1984 AMC 12 Problem 15

Attempt Problem 15 of the 1984 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1984 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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15.

If sin⁡2xsin⁡3x=cos⁡2xcos⁡3x,\sin2x\sin3x=\cos2x\cos3x, then one value for xx is
18∘18^\circ
30∘30^\circ
36∘36^\circ
45∘45^\circ
60∘60^\circ
Answer: A
Concepts:trigonometric identityangle sum
Small hint:
Move all terms to one side and recognize a cosine addition identity
Big hint:
Use cos⁡2xcos⁡3x−sin⁡2xsin⁡3x\cos2x\cos3x-\sin2x\sin3x =cos⁡5x=\cos5x
Solution:
The equation is equivalent to cos⁡2xcos⁡3x−sin⁡2xsin⁡3x=cos⁡5x=0. \begin{aligned} &\cos2x\cos3x\\ &\quad-\sin2x\sin3x\\ &=\cos5x=0. \end{aligned} Therefore 5x=90∘+180∘k.5x=90^\circ+180^\circ k. Taking k=0k=0 gives x=18∘,x=18^\circ, the listed value.
Therefore, the correct answer is A.
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