# Math Help - trigonometry (1)

1. ## trigonometry (1)

Without using mathematical tables or calculator , show that
$\theta=\frac{\pi}{10}$ satisfies the equation
$\sin2\theta=\cos3\theta$.

Thanks for ur help .

2. Hello,

Consider : $\cos^2 3\theta-\sin^2 2\theta$
------------------------------------------------------
Remember these identities :
$\cos(a+b)=\cos(a)\cos(b)-\sin(a)\sin(b)$

$\cos(a-b)=\cos(a)\cos(b)+\sin(a)\sin(b)$

Multiply them :

\begin{aligned}
\cos(a-b)\cos(a+b) &=\cos^2(a)\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)\sin^2(b) \\
&=\cos^2(b)(1-\sin^2(a))-\sin^2(a)\sin^2(b) \\
&=\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)\sin^2(b) \\
&=\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)(\cos^2(b)+\sin^2(b)) \\
&=\boxed{\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)}
\end{aligned}

------------------------------------------------------

Hence $\cos^2 3\theta-\sin^2 2\theta=\cos \theta \cos 5\theta$

And if $\theta=\frac{\pi}{10}$, then $\cos 5\theta=0$

So $0=\cos^2 3\theta-\sin^2 2\theta=(\cos 3\theta-\sin 2\theta)(\cos 3\theta+\sin 2\theta)$ (1)

Now notice that :
$3\theta=\frac{3\pi}{10}$ and $2\theta=\frac\pi 5$ are both in the first quadrant (because $<\frac\pi 2$)
So $\cos 3\theta>0$ and $\sin 2\theta>0$

Hence $\cos 3\theta+\sin 2\theta>0$

And it follows from (1) that $\boxed{\cos 3\theta-\sin 2\theta=0}$ if $\theta=\frac{\pi}{10}$

Looks clear to you ?

3. Originally Posted by thereddevils
Without using mathematical tables or calculator , show that

$\theta=\frac{\pi}{10}$ satisfies the equation
$\sin2\theta=\cos3\theta$.

Thanks for ur help .
Since it's a 'show question' (rather than a 'solve question') the following is perfectly acceptable:

$\cos \left( \frac{3 \pi}{10} \right) = \sin \left(\frac{\pi}{2} - \frac{3 \pi}{10} \right) = \sin \left( \frac{2 \pi}{10} \right)$

4. Originally Posted by Moo
Hello,

Consider : $\cos^2 3\theta-\sin^2 2\theta$
------------------------------------------------------
Remember these identities :
$\cos(a+b)=\cos(a)\cos(b)-\sin(a)\sin(b)$

$\cos(a-b)=\cos(a)\cos(b)+\sin(a)\sin(b)$

Multiply them :

\begin{aligned}
\cos(a-b)\cos(a+b) &=\cos^2(a)\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)\sin^2(b) \\
&=\cos^2(b)(1-\sin^2(a))-\sin^2(a)\sin^2(b) \\
&=\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)\sin^2(b) \\
&=\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)(\cos^2(b)+\sin^2(b)) \\
&=\boxed{\cos^2(b)-\sin^2(a)}
\end{aligned}

------------------------------------------------------

Hence $\cos^2 3\theta-\sin^2 2\theta=\cos \theta \cos 5\theta$

And if $\theta=\frac{\pi}{10}$, then $\cos 5\theta=0$

So $0=\cos^2 3\theta-\sin^2 2\theta=(\cos 3\theta-\sin 2\theta)(\cos 3\theta+\sin 2\theta)$ (1)

Now notice that :
$3\theta=\frac{3\pi}{10}$ and $2\theta=\frac\pi 5$ are both in the first quadrant (because $<\frac\pi 2$)
So $\cos 3\theta>0$ and $\sin 2\theta>0$

Hence $\cos 3\theta+\sin 2\theta>0$

And it follows from (1) that $\boxed{\cos 3\theta-\sin 2\theta=0}$ if $\theta=\frac{\pi}{10}$

Looks clear to you ?

What a beautiful solution ! Thanks Moo . Thanks Mr F too , for that simple and easy approach