Trigonometry & Inverse Trigonometry
General
Grade 12

Question:

<p>If <span class="math-inline">\(\cos^{-1}x-\cos^{-1}(y/2)=\alpha\)</span>, then <span class="math-inline">\(4x^2-4xy\cos\alpha+y^2=\)</span></p>
2sin2\alpha
4
4sin^2\alpha
-4sin^2\alpha

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept: General
<div class="solution"><p><strong>Step 1:</strong> <span class="math-inline">$\cos\alpha=x\cdot\frac{y}{2}+\sqrt{1-x^2}\cdot\sqrt{1-y^2/4}\implies\sqrt{(1-x^2)(4-y^2)}=2\cos\alpha-xy$</span>.</p><p><strong>Step 2:</strong> Square both sides: <span class="math-block">$$4-y^2-4x^2+x^2y^2=4\cos^2\alpha+x^2y^2-4xy\cos\alpha$$</span></p><p><strong>Step 3:</strong> Rearrange: <span class="math-inline">$4x^2-4xy\cos\alpha+y^2=4-4\cos^2\alpha=4\sin^2\alpha$</span>.</p><p><strong>Answer: (C) <span class="math-inline">$4\sin^2\alpha$</span></strong></p><div class="trap-box"><strong>Trap:</strong> Arithmetic errors in expanding <span class="math-inline">$(2\cos\alpha-xy)^2$</span>.</div><div class="key-concept"><strong>Key Concept:</strong> cos⁻¹ subtraction formula + algebraic identity</div></div>
Correct Answer: 3

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