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Trigonometric equations using identities

Learning goals

  • Uses trigonometric identities to rewrite an equation in a solvable form.
  • Solves trigonometric equations by factoring or substituting a trigonometric expression.
  • Checks trigonometric solutions against the original equation and its domain.
  • Generates all trigonometric solutions using periodicity.

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Trigonometric equations using identities 1
Consider the equation \(\sin^2(x)+\cos(x)=1\). Which Pythagorean rewrite turns this into an equivalent equation involving only \(\cos(x)\)? Write that one-function equation, but do not solve for \(x\).

Hints

- The goal is to leave only cosine, so choose the Pythagorean rearrangement that eliminates sine. - Replace the squared sine term and leave the rest of the equation unchanged.

Solution

1. Rewrite \(\sin^2(x)\) as \(1-\cos^2(x)\). 2. The equation becomes \(1-\cos^2(x)+\cos(x)=1\), which involves only \(\cos(x)\).

Answer

Use \(\sin^2(x)=1-\cos^2(x)\), giving \(1-\cos^2(x)+\cos(x)=1\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 2
Rewrite \(2\cos^2(x)-1=0\) as an equation involving \(\cos(2x)\). Do not solve for \(x\).

Hints

- Which form of the cosine double-angle identity starts with two times cosine squared? - Replace only the matching expression; keep the equation's right side.

Solution

1. The cosine double-angle identity is \(\cos(2x)=2\cos^2(x)-1\). 2. Replace the left side of the given equation to get \(\cos(2x)=0\).

Answer

\(\cos(2x)=0\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 3
To solve \(\sin(x)(2\cos(x)-1)=0\), which two simpler trigonometric equations must you consider? Do not solve them yet.

Hints

- What does the zero-product property say? - Would dividing by the first factor risk discarding solutions?

Solution

1. A product is zero if at least one factor is zero. 2. Therefore, solve both \(\sin(x)=0\) and \(2\cos(x)-1=0\), or equivalently \(\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\).

Answer

\(\sin(x)=0\) or \(\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 4
Before solving \(\frac{1-\cos(2x)}{\sin(x)}=1\) on \([0,2\pi)\), which values of \(x\) must be excluded because the original expression is undefined? Do not solve the equation.

Hints

- Which part of the fraction can make it undefined? - At which angles in one turn is sine zero?

Solution

1. The denominator is \(\sin(x)\), so values with \(\sin(x)=0\) are not allowed. 2. On \([0,2\pi)\), this happens at \(x=0\) and \(x=\pi\).

Answer

Exclude \(x=0\) and \(x=\pi\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 5
Rewrite the equation \(\sin(x)\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right)+\cos(x)\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right)=1\) using a single sine function. Do not solve it.

Hints

- Look for one sine–cosine product and one cosine–sine product. - Does the plus sign indicate angle addition or subtraction?

Solution

1. The two terms match \(\sin(A)\cos(B)+\cos(A)\sin(B)\). 2. By the sine addition identity, the left side is \(\sin\left(x+\frac{\pi}{3}\right)\). Keep the original right side to get \(\sin\left(x+\frac{\pi}{3}\right)=1\).

Answer

\(\sin\left(x+\frac{\pi}{3}\right)=1\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 6
Solve \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=1\) on \([0,2\pi)\) using a double-angle identity.

Hints

- Look for a standard double-angle expression on the left side. - Transform the interval when the angle changes from \(x\) to \(2x\). - Convert the resulting angles back to \(x\).

Solution

1. Use \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\sin(2x)\). 2. The equation becomes \(\sin(2x)=1\). 3. For \(2x\in[0,4\pi)\), \(\sin(2x)=1\) at \(2x=\frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(2x=\frac{5\pi}{2}\). 4. Therefore, \(x=\frac{\pi}{4}\) and \(x=\frac{5\pi}{4}\).

Answer

\(x=\frac{\pi}{4},\frac{5\pi}{4}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 7
Rewrite \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\) on \([0,\pi)\) as a sine double-angle equation. Then let \(u=2x\). What interval of values can \(u\) take? Do not solve the equation.

