Find the general solution for $\cos 4x = \cos 2x$
A. $x = n\pi $ or $\dfrac{{n\pi }}{6}$
B. $x = n\pi $ or $\dfrac{{n\pi }}{3}$
C. $x = \dfrac{{2n\pi }}{3}$
D. $x = \pi $
Answer
663.6k+ views
Hint: To solve this question, we will use the concept of trigonometric equations. Equations involving a variable's trigonometric functions are called trigonometric equations. The general solution of a trigonometric equation can be identified by using the theorem: For any real numbers x and y, $\cos x = \cos y$, implies $x = 2n\pi \pm y,{\text{ where n}} \in {\text{Z}}$
Complete step-by-step answer:
The solutions of a trigonometric equation for which $0 \leqslant x < 2\pi $ are called principal solutions.
The general solution is called the expression involving integer 'n' which gives all solutions of a trigonometric equation.
Given that,
$\cos 4x = \cos 2x$
This can also be written as:
$\cos 4x - \cos 2x = 0$ ………. (i)
As we know that,
$\cos x - \cos y = - 2\sin \dfrac{{x + y}}{2}\sin \dfrac{{x - y}}{2}$
So, the equation (i) will become,
$\cos 4x - \cos 2x = - 2\sin \left( {\dfrac{{4x + 2x}}{2}} \right)\sin \left( {\dfrac{{4x - 2x}}{2}} \right)$
$\
\Rightarrow - 2\sin \left( {\dfrac{{6x}}{2}} \right)\sin \left( {\dfrac{{2x}}{2}} \right) \\
\Rightarrow - 2\sin 3x\sin x \\
$
Putting this value in equation (i), we will get
$ \Rightarrow - 2\sin 3x\sin x = 0$
Here, we can say that either $\sin 3x = 0$ or $\sin x = 0$
It has been observed that if x increases (or decreases) by any integral multiple of $2\pi $, the values of sine functions do not change.
Thus,
$\sin \left( {2n\pi + x} \right) = \sin x,n \in Z$
Further $\sin x = 0$, if $x = 0, \pm \pi , \pm 2\pi \pm 3\pi ,........,$ i.e. when x is an integral multiple of $\pi $
Thus,
$\sin x = 0$ implies $x = n\pi $, where n is any integer.
So, we will solve $\sin 3x = 0$ and $\sin x = 0$ separately.
1. General solution for $\sin 3x = 0$
We know that,
If $\sin x = 0$, then
$x = n\pi $
Therefore,
$\sin 3x = 0$ implies $3x = n\pi $
We will get,
$x = \dfrac{{n\pi }}{3}$
2. General solution for $\sin x = 0$
If $\sin x = 0$, implies
$x = n\pi $
Hence, we can say that the general solutions of $\cos 4x = \cos 2x$ are $x = n\pi $ or $\dfrac{{n\pi }}{3}$
Therefore, the correct answer is option (B).
Note:Whenever we ask such types of questions, we have to remember some basic points to solve a trigonometric equation. First, we have to make a trigonometric equation that is equals to 0. Then we will simplify that equation in terms of trigonometric functions. After that we will put that simplified equation to 0 and we will get some cases. Then we will find out the general solutions for those cases and through this, we will get the required answer.
Complete step-by-step answer:
The solutions of a trigonometric equation for which $0 \leqslant x < 2\pi $ are called principal solutions.
The general solution is called the expression involving integer 'n' which gives all solutions of a trigonometric equation.
Given that,
$\cos 4x = \cos 2x$
This can also be written as:
$\cos 4x - \cos 2x = 0$ ………. (i)
As we know that,
$\cos x - \cos y = - 2\sin \dfrac{{x + y}}{2}\sin \dfrac{{x - y}}{2}$
So, the equation (i) will become,
$\cos 4x - \cos 2x = - 2\sin \left( {\dfrac{{4x + 2x}}{2}} \right)\sin \left( {\dfrac{{4x - 2x}}{2}} \right)$
$\
\Rightarrow - 2\sin \left( {\dfrac{{6x}}{2}} \right)\sin \left( {\dfrac{{2x}}{2}} \right) \\
\Rightarrow - 2\sin 3x\sin x \\
$
Putting this value in equation (i), we will get
$ \Rightarrow - 2\sin 3x\sin x = 0$
Here, we can say that either $\sin 3x = 0$ or $\sin x = 0$
It has been observed that if x increases (or decreases) by any integral multiple of $2\pi $, the values of sine functions do not change.
Thus,
$\sin \left( {2n\pi + x} \right) = \sin x,n \in Z$
Further $\sin x = 0$, if $x = 0, \pm \pi , \pm 2\pi \pm 3\pi ,........,$ i.e. when x is an integral multiple of $\pi $
Thus,
$\sin x = 0$ implies $x = n\pi $, where n is any integer.
So, we will solve $\sin 3x = 0$ and $\sin x = 0$ separately.
1. General solution for $\sin 3x = 0$
We know that,
If $\sin x = 0$, then
$x = n\pi $
Therefore,
$\sin 3x = 0$ implies $3x = n\pi $
We will get,
$x = \dfrac{{n\pi }}{3}$
2. General solution for $\sin x = 0$
If $\sin x = 0$, implies
$x = n\pi $
Hence, we can say that the general solutions of $\cos 4x = \cos 2x$ are $x = n\pi $ or $\dfrac{{n\pi }}{3}$
Therefore, the correct answer is option (B).
Note:Whenever we ask such types of questions, we have to remember some basic points to solve a trigonometric equation. First, we have to make a trigonometric equation that is equals to 0. Then we will simplify that equation in terms of trigonometric functions. After that we will put that simplified equation to 0 and we will get some cases. Then we will find out the general solutions for those cases and through this, we will get the required answer.
Recently Updated Pages
If x a + bt + ct2 where x is in meters and t is in class 11 physics CBSE

A car covers the first half distance between two places class 11 physics CBSE

The resultant of two vectors overrightarrow P and overrightarrow class 11 physics CBSE

Find the value of cos 135 class 11 maths CBSE

A mass M is held in place by an applied force F and class 11 physics CBSE

A solution of glucose in water is labelled as 10 dfracwv class 11 chemistry CBSE

Trending doubts
One Metric ton is equal to kg A 10000 B 1000 C 100 class 11 physics CBSE

Find the value of the expression given below sin 30circ class 11 maths CBSE

What do you mean by retardation What is its SI uni class 11 physics CBSE

Draw a diagram of nephron and explain its structur class 11 biology CBSE

10 examples of friction in our daily life

Difference between physical and chemical change class 11 chemistry CBSE

