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JEE Mathematics 2025 Question with Solution

The number of solutions of the equation (43)sinx23cos2x=41+3(4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2\sqrt{3} \cos^2 x = \frac{-4}{1 + \sqrt{3}}, x[2π,5π2]x \in \left[-2\pi, \frac{5\pi}{2}\right] is

  • A

    44

  • B

    33

  • C

    66

  • D

    55

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: (43)sinx23cos2x=41+3(4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2\sqrt{3} \cos^2 x = \frac{-4}{1 + \sqrt{3}} and x[2π,5π2]x \in \left[-2\pi, \frac{5\pi}{2}\right].

Find: The number of solutions in the given interval.

First rationalize the right-hand side:

41+3=4(13)(1+3)(13)=4(13)13=4(13)2=223\frac{-4}{1 + \sqrt{3}} = \frac{-4(1 - \sqrt{3})}{(1 + \sqrt{3})(1 - \sqrt{3})} = \frac{-4(1 - \sqrt{3})}{1 - 3} = \frac{-4(1 - \sqrt{3})}{-2} = 2 - 2\sqrt{3}

Now substitute cos2x=1sin2x\cos^2 x = 1 - \sin^2 x:

(43)sinx23(1sin2x)=223(4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2\sqrt{3}(1 - \sin^2 x) = 2 - 2\sqrt{3} (43)sinx23+23sin2x=223(4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2\sqrt{3} + 2\sqrt{3} \sin^2 x = 2 - 2\sqrt{3} 23sin2x+(43)sinx2=02\sqrt{3} \sin^2 x + (4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2 = 0

Let y=sinxy = \sin x. Then:

23y2+(43)y2=02\sqrt{3} y^2 + (4 - \sqrt{3}) y - 2 = 0

Using the quadratic formula,

y=(43)±(43)24(23)(2)43y = \frac{-(4 - \sqrt{3}) \pm \sqrt{(4 - \sqrt{3})^2 - 4(2\sqrt{3})(-2)}}{4\sqrt{3}} y=4+3±1683+3+16343y = \frac{-4 + \sqrt{3} \pm \sqrt{16 - 8\sqrt{3} + 3 + 16\sqrt{3}}}{4\sqrt{3}} y=4+3±19+8343y = \frac{-4 + \sqrt{3} \pm \sqrt{19 + 8\sqrt{3}}}{4\sqrt{3}}

Since 19+83=(4+3)219 + 8\sqrt{3} = (4 + \sqrt{3})^2,

y=4+3±(4+3)43y = \frac{-4 + \sqrt{3} \pm (4 + \sqrt{3})}{4\sqrt{3}}

So the possible values are:

sinx=4+3+4+343=12\sin x = \frac{-4 + \sqrt{3} + 4 + \sqrt{3}}{4\sqrt{3}} = \frac{1}{2} sinx=4+34343=23\sin x = \frac{-4 + \sqrt{3} - 4 - \sqrt{3}}{4\sqrt{3}} = \frac{-2}{\sqrt{3}}

But 23<1\frac{-2}{\sqrt{3}} < -1, so it is not possible for sine. Hence we only need to solve sinx=12\sin x = \frac{1}{2}.

The general solutions are:

x=nπ+(1)nπ6x = n\pi + (-1)^n \frac{\pi}{6}

Checking values in [2π,5π2]\left[-2\pi, \frac{5\pi}{2}\right]:

  • For n=2n = -2, x=11π6x = -\frac{11\pi}{6}
  • For n=1n = -1, x=7π6x = -\frac{7\pi}{6}
  • For n=0n = 0, x=π6x = \frac{\pi}{6}
  • For n=1n = 1, x=5π6x = \frac{5\pi}{6}
  • For n=2n = 2, x=13π6x = \frac{13\pi}{6}
  • For n=3n = 3, x=17π6>5π2x = \frac{17\pi}{6} > \frac{5\pi}{2}, so it is excluded.

Thus the solutions in the interval are 11π6,7π6,π6,5π6,13π6-\frac{11\pi}{6}, -\frac{7\pi}{6}, \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{5\pi}{6}, \frac{13\pi}{6}. Therefore, the number of solutions is 55 and the correct option is D.

Using identity to reduce to a quadratic in sine

Given: (43)sinx23cos2x=41+3(4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2\sqrt{3} \cos^2 x = \frac{-4}{1 + \sqrt{3}}.

Find: How many values of xx in [2π,5π2]\left[-2\pi, \frac{5\pi}{2}\right] satisfy the equation.

The key idea is to convert the equation into a polynomial in one trigonometric function. After rationalizing,

41+3=223\frac{-4}{1 + \sqrt{3}} = 2 - 2\sqrt{3}

so the equation becomes

(43)sinx23cos2x=223(4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2\sqrt{3} \cos^2 x = 2 - 2\sqrt{3}

Using cos2x=1sin2x\cos^2 x = 1 - \sin^2 x,

(43)sinx23(1sin2x)=223(4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2\sqrt{3}(1 - \sin^2 x) = 2 - 2\sqrt{3}

which simplifies to

23sin2x+(43)sinx2=02\sqrt{3} \sin^2 x + (4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2 = 0

This is a quadratic in sinx\sin x.

Solving it gives sinx=12\sin x = \frac{1}{2} or sinx=23\sin x = -\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}. Since sine cannot lie outside [1,1][-1,1], only sinx=12\sin x = \frac{1}{2} is valid.

Now count all points in the interval where sine equals 12\frac{1}{2}. In each full period, the solutions are

x=π6,5π6x = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{5\pi}{6}

Shifting these by multiples of 2π2\pi and keeping only those inside [2π,5π2]\left[-2\pi, \frac{5\pi}{2}\right] gives exactly five values.

Therefore, the required number of solutions is 55. Hence, the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Replacing cos2x\cos^2 x incorrectly. The identity is cos2x=1sin2x\cos^2 x = 1 - \sin^2 x, not 1sinx1 - \sin x. Using the wrong identity changes the equation completely. Always convert the squared term carefully.

  • Making an algebra error while shifting constants. After substitution, the equation simplifies to 23sin2x+(43)sinx2=02\sqrt{3} \sin^2 x + (4 - \sqrt{3}) \sin x - 2 = 0. Missing the constant 2-2 leads to a wrong factorization and an incorrect answer.

  • Accepting sinx=23\sin x = -\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} as a valid root. Since sine must satisfy 1sinx1-1 \le \sin x \le 1, this value is impossible. Always check whether algebraic roots are admissible for trigonometric functions.

  • Counting solutions of sinx=12\sin x = \frac{1}{2} incorrectly in the interval. Students often miss negative-angle solutions or include values beyond 5π2\frac{5\pi}{2}. After finding the general solution, verify each value lies inside the given closed interval.

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