Trig. Help (1 Viewer)

bossleymaths

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prove that cos3x = 4cos^3 x - 3cosx

when i prove it i keep getting 4cos^3 x - 2cosx.... i cant get the three, this is what i have done

cos (2x + x)
cos 2x.cosx-sin2x.sinx
(2cos^2 x)(cosx) - (2sinxcosx)(sinx)
2cos^3 x - 2sin^2 x.cosx
2cos^3 x - 2(1-cos^2 x)(cosx)
2cos^3 x - 2cosx + 2cos^3 x
4cos^3 x -2 cosx
 

tommykins

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bossleymaths said:
prove that cos3x = 4cos^3 x - 3cosx

when i prove it i keep getting 4cos^3 x - 2cosx.... i cant get the three, this is what i have done

cos (2x + x)
cos 2x.cosx-sin2x.sinx
(2cos^2 x)(cosx) - (2sinxcosx)(sinx)
2cos^3 x - 2sin^2 x.cosx
2cos^3 x - 2(1-cos^2 x)(cosx)
2cos^3 x - 2cosx + 2cos^3 x
4cos^3 x -2 cosx
cos2x.cosx = cosx(cos^2x-[1-cos^2x]) = cosx(cos^2x - 1 + cos^2x) = cosx(2cos^3x-1) which is where your missing cos is
 

QuLiT

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waste of time. it's like a 4-5 line question demoires would require like 10
 

laa.musique

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LHS = cos (2x + x)
cos 2x.cosx-sin2x.sinx
(2cos^2 x - 1)(cosx) - (2sinxcosx)(sinx)
2cos^3x -cosx -2sin^2xcosx
cosx(2cos^2x - 1 -2sin^2x)
cosx (2cos^2x - 1 - 2(1-cos^2x)
cosx(2cos^2x - 1 -2 + 2cos^2x)
cosx (4cos^2x -3)
= 4cos^3x - 3cosx


phew that was effort. but i hope it makes sense
 

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