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2cos^2x+cosx-1=0
Find the degree solutions

User Alok Dubey
by
7.1k points

1 Answer

1 vote
2cos²x+cos x-1=0

cos x=t

2t²+t-1=0

t=[-1⁺₋√(-1+8)]/2=(-1⁺₋3)/4
We have two possible set solutions:
First set solutions.
t₁=(-1-3)/2=-4/4=-1
cos x=-1 ⇒x=cos⁻¹ (-1)=π +2kπ or 180º+360ºk (k=(...-2,-1,0,1,2...)

Second set solutions:
t₂=(-1+3)/4=2/4=1/2

cos x=1/2 ⇒ x=cos⁻¹ 1/2=π/3+2kπ U 5π/3+ 2kπ or
60º+360ºK U 300º+360ºK (k=...-2,-1,0,1,2,...)

solutions: first set solutions U second set solutions:

Answer in radians : π +2kπ U π/3+2kπ U 5π/3+ 2kπ (k=...-1,0,1,...)
Answer is degrees: 180º+360ºk U 60º+360ºK U 300º+360ºK (k=...-2,-1,0,1,2,...)
User Anuj Yadav
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7.3k points