# Quick Algebric Trig question

The question is:

I need to solve the equation for all values of x between 0 < x < 360

Now I got it to here and got a bit stuck:

= 0

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Linear algebra is concerned with vector spaces of all dimensions and linear transformations between them. –  Don Larynx Oct 9 '13 at 0:09
HINT: Quadratic equation. –  Don Larynx Oct 9 '13 at 0:10
@DonLarynx Thanks! Yeah, I got to the the quadratic equation above however it wasnt really factoring down. –  Joseph Wright Oct 9 '13 at 0:11
First equation isn't equivalent to second one. You should replace $\cos^2(x)$ into $1-\sin^2(x)$. 2nd equation will become as $2(1-\sin^2(x))-\sin(x)-1=0$, or $2\sin^2(x)+\sin(x)-1=0$. –  Oleg567 Oct 9 '13 at 0:34

Quadratic equation: $$cos(x) = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{17}}{2}$$

Can you continue?

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I got to there. So all I need to do is arccos each of the x values and then get their values in degrees? Because thats what I thought I needed to do but im second guessing myself now:L –  Joseph Wright Oct 9 '13 at 0:13
Yes................ –  Don Larynx Oct 9 '13 at 0:23

Starting equation: $$2\cos^2(x)-\sin(x)-1=0 \tag{1}$$

Applying identity $$\sin^2(x)+\cos^2(x)=1,$$ you'll transform equation $(1)$ to form $$2(1-\sin^2(x)) - \sin(x)-1=0;$$ $$-2\sin^2(x) - \sin(x)+1=0;$$ $$2\sin^2(x) + \sin(x)-1=0. \tag{2}$$

Last equation is quadratic equation on $\sin(x)$.

There are $2$ solutions of quadratic equation $(2)$:

$$\sin(x)=\dfrac{1}{2}, ~~~~~~~~~~\sin(x)=-1.$$

So, there are $3$ solutions of trigonometric equation $(1)$, when $0<x<360^\circ$. Find them all...

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