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Ch. 2 - Graphs of the Trigonometric Functions; Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Chapter 2, Problem 27

In Exercises 27–38, use a calculator to find the value of each expression rounded to two decimal places. sin⁻¹ 0.3

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1
Understand that \( \sin^{-1} \) is the inverse sine function, also known as arcsin, which gives the angle whose sine is the given number.
Set up the equation \( \theta = \sin^{-1}(0.3) \), where \( \theta \) is the angle we need to find.
Use a calculator to find \( \theta \) by inputting \( \sin^{-1}(0.3) \).
Ensure the calculator is set to the correct mode (degrees or radians) based on the context of the problem.
Round the result to two decimal places as required.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Inverse trigonometric functions, such as sin⁻¹ (arcsin), are used to find the angle whose sine is a given value. For example, sin⁻¹(0.3) asks for the angle θ such that sin(θ) = 0.3. These functions are essential for solving problems where the angle is unknown but the ratio of sides is known.
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Calculator Functions

Using a calculator to evaluate inverse trigonometric functions requires understanding how to access these functions. Most scientific calculators have a dedicated button for inverse functions, often labeled as 'sin⁻¹', 'cos⁻¹', or 'tan⁻¹'. Knowing how to input values correctly and interpret the output is crucial for accurate calculations.
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Rounding Numbers

Rounding numbers is a mathematical process used to reduce the number of digits in a number while maintaining its value as close as possible. In this context, rounding the result of sin⁻¹(0.3) to two decimal places means adjusting the output to the nearest hundredth, which is important for presenting answers in a clear and standardized format.
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