I'm trying to solve for $\theta$ in a simple equation:
$A \cdot \cos(\theta) = B+ \sin(\theta)$
($A$ and $B$ are constants)
But all the trig identities I've tried just make the equation worse.
What am I missing? How do you approach this problem?
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You have $$A\cos\theta-\sin\theta=B$$
Now write the left hand side as $$R\cos(\theta+\alpha)=R\cos\theta\cos\alpha-R\sin\theta\sin\alpha$$
Therefore $$R\cos\alpha=A$$ and $$R\sin\alpha=1$$
Hence $$R=\sqrt{A^2+1}$$ and $$\tan\alpha=\frac 1A$$
Can you solve it now?
answered Apr 29 '16 at 19:32
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$\begingroup$ This answer was a bit harder for me to follow, but in the end, proved to be the most useful. Thank you! $\endgroup$ – abelenky May 3 '16 at 16:44
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hint: Square both sides: $A^2(1-\sin^2\theta) =A^2\cos^2 \theta = B^2 + 2B\sin \theta + \sin^2 \theta$, and you simplify this to get a quadratic equation in $\sin \theta$. Can you finish it ?
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$\begingroup$ You should avoid squaring both sides as this will create false solutions $\endgroup$ – David Quinn Apr 29 '16 at 19:35
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$$\frac{(A \cdot \cos\theta-1 \cdot \sin\theta)}{\sqrt{A^2+1}}=\frac{B}{\sqrt{A^2+1}}$$
with proper substitution as indicated
$$ \sin \beta \cos \theta - \cos \beta \sin \theta = c <1 $$
$$ sin( \beta - \theta ) = c $$
You can make $\theta$ as subject of equation at LHS.
answered Apr 29 '16 at 19:52