Hints

- Which identity replaces the product \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)\)? - The new angle is twice the old one. What happens to the endpoints? - Check which endpoint is included in the original interval.

Solution

1. The double-angle identity gives \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\sin(2x)\), so the equation becomes \(\sin(2x)=\frac{1}{2}\). 2. Since \(0\le x<\pi\), doubling the endpoints gives \(0\le u<2\pi\).

Answer

Equation: \(\sin(2x)=\frac{1}{2}\). Interval: \(u\in[0,2\pi)\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 8
Solve \(\sin^2(x)+\cos(x)=1\) on \([0,2\pi)\) by rewriting it as an equation in cosine only.

Hints

- Which Pythagorean identity replaces sine squared with cosine squared? - Try moving everything to one side and factoring. - Remember to consider both possible zero factors.

Solution

1. Substitute \(\sin^2(x)=1-\cos^2(x)\), giving \(1-\cos^2(x)+\cos(x)=1\). 2. Rearrange and factor: \(\cos(x)(1-\cos(x))=0\). 3. Either \(\cos(x)=0\) or \(\cos(x)=1\). On \([0,2\pi)\), the solutions are \(x=\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{3\pi}{2}\), and \(x=0\).

Answer

\(x\in\left\{0,\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{3\pi}{2}\right\}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 9
Solve \(\sin(2x)+\sin(x)=0\) on \([0,2\pi)\) by using an identity and factoring. Show the solutions from each factor.

Hints

- Which identity changes sine of a double angle into a product? - Look for a common factor once the equation uses just \(\sin(x)\) and \(\cos(x)\). - Before dividing by a factor, ask whether that factor could be zero.

Solution

1. Use \(\sin(2x)=2\sin(x)\cos(x)\) to obtain \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)+\sin(x)=0\). 2. Factor: \(\sin(x)(2\cos(x)+1)=0\). Both factors must be considered. 3. The first factor gives \(\sin(x)=0\), so \(x=0\) or \(x=\pi\). 4. The second gives \(\cos(x)=-\frac{1}{2}\), so \(x=\frac{2\pi}{3}\) or \(x=\frac{4\pi}{3}\).

Answer

From \(\sin(x)=0\): \(x=0,\pi\). From \(2\cos(x)+1=0\): \(x=\frac{2\pi}{3},\frac{4\pi}{3}\). All solutions: \(x\in\left\{0,\frac{2\pi}{3},\pi,\frac{4\pi}{3}\right\}\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 10
Solve \(\frac{\sin(2x)}{\cos(x)}=2\) on \([0,2\pi)\). Check the original denominator before accepting any solutions.

Hints

- Which values make the original fraction undefined? - Replace the double-angle sine by a product before simplifying. - Substitute any candidates back into the original fraction, not just the simpler equation.

Solution

1. The original denominator is zero when \(\cos(x)=0\), so \(x=\frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(x=\frac{3\pi}{2}\) are excluded. 2. For allowed angles, use \(\sin(2x)=2\sin(x)\cos(x)\) and cancel the nonzero cosine factor to get \(2\sin(x)=2\), or \(\sin(x)=1\). 3. The only candidate in \([0,2\pi)\) is \(x=\frac{\pi}{2}\), but it makes the original denominator zero. Therefore, the original equation has no solutions.

Answer

No solutions. The candidate \(x=\frac{\pi}{2}\) is excluded; the original denominator is also zero at \(x=\frac{3\pi}{2}\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 11
Solve \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\) on \([0,2\pi)\). Rewrite the left side as a single trigonometric function before finding all solutions.

Hints

- Which double-angle identity replaces the product on the left? - How far does the new angle \(2x\) travel over the given interval? - How many angles in that interval have the required sine value?

Solution

1. Since \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\sin(2x)\), the equation becomes \(\sin(2x)=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\). 2. Let \(u=2x\). The interval for \(u\) is \([0,4\pi)\), which covers two full turns. 3. In that interval, the solutions are \(u=\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{2\pi}{3},\frac{7\pi}{3},\frac{8\pi}{3}\). 4. Divide by two: \(x=\frac{\pi}{6},\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{7\pi}{6},\frac{4\pi}{3}\).

