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Ch. 1 - Angles and the Trigonometric Functions
Blitzer - Trigonometry 3rd Edition
Blitzer3rd EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780137316601Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 1, Problem 41

In Exercises 33–42, let sin t = a, cos t = b, and tan t = c. Write each expression in terms of a, b, and c.
cos t + cos(t + 1000πœ‹) - tan t - tan(t + 999πœ‹) - sin t + 4 sin(t - 1000πœ‹)

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1
Recall the periodic properties of sine, cosine, and tangent functions: sine and cosine have a period of \(2\pi\), and tangent has a period of \(\pi\). This means \(\sin(t + 2k\pi) = \sin t\), \(\cos(t + 2k\pi) = \cos t\), and \(\tan(t + k\pi) = \tan t\) for any integer \(k\).
Simplify each trigonometric term with the given large multiples of \(\pi\) using the periodicity: - \(\cos(t + 1000\pi)\) can be rewritten using the fact that \(1000\pi = 500 \times 2\pi\), so \(\cos(t + 1000\pi) = \cos t\). - \(\tan(t + 999\pi)\) can be rewritten using \(999\pi = 999 \times \pi\), so \(\tan(t + 999\pi) = \tan t\). - \(\sin(t - 1000\pi)\) can be rewritten as \(\sin(t - 1000\pi) = \sin t\) because \(-1000\pi = -500 \times 2\pi\).
Substitute the simplified expressions back into the original expression: \(\cos t + \cos t - \tan t - \tan t - \sin t + 4 \sin t\).
Group like terms together: Combine the cosine terms: \(\cos t + \cos t = 2b\) (since \(\cos t = b\)). Combine the tangent terms: \(-\tan t - \tan t = -2c\) (since \(\tan t = c\)). Combine the sine terms: \(-\sin t + 4 \sin t = 3a\) (since \(\sin t = a\)).
Write the final simplified expression in terms of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\): \$2b - 2c + 3a$.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Periodic Properties of Trigonometric Functions

Sine, cosine, and tangent functions repeat their values in regular intervals called periods. For sine and cosine, the period is 2Ο€, meaning sin(t + 2Ο€) = sin t and cos(t + 2Ο€) = cos t. Tangent has a period of Ο€, so tan(t + Ο€) = tan t. Understanding these periodicities allows simplification of expressions involving large multiples of Ο€.
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