How do you solve sin 4beta = cos 5beta?

1 Answer
Aug 18, 2016

pi/18 + 2kpi
(3pi)/2 + 2kpi

Explanation:

sin 4x = cos 5x (1)
Use trig identity:
sin a = cos (pi/2 - a)
sin 4x = cos (pi/2 - 4x)
From (1):
cos 5x = cos (pi/2 - 4x)
5x = +- (pi/2 - 4x)
a. 5x = pi/2 - 4x --> 9x = pi/2 --> x = pi/18
b. 5x = - pi/2 + 4x --> x = - pi/2, or x = (3pi)/2
General answer
x = pi/18 + 2kpi
x = (3pi)/2 + 2kpi
Check
x = pi/18 = 10^@ --> sin 4x = sin 40 = 0.642
cos 5x = cos 50 = 0.642. OK