# Solving A Trig Equation

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• January 28th 2010, 04:41 PM
jfinkbei
Solving A Trig Equation
I am very stuck on this, any hints would be very helpful.

$sinx + \frac{2}{\pi}x -2 = 0$

Solve for $x$.
• January 28th 2010, 05:14 PM
pickslides
Quote:

Originally Posted by jfinkbei
I am very stuck on this, any hints would be very helpful.

$sinx + \frac{2}{\pi}x -2 = 0$

Solve for $x$.

You cannot solve for x using elementary algebra here.

You will need to employ a numerical method.
• January 28th 2010, 09:14 PM
Pulock2009
can we use a graph if we can plot it????
• January 28th 2010, 10:30 PM
Grandad
Hello jfinkbei
Quote:

Originally Posted by jfinkbei
I am very stuck on this, any hints would be very helpful.

$sinx + \frac{2}{\pi}x -2 = 0$

Solve for $x$.

You can't normally solve an equation like this, other than by a numerical or a graphical method. However, this one is a bit 'sneaky'. Look at what happens if you put $x = \pi$.

Grandad
• January 30th 2010, 12:02 PM
pickslides
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pulock2009
can we use a graph if we can plot it????

You can find approximately where the solution is which could serve as a good starting point if using a numerical method like Newtons.

Read Grandad's post above. He has solved the equation by inspection. Clever cat that one!