Recognize Equation Involves Cosine: We need to solve the equation cos(2θ)=21. The first step is to recognize that this equation involves the cosine of double the angle θ. We need to find the values of θ that satisfy this equation.
Identify Specific Cosine Values: We know that the cosine function has a value of 21 at specific angles in the unit circle. These angles are 60 degrees (or 3π radians) and 300 degrees (or 35π radians). However, since we are dealing with cos(2θ), we need to find the angles for θ such that when doubled, they give us the angles where the cosine is 21.
Find Theta Values: To find the values of theta, we divide the angles where cos(x)=21 by 2. So, we get θ=260 degrees=30 degrees (or \frac{\pi}{3} \text{ radians}}{2} = \frac{\pi}{6} \text{ radians}) and θ=2300 degrees=150 degrees (or \frac{5\pi}{3} \text{ radians}}{2} = \frac{5\pi}{6} \text{ radians}).
Consider Periodicity: However, the cosine function is periodic with a period of 360 degrees (or 2π radians), so we must consider all angles that are coterminal with 30 degrees and 150 degrees. This means we add k×360 degrees to each solution for θ, where k is an integer. In radians, we add k×2π to each solution for θ.
General Solutions: Therefore, the general solutions for θ are θ=30 degrees + k×360 degrees or θ=150 degrees + k×360 degrees, where k is an integer. In radians, θ=6π+k×2π or θ=65π+k×2π, where k is an integer.
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