Given that 5cos^2(x) - cos(x) = sin^2(x), find the possible values of cos(x) using a suitable quadratic equation.

First, need to get all the terms in the equation to be the same. Using the following identity, it is possible to achieve this:

sin2(x) + cos2(x) = 1

1 - cos2(x) = sin2(x)

Substituting this into the equation in the question:

5cos2(x) - cos(x) = 1 - cos2(x)

6cos2(x) - cos(x) - 1 = 0

Replace the term cos(x) with y:

6y2 - y - 1 = 0

Product = -6

Sum = -1

There numbers that satisfy this are -3 and 2. Therefore, the factorised form of the eqation is:

(2y - 1)(3y + 1) = 0

The roots of this equation are: y = cos(x) = -1/3 or 1/2. Therefore these are the possible values of cos(x).

AB
Answered by Andrew B. Maths tutor

8191 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I integrate and differentiate 1/(x^2)?


f(x) is defined by f(x) = 3*x^3 + 2*x^2 - 7*x + 2. Find f(1).


Use the substitution u=cos(2x)to find ∫(cos(2x))^2 (sin(2x))^3dx


Solve the pair of simultaneous equations; (1) y + 4x + 1 = 0, (2) y^2 + 5x^2 + 2x = 0 .


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning