Question

Factor the algebraic expression below in terms of a single trigonometric function.
cos x - sin ^2x - 1

Answer 1

\[\cos x - \sin ^2x - 1 \]

Answer 2

How do I do this?

Answer 3

@RadEn

Answer 4

cos x-(1-cos ^2 x)-1
=cos ^2x+cos x-2
=cos ^2x+2cos x-cos x-2
now you can make factors.

Answer 5

Did that come out to \[\cos^2 x + 2\cos x-\cos x - 2\] @surjithayer ?

Answer 6

\[
\cos^2 x + 2\cos x-\cos x - 2=\\
(\cos^2 x + 2\cos x)-(\cos x +2 )=
\cos (x) (\cos(x) +2)- (\cos x +2 )
\]
Can you finish it now?

Answer 7

I got cos x(cos x +2) -1(cos x +2) Does that work @eliassaab

Answer 8

correct,proceed further.

Answer 9

I don't know what to do after that. Do you mean solve the zeros?

Answer 10

=(cos x+2)(cos x-1)

Answer 11

Oh, and that's it?

Answer 12

I guess so. Thanks guys! God bless you!

Answer 13

np