Trigonometry : Solving trigonometric functions

**dMh** · April 5th 2010, 02:58 PM

Solve for x:

x = cotx , where x E [0, pi]

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I have no idea how to solve for 'x' in this equation.

Some advice please?
Many thanks in advance,
dMh

**pickslides** · April 5th 2010, 03:00 PM

You will need to use a numerical method to solve this, try Newton's or the Bisection method.

**dMh** · April 5th 2010, 03:04 PM

I've never heard of either methods.

I'm taking "pre-calculus" at the moment and haven't learned too much.

**skeeter** · April 5th 2010, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by dMh

I've never heard of either methods.

I'm taking "pre-calculus" at the moment and haven't learned too much.

graph $y = x-\frac{1}{\tan{x}}$ in your calculator (make sure your calculator is in radian mode) and look for the zero(s) in the given interval.

**dMh** · April 5th 2010, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by skeeter

graph $y = x-\frac{1}{\tan{x}}$ in your calculator (make sure your calculator is in radian mode) and look for the zero(s) in the given interval.

Why $y = x-\frac{1}{\tan{x}}$ ?

Not $y = \frac{1}{\tan{x}} -x$ ?

**skeeter** · April 5th 2010, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by dMh

Why $y = x-\frac{1}{\tan{x}}$ ?

Not $y = \frac{1}{\tan{x}} -x$ ?

either one will work ... you're looking for the zero(s)

Thread: Trigonometry : Solving trigonometric functions