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Finding exact values for trigonometric functions

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(d) Hence find the exact values of tan(k16π) \tan \left (\frac{k}{16} \pi \right ) for k=1,5,9 and 16 k=1,5,9 \text{ and } 16 .
Any ideas for part d?
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 1
Original post by Ano123
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(d) Hence find the exact values of tan(k16π) \tan \left (\frac{k}{16} \pi \right ) for k=1,5,9 and 16 k=1,5,9 \text{ and } 16 .
Any ideas for part d?


Solve the quartic given in the question.
Reply 2
How do you suppose I do that? It won't factorise nicely.
If you let t=tan(θ)t=\tan(\theta) then you get the quartic when tan(4θ)=1\tan(4\theta)=1.

So find the solutions of that.

For d) Find what the sum of the squares of the roots is. Use Σα2=(Σα)22Σαβ\Sigma \alpha^2 = (\Sigma \alpha)^2 - 2\Sigma \alpha \beta

You might also need to convert some of the roots from c) so you answer d)

Hope that helps
Reply 4
Original post by Math12345
If you let t=tan(θ)t=\tan(\theta) then you get the quartic when tan(4θ)=1\tan(4\theta)=1.

So find the solutions of that.

For d) Find what the sum of the squares of the roots is. Use Σα2=(Σα)22Σαβ\Sigma \alpha^2 = (\Sigma \alpha)^2 - 2\Sigma \alpha \beta

You might also need to convert some of the roots from c) so you answer d)

Hope that helps


It's only part d that is the trouble. :smile:

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