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Trigonometry question? C2 ocr mei

Solve the equation tan θ = 2 sin θ for 0◦ θ 360◦.

Ive got to sin theta/cos theta = 2 sin theta but dont know where to go from here, can anyone help?
Reply 1
Original post by liverpool2044
Solve the equation tan θ = 2 sin θ for 0◦ θ 360◦.

Ive got to sin theta/cos theta = 2 sin theta but dont know where to go from here, can anyone help?


You can rearrange to "something = 0", and factorize (common factor of sin theta) then solve as normal.
Reply 2
Original post by liverpool2044
Solve the equation tan θ = 2 sin θ for 0◦ θ 360◦.

Ive got to sin theta/cos theta = 2 sin theta but dont know where to go from here, can anyone help?


the best method is the factorization

constraints: cosθ0\cos \theta \neq 0

sinθ(1cosθ2)=0\displaystyle \sin \theta \left (\frac{1}{\cos \theta}-2\right )=0

This product will be zero iff any of the factor wiil be zero, so we get two equations.to solve
(edited 8 years ago)
Wait, i dont really understand how you got to that, could you give me a step by step of how youve got to that, sorry if im being silly haha, appreciated
Reply 4
Original post by liverpool2044
Wait, i dont really understand how you got to that, could you give me a step by step of how youve got to that, sorry if im being silly haha, appreciated


tanθ=2sinθ \displaystyle \tan \theta=2 \cdot \sin \theta

sinθcosθ=2sinθ\displaystyle \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}=2 \cdot \sin \theta

subtracting 2sinθ2 \cdot \sin \theta from both sides

sinθcosθ2sinθ=0\displaystyle \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}-2 \cdot \sin \theta =0

taking out the common factor

sinθ(1cosθ2)=0\displaystyle \sin \theta \cdot \left (\frac{1}{\cos \theta}-2 \right ) =0

Note:


sinθcosθ=1cosθsinθ=1cosθ11sinθ=1cosθsinθ=1cosθ1sinθ=...\displaystyle \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} = \frac{1}{\cos \theta} \cdot \sin \theta =\frac{1}{\cos \theta} \cdot \frac{1}{\frac{1}{\sin \theta}}=\frac{1}{\frac{\cos \theta}{\sin \theta}}=\frac{\frac{1}{\cos \theta}}{\frac{1}{\sin \theta}}=...

and so on
(edited 8 years ago)
thats brilliant, just what i wanted, thank you!:smile:
it does say in the mark scheme its 2cos theta - 1 = 0, how do you arrange it to this?
Reply 7
Original post by liverpool2044
it does say in the mark scheme its 2cos theta - 1 = 0, how do you arrange it to this?


well, let's answer the question

We've got

sinθ(1cosθ2)=0\displaystyle \sin \theta \cdot \left (\frac{1}{\cos \theta}-2 \right ) =0

As I wrote there is a statement: i.e. the product of two factors above is zero

In mathematics with no zero divider from this follows bellow

1. The first factor is zero (sinθ=0 \sin \theta =0)
OR
2. The second factor is zero (1cosθ2=0\frac{1}{\cos \theta}-2=0)

THe OR is logical OR, so the two statement can be true at the same time

Arranging the 2nd: multiplying by cosθ\cos \theta because it can not be zero
as i wrote

12cosθ=0\displaystyle 1-2\cos \theta =0

Multiplying by -1

2cosθ1=0\displaystyle 2\cos \theta - 1 =0

as the mark scheme says. But this is not the final answer

Does the mark scheme say sinθ=0 \displaystyle \sin \theta =0

If it does not, than there was a dividing by sinθ\sin \theta which
can result loss of roots, because the value of sinθ\sin \theta can be 0.

So at such dividing we have to say that sinθ0\sin \theta \neq 0
and the end of the answer we have to examine what if sinθ=0\sin \theta = 0.

This is a general rule for dividing by terms containing unknown variable.
At the other side multiplying by so terms we can get false roots.
(edited 8 years ago)
sin theta = 0 on the exam but thank you so much:smile:

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