Question

how do you simplify 2sin^2(x/2)?

Answer 1

looks pretty simple as is to me :) what are ya going for?

Answer 2

2(1-cos^2(x/2)) = 2 - 2cos^2(x/2) doesnt seem to help..

Answer 3

i got that, but what do I do next? or is that not right

Answer 4

it all depends on what your definition of "simplified" means... are we wanting only single exponents?

Answer 5

err...exponents of 1?

Answer 6

yes, just one term

Answer 7

one term it already is, but do you mean like sin(x/2) instead of sin^2(x/2)?

Answer 8

yes, i believe so

Answer 9

hmmmm...... we can play around with identites some and see what happens i spose...

do you recall the formula for reducing an exponent?

Answer 10

nope, im so hopless haha

Answer 11

cos(2a) = cos^2 - sin^2

cos(2a)= 1 - 2sin^2(2a)

cos(t) -1
------- = sin^2(t)
2

try this one

Answer 12

2(cos(x/2) -1)
------------ = sin^2(x/2)
2

Answer 13

okay, hold on ne second while i work it out

Answer 14

.....2sin^2(x/2)

Answer 15

okay, that worked. i understand that, thanks!

Answer 16

that needs alittle fixing...

cos(x)-1
-------- = sin^2(x/2)
2

thats what it should be before you put it in

Answer 17

cos(x) - 1 = 2sin^2(x/2)

Answer 18

ohh, okay, I see it now.

Answer 19

better? :)

Answer 20

yupp, thanks a lot!

Answer 21

to double check, throw in a number and see :)