Solve tan^2(x)+tan(x)=2 for 0<=x<=2pi

bruinhemd3ji

bruinhemd3ji

Answered question

2022-11-05

Solve tan 2 ( x ) + tan ( x ) = 2 for 0 x 2 π
I am trying to solve the trigonometric equation
tan 2 ( x ) + tan ( x ) = 2
for 0 x 2 π. At first glance, I try to rearrange the trigonometric equation into something more manageable such that
sin 2 ( x ) cos 2 ( x ) + sin ( x ) cos ( x ) = 2 sin 2 ( x ) + sin ( x ) cos ( x ) = 2 cos 2 ( x ) .
I do not see how to progress from here. I have also tried using the Pythagorean identity tan 2 ( x ) = sec 2 ( x ) 1, but this did not seem to help. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Answer & Explanation

tektonikafrs

tektonikafrs

Beginner2022-11-06Added 15 answers

Unfortunately, the algebraic manipulations you have tried so far do not help much. When solving trigonometric equations, it helps to be on the lookout for 'disguised quadratics'. The equation tan 2 x + tan x = 2 is actually a quadratic equation in tan x. This might be clearer if we set y = tan x: then we have y 2 + y = 2, which is equivalent to y 2 + y 2 = 0. From here, you can solve this quadratic equation as normal, which gives you the possible values of y. Then, by substituting tan x back in for y, you can find the possible values of x in the range 0 x 2 π.

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