Answer

\(x\in\left\{\frac{\pi}{6},\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{7\pi}{6},\frac{4\pi}{3}\right\}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 12
Solve \(\cos(x)\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)-\sin(x)\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=0\) on \([0,2\pi)\). a) Use an angle-addition identity to rewrite the equation using one cosine. b) Solve the rewritten equation for \(x\).

Hints

- Identify the angle-addition formula that contains cosine times cosine minus sine times sine. - Make the shifted angle a temporary variable and find its interval. - At which angles does cosine equal zero?

Solution

1. By the cosine addition identity, the left side is \(\cos\left(x+\frac{\pi}{6}\right)\). 2. Set \(u=x+\frac{\pi}{6}\). On the requested interval, \(\frac{\pi}{6}\le u<\frac{13\pi}{6}\). 3. Cosine is zero at \(u=\frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(u=\frac{3\pi}{2}\) in this interval. 4. Subtract \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) to get \(x=\frac{\pi}{3}\) and \(x=\frac{4\pi}{3}\).

Answer

a) \(\cos\left(x+\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=0\) b) \(x\in\left\{\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{4\pi}{3}\right\}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 13
Solve \(\cos^2(x)=\sin(x)\) on \([0,2\pi)\) using a Pythagorean identity to obtain an equation in one trigonometric function.

Hints

- Eliminate the squared cosine so the equation contains only sine. - Treat the remaining sine value as an algebraic unknown and check which quadratic root is in the range of sine. - A positive non-extreme sine value occurs twice on one full rotation.

Solution

1. Use \(\cos^2(x)=1-\sin^2(x)\). The equation becomes \(1-\sin^2(x)=\sin(x)\). 2. Rearrange: \(\sin^2(x)+\sin(x)-1=0\). 3. Let \(s=\sin(x)\). The quadratic gives \(s=\frac{-1\pm\sqrt{5}}{2}\). 4. Only \(s=\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}\) lies in \([-1,1]\). 5. Let \(\alpha=\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}\right)\). Since the sine value is positive, \(x=\alpha\) or \(x=\pi-\alpha\).

Answer

\(x=\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}\right)\) or \(x=\pi-\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{2}\right)\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 14
Solve \(\sin(x)\cos(x)=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{4}\) on \([0,2\pi)\) using a double-angle identity.

Hints

- Create the exact product that appears in the sine double-angle identity. - After rewriting, the angle is \(2x\), so its interval is twice the original interval. - Convert every transformed-angle solution back to \(x\).

Solution

1. Multiply by \(2\): \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\). 2. Use \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\sin(2x)\), giving \(\sin(2x)=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\). 3. For \(2x\in[0,4\pi)\), \(2x=\frac{\pi}{4},\frac{3\pi}{4},\frac{9\pi}{4},\frac{11\pi}{4}\). 4. Divide by \(2\): \(x=\frac{\pi}{8},\frac{3\pi}{8},\frac{9\pi}{8},\frac{11\pi}{8}\).

Answer

\(x=\frac{\pi}{8},\frac{3\pi}{8},\frac{9\pi}{8},\frac{11\pi}{8}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 15
Solve \(\sin(x)\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)+\cos(x)\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=\frac{1}{2}\) on \([0,2\pi)\).

Hints

- Look for an angle-addition pattern before trying to solve the equation term by term. - Rewrite the entire left side as one sine function. - After solving the shifted equation, subtract the shift and check the interval.

Solution

1. Recognize the left side as \(\sin\left(x+\frac{\pi}{6}\right)\). 2. The equation becomes \(\sin\left(x+\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=\frac{1}{2}\). 3. The relevant angle values are \(x+\frac{\pi}{6}=\frac{\pi}{6}+2\pi k\) or \(x+\frac{\pi}{6}=\frac{5\pi}{6}+2\pi k\). 4. On \([0,2\pi)\), this gives \(x=0\) and \(x=\frac{2\pi}{3}\).

