Chapter 14: Problem 1
Find all solutions of each equation for the given interval. \(4 \cos ^{2} \theta=1 ; 0^{\circ} \leq \theta<360^{\circ}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \theta = 60^{\circ}, 120^{\circ}, 240^{\circ}, 300^{\circ} \)
Step by step solution
01
Simplify the Equation
The given equation is \( 4 \cos^2 \theta = 1 \). Divide both sides by 4 to isolate \( \cos^2 \theta \). This gives us:\[ \cos^2 \theta = \frac{1}{4} \]
02
Solve for Cosine
Take the square root of both sides to solve for \( \cos \theta \):\[ \cos \theta = \pm \frac{1}{2} \]This means that \( \cos \theta \) can be \( \frac{1}{2} \) or \( -\frac{1}{2} \).
03
Find Solutions for \( \cos \theta = \frac{1}{2} \)
Recall that \( \cos \theta = \frac{1}{2} \) occurs at angles \( \theta = 60^{\circ} \) and \( \theta = 300^{\circ} \) within the interval \( 0^{\circ} \leq \theta < 360^{\circ} \).
04
Find Solutions for \( \cos \theta = -\frac{1}{2} \)
Similarly, \( \cos \theta = -\frac{1}{2} \) occurs at angles \( \theta = 120^{\circ} \) and \( \theta = 240^{\circ} \) within the interval \( 0^{\circ} \leq \theta < 360^{\circ} \).
05
Compile All Solutions
Combine all solutions from the previous steps. The solutions to the equation \( 4 \cos^2 \theta = 1 \) in the given interval are \( \theta = 60^{\circ}, 120^{\circ}, 240^{\circ}, 300^{\circ} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cosine Function
The cosine function, denoted as \( \cos \theta \), is a fundamental trigonometric function. It relates the angle \( \theta \) of a right-angled triangle to the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse. Understanding the behavior of the cosine function is crucial for solving trigonometric equations.
- The cosine function varies between -1 and 1 as the angle \( \theta \) changes.
- It is periodic with a period of \( 360^{\circ} \) (or \( 2\pi \) radians).
- At \( \theta = 0^{\circ} \), the cosine value is 1. It decreases to 0 at \( \theta = 90^{\circ} \), -1 at \( 180^{\circ} \), 0 again at \( 270^{\circ} \), and back to 1 at \( 360^{\circ} \).
Trigonometric Identities
Trigonometric identities are equations involving trigonometric functions that hold true for all angles. These identities can simplify the process of solving trigonometric equations.
- One of the most essential identities is the Pythagorean identity: \( \cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1 \).
- This can be rearranged, as in the exercise, to isolate \( \cos^2 \theta \) and solve for cosine.
- The double-angle identities and sum-to-product identities are also pivotal in various problems.
Solving Equations
Solving trigonometric equations involves finding all the angles that satisfy the equation within a given interval. This process can include several steps:
- First, simplify the equation using algebraic techniques. For example, dividing both sides by a constant to isolate the trigonometric function.
- Second, use trigonometric identities to further break down the equation.
- Finally, solve for the specific trigonometric function, as with finding that \( \cos \theta = \pm \frac{1}{2} \).
Angle Solutions
The final step in solving a trigonometric equation is to find all angle solutions within a specified interval. This requires knowledge of when particular trigonometric values occur:
- Given that \( \cos \theta = \frac{1}{2} \), the angles are \( 60^{\circ} \) or \( 300^{\circ} \).
- For \( \cos \theta = -\frac{1}{2} \), the angles are \( 120^{\circ} \) or \( 240^{\circ} \).