Solution to Trigonometric System

In summary, a trigonometric system is a set of equations involving trigonometric functions and unknown variables. Common methods for solving these systems include substitution, elimination, and graphing, but other methods such as using trigonometric identities or the unit circle may also be used. The system will have a solution if there are enough equations to determine the values of all unknown variables, and it can have multiple solutions. To check the correctness of a solution, one can substitute the values into the original equations or use a graphing tool to see if the solution intersects with all lines.
  • #1
anemone
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Find all reals \(\displaystyle x,\,y,\,z \in \left[0,\,\frac{\pi}{2}\right]\) that satisfying the system below:

$\sin x \cos y=\sin z\\\cos x \sin y=\cos z$
 
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  • #2
I can find only one solution:

Taking a square and summing up will get

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}\sin^2 z + \cos^2 z = 1 &= \sin^2x\cos^2y + \cos^2x\sin^2y \\
& = \sin^2x + \sin^2y \left( \cos^2x - \sin^2x \right) \qquad \Rightarrow \end{align*} \)

\(\displaystyle \sin^2y = \frac{\cos^2x}{\cos^2x - \sin^2x} \ge 1.\)

Equality takes place when \(\displaystyle x = 0\) and thus \(\displaystyle y = \frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(\displaystyle z = 0\) is the only solution.
 
  • #3
We have $(\sin x \cos y)^2+(\cos x \sin y)^2 =1$\
$(\sin x \cos y)^2 <= (\sin x)^2$ and $(\sin x \cos y)^2 <= (\cos y)^2$
so on we must have
either$(\sin x \cos y) = (\sin x)$ and $(\cos x \sin y) = \cos x$ $=>\sin x = 0,\sin y = 1$ or $\cos y = 1,\cos x=0$
This gives
1) $\sin x = 0,\sin y = 1$ => $x=0, y = \frac{\pi}{2}, z= 0$
2) $\cos x = 0,\cos y = 1$ => $x=z = \frac{\pi}{2}, y= 0$

Or $(\sin x \cos y) = (\cos y )$ and $(\cos x \sin y) = \sin y$ $=>\cos x = 1,\cos y = 0$ or $\sin y = 1,\cos x=1$
THis does not gives any additional solutions
so the solution set is
3)$x=0, y = \frac{\pi}{2}, z= 0$ or $x=z = \frac{\pi}{2}, y= 0$

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Theia said:
I can find only one solution:

Taking a square and summing up will get

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}\sin^2 z + \cos^2 z = 1 &= \sin^2x\cos^2y + \cos^2x\sin^2y \\
& = \sin^2x + \sin^2y \left( \cos^2x - \sin^2x \right) \qquad \Rightarrow \end{align*} \)

\(\displaystyle \sin^2y = \frac{\cos^2x}{\cos^2x - \sin^2x} \ge 1.\)

Equality takes place when \(\displaystyle x = 0\) and thus \(\displaystyle y = \frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(\displaystyle z = 0\) is the only solution.
Hello Theia;
your approach is better than my approach but unfortunately you overlooked
$\sin \,y = \cos\, x = 0$
 
  • #4
Hi Theia!

Albeit you missed out another pair of solution, you still deserve a pat on the back for the job well done...and thanks for participating!

My solution:

Adding up the two equations gives:

$\sin z+\cos z=\sin x \cos y+\cos x \sin y$

Now, by applying the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality to the RHS of equation above yields:

$\sin z+\cos z=\sin x \cos y+\cos x \sin y\le \sqrt{\sin^2 x+\cos^2 x} \sqrt{\sin^2 y+\cos^2 y}=1$

$\left(\sin z+\cos z\right)^2\le 1^2$

$\sin^2 z+\cos^2 z+2\sin z \cos z\le 1^2$

$\sin z \cos z\le 0$ (*)

But since we're told \(\displaystyle x,\,y,\,z \in \left[0,\,\frac{\pi}{2}\right]\), the inequality (*) holds iff $\sin z=0$ or $\cos z=0$, which lead to two set of solutions where:

\(\displaystyle \left(x,\,y,\,z\right)=\left(0,\,\frac{\pi}{2},\,0\right),\,\left(\frac{\pi}{2},\,0,\,\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\)
 

FAQ: Solution to Trigonometric System

What is a trigonometric system?

A trigonometric system is a set of equations that involve trigonometric functions, such as sine, cosine, and tangent, and unknown variables. These systems can be solved using various methods to determine the values of the unknown variables.

What are the different methods for solving a trigonometric system?

Some common methods for solving trigonometric systems include substitution, elimination, and graphing. Other methods, such as using trigonometric identities or the unit circle, may also be used depending on the specific system.

How do I know if a trigonometric system has a solution?

A trigonometric system will have a solution if there are enough equations to determine the values of all the unknown variables. If the number of equations is less than the number of unknowns, the system may have infinite solutions or no solutions at all.

Can a trigonometric system have more than one solution?

Yes, a trigonometric system can have more than one solution, depending on the number of equations and unknown variables in the system. If there are multiple solutions, they may be expressed as a range of values or in terms of a variable.

How can I check if my solution to a trigonometric system is correct?

You can check your solution by substituting the values into the original equations and ensuring that they satisfy all of the equations. Additionally, you can use a graphing tool to plot the equations and see if the solution intersects with all of the lines.

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