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I am working on a program which will predict the tides, but have come across a problem when using the simplified harmonic method of tidal prediction, I understand the whole thing but cannot do the following, this is what I have so far:

$$R\sin(r) = H\sin(\theta)$$

$$R\cos(r) = H\cos(\theta)$$

How do I obtain the values of just R and r alone?

EDIT 2! it is slightly more complex than first explained, this is more like what I am trying to work with:

$$R\sin(r) = A\sin(Y) + B\sin(Z)$$

$$R\cos(r) = A\cos(Y) + B\cos(Z)$$

Thanks.

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    Trivially, $r = \theta + 2\pi k$ (for all $k \in \mathbb Z$) and $R = H$ (other solutions may exist as well)...2012-10-22
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    And I was reading the title thinking "I've never heard of sine factorial before".2012-10-22
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    Haha, I have now edited the title!2012-10-22
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    @Paul Reed: What is the difference? denote $H=A+B$...2012-10-22
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    Final question update! The angles were not the same, there are two angles used, Y and Z.2012-10-22

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You know that $\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta=1$. Hence, by squaring both equations and adding you have: $$R^2=R^2(\sin^2r+\cos^2r)=H^2(\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta)=H^2$$ Hence $R=\pm H$. From here you know that $\sin r=\pm\sin\theta$ (depending on the value of $H$). Assuming that $H,R\geq0$ then you have $\sin r=\sin\theta$. So $r=\theta+2\pi k$

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    I have edited the question, reflecting more what I am trying to do, I can't make your answer work for the new situation!2012-10-22
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    That is the same: $R^2=(A+B)^2$...2012-10-22
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    Sorry for delay, been spending an age trying to understand the tide tables I am looking at, the final version of the formula is now up; this is why it wasn't working the simple R2 = (A + B)2 I guess! The angles differ among the first and last term, hence the new Y and Z terms.2012-10-22
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    That $\sin^2+\cos^2=1$ will get you a long way, @PaulReed. With your new equations you've got $R^2=A^2+B^2+2 A B \cos{(y-z)}$.2012-10-22
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    Ok that makes sense, so to get r could I then just do asine( Asin(Y)+Bsin(Z) /just calculated R) ?2012-10-22
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    @Paul Reed: Yes. Remember that $\sin(x)=\sin(x+2\pi)$ and that $\sin(x)=\sin(\pi-x)$.2012-10-22
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    @AlexanderGruber I know this is a long time ago, but I used your formula for the application and it worked but now I'm revisiting it as I didn't really understand why it worked. Would you be able to explain? When I try to work it out I only get $R^2cos^2(r) + R^2sin^2(r)$ simplifies to $R^2$ and the same with the rest leaving $R^2 = A^2 + B^2$ where does the $+2ABcos(y-z)$ come from? Thanks2015-06-24