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find all solutions to the equation in (0, 2pi) sin(6x)+sin(2x)=0

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3 Answers

So we have to turn  addition into multiplacation b/c  only then can we use the rule that allows us to solve following problem (x-2)(x+3) = 0   so that x-2 =0  and x+ 3 = 0  gives x=2 and x=3.  This law is called the ab=0 rule.

sin(6x)+ sin(2x) = 0   has a trig identity in  sin(a) + sin(b)  = 2sin( (a+b)/2)*sin((a-b)/2) 

the above becomes  2sin((6x+2x)/2)sin((6x-2x)/2)=0

2sin(4x)sin(2x)=0    Now that our expression is multiplication (this is idea in other problems too through factoring or other methods turn problem into some form of multiplication of trig expression)

Set each factor = 0     sin(4x)= 0      solution to this comes from our knowledge of when sin(theta)=0

sin(theta) = 0   when theta = 0 + n pi    (best to keep it general by using n so that we can answer all type of questions)

so theta is 4x               so    4x = 0  + n pi      now solve for x

x = 0/4  + n pi /4    Now let n cylce through its various values until  > 2pi = 8pi/4  with our current denom.

x = (0, pi/4 , 2pi/4,  3pi/4,  4pi/4, 5pi/4,  6pi/4,  7pi/4, 8pi/4)  last solution is striked because quest is between [0,2pi)  where 0 is included but 2pi result is not.   Notice also that I did not reduce the ans b/c these values are just easier to generate by not reducing first.  I can reduce later

These are not the only solutions b/c   sin(2x) = 0 as well

sin(theta) = 0   when theta = 0 + n pi      thus   2x = 0 + n pi    solve for x gives

x = 0/2  + n pi /2   again let n cycle through various values gives  until > 2pi = 4pi/2  gives

x = 0, pi/23pi/24pi/2  These are all stricken since they are just duplicates of previous ans after reducing.  

Comments

Your trig identity sin(a) + sin(b) = 2sin( (a+b)/2)*sin((a-b)/2)  is incorrect.

Don't memerize the formula. Use reasoning to derive it.

- Robert J. 11/9/2012
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sin(6x) + sin(2x) = 0

=> sin(4x+2x) + sin(4x-2x) = 0

=> 2sin(4x)cos(2x) = 0

Solving sin(4x) = 0 in (0, 2pi),

x = pi/4, pi/2, 3pi/4, pi, 5pi/4, 3pi/2, 7pi/4

Solving cos(2x) = 0 in (0, 2pi), you don't have new solutions.

Therefore, the answer is x = {pi/4, pi/2, 3pi/4, pi, 5pi/4, 3pi/2, 7pi/4}

Comments

Correct, but your (lack of) explanation about why sin(4x+2x)+sin(4x-2x)=2sin(4x)cos(2x) probably isn't clear to the OP.  To clarify for benefit of OP, here's why:

Sum of Sines formula(s):

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

Therefore:

sin(a + b) + sin(a - b)
   =   sin(a)cos(b) + cos(a)sin(b)
      + sin(a)cos(b) - cos(a)sin(b)
   =   2 sin(a) cos(b)

(Notice how cos(a) sin(b) cancels out, and sin(a)cos(b) gets doubled).  

Now apply sin(4x + 2x) + sin(4x - 2x), and you'll get Robert's solution.

 

- Michael B. 11/12/2012
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This is of the form: sin(a)+sin(b)=0 so, sin(a) = -sin(b). The solutions to this equation are all (a,b)  satisfying either a+b = 2kπ or a-b =(2k+1)π where k is an integer.

Applying to a=6x, b=2x, and looking for solutions 0<x<2π we have

1. a+b = 8x = 2kπ which contributes {π/4 , π/2 , 3π/4 , π , 5π/4 , 3π/2, 7π/4} to the solution set for x.

2.  a-b = 2x = (2k+1)π. which contributes {π/2 , 3π/2} to the solution set for x.

So the solution set for x is {π/4 , π/2 , 3π/4 , π , 5π/4 , 3π/2 , 7π/4}.

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