Simplify the expression: [(cos 3θ + 2cos 5θ + cos 7θ) / (cos θ + 2cos 3θ + cos 5θ)] + (sin 2θ * tan 3θ).

Difficulty: Hard

Correct Answer: cos 2θ

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is a structured trigonometric simplification problem. The numerator and denominator are symmetric in cosine terms (3θ, 5θ, 7θ and θ, 3θ, 5θ), suggesting sum-to-product grouping. After simplifying the fraction, the remaining sin 2θ * tan 3θ term neatly cancels a part of the cosine expansion, leaving a very simple final result.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Expression: [(cos 3θ + 2cos 5θ + cos 7θ)/(cos θ + 2cos 3θ + cos 5θ)] + sin 2θ * tan 3θ
  • Use: cos X + cos Y = 2*cos((X + Y)/2)*cos((X - Y)/2)
  • Use: tan 3θ = sin 3θ / cos 3θ
  • Use: cos(3θ + 2θ) = cos 3θ*cos 2θ - sin 3θ*sin 2θ


Concept / Approach:
Group paired cosine terms (cos 3θ + cos 7θ) and (cos θ + cos 5θ) to factor out common multipliers. Reduce the fraction to cos 5θ / cos 3θ, then combine with sin 2θ*sin 3θ / cos 3θ and apply the cosine addition identity to collapse everything to cos 2θ.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Group numerator: (cos 3θ + cos 7θ) + 2cos 5θ. Step 2: cos 3θ + cos 7θ = 2*cos 5θ*cos 2θ. Step 3: Numerator becomes 2*cos 5θ*cos 2θ + 2*cos 5θ = 2*cos 5θ*(cos 2θ + 1). Step 4: Similarly denominator: (cos θ + cos 5θ) + 2cos 3θ. Step 5: cos θ + cos 5θ = 2*cos 3θ*cos 2θ. Step 6: Denominator becomes 2*cos 3θ*cos 2θ + 2*cos 3θ = 2*cos 3θ*(cos 2θ + 1). Step 7: Fraction simplifies to (2*cos 5θ*(cos 2θ + 1)) / (2*cos 3θ*(cos 2θ + 1)) = cos 5θ / cos 3θ. Step 8: sin 2θ * tan 3θ = sin 2θ*(sin 3θ/cos 3θ) = (sin 2θ*sin 3θ)/cos 3θ. Step 9: Total = (cos 5θ + sin 2θ*sin 3θ) / cos 3θ. Step 10: Use cos(3θ + 2θ) = cos 3θ*cos 2θ - sin 3θ*sin 2θ, so cos 5θ = cos 3θ*cos 2θ - sin 3θ*sin 2θ. Step 11: Then cos 5θ + sin 2θ*sin 3θ = cos 3θ*cos 2θ. Step 12: Divide by cos 3θ: result = cos 2θ.


Verification / Alternative check:
Pick θ = 0: the expression becomes (1 + 2*1 + 1)/(1 + 2*1 + 1) + 0 = 1, and cos 0 = 1, so it matches.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

sin 2θ, tan 2θ, sec 2θ, cot θ*sin 2θ: these do not arise after the clean cancellation with cos 3θ and the cos(3θ+2θ) identity.


Common Pitfalls:
Not grouping cosine pairs correctly, forgetting tan 3θ = sin 3θ / cos 3θ, or missing the cancellation of sin 2θ*sin 3θ terms.


Final Answer:
cos 2θ

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