Express \cos(\frac{\alpha}{3}) as a function of \cos(\alpha) Give an expression for

Donald Johnson

Donald Johnson

Answered question

2022-01-15

Express cos(α3) as a function of cos(α)
Give an expression for cos(α3) one can do the following trick:
cos(3x)=cos(2x+x)=cos(2x)cos(x)sin(2x)sin(x)
=[cos2(x)sin2(x)]cos2sin2(x)cos(x)=4cos3(x)3cos(x)
By defining α=3x, we have
4cos3(α3)3cos(α3)=cos(α)
However, I have not found any way to obtain an expression for cos(α3) solely as a function of cos(α), as one can instead do with cos(α2)=±121+cos(α)
Is it simply impossible or is there a way to obtain the desired result?

Answer & Explanation

alkaholikd9

alkaholikd9

Beginner2022-01-16Added 37 answers

It is indeed impossible.
There are closed-form formulas for the roots of a cubic equation. But in the case of three real roots, known as the casus irreductibilis, the solution requires… angle trisection (in fact, the cubic root of a complex), i.e. precisely the problem you are asking.
On another hand, expressing coshx3 in terms of coshx is doable:
coshx+cosh2x1=ex
ex3=ex3
coshx3=12ex3+1ex3

Joseph Fair

Joseph Fair

Beginner2022-01-17Added 34 answers

Since cos0cos2π3  ,cosα3 isn't a function of cosα.

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