Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Solve Trig Equation for x

  1. December 14th 2011, 02:37 PM #1
    Braedong
    Braedong is offline
    Newbie
    Joined
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    11

    Solve Trig Equation for x

    Solve the equation for 0 < x < 360°
    sinx^2-1-cosx^2=0

    I'm not sure how to factor it when there are two different variables.
    Follow Math Help Forum on Facebook and Google+
  2. December 14th 2011, 02:44 PM #2
    Plato
    Plato is online now
    MHF Contributor
    Joined
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    17,190
    Thanks
    895
    Awards
    1
    MHF Donor

    re: Solve Trig Equation for x

    Quote Originally Posted by Braedong View Post
    Solve the equation for 0 < x < 360°
    sinx^2-1-cosx^2=0
    Is it \sin(x^2)-1-\cos(x^2)=0 OR is it \sin^2(x)-1-\cos^2(x)=0~?~?
    Follow Math Help Forum on Facebook and Google+
  3. December 14th 2011, 02:46 PM #3
    skeeter
    skeeter is offline
    MHF Contributor
    skeeter's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2008
    From
    North Texas
    Posts
    11,625
    Thanks
    425

    re: Solve Trig Equation for x

    Quote Originally Posted by Braedong View Post
    Solve the equation for 0 < x < 360°
    sinx^2-1-cosx^2=0

    I'm not sure how to factor it when there are two different variables.
    identities ... identities ... identities ...

    \sin^2{x} - (\sin^2{x} + \cos^2{x}) - \cos^2{x} = 0

    ... did I mention something about identities ?
    Follow Math Help Forum on Facebook and Google+
  4. December 14th 2011, 02:48 PM #4
    Braedong
    Braedong is offline
    Newbie
    Joined
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    11

    re: Solve Trig Equation for x

    I haven't learned about identities yet, I have no idea what that is.
    Follow Math Help Forum on Facebook and Google+
  5. December 14th 2011, 02:58 PM #5
    skeeter
    skeeter is offline
    MHF Contributor
    skeeter's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2008
    From
    North Texas
    Posts
    11,625
    Thanks
    425

    re: Solve Trig Equation for x

    Quote Originally Posted by Braedong View Post
    I haven't learned about identities yet, I have no idea what that is.
    I cannot believe that you are at the point of solving trig equations and you have not encountered the basic Pythagorean identity \sin^2{x} + \cos^2{x} = 1 ...

    is this an "online" course?
    Follow Math Help Forum on Facebook and Google+
  6. December 14th 2011, 02:58 PM #6
    Prove It
    Prove It is offline
    MHF Contributor Prove It's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    10,385
    Thanks
    756

    re: Solve Trig Equation for x

    Quote Originally Posted by Braedong View Post
    I haven't learned about identities yet, I have no idea what that is.
    An identity is an equivalent expression. In this case, there are equivalent expressions that would simplify your equation greatly.

    Second, you have not answered Plato's question in post #2. Until you do that, we can not help you any further.
    Follow Math Help Forum on Facebook and Google+
« Even more trig function help | diagram 3D »

Similar Math Help Forum Discussions

  1. Compute Trig Function Values, Solve Trig Equation
    Posted in the Trigonometry Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: September 8th 2011, 07:00 PM
  2. How to solve this trig equation!
    Posted in the Trigonometry Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: November 15th 2010, 07:31 PM
  3. Solve this trig equation
    Posted in the Trigonometry Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: September 18th 2009, 02:35 AM
  4. Solve trig equation please help
    Posted in the Trigonometry Forum
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: May 30th 2009, 02:44 AM
  5. Solve trig equation
    Posted in the Trigonometry Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: April 20th 2006, 06:28 AM

Search Tags


/mathhelpforum @mathhelpforum