Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
mc-TY-rcostheta-alpha-2009-1
In this unit we explore how the sum of two trigonometric functions, e.g. 3 cos x + 4 sin x, can
be expressed as a single trigonometric function. Having the ability to do this enables you to
solve certain sorts of trigonometric equations and find maximum and minimum values of some
trigonometric functions.
In order to master the techniques explained here it is vital that you undertake the practice
exercises provided.
After reading this text, and/or viewing the video tutorial on this topic, you should be able to:
express the sum of two trigonometric functions, a cos x + b sin x, in the form R cos(x ).
Contents
1. Introduction 2
2. The graph of y = 3 cos x + 4 sin x 2
3. The expression R cos(x ) 3
4. Using the result to solve an equation 4
5. Finding maximum and minimum values 7
3 cos x + 4 sin x
You will find that in some applications, for example in solving trigonometric equations, it is helpful
to write these two terms as a single term. We study how this can be achieved in this unit.
-5
-5
So, if we want to write an expression of the form a cos x + b sin x in the form R cos(x ) we
can do this by comparing
a = R cos (1)
b = R sin (2)
How can we use these to find values for R and ? By squaring each of Equations (1) and (2)
and adding we find
a2 + b2 = R2 cos2 + R2 sin2
= R2 (cos2 + sin2 )
= R2
R sin b
=
R cos a
so that
b
tan =
a
Knowing tan we can find . So, now we can write any expression of the form a cos x + b sin x
in the form R cos(x ).
This is a very useful tool to have at ones disposal. It reduces the sum of two trigonometric
functions to one trigonometric function. This can make it so much easier to deal with.
When using tan = ab to find the value of , care must always be taken to ensure that lies
in the correct quadrant. In particular, if either or both of a and b are negative you must be very
careful. This will become apparent in the following examples.
In the next section we have a look at how we can use this result to solve equations. In the final
section we use it to determine maxima and minima of functions.
Exercises 1
Each of the following expressions can be written in the form R cos(x ) with < < . In
each case determine the values of R and (in radians) correct to 3 decimal places.
a= 2 and b=1
From the formula R = a2 + b2 we can calculate R:
q
R = ( 2)2 + 12 = 3
So the equation
2 cos x + sin x = 1
becomes
3 cos(x 0.615) = 1
that is
1
cos(x 0.615) =
3
This is very straightforward to solve. We seek the angle or angles which have a cosine of 1 .
3
Now if x lies in the interval < x < then x 0.615 must lie in the interval
Figure 3 shows a graph of the cosine function over this interval. The angle on the right of the
diagram which has a cosine of 13 can be found using a calculator and is 0.955. By symmetry
the angle on the left is 0.955. Hence
cos x
1
3
- - 0.9533 0.9553 x
Figure 3. The cosine graph and a calculator enable us to find angles which have a cosine of 1 .
3
Example
Suppose we wish to solve the equation
cos x 3 sin x = 2
Note in particular
that b is negative, and this will be important when we calculate . From the
formula R = a2 + b2 we can calculate R:
q
R = 12 + ( 3)2 = 4 = 2
x + 60 = 360
that is
x = 300
The only solution lying in the given interval is x = 300 .
Exercises 2
Solve the following equations for 0 < x < 2
Now the maximum value of the cosine function is 1 and this occurs when the angle x = 0,
i.e. when x = . So the maximum value of f (x) must be 5 1 3 = 2.
What about the minimum value of f (x) ? We know that the minimum value of the cosine
function 1 and this occurs when x = , i.e. when x = + . So the minimum value of
f (x) is 5 1 3 = 8.
So, very quickly and with the minimum amount of work we have established a maximum value
and a minimum value, and based upon this information we could go ahead and sketch a graph
of f (x). We see that the form R cos(x ) is a very powerful form for us to know how to use
and for us to be able to formulate from expressions such as 4 cos x + 3 sin x.
Exercises 3
For each of the following functions determine the maximum value and the smallest positive angle
(in radians, to three decimal places) at which the maximum value occurs.
Exercises 1
a) 13, 1.176 b) 10, 0.322 c) 10, 0.322 d) 61, 0.695
e) 13, 1.966 f) 17, 0.245 g) 13, -2.159 h) 10, 1.893
3 3
i) 2, j) 2, k) 2, l) 2,
4 4 4 4
Exercises 2
3 3
a) 1.571, or 5.640 b) 0.644 or 4.712 c) 2.498 or 4.712
2 2 2
d) 4.069 e) 2.214 f) 3.142 () or 0.927
Exercises 3
a) Max value 11 at 0.927 b) Max value 8 at 2.498
7
c) Max value 6 at 4.069 d) Max value 2 + 2 at
4