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Algebra Difficulty 3.4 AMC 10/12 Find the answer

A function is defined on the interval (0,π2)(0, \frac{\pi}{2}) as y=6cosxy=6\cos x. The intersection of the graph of this function and the graph of y=9tanxy=9\tan x is point PP. A line perpendicular to the xx-axis is drawn through point PP and intersects the xx-axis at point P_1P\_1. This line also intersects the graph of y=sinxy=\sin x at point P_2P\_2. Find the length of the line segment P_1P_2P\_1P\_2.

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

The length of the line segment P_1P_2P\_1P\_2 is equal to the yy-coordinate of point P_2P\_2, which is the value of sinx\sin x. The value of xx can be found by solving the equation 6cosx=9tanx6\cos x=9\tan x, which simplifies to 2cos2x=3sinx2\cos^2 x=3\sin x. Since x(0,π2)x \in (0, \frac{\pi}{2}), we have sin2x+cos2x=1\sin^2 x + \cos^2 x = 1, which leads to 2sin2x+3sinx2=02\sin^2 x + 3\sin x - 2 = 0. Solving this equation gives sinx=12\sin x = \frac{1}{2} (we discard the solution sinx=2\sin x = -2 as it does not meet the conditions of the problem).

Therefore, the length of the line segment P_1P_2P\_1P\_2 is sinx=12\boxed{\sin x = \frac{1}{2}}.

By solving 6cosx=9tanx6\cos x=9\tan x, we can find the value of xx, which allows us to find the xx-coordinate of point PP. Finding the length of P_1P_2P\_1P\_2 is then equivalent to finding the value of sinx\sin x, which leads us to the answer. This problem tests understanding of the graphs and values of trigonometric functions, computational skills, and the ability to combine geometric and algebraic reasoning.

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Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.