# Thread: cot(x) + 3cot(2x) - 1 = 0

1. ## cot(x) + 3cot(2x) - 1 = 0

Hello this question looked straight forward enough, but I'm stuck and would really appreciate some help.

Solve on the interval $0\leq x \leq\2\pi$

$\cot\theta + 3\cot2\theta-1=0$

I tried writing it in terms of $\cos\theta$ and $\sin\theta$

And got this;

$\dfrac{5\cos^2\theat - 3\sin^2\theta}{2\sin\theta\cos\theta} =1$, among various similar equations.

I have worked on from here a bit, but can't seem to get it in terms of a trigonometric equation I can then solve. I'd really appreciate it if somone would tell me if I'm on the right track and should keep going or if I need to approach the question in a different way.

Thank you very much.

2. ## Re: cot(x) + 3cot(2x) - 1 = 0

Originally Posted by Furyan
Hello this question looked straight forward enough, but I'm stuck and would really appreciate some help.

Solve on the interval $0\leq x \leq\2\pi$

$\cot\theta + 3\cot2\theta-1=0$

I tried writing it in terms of $\cos\theta$ and $\sin\theta$

And got this;

$\dfrac{5\cos^2\theat - 3\sin^2\theta}{2\sin\theta\cos\theta} =1$, among various similar equations.

I have worked on from here a bit, but can't seem to get it in terms of a trigonometric equation I can then solve. I'd really appreciate it if somone would tell me if I'm on the right track and should keep going or if I need to approach the question in a different way.

Thank you very much.
Hey Furyan!

How about writing it in terms of $\cos 2\theta$ and $\sin 2\theta$?

3. ## Re: cot(x) + 3cot(2x) - 1 = 0

Hi ILikeSerena,

Thanks, I'll try that

4. ## Re: cot(x) + 3cot(2x) - 1 = 0

Hi ILikeSerena

Thank you very much indeed, that worked! I would never have gone that way if you hadn't suggested it. Although in the end it was simple, it took me rather a long time to get there.

I got:

$4\cos2\theta - \sin2\theta = -1$

Then I used:

$4\cos2\theta - \sin2\theta \equiv R\cos(2\theta + \alpha)$

And ended up with:

$\sqrt{17}\cos(2\theta + \arctan\dfrac{1}{4}) = -1$

6. ## Re: cot(x) + 3cot(2x) - 1 = 0

Thank you very much indeed, that worked! I would never have gone that way if you hadn't suggested it.

____________________
Find true love in The Tapout XT Fitness DVD and enjoy the moving time with them!