3
$\begingroup$

I want to expand the following expression into powers of $\cos(u)$ only:

a1 + a2 Cos[2 u] + a3 Cos[4 u] + a4 Cos[6 u]

The answer that I want (and which I found by hand) is :

(a1 + a3 - a2 - a4) + (2 a2 - 8 a3 + 18 a4) Cos[u]^2 + (8 a3 - 48 a4) Cos[u]^4 + (32 a4) Cos[u]^6

As you see it contains only powers of $\cos (u)$. But when I use the TrigExpand, which is supposed to simplify the expression into powers of trigonometric functions, it gives this:

1 + a2 Cos[u]^2 + a3 Cos[u]^4 + a4 Cos[u]^6 - a2 Sin[u]^2 - 6 a3 Cos[u]^2 Sin[u]^2 
- 15 a4 Cos[u]^4 Sin[u]^2 + a3 Sin[u]^4 + 15 a4 Cos[u]^2 Sin[u]^4 - a4 Sin[u]^6

Is it possible to make TrigExpand to simplify only in terms of $\cos (u)$ or $\sin (u)$? (or maybe using another command instead of TrigExpand)

By the way, It is my first work done in Mathematica.

$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Could use post-process the TrigExpand with PolynomialReduce in order to exchange one trig in favor of the other. In[8]:= PolynomialReduce[TrigExpand[expr], Sin[u]^2 + Cos[u]^2 - 1, Cos[u]][[2]] Out[8]= a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 - 2 a2 Sin[u]^2 - 8 a3 Sin[u]^2 - 18 a4 Sin[u]^2 + 8 a3 Sin[u]^4 + 48 a4 Sin[u]^4 - 32 a4 Sin[u]^6 $\endgroup$ Jun 6, 2014 at 14:14

2 Answers 2

5
$\begingroup$
expr = a1 + a2 Cos[2 u] + a3 Cos[4 u] + a4 Cos[6 u];

(expr // TrigExpand) /. Sin[x_] -> (1 - Cos[x]^2)^(1/2) // Collect[#, Cos[_]] &

a1 - a2 + a3 - a4 + (2 a2 - 8 a3 + 18 a4) Cos[ u]^2 + (8 a3 - 48 a4) Cos[u]^4 + 32 a4 Cos[u]^6

(expr // TrigExpand) /. Cos[x_] -> (1 - Sin[x]^2)^(1/2) // Collect[#, Sin[_]] &

a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 + (-2 a2 - 8 a3 - 18 a4) Sin[ u]^2 + (8 a3 + 48 a4) Sin[u]^4 - 32 a4 Sin[u]^6

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks. Can you explain a little what the code does? $\endgroup$
    – user215721
    Jun 6, 2014 at 13:32
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ After TrigExpand, ReplaceAll is used with a trig identity to remove undesired trig functions, then like terms are collected. In Mathematica, highlight a function or operator then press F1 for additional information. $\endgroup$
    – Bob Hanlon
    Jun 6, 2014 at 13:45
2
$\begingroup$

Some alternative approaches can be found in How to expand tan(x+y) as normal form. Here is my answer from that link, applied to your expression:

expr = a1 + a2 Cos[2 u] + a3 Cos[4 u] + a4 Cos[6 u];

Simplify[TrigExpand[expr /. u -> ArcSin[a]]] /. a -> Sin[u]

(*
==> a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 - 2 a2 Sin[u]^2 - 8 a3 Sin[u]^2 - 
 18 a4 Sin[u]^2 + 8 a3 Sin[u]^4 + 48 a4 Sin[u]^4 - 32 a4 Sin[u]^6
*)

You can also add

Collect[%, Sin[u]]
(*
==> a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 + (-2 a2 - 8 a3 - 18 a4) Sin[
   u]^2 + (8 a3 + 48 a4) Sin[u]^4 - 32 a4 Sin[u]^6
*)
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.