How do you find the x intercepts for y=-3cosx+sinx?

1 Answer
Aug 2, 2016

There are infinite x intercepts; I'll find a general rule for you.

Setting the function so that y = 0:

0 = -3cosx + sinx

0 = (-3cosx)/cosx + sinx/cosx

0 = -3 + sinx/cosx

0 = -3 + tanx

3 = tanx

x ~~ 1.25 + pin

So, the x intercepts will occur whenever the number on the x axis equals 1.25 + pin, n being any positive integer.

Hopefully this helps!