Kim S.

asked • 04/13/15

How to factor a trig equation?

solve for x by factoring out where 0 < (or equal to) x < (or equal to) Pi/2 
 
sin^2x-sinxcosx=0.
 I really need some help. I think I did it right, but I'm unsure

2 Answers By Expert Tutors

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Michael W. answered • 04/14/15

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Michael W.

(sorry about the formatting...meant that to be a comment on the previous response and clicked the wrong button!)
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04/14/15

Michael J.

Yes, there is one more solution to this problems as Michael W mentioned.
 
The angle that makes sin(x) = cos(x) is 45 degrees, or π/4. This is because when one angle of a right triangle is 45 degrees, the triangle is an isosceles right triangle.  The two legs have the same length, making sine and cosine equal to each other.
 
The other solution is
 
x = π/4
 
 
In addition, neglect π and 2π from the solution.  Although, these two solutions are generally true, they do not fall in the boundary 0 ≤ x ≤ π/2  as specified in the question.
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04/14/15

Michael J. answered • 04/14/15

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Kim S.

Thank you so much! I got the same solutions as you
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04/14/15

Michael W.

Can't we also set the other factor equal to zero, so:
 
sin(x) - cos(x) = 0
 
Moving the cosine to the other side:
 
sin(x) = cos(x)
 
Aren't there a couple of angles where the sine of x is equal to the cosine of x?
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04/14/15

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