If $ sin alpha = frac 45 $ and $ cos beta = frac{5}{13} $, prove that $ cos frac{alpha-beta}{2} =...

Multi tool use
$begingroup$
I can solve it easily if I assume that $ 0 < alpha, beta < frac{pi}{2}$
But there is no mention of the quadrants in which $ alpha $ and $ beta $ lie in.
Is the question wrong ?
trigonometry
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I can solve it easily if I assume that $ 0 < alpha, beta < frac{pi}{2}$
But there is no mention of the quadrants in which $ alpha $ and $ beta $ lie in.
Is the question wrong ?
trigonometry
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
You know $cos alpha$ and $sin beta$ up to a sign. Look at the formulas you have for $cos frac{alpha-beta}{2}$ and see how they change when you vary the signs of those two quantities. Best case, you see that flipping each sign does nothing, worst case, you have four cases to consider, one for each possible combination of signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:45
1
$begingroup$
I did just that, and I got 4 different answers, only one of which matches $ frac{8}{sqrt{65}} $
$endgroup$
– Nathuram
Jan 13 '17 at 10:46
1
$begingroup$
You're right: you can't prove that equality.
$endgroup$
– egreg
Jan 13 '17 at 10:48
1
$begingroup$
In that case, without verifying your work, I would say yes, the question is wrong, or at least incomplete, if it doesn't say something else that would give you a way of specifying those signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:49
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I can solve it easily if I assume that $ 0 < alpha, beta < frac{pi}{2}$
But there is no mention of the quadrants in which $ alpha $ and $ beta $ lie in.
Is the question wrong ?
trigonometry
$endgroup$
I can solve it easily if I assume that $ 0 < alpha, beta < frac{pi}{2}$
But there is no mention of the quadrants in which $ alpha $ and $ beta $ lie in.
Is the question wrong ?
trigonometry
trigonometry
asked Jan 13 '17 at 10:15
NathuramNathuram
54211
54211
$begingroup$
You know $cos alpha$ and $sin beta$ up to a sign. Look at the formulas you have for $cos frac{alpha-beta}{2}$ and see how they change when you vary the signs of those two quantities. Best case, you see that flipping each sign does nothing, worst case, you have four cases to consider, one for each possible combination of signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:45
1
$begingroup$
I did just that, and I got 4 different answers, only one of which matches $ frac{8}{sqrt{65}} $
$endgroup$
– Nathuram
Jan 13 '17 at 10:46
1
$begingroup$
You're right: you can't prove that equality.
$endgroup$
– egreg
Jan 13 '17 at 10:48
1
$begingroup$
In that case, without verifying your work, I would say yes, the question is wrong, or at least incomplete, if it doesn't say something else that would give you a way of specifying those signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:49
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You know $cos alpha$ and $sin beta$ up to a sign. Look at the formulas you have for $cos frac{alpha-beta}{2}$ and see how they change when you vary the signs of those two quantities. Best case, you see that flipping each sign does nothing, worst case, you have four cases to consider, one for each possible combination of signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:45
1
$begingroup$
I did just that, and I got 4 different answers, only one of which matches $ frac{8}{sqrt{65}} $
$endgroup$
– Nathuram
Jan 13 '17 at 10:46
1
$begingroup$
You're right: you can't prove that equality.
$endgroup$
– egreg
Jan 13 '17 at 10:48
1
$begingroup$
In that case, without verifying your work, I would say yes, the question is wrong, or at least incomplete, if it doesn't say something else that would give you a way of specifying those signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:49
$begingroup$
You know $cos alpha$ and $sin beta$ up to a sign. Look at the formulas you have for $cos frac{alpha-beta}{2}$ and see how they change when you vary the signs of those two quantities. Best case, you see that flipping each sign does nothing, worst case, you have four cases to consider, one for each possible combination of signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:45
$begingroup$
You know $cos alpha$ and $sin beta$ up to a sign. Look at the formulas you have for $cos frac{alpha-beta}{2}$ and see how they change when you vary the signs of those two quantities. Best case, you see that flipping each sign does nothing, worst case, you have four cases to consider, one for each possible combination of signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:45
1
1
$begingroup$
I did just that, and I got 4 different answers, only one of which matches $ frac{8}{sqrt{65}} $
$endgroup$
– Nathuram
Jan 13 '17 at 10:46
$begingroup$
I did just that, and I got 4 different answers, only one of which matches $ frac{8}{sqrt{65}} $
$endgroup$
– Nathuram
Jan 13 '17 at 10:46
1
1
$begingroup$
You're right: you can't prove that equality.
