Find all rational numbers p, q, r such that p\cos\frac{\pi}{7}+q\cos\frac{2\pi}{7}+r\cos\frac{3\pi}{7}=1

Brooklyn1wp

Brooklyn1wp

Answered question

2022-03-01

Find all rational numbers p, q, r such that
pcosπ7+qcos2π7+rcos3π7=1

Answer & Explanation

sergiotheguyqgs

sergiotheguyqgs

Beginner2022-03-02Added 4 answers

At first we call α=π7 and we are having the expression
pcos(α)+qcos(2α)+rcos(3α)=1
As
cos(α+β)=cos(α)cos(β)sin(α)sin(β)
we know that
cos(2α)=cos2(α)sin2(α)
and
cos(3α)=cos(α)cos(2α)sin(α)sin(2α)
As
sin(2α)=2cos(α)sin(α)
we get
cos(3α)=cos(α)(cos2(α)sin2(α))sin(α)(2cos(α)sin(α))
Expanding this gives us
cos(3α)=cos3(α)cos(α)sin2(α)cos(α)
and simplifying lead to
cos(3α)=cos3(α)3cos(α)sin2(α)
So back to our original equation
pcos(α)+qcos(2α)+rcos(3α)=1
Now we plug in the stuff above and get
pcos(α)+q(cos2(α)sin2(α))+r(cos3(α)cos(α)sin2(α))=1
This is nearly fine but the sin2(α) terms are still annoying, we use that cos2(α)+sin2(α)=1 and hence sin2(α)=1cos2(α) so our equation is equal to

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?