Express $6 \, \cos \theta + 8 \, \sin \theta$ in the form $R \cos(\theta - \alpha)$, where $R > 0$ and $0 < \alpha < \frac{\pi}{2}$ - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 26 - 2013 - Paper 1
Question 26
Express $6 \, \cos \theta + 8 \, \sin \theta$ in the form $R \cos(\theta - \alpha)$, where $R > 0$ and $0 < \alpha < \frac{\pi}{2}$.
Give the value of \alpha$ to 3... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Express $6 \, \cos \theta + 8 \, \sin \theta$ in the form $R \cos(\theta - \alpha)$, where $R > 0$ and $0 < \alpha < \frac{\pi}{2}$ - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 26 - 2013 - Paper 1
Step 1
Express $6 \cos \theta + 8 \sin \theta$ in the form $R \cos(\theta - \alpha)$
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Answer
To express 6cosθ+8sinθ in the form Rcos(θ−α), we need to find R and α. Using Pythagoras' theorem:
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Answer
Now substituting α into p(θ) gives:
p(θ)=12+10cosθ4.
We find the maximum of this function. To do this, we first find the critical points. The maximum value occurs when cosθ is minimized. Since the minimum value of cosθ is -1, we substitute:
p(θ)=12+10(−1)4=24=2.
Thus, the maximum value of p(θ) is 2.
Step 3
Find the value of $\theta$ at which the maximum occurs
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Answer
The maximum occurs when:
cosθ=−1⇒θ=π.
Thus, the value of θ at which the maximum occurs is θ≈3.142.