Answer

\(x=0,\frac{2\pi}{3}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 16
Solve \(\tan(2x)=2\tan(x)\) on \([0,2\pi)\). Use the tangent double-angle identity and respect the domain of the original equation.

Hints

- Record where each tangent expression is defined before clearing any denominator. - Rewrite \(\tan(2x)\) entirely in terms of \(\tan(x)\). - Do not divide by \(\tan(x)\), because zero tangent values may be solutions.

Solution

1. The original equation requires both \(\tan(x)\) and \(\tan(2x)\) to be defined. 2. Let \(t=\tan(x)\). Use \(\tan(2x)=\frac{2t}{1-t^2}\): \(\frac{2t}{1-t^2}=2t\). 3. Where the original left side is defined, \(1-t^2\ne0\). Multiply by that denominator: \(2t=2t(1-t^2)\). 4. Rearranging gives \(2t^3=0\), so \(t=0\). 5. On \([0,2\pi)\), \(\tan(x)=0\) at \(x=0\) and \(x=\pi\). Both make \(\tan(2x)\) defined and satisfy the original equation.

Answer

\(x=0\) or \(x=\pi\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 17
Solve \(2\sin^2(x)+\cos(x)=1\) on \([0,2\pi)\).

Hints

- Convert the equation so it involves only one trigonometric function. - After substitution, treat the result as a quadratic in \(\cos(x)\). - Solve both factors and keep every solution in the interval.

Solution

1. Replace \(\sin^2(x)\) with \(1-\cos^2(x)\). 2. The equation becomes \(2\left(1-\cos^2(x)\right)+\cos(x)=1\). 3. Rearranging gives \(2\cos^2(x)-\cos(x)-1=0\). 4. Factor: \(\left(2\cos(x)+1\right)\left(\cos(x)-1\right)=0\). 5. Thus, \(\cos(x)=-\frac{1}{2}\) or \(\cos(x)=1\), giving \(x=\frac{2\pi}{3},\frac{4\pi}{3},0\).

Answer

\(x=0,\frac{2\pi}{3},\frac{4\pi}{3}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 18
The graph shows \(f(x)=2\sin(x)\cos(x)\) and a horizontal line \(g\) on \([0,2\pi]\). The label on \(g\) gives its y-value. a) Read the y-value of \(g\) and estimate the intersection x-values. b) Write the represented equation and solve it exactly using a double-angle identity.
Figure for problem 550750

Hints

- Read the horizontal line's level before writing the equation. - Look for the double-angle identity whose expanded form is a sine-cosine product. - Transform the interval when you replace \(x\) by \(2x\).

Solution

1. The graph label gives \(g:y=0.5\), and the four intersections are near \(0.3\), \(1.3\), \(3.4\), and \(4.5\) radians. 2. The represented equation is \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\). 3. Use \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\sin(2x)\), giving \(\sin(2x)=\frac{1}{2}\). 4. For \(2x\in[0,4\pi)\), \(2x=\frac{\pi}{6},\frac{5\pi}{6},\frac{13\pi}{6},\frac{17\pi}{6}\). 5. Therefore, \(x=\frac{\pi}{12},\frac{5\pi}{12},\frac{13\pi}{12},\frac{17\pi}{12}\).

Answer

a) \(g\) has y-value \(0.5\); intersections are approximately at \(0.3\), \(1.3\), \(3.4\), and \(4.5\) radians b) \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\), with \(x=\frac{\pi}{12},\frac{5\pi}{12},\frac{13\pi}{12},\frac{17\pi}{12}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 19
Solve \(\cos(2x)+\sin(x)=0\) on \([0,2\pi)\).

Hints

- Convert the double-angle term so the equation contains only sine. - Treat the result as a quadratic in \(\sin(x)\). - Solve both resulting basic sine equations over the full interval.

Solution

1. Use \(\cos(2x)=1-2\sin^2(x)\). 2. The equation becomes \(1-2\sin^2(x)+\sin(x)=0\). 3. Rearrange and factor: \(2\sin^2(x)-\sin(x)-1=0\), so \(\left(2\sin(x)+1\right)\left(\sin(x)-1\right)=0\). 4. Thus, \(\sin(x)=-\frac{1}{2}\) or \(\sin(x)=1\). 5. On \([0,2\pi)\), the solutions are \(x=\frac{7\pi}{6},\frac{11\pi}{6},\frac{\pi}{2}\).

