Show that 2cos^2(x) = 2 - 2sin^2(x) and hence solve 2cos^2(x) + 3sin(x) = 3 for 0<x<180

You can rearrange the equation to get 2cos^2(x)+2sin^2(x) = 2. This can be factorised to get cos^2(x) + sin^2(x) = 1 which is a known identity. We can use the fact that 2cos^2(x) = 2sin^2(x) - 2 and substitute this into the equation. This will give the equation 2sin^2(x) - 2 + 3sin(x) = 3. Rearranging you can get the equation into the form 2sin^2(x) + 3sin(x) - 5 = 0. From here we can substitute u = sin(x) to get the equation 2u^2 + 3u -5 = 0. You can then solve this quadratic using the quadratic formula to get that u = 1 or u = -5/2. Subbing sin(x) back in for u you get that sin(x) = 1 or sin(x) = -5/2. You can ignore the sin(x) = -5/2 as -1 < sin(x) < 1. This leaves that sin(x) = 1. Now to find the values of x between 0 < x < 180. You know that sin(90) = 1 or you can use the arcsin(x) function on your calculator to get the value 90 so you have found that x = 90.

Related Further Mathematics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Lengths of two sides of the triangle and the angle between them are known. Find the length of the third side and the area of the triangle.


Solve the simultaneous equations xy=2 and y=3x+5.


Work out the gradient of the curve y=x^3(x-3) at the point (3,17)


Given y=x^3-x^2+6x-1, use diffferentiation to find the gradient of the normal at (1,5).


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences