How do you use the quadratic formula to solve tan^2theta+3tantheta+1=0 for 0<=theta<360?

1 Answer
Nov 22, 2016

thetaapprox159.095
thetaapprox339.095

thetaapprox110.905
thetaapprox290.905

Explanation:

Let u=tantheta
Rewrite the equation as:
u^2+3u+1=0

u=frac{-(3)+-sqrt((3)^2-4(1)(1))}{2(1)}
u=frac{-3+-sqrt5}{2}

Substitute u back in:
tantheta=(-3+sqrt5)/2
theta=tan^-1((-3+sqrt5)/2)

thetaapprox159.095
thetaapprox339.095

tantheta=(-3-sqrt5)/2
theta=tan^-1((-3-sqrt5)/2)

thetaapprox110.905
thetaapprox290.905