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.