$endgroup$
– egreg
Jan 13 '17 at 10:48
$begingroup$
You're right: you can't prove that equality.
$endgroup$
– egreg
Jan 13 '17 at 10:48
1
1
$begingroup$
In that case, without verifying your work, I would say yes, the question is wrong, or at least incomplete, if it doesn't say something else that would give you a way of specifying those signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:49
$begingroup$
In that case, without verifying your work, I would say yes, the question is wrong, or at least incomplete, if it doesn't say something else that would give you a way of specifying those signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:49
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Hint:
$sin alpha>0$ then $0<alpha<pi$ and $cos beta>0$ then $-frac{pi}2<beta<frac{pi}2$ and $-frac{pi}2<-beta<frac{pi}2$
Thus $$-frac{pi}2<alpha-beta<frac{3pi}2$$
and
$$-frac{pi}4<frac{alpha-beta}2<frac{3pi}4$$
1) $sin^2alpha+cos^2alpha=1$, then $cosalpha=pmsqrt{1-sin^2alpha}$ and $sin beta=pmsqrt{1-cos^2beta}$
2) $cos (alpha-beta)=cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta$
3)$|cos frac{alpha-beta}2|=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}2}$
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. since $0<alpha,beta<pi/2$ we have that $-pi/2<(alpha-beta)/2<pi/2$ hence the $cos(alpha-beta)/2$ is nonnegative.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:31
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. my bad I did not read the statement properly.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:34
$begingroup$
Taking into account recent edits, if $cos(alpha-beta)$ could be uniquely determined, then so would $cosfrac{alpha-beta}{2}$. But can step 2 be completed like you wish? Also, consider that comments by OP suggest that he's tried this already. (In short, I'm asking if you followed through on your hints and have a complete solution in mind.)
$endgroup$
– Jonathan Y.
Jan 13 '17 at 10:54
add a comment |
$begingroup$
HINT:
begin{align}
cos(alpha/2-beta/2)&=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}{2}}=sqrt{(1+cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta)/2}\
end{align}
$$ cosalpha =frac35, cosbeta = frac{5}{13},, sinalpha=frac45,, sinbeta =frac{12}{13}, $$
plug in to get $ 8/sqrt{65}$
For other quadrants calculate other three values also which are possible with inverse trig functions.
$$sqrt{(1pmcosalphacosbetapmsinalphasinbeta)/2}$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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2 Answers
2
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votes
$begingroup$
Hint:
$sin alpha>0$ then $0<alpha<pi$ and $cos beta>0$ then $-frac{pi}2<beta<frac{pi}2$ and $-frac{pi}2<-beta<frac{pi}2$
Thus $$-frac{pi}2<alpha-beta<frac{3pi}2$$
and
$$-frac{pi}4<frac{alpha-beta}2<frac{3pi}4$$
1) $sin^2alpha+cos^2alpha=1$, then $cosalpha=pmsqrt{1-sin^2alpha}$ and $sin beta=pmsqrt{1-cos^2beta}$
2) $cos (alpha-beta)=cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta$
3)$|cos frac{alpha-beta}2|=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}2}$
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. since $0<alpha,beta<pi/2$ we have that $-pi/2<(alpha-beta)/2<pi/2$ hence the $cos(alpha-beta)/2$ is nonnegative.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:31
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. my bad I did not read the statement properly.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:34
$begingroup$
Taking into account recent edits, if $cos(alpha-beta)$ could be uniquely determined, then so would $cosfrac{alpha-beta}{2}$. But can step 2 be completed like you wish? Also, consider that comments by OP suggest that he's tried this already. (In short, I'm asking if you followed through on your hints and have a complete solution in mind.)
$endgroup$
– Jonathan Y.
