Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Trigonometric Identities
Trigonometric identities are equations that involve trigonometric functions and are true for all values of the variables involved. The cosine of the difference of two angles, cos(α - β), is expressed as cos(α)cos(β) + sin(α)sin(β). Understanding these identities is crucial for simplifying expressions and solving problems in trigonometry.
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Quadrants and Angle Ranges
The unit circle is divided into four quadrants, each corresponding to specific ranges of angle measures. The given conditions specify that α and β are in the third quadrant, where sine is negative and cosine is also negative. Recognizing the signs of trigonometric functions in different quadrants is essential for determining the correct values of sin(α) and cos(β).
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Exact Values of Trigonometric Functions
Exact values of trigonometric functions can be derived from special angles or through the use of known values from the unit circle. For example, the sine and cosine values for angles like π/6, π/4, and π/3 are commonly used. In this problem, knowing how to calculate or derive these exact values is necessary to find cos(α - β) accurately.
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