2021 AMC 12A Spring Problem 19

Attempt Problem 19 of the 2021 AMC 12A Spring below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2021 AMC 12A Spring solutions, or check the answer key.

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19.

How many solutions does the equation sin(π2cosx)=cos(π2sinx) \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\cos x\right) = \cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\sin x\right) have in the closed interval [0,π]?[0, \pi]?

00

11

22

33

44

Answer: C
Concepts:trigonometric identitytrigonometry
Difficulty rating: 2300
Solution:

Write the right side as cos(π2sinx)=sin(π2π2sinx).\cos\left(\tfrac{\pi}{2}\sin x\right) = \sin\left(\tfrac{\pi}{2} - \tfrac{\pi}{2}\sin x\right). Equal sines require either π2cosx=π2(1sinx)+2πk \begin{aligned} &\frac{\pi}{2}\cos x \\ &= \frac{\pi}{2}(1 - \sin x) + 2\pi k \end{aligned} or π2cosx=ππ2(1sinx)+2πk. \begin{aligned} &\frac{\pi}{2}\cos x \\ &= \pi - \frac{\pi}{2}(1 - \sin x) + 2\pi k. \end{aligned}

The first reduces to cosx+sinx=1+4k;\cos x + \sin x = 1 + 4k; since cosx+sinx[2,2],\cos x + \sin x \in [-\sqrt2, \sqrt2], only k=0k = 0 works, giving cosx+sinx=1,\cos x + \sin x = 1, with solutions x=0x = 0 and x=π2x = \tfrac{\pi}{2} in [0,π].[0, \pi]. The second reduces to cosxsinx=1,\cos x - \sin x = 1, whose only solution in [0,π][0, \pi] is x=0.x = 0.

The distinct solutions are x=0x = 0 and x=π2,x = \tfrac{\pi}{2}, for a total of 2.2.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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