Answers>Maths>IB>Article

Given that sin(x) + cos(x) = 2/3, find cos(4x)

It is not clear what to do when starting, but we realise that by making both sides to the power of two, will lead to have an expression containing sin^2(x) + cos^2(x), which is equal to one (which will probably make things easier):
sin^2(x) + cos^2(x) + 2sin(x)cos(x) = 4/91 + 2sin(x)cos(x) = 4/9 2sin(x)cos(x) = -5/9
We also know thanks to double angle identities that 2sin(x)cos(x) is just sin(2x) so we just substitute:
sin(2x) = -5/9
Now we have an expression in terms of sine, but we want it in terms of cos. We take a look at the formulas for double angles (double angle identities) and find out that cos(2k)= 1-2sin^2(k). It is fairly straight forward to solve from this point but to make it simpler, it is useful to make k=2x. So thatcos(4x) = 1-2sin^2(2x)
We know what sin(2x) is socos(4x) = 1- 2* (25/81)cos(4x) = 31/81

FR
Answered by Felipe R. Maths tutor

4316 Views

See similar Maths IB tutors

Related Maths IB answers

All answers ▸

How do radians work? Why can't we just keep working with degrees in school?


Consider the arithmetic sequence 2, 5, 8, 11, ... a) Find U101 b) Find the value of n so that Un = 152


Three girls and four boys are seated randomly on a straight bench. Find the probability that the girls sit together and the boys sit together.


a) Let u=(2,3,-1) and w=(3,-1,p). Given that u is perpendicular to w, find the value of p. b)Let v=(1,q,5). Given that modulus v = sqrt(42), find the possible values of q.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning