Feb/Mar 2017 p12 q5
573
The diagram shows the graphs of \(y = \tan x\) and \(y = \cos x\) for \(0 \leq x \leq \pi\). The graphs intersect at points \(A\) and \(B\).
(i) Find by calculation the \(x\)-coordinate of \(A\).
(ii) Find by calculation the coordinates of \(B\).
Solution
(i) To find the \(x\)-coordinate of \(A\), set \(\tan x = \cos x\).
This implies \(\sin x = \cos^2 x\).
Using the identity \(\cos^2 x = 1 - \sin^2 x\), we have \(\sin x = 1 - \sin^2 x\).
Rearrange to form a quadratic equation: \(\sin^2 x + \sin x - 1 = 0\).
Solving this quadratic equation gives \(\sin x = 0.618\).
Thus, \(x = \sin^{-1}(0.618) = 0.666\).
(ii) For point \(B\), the \(x\)-coordinate is \(\pi - 0.666 = 2.475\).
Calculate the \(y\)-coordinate using \(y = \tan(2.475)\) or \(y = \cos(2.475)\).
This gives \(y = -0.787\).
Therefore, the coordinates of \(B\) are \((2.48, -0.787)\).
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