Given that A(sin θ + cos θ) + B(cos θ − sin θ) ≡ 4 sin θ, find the values of the constants A and B.

Since this must be true for all values of θ, and cos and sin are distinct functions, no non-zero multiple of cosθ could ever be equal to 4 sinθ for all values of θ. Therefore, the overall multiple of cosθ on the left-hand-side must be 0.
Therefore, Acosθ + Bcosθ ≡ 0and (A+B) cosθ ≡ 0so A = - B
We can then plug this back into the equation to solve for A:A(sinθ + cosθ) - A(cosθ - sinθ) ≡ 4sinθAsinθ - (-Asinθ) = 4sinθ [the cosθ terms cancel one another out]Asinθ + Asinθ = 4sinθ2A = 4A = 2B = - A = - 2

DB
Answered by David B. Maths tutor

8509 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Sketch 20x--x^2-2x^3


Prove the square root of 2 is irrational


Use the Chain Rule to differentiate the following equation: y=e^(3-2x)


A curve has equation y = 3x^3 - 7x + 10. Point A(-1, 14) lies on this curve. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point A.


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