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Expert: Steve Holleran - 9/29/2008


Question
simplify in the form of factoring
cos x - 2sin^2x + 1

Answer
Hi Yomna,

I'm thinking that you want to reduce this to all cosines, so I would replace the sin^2 x with (1 - cos^2 x):

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

                          = cos x - 2 + 2 cos^2 x + 1

                          = 2 cos^2 x + cos x - 1

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


Hope this is what you wanted
Steve

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Steve Holleran

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I can help with all math questions from basic math to Calculus. Whether it`s consumer questions, or questions from high school or college students, I have probably dealt with it at some time in my career.

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33 years teaching experience in NJ public schools

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B.S. Mathematics : Wake Forest University 1972 M.S. Mathematics : Monmouth University 1981

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