How do you solve 3 cos x + 3 = 2 sin ^2 x over the interval 0 to 2pi?

1 Answer
Feb 12, 2016

3 cos x + 3 = 2 sin ^2 x

We know that

Sin^2 x + cos ^ 2 x= 1
=>sin^2 x = 1 - cos^2 x

Lets substitute this in our equation

3 cos x + 3 = 2(1 - cos^2x)

3cosx + 3 = 2 - 2cos^2 x

Bring everything over to one side

2cos^2 x + 3 cos x + 1 = 0

Let cos x = a

=> 2a^2 + 3a + 1 = 0

alpha + beta = -3/2
alpha*beta = 1/2

Solving we get

The roots are

alpha = -1

beta = -1/2

therefore cos x = -1 or -1/2

=>x = 180 or 120
=>x = pi or 2/3 pi

These both lie in the given interval and hence are correct solutions