Componendo and Dividendo Formula Explained!

by Mashal Rizvi

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Sounds bogus right? Compendo, compound, what even? And is Dividendo just dividing? Well, again you’ve landed at the right place, we’ve got all your Matric queries covered.

Have you ever wondered how to solve these Matric equations involving ratios or fractions? If so, you might have encountered a crucial technique called the componendo and dividendo formula

 

What is the Componendo and Dividendo Formula?

Componendo and Dividendo Formula simplifies or transforms equations by adding or subtracting the numerator and denominator of two fractions. 

In this article, we will explain the Matric Math concept: what componendo and dividendo are, how to use them, and why they are useful in trigonometry, specifically. 

 

What are Componendo and Dividendo?

What is Componendo?

Componendo is a Latin word that means "composing”. It refers to a rule that can be applied to equations involving ratios or fractions. 

Componendo rule: If a/b = c/d, then (a+b)/(a-b) = (c+d)/(c-d).

 

What is Dividendo?

Dividendo is a Latin word that means "dividing". It refers to a rule that can be applied to equations involving ratios or fractions. 

Dividendo rule: If a/b = c/d, then (a-b)/(a+b) = (c-d)/(c+d).

 

CTA Slide 4

 

What is Componendo and Dividendo rule:

Both rules can be applied to equations involving ratios or fractions and can be derived from the properties of proportions and cross-multiplication.

Componendo rule: If a/b = c/d, then (a+b)/(a-b) = (c+d)/(c-d).

Dividendo rule: If a/b = c/d, then (a-b)/(a+b) = (c-d)/(c+d).

 

For instance, to prove the componendo rule, we can start with a/b = c/d and cross-multiply to get ad = bc. 

Then, we can add bd to both sides to get ad + bd = bc + bd. 

Also, we can factor out d from both sides to get d(a + b) = d(c + d). 

Lastly, we can divide both sides by d to get (a + b)/(c + d) = (c + d)/(a + b).

 

How to Use Componendo and Dividendo Formula?

Why do they even matter? Well, componendo and dividendo can simplify or transform equations involving ratios or fractions. Such as suppose we want to solve the equation x/2 = 3/4 for x. We can use the componendo rule to get (x + 2)/(x - 2) = (3 + 4)/(3 - 4), which simplifies to (x + 2)/(x - 2) = -7. 

Then, we can cross-multiply to get -7x + 14 = x + 2, which simplifies to -8x = -12. Lastly, we can divide both sides by -8 to get x = 3/2.

 

How are Componendo and Dividendo Useful in Trigonometry?

Componendo and dividendo are useful in Matric Trigonometry because they help us derive or prove some important identities or formulas involving trigonometric functions. Using the componendo rule, we can derive the formula for sin(A + B) as follows:

sin A/cos A = tan A

sin B/cos B = tan B

 

Using the rule on both sides, we get: (sin A + sin B)/(cos A + cos B) = (tan A + tan B)/(1 - tan A tan B)

Multiplying both sides by cos A cos B: (sin A + sin B) cos A cos B = (tan A + tan B) cos^2(A) cos^2(B) - sin^2(A) sin^2(B)

Expanding and simplifying: sin A cos B + sin B cos A = sin(A + B)

 

Similarly, using the dividendo rule, we can derive the formula for sin(A - B): 

sin A/cos A = tan A

sin B/cos B = tan B

 

Using the dividendo rule on both sides: (sin A - sin B)/(cos A - cos B) = (tan A - tan B)/(1 + tan A tan B)

Multiplying both sides by cos A cos B: (sin A - sin B) cos A cos B = (tan A - tan B) cos^2(A) cos^2(B) + sin^2(A) sin^2(B)

Expanding and simplifying: sin A cos B - sin B cos A = sin(A - B)

 

There are thousands more applications of these rules in solving equations, proving identities, finding angles, and more. And if you’re still confused about the rules, learn the Matric Math topic at Out-Class.

 

Conclusion

The two rules that can be used in equations involving fractions or ratios are dividendo and componendo. Combining or dividing the numerator and denominator of two fractions can assist us in simplifying or transforming equations. They are also helpful in Matric trigonometry since they enable us to get or validate some significant identities and formulas of trigonometric functions. Componendo and dividendo are two straightforward yet effective mathematical operations that can simplify our lives.

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