Solving for x in a Trigonometric Equation: Where Did I Go Wrong?

  • Thread starter majinknight
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In summary, the conversation was about solving an equation (2sin^2 x = 1 - cos x) for x. The person provided their solution, but it was incorrect because they assumed 1-cos x = sin x. The expert suggested a different approach, using cosine instead of sine, and factoring the equation to solve for x. The person thanked the expert for their help and expressed confidence in solving the remaining questions.
  • #1
majinknight
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Ok now this question i got wrong too but i got 2 of the answers correct. ok question is solve for x the following equation.
2sin squared x= 1-cosx

Ok this is what i did.
2sin Squared x- sinx= 0
Let u= sinx
2uSquared - u=0
u(2u-1)=0
u=0, u=one half.
sinx=0, sinx=1/2
Now x= o and 2pie. And for the other part it get x=pie/6 and 5pie/6. Now i checked my answers with the sheet as it says answers and it says the answers are 0, 2pie, 2pie/3, 4pie/3. Now 2pie/3 is square root of 3/2 and 4pie/3 is -square root3/2. What did i do wrong?
 
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  • #2
I think the problem in your solution is that you assumed that:

[tex]1 - \cos x = \sin x[/tex]

I would do something like this...

[tex]2 \sin^2 x = 1 - \cos x[/tex]
[tex]2 (1 - \cos^2 x) = 1 - \cos x[/tex]
[tex]2 - 2 \cos^2 x - 1 + \cos x = 0[/tex]
[tex]-2 \cos^2 x + \cos x + 1 = 0[/tex]
[tex]2 \cos^2 x - \cos x - 1 = 0[/tex]

Then solve the quadratic equation.
 
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  • #3
Even better, you can factor it:

[tex]2 \cos^2 x - \cos x - 1 = 0[/tex]
[tex]2 \cos^2 x - 2 \cos x + \cos x - 1 = 0[/tex]
[tex]2 \cos x (\cos x - 1) + (\cos x - 1) = 0[/tex]
[tex](2 \cos x + 1)(\cos x - 1) = 0[/tex]
 
  • #4
Ya ok i see what i did wrong ,i like to use sin and find myself always using it and i should have went to cousine, i figured out to factor it once you helped me get to that step so thank you so much. I only have 7 more practise questions on this sheet and only 2 have stumped me so i am very proud. Thanks so much and if i need more help again i will ask. Thanks
 

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