Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles
Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles
5:26 minutes
Problem 29b
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionFind the values of the six trigonometric functions for an angle in standard position having each given point on its terminal side. Rationalize denominators when applicable. (―8 , 15)
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Trigonometric Functions
The six trigonometric functions—sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent—are defined based on the ratios of the sides of a right triangle. For an angle θ in standard position, these functions relate the angle to the coordinates of a point (x, y) on its terminal side. Specifically, sine is y/r, cosine is x/r, and tangent is y/x, where r is the distance from the origin to the point, calculated as r = √(x² + y²).
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Distance Formula
The distance from the origin to a point (x, y) in the Cartesian plane is calculated using the distance formula, r = √(x² + y²). This formula is essential for determining the hypotenuse of the right triangle formed by the x and y coordinates, which is necessary for finding the values of the trigonometric functions. In this case, for the point (−8, 15), r would be √((-8)² + 15²) = √(64 + 225) = √289 = 17.
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Rationalizing Denominators
Rationalizing the denominator is a process used to eliminate any radical expressions from the denominator of a fraction. This is often necessary in trigonometry when expressing the values of trigonometric functions in their simplest form. For example, if a function yields a result like 15/17, it is already rationalized, but if it were to yield a result like 15/√17, we would multiply the numerator and denominator by √17 to express it as (15√17)/17.
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