Question:
The number of real solutions to the equation |sec(x)−2|=k, where −2π≤x≤2π
is determined by the value of the constant k.
Find the number of real solutions for all values of k, given that kϵR.
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Here is my attempt:
1cos(x)−2=±k for −2π≤x≤2π
cos(x)=12±k
x=cos−1(12±k) ( −2π≤x≤2π )
So:
−2π≤cos−1(12±k)≤2π implying: 1≤12±k≤1.
Therefore, 12±k=1, so k=±1
Now, i subsituited k=1 and k=-1 in the original equation |sec(x)−2|=k and considering the domain, −2π≤x≤2π
found the solutions seperately for each case (I.e. k=1 and k=-1) Then counted them and they are 7 distinct solutions.
Is this correct? As I do not have a model answer to check.
Thanks in advance.
I just found a solution, what I did above is not correct.
-->Sketch the graph of y=|sec(x)−2|, and then consider y=k as k varies over R.
That is,
if k<0 -->No real solutions
if k=0 -->4 real solutions
if 0 8 real solutions
if k=1 -->7 real solutions
if 1 4 real solutions
if k=3 -->6 real solutions
if k>3 ---> 8 real solutions.