Answer

\(x=\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{7\pi}{6},\frac{11\pi}{6}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 20
Use the unit-circle diagram to help solve \(\cos^2(x)-\sin^2(x)=-\frac{1}{2}\) for \(0\le x<2\pi\). Use an identity first, then use the marked points in the diagram to organize all solutions for the transformed angle.
Figure for problem 550854

Hints

- Look for a double-angle identity matching the difference of the two squares. - After introducing the transformed angle, remember that its interval is twice as long as the original interval. - Use the two marked unit-circle locations in one rotation, then account for the second rotation before converting back to \(x\).

Solution

1. Use the double-angle identity \(\cos(2x)=\cos^2(x)-\sin^2(x)\). The equation becomes \(\cos(2x)=-\frac{1}{2}\). 2. Since \(0\le x<2\pi\), the transformed angle satisfies \(0\le2x<4\pi\). 3. In one rotation, the diagram shows the two positions where cosine is \(-\frac{1}{2}\): \(\frac{2\pi}{3}\) and \(\frac{4\pi}{3}\). 4. Over two rotations, \(2x=\frac{2\pi}{3},\frac{4\pi}{3},\frac{8\pi}{3},\frac{10\pi}{3}\). 5. Dividing by \(2\) gives \(x=\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{2\pi}{3},\frac{4\pi}{3},\frac{5\pi}{3}\).

Answer

\(x=\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{2\pi}{3},\frac{4\pi}{3},\frac{5\pi}{3}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 21
The curve represents \(f(x)=\cos(2x)+\cos(x)\). a) Use a double-angle identity to factor \(f(x)\) into two expressions involving \(\cos(x)\). b) Solve \(f(x)=0\) exactly on \([0,2\pi)\). Which solution makes the curve touch the x-axis without crossing it?
Figure for problem 561556

Hints

- Which form of the cosine double-angle identity uses only \(\cos(x)\)? - Treat the rewritten expression as a quadratic in cosine when factoring. - Find every angle that makes either factor zero. - Use the graph or the signs of the factors to tell a crossing from a touch.

Solution

1. Use \(\cos(2x)=2\cos^2(x)-1\) to get \(f(x)=2\cos^2(x)+\cos(x)-1\). 2. Factor: \(f(x)=(2\cos(x)-1)(\cos(x)+1)\). 3. The factors are zero when \(\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\), giving \(x=\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{5\pi}{3}\), or when \(\cos(x)=-1\), giving \(x=\pi\). 4. Near \(x=\pi\), \(\cos(x)>-1\) and \(\cos(x)<\frac{1}{2}\). Thus, the two factors have opposite signs on both sides of \(\pi\), so the curve touches the x-axis there without crossing it.

Answer

a) \(f(x)=(2\cos(x)-1)(\cos(x)+1)\) b) \(x\in\left\{\frac{\pi}{3},\pi,\frac{5\pi}{3}\right\}\); the curve touches without crossing at \(x=\pi\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 22
A carpenter cuts a rectangular plywood panel. Its diagonal is \(10\,\text{in}\) long and makes an angle \(\theta\) with the bottom edge, where \(0^\circ<\theta<90^\circ\). a) Write the panel's area in terms of \(\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)\). b) The area is \(25\,\text{in}^2\). Use a double-angle identity to solve for every possible \(\theta\).

Hints

- How do the diagonal and angle determine the panel's width and height? - Write area as width times height before using an identity. - How might rewriting the product as a function of a single angle help solve the equation? - Check the full interval for the doubled angle, not just acute angles.

