2020 · Q57
If cos47° + sin47° = k, then what is the value of cos²47° − sin²47°?
Elementary MathematicsTrigonometry
- Ak√(2 − k²)
- B−k√(2 − k²)
- Ck√(1 − k²)
- D−k√(1 − k²)
Explanation
(cos47-sin47)^2 = 1-sin94 = 2-k^2, and since cos47 < sin47 the difference is negative: cos47-sin47 = -sqrt(2-k^2). Thus cos^2(47)-sin^2(47) = k*(cos47-sin47) = -k*sqrt(2-k^2) - option (B). Numerically, cos47 ~= 0.682 and sin47 ~= 0.731 give cos^2-sin^2 ~= -0.0698, matching -k*sqrt(2-k^2).