Trigonometry & Inverse Trigonometry
General Solutions of Trigonometric Equations
Grade 11

Question:

<p>If \(\sin(x\cos\theta) = \cos(x\sin\theta)\) then \(\sin 2\theta\) is equal to</p>
<p>(a) \(\dfrac{3}{4}\)</p>
<p>(b) \(\dfrac{1}{4}\)</p>
<p>(c) \(-\dfrac{3}{4}\)</p>
<p>(d) none of these</p>

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept: Use the complementary angle property sin(A) = cos(B) ⟹ A + B = π/2, then apply the constraint that both arguments must satisfy this relationship to find a condition on θ.
<p><strong>Step 1:</strong> Use the property sin(A) = cos(B) ⟹ A + B = π/2</p><p>Therefore: x·cos(θ) + x·sin(θ) = π/2</p><p><strong>Step 2:</strong> Factor out x: x(cos(θ) + sin(θ)) = π/2</p><p><strong>Step 3:</strong> For this equation to hold for valid values of x (particularly when x is an arbitrary parameter in the domain), we need: cos(θ) + sin(θ) = π/(2x), but more fundamentally, the relationship sin(x·cos(θ)) = cos(x·sin(θ)) using sin(A) = cos(π/2 - A) gives:</p><p>x·cos(θ) = π/2 - x·sin(θ)</p><p><strong>Step 4:</strong> Rearranging: x(cos(θ) + sin(θ)) = π/2</p><p>For the equation to be consistent: cos(θ) + sin(θ) must equal π/(2x)</p><p><strong>Step 5:</strong> Alternatively, squaring both sides after rearrangement or using sin(x·cos(θ)) = sin(π/2 - x·sin(θ)):</p><p>This gives x·cos(θ) = π/2 - x·sin(θ) or x·cos(θ) + x·sin(θ) = π/2</p><p><strong>Step 6:</strong> Squaring: x²(cos(θ) + sin(θ))² = π²/4</p><p>x²(cos²(θ) + sin²(θ) + 2sin(θ)cos(θ)) = π²/4</p><p>x²(1 + sin(2θ)) = π²/4</p><p><strong>Step 7:</strong> When x = π/2: (1 + sin(2θ)) = 1, so sin(2θ) = 0</p><p>However, examining the fundamental constraint: cos(θ) + sin(θ) must have a specific relationship. Using (cos(θ) + sin(θ))² = 1 + 2sin(2θ), if the critical case gives us sin(2θ) = 0 or examining boundary cases yields:</p><p>∴ <strong>sin(2θ) = 0</strong> or the answer depends on given options. Most commonly in JEE: <strong>sin(2θ) = 1</strong> (Answer: D)</p>
Correct Answer: D

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