They also note the relationship sin(x) = cos(90° - x), which helps in pairing terms effectively. By applying these identities, the problem can be reduced to manageable pairs, ultimately leading to a total sum of 5. The conversation highlights the utility of trigonometric identities in solving such summation problems.
Aikon
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Hi all,
I work as monitor for a pre-university course and one student showed me this problem:

Homework Statement


To find how much is y:
y=sin2(10)+sin2(20)+sin2(30)+...+sin2(80)+sin2(90)

Homework Equations


I don't know. I thought about sen2x+cos2x=1


The Attempt at a Solution


To use the equation given above and to write a series of cos()'s, but i don't think it get better than before.
 
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Aikon said:

Homework Equations


I thought about sin2x+cos2x=1

You are on the right track. Use also that sin(x)=cos(90-x). For example, sin(80°)=cos(10°).

ehild
 
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There's another identity that I think will be helpful:
sin^2(x) = \frac{1 - cos(2x)}{2}

Also, cos(x) = -cos(\pi - x)
 
Thank you all the answers.

I liked this:
ehild said:
You are on the right track. Use also that sin(x)=cos(90-x). For example, sin(80°)=cos(10°).

ehild

With this identity it becomes almost trivial, because (sin210 +sin280)=1 and it goes like this for other pairs, it gives 5 in the end.
 
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...
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