Menu

Write sin 2x Out

Part of the Trig Equations and Inverses section of Coddy's Trigonometry journey. Lesson 43 of 52.

sin⁡(2x)=sin⁡(x)\sin\left(2x\right) = \sin\left(x\right) mixes two angles, 2x and x. Write the double angle in terms of x with sin⁡(2x)=2sin⁡(x)cos⁡(x)\sin\left(2x\right) = 2\sin\left(x\right)\cos\left(x\right), and bring everything to one side: 2sin⁡(x)cos⁡(x)−sin⁡(x)=02\sin\left(x\right)\cos\left(x\right)-\sin\left(x\right) = 0.

Now sin x is a common factor: sin⁡(x)(2cos⁡(x)−1)=0\sin\left(x\right)\left(2\cos\left(x\right)-1\right) = 0. So sin x = 0, giving 0° and 180°, or cos x = 1/2, giving 60° and 300°. Dividing by sin x at the start would have lost 0° and 180°.

challenge icon

Challenge

Solve sin⁡(2x)=cos⁡(x)\sin\left(2x\right) = \cos\left(x\right) for every x in [0°, 360°), then press Check.

Try it yourself

sin⁡2x=cos⁡x\sin 2x = \cos x

Get xx alone0∘≤x<360∘0^{\circ} \le x < 360^{\circ}

All lessons in Trig Equations and Inverses