Solution

1. The diagonal is the hypotenuse, so the width is \(10\cos(\theta)\,\text{in}\) and the height is \(10\sin(\theta)\,\text{in}\). 2. The area is \(A=100\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)\,\text{in}^2\). 3. For an area of \(25\,\text{in}^2\), solve \(100\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)=25\). Using \(\sin(2\theta)=2\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)\) gives \(50\sin(2\theta)=25\), so \(\sin(2\theta)=\frac{1}{2}\). 4. Since \(0^\circ<2\theta<180^\circ\), the solutions are \(2\theta=30^\circ\) or \(2\theta=150^\circ\). Thus, \(\theta=15^\circ\) or \(\theta=75^\circ\).

Answer

a) \(A=100\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)\,\text{in}^2\) b) \(100\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)=25\), so \(\sin(2\theta)=\frac{1}{2}\). Hence \(\theta=15^\circ\) or \(\theta=75^\circ\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 23
Solve \(\frac{1-\cos(2x)}{\sin(2x)}=1\) for \(0<x<\pi\). Respect the domain of the original equation.

Hints

- Simplify the quotient using double-angle identities before solving. - Keep track of where the original denominator is zero. - Solve the resulting basic equation only on the stated interval.

Solution

1. On the domain of the original expression, \(\frac{1-\cos(2x)}{\sin(2x)}=\tan(x)\). 2. The equation becomes \(\tan(x)=1\). 3. On \(0<x<\pi\), the only solution is \(x=\frac{\pi}{4}\). 4. At \(x=\frac{\pi}{2}\), the original denominator \(\sin(2x)\) is zero, so that value is excluded and was never a valid candidate.

Answer

\(x=\frac{\pi}{4}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 24
Solve \(\frac{\sin^2(x)}{1-\cos(x)}=1+\cos(x)\) on \([0,2\pi]\). State any values excluded by the original expression.

Hints

- Check the denominator before simplifying the equation. - Factor \(\sin^2(x)\) using a Pythagorean identity and a difference of squares. - A cancellation is valid only where the canceled factor is nonzero.

Solution

1. The original denominator requires \(1-\cos(x)\ne0\), so \(x=0\) and \(x=2\pi\) are excluded. 2. For every remaining \(x\), use \(\sin^2(x)=1-\cos^2(x)=\left(1-\cos(x)\right)\left(1+\cos(x)\right)\). 3. Cancel the nonzero factor \(1-\cos(x)\). The left side becomes \(1+\cos(x)\), which matches the right side. 4. Therefore, every \(x\) strictly between \(0\) and \(2\pi\) is a solution.

Answer

All \(x\) with \(0<x<2\pi\). The excluded values are \(x=0\) and \(x=2\pi\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 25
Priya solves \(\sin(2x)=\sin(x)\) on \([0,2\pi)\) by writing \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\sin(x)\) and then dividing both sides by \(\sin(x)\). Explain what solutions this can lose, and solve the equation correctly.

Hints

- Rewrite \(\sin(2x)\) before deciding whether division is safe. - Moving all terms to one side allows you to factor without discarding a zero factor. - Solve each factor separately and combine the solution sets.

Solution

1. Use \(\sin(2x)=2\sin(x)\cos(x)\) and move all terms to one side: \(\sin(x)\left(2\cos(x)-1\right)=0\). 2. The first factor gives \(\sin(x)=0\), so \(x=0\) or \(x=\pi\) on \([0,2\pi)\). 3. The second factor gives \(\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\), so \(x=\frac{\pi}{3}\) or \(x=\frac{5\pi}{3}\). 4. Dividing by \(\sin(x)\) would remove the entire \(\sin(x)=0\) branch and lose \(x=0\) and \(x=\pi\).

Answer

Dividing by \(\sin(x)\) loses \(x=0\) and \(x=\pi\). The complete solution set is \(x=0,\frac{\pi}{3},\pi,\frac{5\pi}{3}\).
Trigonometric equations using identities 26
Solve \(\sin(2x)=\frac{1}{2}\cos(x)\) on \([0,2\pi)\) using a double-angle identity and factoring. Do not divide by \(\cos(x)\).

Hints

- Replace \(\sin(2x)\) with its double-angle form. - Move all terms to one side so the common cosine factor is visible. - Keep the zero-cosine branch instead of dividing by \(\cos(x)\).

