Find the smallest integer such that , where angles are measured in degrees.
If no such exists, enter 666 as your answer.
Bonus question : What is the solution for ?
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Angles will be measured in degrees throughout.
Multiplying the given equation with sin ( 8 ) and using the rule 2 ( sin x ) ( cos x ) = sin ( 2 x ) repeatedly, we find that sin ( 2 n + 1 ) = sin ( 8 ) . (This approach is discussed here .)This means that either 2 n + 1 − 8 = 3 6 0 k or 2 n + 1 + 8 = 1 8 0 ( 2 k − 1 ) for some positive integer k . The second equation has no integer solutions since the LHS is divisible by 8 while the RHS isn't. Dividing the first equation by 8, we see that 2 n − 2 − 1 = 4 5 k , meaning that 2 n − 2 ≡ 1 ( m o d 4 5 ) . Since the Carmichael lambda of 45 is 12, we know that 2 1 2 ≡ 1 ( m o d 4 5 ) , and we can easily check that no lower exponent does the job. Thus n − 2 = 1 2 and n = 1 4 . In summary, we have the intriguing "Morrie's Law" type of equation ( cos 8 ) ( cos 1 6 ) ( cos 3 2 ) . . . ( cos 8 1 9 2 ) ( cos 1 6 3 8 4 ) = k = 3 ∏ 1 4 cos ( 2 k ) = 2 1 2 1
Now, what about the bonus question?