All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > Just Math
Trigonometric Fun (Posted on 2004-12-06) Difficulty: 4 of 5
Show that cos(π/7) - cos(2π/7) + cos(3π/7) = 1/2.

  Submitted by SilverKnight    
Rating: 3.6667 (3 votes)
Solution: (Hide)
Subtracting the identities sin( x + y ) = sin(x) cos (y) + cos(x) sin(y),
and sin(x-y) = sin(x) cos(y) - cos(x) sin(y) gives us the identity:
  2cos(x)sin(y) = sin(x+y) - sin(x-y).
So, we have:
  2cos(p/7)sin(p/7)=sin(2p/7)-sin(0)   2cos(3p/7)sin(p/7)=sin(4p/7)-sin(2p/7) 2cos(5p/7)sin(p/7)=sin(6p/7)-sin(4p/7)

Adding these three equations gives:
  2sin(p/7)[cos(p/7) + cos(3p/7) + cos(5p/7)] = sin(6p/7),
which gives the result.

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)
  Subject Author Date
SolutionSolutionK Sengupta2007-05-28 13:33:23
I dont know why?Pemmadu Raghu Ramaiah2005-01-24 19:36:11
re(2): Arbitrary EvaluationCeeAnne2004-12-06 23:34:53
re: SolutionCharlie2004-12-06 21:50:53
re: Arbitrary EvaluationCharlie2004-12-06 21:34:51
Arbitrary EvaluationCeeAnne2004-12-06 21:20:43
SolutionSolutionNick Hobson2004-12-06 21:10:32
Please log in:
Login:
Password:
Remember me:
Sign up! | Forgot password


Search:
Search body:
Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (3)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information