Sums of the form Asin(x) + Bcos(x)

Consider any pair of numbers (A,B) with neither A nor B being 0. Well use a 2nd quadrant pair to
illustrate our development.
(A,B)
k

k = A2 + B 2

A
This ordered pair along with the radial arm distance, k, determine an angle having the property that
B
A
sin =
and cos =
k
k
With that in mind, lets play with the quantity A sin x + B cos x for any value x:
A
B
B
A

A sin x + B cos x = k sin x + k cos x = k sin x + cos x

k
k
k
k

= k ( cos sin x + sin cos x ) = k ( sin x cos + cos x sin )

= k sin ( x + )

Thus we are able to write A sin x + B cos x as a function involving the sine function of a new value x + . This
is a skill that is needed at certain stages in the calculus and physics.
If neither A nor B is zero, then A sin x + B cos x can be written as k sin( x + )
where k = A2 + B 2 and is the unique angle satisfying the three conditions:
B
A
(i) < (ii) sin =
(iii) cos =
k
k

Example 1
3 sin x cos x
Solution:
A = 3 and B = 1, so k = 3 + 1 = 4 = 2 and the ordered pair ( 3 , 1 ) is in the 4th quadrant. Thus,

1
3
, and the reference angle is R = . So, =
to keep in the < range.
and cos =
6
6
2
2

We then have 3 sin x cos x = 2 sin x .

6

sin =

Example 2
2 sin x + 5 cos x
Solution:
A = 2 and B = 5 , so k = 4 + 25 = 29 . The ordered pair ( 2 , 5 ) is in the 2nd quadrant. Thus,

5
. Using the calculator gives roughly R = sin 1
1.19 . So,
29
29
29
= 1.19 1.95 . We then have 2 sin x + 5 cos x = 29 sin( x + 1.95 ) .

sin =

and cos =