Find all $x$ such that $\sin x = \frac{4}{5}$ and $\cos x = \frac{3}{5}$.

real-analysissystems of equationstrigonometry

Let
$$
\left\{
\begin{array}{c}
\sin x = \frac{4}{5} \\
\cos x = \frac{3}{5}
\end{array}
\right.
$$

Find all of the possible values for $x$.

My try: By dividing the equations we obtain $\tan x = \frac{4}{3}$ and then $$x = \arctan\frac{4}{3} + k\pi$$
But WolframAlpha gives
$$x = 2k\pi + 2\arctan\frac{1}{2}$$

Using $\arctan(x)+\arctan(y) = \arctan\left(\frac{x+y}{1-xy}\right)$, we get $$2\arctan\frac{1}{2} = \arctan\frac{4}{3}$$
but the answers are different still.

Why does this happen? And what is the correct answer?

Best Answer

Your original (set of) equations implies $\tan x=\frac{4}{3}$ but not the other way around. When you solve $\tan x=\frac{4}{3}$ you get the solutions of your original equation and the solutions $\sin x=\frac{-4}{5}$, $\cos x=\frac{-3}{5}$.

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