answersLogoWhite

0

Question: Sin x + Cos x = 1 ; Solve for x.

Sin x + Cos x = 1 //Original Question

[Sin x + Cos x]2 = [1]2 //Square both sides

Sin2 x + 2 Sin x Cos x + Cos2 x = 1 // Expand.

1 + 2 Sin x Cos x = 1 //Note that sin2 x + cos2 x = 1 from the trigonometry identities. Look for proof below.

2 Sin x Cos x = 0 // Subtract 1 from both sides

So either

1) Sin x = 0

Looking at the unit circle, then this means x = 180ko where k E I

2) Cos x = 0

Looking at the unit circle, then this means x = 90 + 180k where k E I

3) 2 = 0

No solutions for this case.

**************************************

* So that's all x for which Sin x + Cos x = 1. *

**************************************

Proof for Identity used to solve this question:

Sin2 x + Cos2 x = 1

Imagine a right-angled triangle with an angle x and sides (A adjacent, O opposite, H hypotenuse):

_____.

____...

_H_.....

__....... O

_.........

..x.......

A

Then you know from the Pythagorean Theorem that A2 + O2 = H2

You also know from the definition of Cos and Sin that:

Sin x = O / H

Cos x = A / H

Now take the sum of the squares of both.

Sin2 x + Cos2 x

= [O / H]2 + [A / H]2

= O2 / H2 + A2 / H2

= ( O2 + A2 ) / H2

= ( H2 ) / H2

= 1

Q.E.D.

That's it.

Good Luck!

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

BlakeBlake
As your older brother, I've been where you are—maybe not exactly, but close enough.
Chat with Blake
ReneRene
Change my mind. I dare you.
Chat with Rene
JudyJudy
Simplicity is my specialty.
Chat with Judy

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Sin X plus cos x equals 1?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Other Math