Exact solutions with radians
Im struggling to get my head around radians, and with this question im lost.
And if you could explain what you're oing as wel so i can follow on thatd be brilliant.
Find all exact solutions in radians of
2cos^2 a + sqrt2 cos a = 0, when 0 _< a _< 2pi
_< is greater or equal to.
Fanks!
Re: Exact solutions with radians
Whynot say
then solve 
Re: Exact solutions with radians
So the answer would cos a = pi/4 ?
Or did i do something wrong.
Re: Exact solutions with radians
You're close, you should be solving 
Re: Exact solutions with radians
Dude, any chance you could show your working? Im confused as to how you got there.
Ill give you a foot rub :)
Re: Exact solutions with radians
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FlexedCookie
Find all exact solutions in radians of
2cos^2 a + sqrt2 cos a = 0, when 0 _< a _< 2pi

factor ...
 = 0)
now set each factor equal to 0 and finish it.
Re: Exact solutions with radians
Im so sorry but that just made me even more confused :( mind putting in your working? Im desperately trying to get my head around how these things are working...
Re: Exact solutions with radians
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FlexedCookie
Im so sorry but that just made me even more confused :( mind putting in your working? Im desperately trying to get my head around how these things are working...
What do you know about factoring and using the zero product property to solve equations? If you are unfamiliar with this procedure, then I recommend you speak to your instructor.
Re: Exact solutions with radians
Alrighty i asked but hejust gave me some answer that made even less sense.
any chance of your working mate? :( im desperate to figure out how this one works.
Re: Exact solutions with radians
Can you solve a general quadratic? I.e. do you know that if $\displaystyle \begin{align*} ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \end{align*}$ then $\displaystyle \begin{align*} x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \end{align*}$?
If so, can you solve $\displaystyle \begin{align*} 2x^2 + \sqrt{2}x = 0 \end{align*}$?
Re: Exact solutions with radians
I know how to solve the quadratic, its getting it to the quadratic im sucking at.
Re: Exact solutions with radians
Rightio. Managed to solve the first set of factors by setting it to 0. Got -1/sqrt2
Having trouble solving the second factor. i have no idea how to solve sqrtcos x +1 =0
any tips?