Chapter 5: Problem 72
Use inverse functions where needed to find all solutions of the equation in the interval \(\mathbf{0}, \mathbf{2} \boldsymbol{\pi}\) ). $$\sec ^{2} x+2 \sec x-8=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solutions to the trigonometric equation \(\sec ^{2} x+2 \sec x-8=0\) in the interval from 0 to \(2\pi\) are \(x \approx 1.318, 2.094, 4.188, 5.823\).
Step by step solution
01
Convert sec to cos
Express the equation in terms of the cosine function. Substitute \(\sec(x)\) with \(1/\cos(x)\) in the original equation to yield: \((1/\cos^2(x)) + 2(1/\cos(x)) - 8 = 0\)
02
Clear the Fraction
Get rid of the denominators by multiplying through by \(\cos^2(x)\), resulting in the new equation: \(1 + 2\cos(x) - 8\cos^2(x) = 0\).
03
Rearrange the Equation
Rearrange the equation to the standard quadratic form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\), which gives: \(8\cos^2(x) - 2\cos(x) - 1 = 0\).
04
Solve for cos(x)
Solve the equation for \(\cos(x)\) using the quadratic formula \(x = [ -b \pm \sqrt{ (b^2 - 4ac) } ] / 2a\), to obtain the roots: \(\cos(x) = 1/4, -1/2\). Determine the corresponding x-values within the interval from 0 to \(2\pi\).
05
Solve for x
Invoke the inverse cosine function, \(\cos^{-1}\), to solve for x. The solutions to the original equation \(x = \cos^{-1}(1/4)\) and \(x = \cos^{-1}(-1/2)\) are \(x \approx 1.318, 2.094, 4.188, 5.823\) in the range of 0 to \(2\pi\).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Inverse Functions
Inverse functions play a key role in solving equations where the solution involves finding the original angle from a known trigonometric ratio. In this exercise, after identifying the values of \( \cos(x) \) using the quadratic equation, the inverse cosine function \( \cos^{-1} \) is applied. This function helps unravel the angle corresponding to a specific cosine value. The inverse squared secant, \( \sec^{-2} \), would allow us to derive \( \cos(x) \), but it's more common to switch directly to \( \cos(x) \) and use \( \cos^{-1} \) instead.
- Key Point: \( \cos^{-1} \) helps in translating between cosine values and their associated angle measures.
- Ensures all potential angle solutions within the specified interval are found.
- Helps confirm the angles that satisfy \( \cos(x) = \frac{1}{4} \) and \( \cos(x) = -\frac{1}{2} \) in the interval \([0, 2\pi]\).
Quadratic Equation
Quadratic equations are essential when trigonometric equations are expressed in polynomial forms involving squares and linear terms. Here, the equation is transformed into a standard quadratic form: \( 8\cos^2(x) - 2\cos(x) - 1 = 0 \). Solving this involves using the well-known quadratic formula:
\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
- Identify coefficients: Here, \( a = 8 \), \( b = -2 \), and \( c = -1 \).
- Calculate the root values of \( \cos(x) \).
- Find roots: \( \cos(x) \) values like \( \frac{1}{4} \) and \( -\frac{1}{2} \).
Cosine Function
The cosine function, \( \cos(x) \), is fundamentally important in trigonometry. It measures the adjacent side over the hypotenuse in a right-angled triangle or it gives the x-coordinate of a point on the unit circle, depending on context. In this context, we first convert the secant into cosine, understanding that \( \sec(x) = \frac{1}{\cos(x)} \).
- Transformation: Using the relationship between secant and cosine helps simplify the equation.
- Range Consideration: Ensure \( \cos(x) \) falls within its standard range of \([-1, 1]\).
- Determine feasible \( x \) values that solve \( \cos(x) = \frac{1}{4} \) and \( -\frac{1}{2} \)
Secant Function
The secant function, denoted \( \sec(x) \), is the reciprocal of the cosine function: \( \sec(x) = \frac{1}{\cos(x)} \). It is less commonly used directly than the sine and cosine functions, but serves important roles in solving trigonometric equations by relating to cosine. For this problem:
- Initial Conversion: Transform \( \sec(x) \) to \( \frac{1}{\cos(x)} \) to bring it in terms of the more manageable cosine form.
- Compatibility: Ensure the function's range aligns with real values of cosine.
- Emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between \( \sec \) and \( \cos \).