How do you solve #2cos^2x+sinx+1=0# over the interval 0 to 2pi?

1 Answer
Feb 24, 2016

Possible solutions within the domain #[0, 2pi]# are
#x=(3pi)/2#

Explanation:

#2cos^2x+sinx+1=0# can be written as

#2(1-sin^2x)+sinx+1=0#, which can be simplified to

#2sin^2x-sinx-3=0#

As this is an equation of the type #az^2+bz+c=0#, where #z=sinx#, #a=2#, #b=-1# and #c=-3#, whose solution is given by #(-b+-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/(2a)#, we have

#sinx=(-(-1)+-sqrt((-1)^2-4*2*(-3)))/(2.2)# or

#sinx=(1+-sqrt25)/4# or

#sinx=(1+-5)/4# i.e. #sinx= 3/2 or -1#

As range of #sinx# is within [-1,1}, it cannot be #3/2# and #-1# isonly possibility.

Hence, possible solution within the domain #[0, 2pi]# are

#x=(3pi)/2#