Exercises 39–52 involve trigonometric equations quadratic in form. Solve each equation on the interval [0, 2𝝅). sec² x - 2 = 0
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Recognize that the equation \( \sec^2 x - 2 = 0 \) is quadratic in form.
Rewrite the equation in terms of \( \sec^2 x \): \( \sec^2 x = 2 \).
Recall the identity \( \sec x = \frac{1}{\cos x} \), so \( \sec^2 x = \frac{1}{\cos^2 x} \).
Set \( \frac{1}{\cos^2 x} = 2 \) and solve for \( \cos^2 x \), giving \( \cos^2 x = \frac{1}{2} \).
Take the square root of both sides to find \( \cos x = \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \), and determine the angles \( x \) in the interval \([0, 2\pi)\) that satisfy this condition.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions, such as sine, cosine, and secant, relate angles to ratios of sides in right triangles. The secant function, sec(x), is defined as the reciprocal of the cosine function, sec(x) = 1/cos(x). Understanding these functions is crucial for solving trigonometric equations, as they provide the foundational relationships needed to manipulate and solve for angles.
A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants. In the context of trigonometric equations, we often encounter expressions that can be rearranged into this form, allowing us to apply methods such as factoring or the quadratic formula to find solutions. Recognizing and transforming trigonometric equations into quadratic form is essential for solving them effectively.
Interval notation is a mathematical notation used to represent a range of values. In this case, the interval [0, 2π) indicates that we are looking for solutions within the range from 0 to 2π, including 0 but excluding 2π. Understanding how to interpret and apply interval notation is important for ensuring that the solutions to trigonometric equations fall within the specified range.