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What simpler indentity is equal to sin(x) - cos(x)

  1. Dec 28, 2003 #1
    What simpler indentity is equal to sin(x) - cos(x) ?

    Trig Identities have come back to haunt me!!!
  2. jcsd
  3. Dec 28, 2003 #2
    There isn't one. Plot out the two curves and look at their differences and you'll see it's not simpler than the basic sine curve.

    There are lots of websites to check out trig identities if you need references. A quick google search will show more than you need, but most contain the same information. Here's three is you want to check them out:



  4. Dec 29, 2003 #3
    Then how do I solve for theta in a physics problem that contains that identity?
  5. Dec 29, 2003 #4
    Approximation? Square both sides of the equation (to get sin^2(x) + cos^2(x) - 2sin(x)cos(x) = 1 - sin(2x))? You're being much too vague ;)
  6. Dec 29, 2003 #5


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    cos(x+y)=cos(x)cos(y)-sin(x)sin(y). Lety=45o. Net result

    Is that simple enough?
  7. Dec 29, 2003 #6


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    Just nitpicking -- shouldn't that be

  8. Dec 29, 2003 #7
    Thanks everyone!
  9. Dec 30, 2003 #8
    need a help with log problem

    I'm a bit confused with this problem can you help me to workout and explain it to me on the way. thanks.

    log(e)x=a log(e0y=c express log(e){(100x^3y^-1/2)/(y^2)} in terms of a and c.

    my interpretation is that you separate the function then workout by using loga(mn)=logam+logan law. thanks for your guys.
  10. Dec 30, 2003 #9
    Is it
    [tex] \log(\frac{100x^3y^{\frac{-1}{2}}}{y^2})[/tex]
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2003
  11. Dec 30, 2003 #10


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    jcm; you should start a new post when you want to ask an unrelated question.
  12. Jan 1, 2004 #11
    If I read your equations correctly, it should be ln100+3a-(5/2)c

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