Jan 13 '17 at 10:54
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint:
$sin alpha>0$ then $0<alpha<pi$ and $cos beta>0$ then $-frac{pi}2<beta<frac{pi}2$ and $-frac{pi}2<-beta<frac{pi}2$
Thus $$-frac{pi}2<alpha-beta<frac{3pi}2$$
and
$$-frac{pi}4<frac{alpha-beta}2<frac{3pi}4$$
1) $sin^2alpha+cos^2alpha=1$, then $cosalpha=pmsqrt{1-sin^2alpha}$ and $sin beta=pmsqrt{1-cos^2beta}$
2) $cos (alpha-beta)=cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta$
3)$|cos frac{alpha-beta}2|=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}2}$
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. since $0<alpha,beta<pi/2$ we have that $-pi/2<(alpha-beta)/2<pi/2$ hence the $cos(alpha-beta)/2$ is nonnegative.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:31
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. my bad I did not read the statement properly.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:34
$begingroup$
Taking into account recent edits, if $cos(alpha-beta)$ could be uniquely determined, then so would $cosfrac{alpha-beta}{2}$. But can step 2 be completed like you wish? Also, consider that comments by OP suggest that he's tried this already. (In short, I'm asking if you followed through on your hints and have a complete solution in mind.)
$endgroup$
– Jonathan Y.
Jan 13 '17 at 10:54
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint:
$sin alpha>0$ then $0<alpha<pi$ and $cos beta>0$ then $-frac{pi}2<beta<frac{pi}2$ and $-frac{pi}2<-beta<frac{pi}2$
Thus $$-frac{pi}2<alpha-beta<frac{3pi}2$$
and
$$-frac{pi}4<frac{alpha-beta}2<frac{3pi}4$$
1) $sin^2alpha+cos^2alpha=1$, then $cosalpha=pmsqrt{1-sin^2alpha}$ and $sin beta=pmsqrt{1-cos^2beta}$
2) $cos (alpha-beta)=cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta$
3)$|cos frac{alpha-beta}2|=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}2}$
$endgroup$
Hint:
$sin alpha>0$ then $0<alpha<pi$ and $cos beta>0$ then $-frac{pi}2<beta<frac{pi}2$ and $-frac{pi}2<-beta<frac{pi}2$
Thus $$-frac{pi}2<alpha-beta<frac{3pi}2$$
and
$$-frac{pi}4<frac{alpha-beta}2<frac{3pi}4$$
1) $sin^2alpha+cos^2alpha=1$, then $cosalpha=pmsqrt{1-sin^2alpha}$ and $sin beta=pmsqrt{1-cos^2beta}$
2) $cos (alpha-beta)=cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta$
3)$|cos frac{alpha-beta}2|=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}2}$
edited Jan 13 '17 at 10:43
answered Jan 13 '17 at 10:24


Roman83Roman83
14.4k31956
14.4k31956
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. since $0<alpha,beta<pi/2$ we have that $-pi/2<(alpha-beta)/2<pi/2$ hence the $cos(alpha-beta)/2$ is nonnegative.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:31
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. my bad I did not read the statement properly.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:34
$begingroup$
Taking into account recent edits, if $cos(alpha-beta)$ could be uniquely determined, then so would $cosfrac{alpha-beta}{2}$. But can step 2 be completed like you wish? Also, consider that comments by OP suggest that he's tried this already. (In short, I'm asking if you followed through on your hints and have a complete solution in mind.)
$endgroup$
– Jonathan Y.
Jan 13 '17 at 10:54
add a comment |
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. since $0<alpha,beta<pi/2$ we have that $-pi/2<(alpha-beta)/2<pi/2$ hence the $cos(alpha-beta)/2$ is nonnegative.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:31
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. my bad I did not read the statement properly.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:34
$begingroup$
Taking into account recent edits, if $cos(alpha-beta)$ could be uniquely determined, then so would $cosfrac{alpha-beta}{2}$. But can step 2 be completed like you wish? Also, consider that comments by OP suggest that he's tried this already. (In short, I'm asking if you followed through on your hints and have a complete solution in mind.)
$endgroup$
– Jonathan Y.
Jan 13 '17 at 10:54
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. since $0<alpha,beta<pi/2$ we have that $-pi/2<(alpha-beta)/2<pi/2$ hence the $cos(alpha-beta)/2$ is nonnegative.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:31
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. since $0<alpha,beta<pi/2$ we have that $-pi/2<(alpha-beta)/2<pi/2$ hence the $cos(alpha-beta)/2$ is nonnegative.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:31
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. my bad I did not read the statement properly.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:34
$begingroup$
@JonathanY. my bad I did not read the statement properly.
