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If 3sinθ + 4cosθ = 5, Prove that tanθ= 3/4.​

User Inhan
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1 Answer

2 votes

I'll use x in place of θ

Let's isolate the sine term and then square both sides

3sin(x) + 4cos(x) = 5

3sin(x) = 5-4cos(x)

(3sin(x))^2 = ( 5-4cos(x) )^2

9sin^2(x) = 25-40cos(x)+16cos^2(x)

9sin^2(x) = 25-40cos(x)+16(1-sin^2(x))

9sin^2(x) = 25-40cos(x)+16-16sin^2(x)

9sin^2(x)+16sin^2(x) = 25-40cos(x)+16

25sin^2(x) = 41-40cos(x)

25(1-cos^2(x)) = 41-40cos(x)

25-25cos^2(x) = 41-40cos(x)

Now let w = cos(x), so we now have the following

25-25w^2 = 41-40w

25w^2-40w+41-25 = 0

25w^2-40w+16 = 0

(5w - 4)^2 = 0

5w-4 = 0

w = 4/5

Therefore cos(x) = 4/5

Use the pythagorean theorem or unit circle to find that if cos(x) = 4/5, then it leads to sin(x) = 3/5. This is exactly because of the 3-4-5 right triangle.

Then lastly,

tan(x) = sin(x)/cos(x)

tan(x) = sin(x) ÷ cos(x)

tan(x) = (3/5) ÷ (4/5)

tan(x) = (3/5) * (5/4)

tan(x) = (3*5)/(5*4)

tan(x) = 3/4

User Andyteucher
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