Solution

1. Use \(\sin(2x)=2\sin(x)\cos(x)\). Then \(2\sin(x)\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\cos(x)\). 2. Move all terms to one side and factor: \(\cos(x)\left(2\sin(x)-\frac{1}{2}\right)=0\). 3. From \(\cos(x)=0\), \(x=\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{3\pi}{2}\). 4. From \(\sin(x)=\frac{1}{4}\), let \(\alpha=\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)\). Then \(x=\alpha\) or \(x=\pi-\alpha\). 5. These four values are all in \([0,2\pi)\), and factoring preserves the \(\cos(x)=0\) branch.

Answer

\(x=\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{4}\right),\frac{\pi}{2},\pi-\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{4}\right),\frac{3\pi}{2}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 27
Solve \(\sin\left(x+\frac{\pi}{4}\right)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\cos(2x)\) on \([0,2\pi)\). Use identities to obtain an exact solution set, and do not divide by an expression that might be zero.

Hints

- Expand the shifted sine and factor the cosine double-angle expression before moving terms. - Preserve the common \(\sin(x)+\cos(x)\) factor rather than dividing by it. - The second factor can be rewritten as one shifted cosine after it is isolated. - Check every branch in the original interval.

Solution

1. Expand the left side: \(\sin\left(x+\frac{\pi}{4}\right)=\frac{\sin(x)+\cos(x)}{\sqrt{2}}\). 2. Factor the double-angle expression: \(\cos(2x)=\left(\cos(x)-\sin(x)\right)\left(\cos(x)+\sin(x)\right)\). 3. Multiply by \(\sqrt{2}\) and move all terms to one side: \(\left(\sin(x)+\cos(x)\right)\left(1-\left(\cos(x)-\sin(x)\right)\right)=0\). 4. From \(\sin(x)+\cos(x)=0\), \(\tan(x)=-1\), giving \(x=\frac{3\pi}{4}\) or \(x=\frac{7\pi}{4}\). 5. From \(\cos(x)-\sin(x)=1\), use \(\cos(x)-\sin(x)=\sqrt{2}\cos\left(x+\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\). Then \(\cos\left(x+\frac{\pi}{4}\right)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\). 6. On \([0,2\pi)\), this gives \(x=0\) or \(x=\frac{3\pi}{2}\). 7. Combining the two branches gives all four solutions.

Answer

\(x=0,\frac{3\pi}{4},\frac{3\pi}{2},\frac{7\pi}{4}\)
Trigonometric equations using identities 28
Solve \(3\sin(x)+4\cos(x)=2\) on \([0,2\pi)\). First rewrite the left side in the form \(R\sin(x+\phi)\), where \(R>0\) and \(0<\phi<\frac{\pi}{2}\). Then solve the resulting trigonometric equation. Round the final solutions to the nearest hundredth of a radian.

Hints

- Represent the linear combination of sine and cosine as one shifted sine function before solving. - Match the two coefficients after expanding the shifted sine form. - After the conversion, solve the basic sine equation for the shifted angle and then translate those solutions back to \(x\). - Check which members of the periodic solution families lie in the original interval.

Solution

1. Write \(R\sin(x+\phi)=R\cos(\phi)\sin(x)+R\sin(\phi)\cos(x)\). 2. Matching coefficients gives \(R\cos(\phi)=3\) and \(R\sin(\phi)=4\), so \(R=5\) and \(\phi=\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)\approx0.9273\). 3. The equation becomes \(5\sin(x+\phi)=2\), so \(\sin(x+\phi)=0.4\). 4. Let \(\alpha=\sin^{-1}(0.4)\approx0.4115\). Then \(x+\phi=\alpha+2\pi k\) or \(x+\phi=\pi-\alpha+2\pi k\). 5. Restricting to \(0\le x<2\pi\) gives \(x\approx5.7674\) from the first family and \(x\approx1.8028\) from the second. 6. To the nearest hundredth, the solutions are \(x\approx1.80\) and \(x\approx5.77\).

Answer

\(3\sin(x)+4\cos(x)=5\sin(x+\phi)\), where \(\phi=\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)\). \(x\approx1.80\) or \(x\approx5.77\)

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