Write sin(4t) - sin(2t) as a product.
A2 sin(3t) cos(t)
B2 sin(t) cos(3t)
C2 cos(t) cos(3t)
D2 sin(t) sin(3t)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. 2 sin(t) cos(3t)
1. Use sin a - sin b = 2 sin((a - b)/2) cos((a + b)/2) with a = 4t and b = 2t.
2. The half difference is (4t - 2t)/2 = 2t/2 = t.
3. The half sum is (4t + 2t)/2 = 6t/2 = 3t.
4. So the expression becomes 2 sin(t) cos(3t).
5. The option 2 sin(3t) cos(t) swaps the two half angles and would instead equal sin(4t) + sin(2t).
6. The option built from two cosines cannot vanish at t = 0, whereas the original expression does.
_Source: OpenStax Algebra and Trigonometry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 9 "Trigonometric Identities and Equations", section 9.4 Sum-to-Product and Product-to-Sum Formulas_
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