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HELP PRECALC I DO NOT UNDERSTAND AT ALLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELP PRECALC I DO NOT UNDERSTAND AT ALLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-example-1

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Answer:

φ ≈ 1.19029 radians (≈ 68.2°)

Explanation:

There are simple formulas for A and φ in this conversion, but it can be instructive to see how they are derived.

We want to compare ...

y(t) = Asin(ωt +φ)

to

y(t) = Psin(ωt) +Qcos(ωt)

Using trig identities to expand the first equation, we have ...

y(t) = Asin(ωt)cos(φ) +Acos(ωt)sin(φ)

Matching coefficients with the second equation, we have ...

P = Acos(φ)

Q = Asin(φ)

The ratio of these eliminates A and gives a relation for φ:

Q/P = sin(φ)/cos(φ)

Q/P = tan(φ)

φ = arctan(Q/P) . . . . taking quadrant into account

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We can also use our equations for P and Q to find A:

P² +Q² = (Acos(φ))² +(Asin(φ))² = A²(cos(φ)² +sin(φ)²) = A²

A = √(P² +Q²)

_____

Here, we want φ.

φ = arctan(Q/P) = arctan(5/2)

φ ≈ 1.19029 . . . radians

User Greg Dougherty
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