Sums of the form Asin(x) + Bcos(x) Consider any pair of numbers (A,B) with neither A nor B being 0.

Well use a 2nd quadrant pair to illustrate our development. (A,B) k B A This ordered pair along with the radial arm distance, k, determine an angle having the property that B A sin = and cos = k k With that in mind, lets play with the quantity A sin x + B cos x for any value x: A B B A A sin x + B cos x = k sin x + k cos x = k sin x + cos x k k k k
= k sin ( x + )

k = A2 + B 2

= k ( cos sin x + sin cos x ) = k ( sin x cos + cos x sin )

Thus we are able to write A sin x + B cos x as a function involving the sine function of a new value x + . This is a skill that is needed at certain stages in the calculus and physics. If neither A nor B is zero, then A sin x + B cos x can be written as k sin( x + ) where k = A2 + B 2 and is the unique angle satisfying the three conditions: B A (i) < (ii) sin = (iii) cos = k k

Example 1 3 sin x cos x Solution: A = 3 and B = 1, so k = 3 + 1 = 4 = 2 and the ordered pair ( 3 , 1 ) is in the 4th quadrant. Thus,

1 3 , and the reference angle is R = . So, = to keep in the < range. and cos = 6 6 2 2 We then have 3 sin x cos x = 2 sin x . 6
sin =

Example 2 2 sin x + 5 cos x Solution: A = 2 and B = 5 , so k = 4 + 25 = 29 . The ordered pair ( 2 , 5 ) is in the 2nd quadrant. Thus,
5 . Using the calculator gives roughly R = sin 1 1.19 . So, 29 29 29 = 1.19 1.95 . We then have 2 sin x + 5 cos x = 29 sin( x + 1.95 ) .

sin =

and cos =