$endgroup$
– Math-fun
Jan 13 '17 at 10:34
$begingroup$
Taking into account recent edits, if $cos(alpha-beta)$ could be uniquely determined, then so would $cosfrac{alpha-beta}{2}$. But can step 2 be completed like you wish? Also, consider that comments by OP suggest that he's tried this already. (In short, I'm asking if you followed through on your hints and have a complete solution in mind.)
$endgroup$
– Jonathan Y.
Jan 13 '17 at 10:54
$begingroup$
Taking into account recent edits, if $cos(alpha-beta)$ could be uniquely determined, then so would $cosfrac{alpha-beta}{2}$. But can step 2 be completed like you wish? Also, consider that comments by OP suggest that he's tried this already. (In short, I'm asking if you followed through on your hints and have a complete solution in mind.)
$endgroup$
– Jonathan Y.
Jan 13 '17 at 10:54
add a comment |
$begingroup$
HINT:
begin{align}
cos(alpha/2-beta/2)&=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}{2}}=sqrt{(1+cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta)/2}\
end{align}
$$ cosalpha =frac35, cosbeta = frac{5}{13},, sinalpha=frac45,, sinbeta =frac{12}{13}, $$
plug in to get $ 8/sqrt{65}$
For other quadrants calculate other three values also which are possible with inverse trig functions.
$$sqrt{(1pmcosalphacosbetapmsinalphasinbeta)/2}$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
HINT:
begin{align}
cos(alpha/2-beta/2)&=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}{2}}=sqrt{(1+cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta)/2}\
end{align}
$$ cosalpha =frac35, cosbeta = frac{5}{13},, sinalpha=frac45,, sinbeta =frac{12}{13}, $$
plug in to get $ 8/sqrt{65}$
For other quadrants calculate other three values also which are possible with inverse trig functions.
$$sqrt{(1pmcosalphacosbetapmsinalphasinbeta)/2}$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
HINT:
begin{align}
cos(alpha/2-beta/2)&=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}{2}}=sqrt{(1+cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta)/2}\
end{align}
$$ cosalpha =frac35, cosbeta = frac{5}{13},, sinalpha=frac45,, sinbeta =frac{12}{13}, $$
plug in to get $ 8/sqrt{65}$
For other quadrants calculate other three values also which are possible with inverse trig functions.
$$sqrt{(1pmcosalphacosbetapmsinalphasinbeta)/2}$$
$endgroup$
HINT:
begin{align}
cos(alpha/2-beta/2)&=sqrt{frac{1+cos(alpha-beta)}{2}}=sqrt{(1+cosalphacosbeta+sinalphasinbeta)/2}\
end{align}
$$ cosalpha =frac35, cosbeta = frac{5}{13},, sinalpha=frac45,, sinbeta =frac{12}{13}, $$
plug in to get $ 8/sqrt{65}$
For other quadrants calculate other three values also which are possible with inverse trig functions.
$$sqrt{(1pmcosalphacosbetapmsinalphasinbeta)/2}$$
edited Jan 13 '17 at 11:14
answered Jan 13 '17 at 11:02


NarasimhamNarasimham
20.8k62158
20.8k62158
add a comment |
add a comment |
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bUdz9YKAIh2k
$begingroup$
You know $cos alpha$ and $sin beta$ up to a sign. Look at the formulas you have for $cos frac{alpha-beta}{2}$ and see how they change when you vary the signs of those two quantities. Best case, you see that flipping each sign does nothing, worst case, you have four cases to consider, one for each possible combination of signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:45
1
$begingroup$
I did just that, and I got 4 different answers, only one of which matches $ frac{8}{sqrt{65}} $
$endgroup$
– Nathuram
Jan 13 '17 at 10:46
1
$begingroup$
You're right: you can't prove that equality.
$endgroup$
– egreg
Jan 13 '17 at 10:48
1
$begingroup$
In that case, without verifying your work, I would say yes, the question is wrong, or at least incomplete, if it doesn't say something else that would give you a way of specifying those signs.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
Jan 13 '17 at 10:49