Solve the trigonometric equation
\(\displaystyle \cos(\theta-60^\circ)=3\sin\theta\)
for \(0^\circ\le \theta \le 360^\circ\).
Solution
Expand the left side with
\(\cos(u-v)=\cos u\cos v+\sin u\sin v\):
\[
\cos(\theta-60^\circ)
=\cos\theta\cos60^\circ+\sin\theta\sin60^\circ
=\tfrac12\cos\theta+\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}\sin\theta.
\]
Set equal to \(3\sin\theta\) and rearrange:
\[
\tfrac12\cos\theta+\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}\sin\theta=3\sin\theta
\;\Rightarrow\;
\tfrac12\cos\theta=\Big(3-\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}\Big)\sin\theta.
\]
\[
\cos\theta=(6-\sqrt3)\,\sin\theta
\;\Rightarrow\;
\tan\theta=\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}
=\frac{1}{\,6-\sqrt3\,}.
\]
Evaluate the principal angle:
\[
\theta=\arctan\!\Big(\frac{1}{6-\sqrt3}\Big)
\approx \arctan(0.2343)=13.2^\circ.
\]
Tangent is positive in quadrants I and III, so add \(180^\circ\):
\[
\theta=13.2^\circ,\quad 13.2^\circ+180^\circ=193.2^\circ.
\]
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