Solve cos 6x=(1/2) for principal values in degree

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In summary, the equation cos 6x = (1/2) has solutions for x at intervals of pi/18 radians or 10 degrees, within the range of 0 to 2pi.
  • #1
blake1
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cos 6x=(1/2)
 
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  • #2
blake said:
cos 6x=(1/2)

note $\cos{\theta} = \dfrac{1}{2}$ at $\theta = \dfrac{\pi}{3} \text{ and } \dfrac{5\pi}{3}$

$0 \le x < 2\pi \implies 0 \le 6x < 12\pi$

$\cos(6x) = \dfrac{1}{2} \implies 6x = \dfrac{\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{5\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{7\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{11\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{13\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{17\pi}{3}\, , \, \dfrac{19\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{23\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{25\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{29\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{31\pi}{3} \, , \, \dfrac{35\pi}{3}$

$x = \dfrac{\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{5\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{7\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{11\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{13\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{17\pi}{18}\, , \, \dfrac{19\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{23\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{25\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{29\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{31\pi}{18} \, , \, \dfrac{35\pi}{18}$
 
  • #3
Skeeter's answer is, of course, in radians. To get the answer in degrees remember that [tex]\pi[/tex] radians is 180 degrees. That is, [tex]\frac{180}{\pi}= 1[/tex] so [tex]\frac{\pi}{18}[/tex] radians is the same as [tex]\frac{\pi}{18}\frac{180}{\pi}= 10[/tex] degrees.
 

FAQ: Solve cos 6x=(1/2) for principal values in degree

What is the principal value of cos 6x when it is equal to 1/2?

The principal value of cos 6x when it is equal to 1/2 is approximately 60 degrees or π/3 radians.

How do you solve cos 6x=(1/2) for principal values in degrees?

To solve cos 6x=(1/2) for principal values in degrees, you can use the inverse cosine function or the unit circle. Simply take the inverse cosine of 1/2, which is 60 degrees, and then divide by 6 to get the principal value of x as 10 degrees.

Is there more than one principal value for cos 6x=(1/2) in degrees?

Yes, there are multiple principal values for cos 6x=(1/2) in degrees. This is because the cosine function is periodic and has a repeating pattern. The other possible principal values are 180 degrees or π radians plus the initial principal value of 10 degrees, resulting in 190 degrees or 7π/6 radians, and 360 degrees or 2π radians plus the initial principal value of 10 degrees, resulting in 370 degrees or 13π/6 radians.

Can you solve cos 6x=(1/2) for principal values in radians?

Yes, you can solve cos 6x=(1/2) for principal values in radians using the same method as solving for degrees. The only difference is, you will use radians instead of degrees in your calculations.

What is the general solution for cos 6x=(1/2) in degrees?

The general solution for cos 6x=(1/2) in degrees is x = 10 + 360n, where n is any integer. This is because the cosine function repeats every 360 degrees, so adding or subtracting a multiple of 360 will result in another solution.

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