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12 cot2(x) = 4 find all values of x in the interval [0, 2π] that satisfy the equation

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3 votes

Final answer:

To solve 12 cot2(x) = 4, we simplify and use properties of the tangent function. The solution is x = π/3, 2π/3, 4π/3, and 5π/3 within the interval [0, 2π].

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the trigonometric equation 12 cot2(x) = 4, we first simplify it to find cot2(x) = 1/3 by dividing both sides by 12. To find cot(x), we take the square root of both sides, giving us cot(x) = ±1/√3. Remember that cot(x) is the reciprocal of tan(x), so we now have tan(x) = ±√3.

To find the values of x that satisfy this equation within the interval [0, 2π], we look at the unit circle. The tangent function is positive in the first and third quadrants and negative in the second and fourth quadrants. Therefore, for tan(x) = √3, x = π/3, 4π/3, and for tan(x) = -√3, x = 2π/3, 5π/3. These are the values of x in the given interval that satisfy the equation.

User Cjohns
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7.8k points
5 votes

cot^2x = 4/12 \\ cot^2x = 1/3 \\ tan^2x = 3 \\ tan(x)= +- √(3)

so,
x= \pi/3 \\ x = \pi - \pi/3 = 2\pi/3 \\ x = \pi + \pi/3 = 4\pi/3 \\ x = 2\pi - \pi/3 = 5\pi/3


User Zachary Kuhn
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8.6k points