SOLUTION: I do not know how to factor this equation: x^2-2xcos(theta)+1=0 in terms of x What I am looking for are the roots

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Question 443789: I do not know how to factor this equation:
x^2-2xcos(theta)+1=0 in terms of x
What I am looking for are the roots

Answer by swincher4391(1107)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
What you need to figure out is what multiplies to 1 and adds to . It may not be obvious, so let's use the quadratic formula.





=====================
Let's try completing the square to check:



Multiply both sides by -1:




Multiply both sides by i




==========================
ASIDE:
You'll find that if we take the first way a couple steps further we'll get:



Which is what we found by completing the square.
==============================
Thus,
our answer is

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