SOLUTION: How do I solve the equation the equation sin(theta) - cos(theta) = sqrt( 2 ) ?

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Question 1058119: How do I solve the equation the equation sin(theta) - cos(theta) = sqrt( 2 ) ?
Answer by ikleyn(52835)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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How do I solve the equation the equation sin(theta) - cos(theta) = sqrt( 2 ) ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 = .

Multiply both sides by . You will get

 = 1.             (1)

Notice and use that  =  = .

Then from (*) you will get 

 = 1.       (2)

Now use the formula sin(a)*cos(b) - cos(a)*sin(b) = sin(a-b). Then from (2) you will get

 = 1.

It implies 

 = .

Then  =  = .

It is the same as  =  in the interval 0 <=  < .

The plot below confirms the solution ( ~= 2.33 )



Plots y = and y =

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There is a bunch of my lessons on solving trig equations in this site
    - Solving simple problems on trigonometric equations
    - Solving typical problems on trigonometric equations
    - Solving more complicated problems on trigonometric equations
    - Solving advanced problems on trigonometric equations
    - OVERVIEW of lessons on calculating trig functions and solving trig equations


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