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How do you solve the equation sin(x) = 0.5?

To solve the equation sin(x)=0.5\sin(x) = 0.5, we need to identify the angles for which the sine value equals 0.50.5.

The sine function is periodic, meaning it repeats its values at regular intervals. Specifically, for the sine function, this interval is 360360 degrees (or 2π2\pi radians).

First, let’s recall the unit circle and the key angles with known sine values. The sine of 3030 degrees (or π6\frac{\pi}{6} radians) is 0.50.5, which gives us one solution:

x=30.x = 30^\circ.

However, since the sine function is positive in both the first and second quadrants, we must also consider another angle in the second quadrant that yields a sine value of 0.50.5. This angle can be found by subtracting 3030 degrees from 180180 degrees, yielding:

x=18030=150,x = 180^\circ - 30^\circ = 150^\circ,

or in radians,

x=ππ6=5π6.x = \pi - \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{5\pi}{6}.

Given the periodicity of the sine function, these solutions will repeat every 360360 degrees. Therefore, the general solutions can be expressed as:

x=30+360nandx=150+360n,x = 30^\circ + 360n^\circ \quad \text{and} \quad x = 150^\circ + 360n^\circ,

where nn is any integer.

In radians, the solutions can be written as:

x=π6+2πnandx=5π6+2πn,x = \frac{\pi}{6} + 2\pi n \quad \text{and} \quad x = \frac{5\pi}{6} + 2\pi n,

where nn is any integer.

By leveraging the periodic properties of the sine function and employing the unit circle, we can find all possible solutions to the equation sin(x)=0.5\sin(x) = 0.5.

Answered by: Dr. Angela Davis
GCSE Maths Tutor
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