# Finding all of the angles when sec(3x)

• July 1st 2011, 03:12 PM
Zellator
Finding all of the angles when sec(3x)
Hi Forum
I have some ideas myself on this one, but I'd love to hear how you guys would proceed in this scenario.

Find the sum of all solutions in the interval $[0,2\pi)$ for the equation $sec(3x)=\sqrt2$

First, we can put this in the form $cos(3x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt2}$ for better viewing.
We know that $cos(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt2}$ is $\frac{\pi}{4}$ and $\frac{7\pi}{4}$.

Then our period will equal $\frac{2\pi}{3}$, so the distance from one $\sqrt2$ to another is $\frac{\pi}{3}$
Since our $\sqrt2$ will appear 3 times faster because of the $3x$, our first $\sqrt2$ is $\frac{\pi}{12}$

Now, can we just go summing it to $\frac{\pi}{3}$ until we get to $2\pi$?
What do you guys think? :)

Thanks!
• July 1st 2011, 03:17 PM
mr fantastic
Re: Finding all of the angles when sec(3x)
Quote:

Originally Posted by Zellator
Hi Forum
I have some ideas myself on this one, but I'd love to hear how you guys would proceed in this scenario.

Find the sum of all solutions in the interval $[0,2\pi)$ for the equation $sec(3x)=\sqrt2$

First, we can put this in the form $cos(3x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt2}$ for better viewing.
We know that $cos(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt2}$ is $\frac{\pi}{4}$ and $\frac{7\pi}{4}$.

Then our period will equal $\frac{2\pi}{3}$, so the distance from one $\sqrt2$ to another is $\frac{\pi}{3}$
Since our $\sqrt2$ will appear 3 times faster because of the $3x$, our first $\sqrt2$ is $\frac{\pi}{12}$

Now, can we just go summing it to $\frac{\pi}{3}$ until we get to $2\pi$?
What do you guys think? :)

Thanks!

I think you should find all the values of x that lie in the given interval and then add them up.
• July 1st 2011, 03:25 PM
pickslides
Re: Finding all of the angles when sec(3x)
Hi Zellator, you have the right idea

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zellator

First, we can put this in the form $cos(3x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt2}$ for better viewing.
We know that $cos(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt2}$ is $\frac{\pi}{4}$ and $\frac{7\pi}{4}$.

$\cos(3x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt2}\implies 3x = \frac{\pi}{4},\frac{7\pi}{4}\implies x = \frac{\pi}{12},\frac{7\pi}{12}$

Now add $\frac{2\pi}{3}$ to these solutions, up to $2\pi$

After that add them up as suggested in post #2.
• July 1st 2011, 03:44 PM
Zellator
Re: Finding all of the angles when sec(3x)
Hey mr fantastic and pickslides!

It's great to know that I am on the right track, then.
Thanks for your second opinions, that was really appreciated :)