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Popular Trigonometry >

3cos^2(x)+2cos(x)-1=0

  • Pre Algebra
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Solution

3cos2(x)+2cos(x)−1=0

Solution

x=1.23095…+2πn,x=2π−1.23095…+2πn,x=π+2πn
+1
Degrees
x=70.52877…∘+360∘n,x=289.47122…∘+360∘n,x=180∘+360∘n
Solution steps
3cos2(x)+2cos(x)−1=0
Solve by substitution
3cos2(x)+2cos(x)−1=0
Let: cos(x)=u3u2+2u−1=0
3u2+2u−1=0:u=31​,u=−1
3u2+2u−1=0
Solve with the quadratic formula
3u2+2u−1=0
Quadratic Equation Formula:
For a=3,b=2,c=−1u1,2​=2⋅3−2±22−4⋅3(−1)​​
u1,2​=2⋅3−2±22−4⋅3(−1)​​
22−4⋅3(−1)​=4
22−4⋅3(−1)​
Apply rule −(−a)=a=22+4⋅3⋅1​
Multiply the numbers: 4⋅3⋅1=12=22+12​
22=4=4+12​
Add the numbers: 4+12=16=16​
Factor the number: 16=42=42​
Apply radical rule: nan​=a42​=4=4
u1,2​=2⋅3−2±4​
Separate the solutionsu1​=2⋅3−2+4​,u2​=2⋅3−2−4​
u=2⋅3−2+4​:31​
2⋅3−2+4​
Add/Subtract the numbers: −2+4=2=2⋅32​
Multiply the numbers: 2⋅3=6=62​
Cancel the common factor: 2=31​
u=2⋅3−2−4​:−1
2⋅3−2−4​
Subtract the numbers: −2−4=−6=2⋅3−6​
Multiply the numbers: 2⋅3=6=6−6​
Apply the fraction rule: b−a​=−ba​=−66​
Apply rule aa​=1=−1
The solutions to the quadratic equation are:u=31​,u=−1
Substitute back u=cos(x)cos(x)=31​,cos(x)=−1
cos(x)=31​,cos(x)=−1
cos(x)=31​:x=arccos(31​)+2πn,x=2π−arccos(31​)+2πn
cos(x)=31​
Apply trig inverse properties
cos(x)=31​
General solutions for cos(x)=31​cos(x)=a⇒x=arccos(a)+2πn,x=2π−arccos(a)+2πnx=arccos(31​)+2πn,x=2π−arccos(31​)+2πn
x=arccos(31​)+2πn,x=2π−arccos(31​)+2πn
cos(x)=−1:x=π+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=π+2πn
x=π+2πn
Combine all the solutionsx=arccos(31​)+2πn,x=2π−arccos(31​)+2πn,x=π+2πn
Show solutions in decimal formx=1.23095…+2πn,x=2π−1.23095…+2πn,x=π+2πn

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is the general solution for 3cos^2(x)+2cos(x)-1=0 ?

    The general solution for 3cos^2(x)+2cos(x)-1=0 is x=1.23095…+2pin,x=2pi-1.23095…+2pin,x=pi+2pin
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