The position of a weight on a spring relative to the point of equilibrium is given by
y= 8 cos 7t - 2 sin 7t
where the arguments are in radians and the t is in seconds. Find the smallest value of t for which weight is at the point of equilibrium (y=0).

Question

The position of a weight on a spring relative to the point of equilibrium is given by 
y= 8 cos 7t - 2 sin 7t 
where the arguments are in radians and the t is in seconds. Find the smallest value of t for which weight is at the point of equilibrium (y=0).

anonymous · Answer

solve 0 = 8 cos 7t - 2 sin 7t for the smallest t

anonymous · Answer

how do you solve that though?

anonymous · Answer

just put the equation in a graphing calculator

anonymous · Answer

I got -8. Is that right? or am I doing something wrong?

anonymous · Answer

https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=solve+0+%3D+8+cos+%287t+%29-+2+sin+%287t+%29+from+0+to+1 pick the smaller one

anonymous · Answer

Thank you.