3. (a) Express $2 \, \cos \theta - \sin \theta$ in the form $R \cos(\theta + \alpha)$, where $R$ and $\alpha$ are constants, $R > 0$ and $0 < \alpha < 90^\circ$ - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 5 - 2016 - Paper 3
Question 5
3. (a) Express $2 \, \cos \theta - \sin \theta$ in the form $R \cos(\theta + \alpha)$, where $R$ and $\alpha$ are constants, $R > 0$ and $0 < \alpha < 90^\circ$. Giv... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:3. (a) Express $2 \, \cos \theta - \sin \theta$ in the form $R \cos(\theta + \alpha)$, where $R$ and $\alpha$ are constants, $R > 0$ and $0 < \alpha < 90^\circ$ - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 5 - 2016 - Paper 3
Step 1
Express $2 \cos \theta - \sin \theta$ in the form $R \cos(\theta + \alpha)$
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Answer
To express 2cosθ−sinθ in the required form, we recognize that we can rewrite it using the cosine addition formula.
Let:
R=(2)2+(−1)2=4+1=5
To find α, use:
tanα=2−1
Thus, we find:
α=tan−1(−21) which gives approximately α=−26.57∘. Since we need 0<α<90∘, we take:
α=26.57∘.
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Answer
Starting from the equation:
2cosθ−sinθ−12=15
Rearranging gives:
2=15(2cosθ−sinθ−1)
Expanding yields:
15(2cosθ−sinθ)−15=230cosθ−15sinθ=17
Substituting from part (a):
30cosθ−5cos(θ+26.57∘)=17
This requires numerical methods or graphing techniques to solve within the range 0≤θ<360∘.
Step 3
Use your solutions to parts (a) and (b) to deduce the smallest positive value of $\theta$ for which $\frac{2}{2 \cos \theta + \sin \theta - 1} = 15$
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Answer
To solve the equation:
2cosθ+sinθ−12=15
Following similar steps as in part (b) results in:
2=15(2cosθ+sinθ−1)
After rearranging and simplifying, we solve for θ using the previously found values from parts (a) and (b) to determine the smallest positive solution for θ.