Appendix
A-7: Trigonometry
Example A-7.3
For the equation 6 cos2x−cosx−2=0, find all solutions in the interval 0,2 π.
Solution
Mathematical Solution
Figure A-7.3(a), a graph of fx=6 cos2x−cosx−2, suggests that the equation fx=0 has four solutions in the interval 0,2 π.
The equation fx=0 is quadratic in cosx, so it can be solved with the quadratic formula, or by factoring. Indeed,
fx=2 cosx+1 3 cosx−2
By the Zero Principle, either or both factors must themselves be zero, so the following two equations must be solved.
2 cosx+1=0 and 3 cosx−2=0
Figure A-7.3(a) Graph of 6 cos2x−cosx−2
The solutions of the first are x=arccos−1/2=2 π/3≐2.094 and x=4 π/3≐4.189
The solutions of the second are x=arccos2/3≐0.841 and x=2 π−arccos2/3≐5.442
The cosine function is negative in the second and third quadrants; hence the two solutions of the first equation.
The cosine function is positive in the first and fourth quadrants; hence the two solutions of the second equation.
Calculations like this often arise as part of the solution of a calculus problem. Knowledge of basic trigonometry is a great asset in calculus.
Interactive Solution
Solution by Context Panel
Tools≻Load Package: Student Calculus 1
Loading Student:-Calculus1
Control-drag the equation and press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Student Calculus 1≻Solve≻Find Roots Enter bounds as per Figure A-7.3(b)
Context Panel: Approximate≻5 (digits)
Figure A-7.3(b) Bounds for roots
6 cos2x−cosx−2=0
6⁢cos⁡x2−cos⁡x−2=0
→roots
arccos⁡23,23⁢π,43⁢π,2⁢π−arccos⁡23
→at 5 digits
0.84107,2.0944,4.1887,5.4421
Solution from first principles
Control-drag the left-hand side of the equation. Press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Factor
6 cos2x−cosx−2
6⁢cos⁡x2−cos⁡x−2
= factor
2⁢cos⁡x+1⁢3⁢cos⁡x−2
Control-drag the first factor; equate to zero. Press the Enter key.
2⁢cosx+1=0
2⁢cos⁡x+1=0
23⁢π,43⁢π
2.0944,4.1887
Control-drag the second factor; equate to zero. Press the Enter key.
3⁢cosx−2=0
3⁢cos⁡x−2=0
arccos⁡23,2⁢π−arccos⁡23
0.84107,5.4421
Coded Solution
Tools≻Load Package: Student Calculus 1 (Skip this step if package already loaded.)
Assign the equation to the name q__1.
q__1≔6 cos2x−cosx−2=0:
Apply the Roots command with the appropriate bound on x.
q__2≔Rootsq__1,x=0..2 π
Apply the evalf command with 5 as the optional digits parameter.
evalfq__2,5
Apply the factor command to the equation.
q__2≔factorq__1
2⁢cos⁡x+1⁢3⁢cos⁡x−2=0
Use the lhs (left-hand side) command to select the left side of the factored equation.
q__3≔lhsq__2
Apply the Roots and evalf commands to each factor, extracting factors with the op command
q__4≔op1,q__3
2⁢cos⁡x+1
q__5≔Rootsq__4,x=0..2 π
evalfq__5,5
q__6≔op2,q__3
3⁢cos⁡x−2
q__7≔Rootsq__6,x=0..2 π
evalfq__7,5
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