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Popular Trigonometry >

sqrt(3)sin(x)-cos(x)=-1

  • Pre Algebra
  • Algebra
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Solution

3​sin(x)−cos(x)=−1

Solution

x=34π​+2πn,x=2πn
+1
Degrees
x=240∘+360∘n,x=0∘+360∘n
Solution steps
3​sin(x)−cos(x)=−1
Add cos(x) to both sides3​sin(x)=−1+cos(x)
Square both sides(3​sin(x))2=(−1+cos(x))2
Subtract (−1+cos(x))2 from both sides3sin2(x)−1+2cos(x)−cos2(x)=0
Rewrite using trig identities
−1−cos2(x)+2cos(x)+3sin2(x)
Use the Pythagorean identity: cos2(x)+sin2(x)=1sin2(x)=1−cos2(x)=−1−cos2(x)+2cos(x)+3(1−cos2(x))
Simplify −1−cos2(x)+2cos(x)+3(1−cos2(x)):2cos(x)−4cos2(x)+2
−1−cos2(x)+2cos(x)+3(1−cos2(x))
Expand 3(1−cos2(x)):3−3cos2(x)
3(1−cos2(x))
Apply the distributive law: a(b−c)=ab−aca=3,b=1,c=cos2(x)=3⋅1−3cos2(x)
Multiply the numbers: 3⋅1=3=3−3cos2(x)
=−1−cos2(x)+2cos(x)+3−3cos2(x)
Simplify −1−cos2(x)+2cos(x)+3−3cos2(x):2cos(x)−4cos2(x)+2
−1−cos2(x)+2cos(x)+3−3cos2(x)
Group like terms=−cos2(x)+2cos(x)−3cos2(x)−1+3
Add similar elements: −cos2(x)−3cos2(x)=−4cos2(x)=−4cos2(x)+2cos(x)−1+3
Add/Subtract the numbers: −1+3=2=2cos(x)−4cos2(x)+2
=2cos(x)−4cos2(x)+2
=2cos(x)−4cos2(x)+2
2+2cos(x)−4cos2(x)=0
Solve by substitution
2+2cos(x)−4cos2(x)=0
Let: cos(x)=u2+2u−4u2=0
2+2u−4u2=0:u=−21​,u=1
2+2u−4u2=0
Write in the standard form ax2+bx+c=0−4u2+2u+2=0
Solve with the quadratic formula
−4u2+2u+2=0
Quadratic Equation Formula:
For a=−4,b=2,c=2u1,2​=2(−4)−2±22−4(−4)⋅2​​
u1,2​=2(−4)−2±22−4(−4)⋅2​​
22−4(−4)⋅2​=6
22−4(−4)⋅2​
Apply rule −(−a)=a=22+4⋅4⋅2​
Multiply the numbers: 4⋅4⋅2=32=22+32​
22=4=4+32​
Add the numbers: 4+32=36=36​
Factor the number: 36=62=62​
Apply radical rule: nan​=a62​=6=6
u1,2​=2(−4)−2±6​
Separate the solutionsu1​=2(−4)−2+6​,u2​=2(−4)−2−6​
u=2(−4)−2+6​:−21​
2(−4)−2+6​
Remove parentheses: (−a)=−a=−2⋅4−2+6​
Add/Subtract the numbers: −2+6=4=−2⋅44​
Multiply the numbers: 2⋅4=8=−84​
Apply the fraction rule: −ba​=−ba​=−84​
Cancel the common factor: 4=−21​
u=2(−4)−2−6​:1
2(−4)−2−6​
Remove parentheses: (−a)=−a=−2⋅4−2−6​
Subtract the numbers: −2−6=−8=−2⋅4−8​
Multiply the numbers: 2⋅4=8=−8−8​
Apply the fraction rule: −b−a​=ba​=88​
Apply rule aa​=1=1
The solutions to the quadratic equation are:u=−21​,u=1
Substitute back u=cos(x)cos(x)=−21​,cos(x)=1
cos(x)=−21​,cos(x)=1
cos(x)=−21​:x=32π​+2πn,x=34π​+2πn
cos(x)=−21​
General solutions for cos(x)=−21​
cos(x) periodicity table with 2πn cycle:
x06π​4π​3π​2π​32π​43π​65π​​cos(x)123​​22​​21​0−21​−22​​−23​​​xπ67π​45π​34π​23π​35π​47π​611π​​cos(x)−1−23​​−22​​−21​021​22​​23​​​​
x=32π​+2πn,x=34π​+2πn
x=32π​+2πn,x=34π​+2πn
cos(x)=1:x=2πn
cos(x)=1
General solutions for cos(x)=1
cos(x) periodicity table with 2πn cycle:
x06π​4π​3π​2π​32π​43π​65π​​cos(x)123​​22​​21​0−21​−22​​−23​​​xπ67π​45π​34π​23π​35π​47π​611π​​cos(x)−1−23​​−22​​−21​021​22​​23​​​​
x=0+2πn
x=0+2πn
Solve x=0+2πn:x=2πn
x=0+2πn
0+2πn=2πnx=2πn
x=2πn
Combine all the solutionsx=32π​+2πn,x=34π​+2πn,x=2πn
Verify solutions by plugging them into the original equation
Check the solutions by plugging them into 3​sin(x)−cos(x)=−1
Remove the ones that don't agree with the equation.
Check the solution 32π​+2πn:False
32π​+2πn
Plug in n=132π​+2π1
For 3​sin(x)−cos(x)=−1plug inx=32π​+2π13​sin(32π​+2π1)−cos(32π​+2π1)=−1
Refine2=−1
⇒False
Check the solution 34π​+2πn:True
34π​+2πn
Plug in n=134π​+2π1
For 3​sin(x)−cos(x)=−1plug inx=34π​+2π13​sin(34π​+2π1)−cos(34π​+2π1)=−1
Refine−1=−1
⇒True
Check the solution 2πn:True
2πn
Plug in n=12π1
For 3​sin(x)−cos(x)=−1plug inx=2π13​sin(2π1)−cos(2π1)=−1
Refine−1=−1
⇒True
x=34π​+2πn,x=2πn

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is the general solution for sqrt(3)sin(x)-cos(x)=-1 ?

    The general solution for sqrt(3)sin(x)-cos(x)=-1 is x=(4pi)/3+2pin,x=2pin
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