Thread: Trig Problems

Hi,
Can someone help me with this?

1. For the point sqrt(2)/2, sqrt(2)/2 on the terminal side of an angle, determine trigonometric functions.
I have for this one: sin = sqrt(2)/2 csc = sqrt(2)
cos = sqrt(2)/2 sec = sqrt(2)
tan = 1 cot = 1

2.A park ranger needed to know the distance across a chasm at Bryce Canyon National Park. The ranger noted a tree on the edge of the chasm directly across from where she was standing. She walked 500 feet east along the edge of the chasm (on a line that was at a 900 angle from the line across the chasm) and then took a bearing to the tree. She found the bearing from her new position to the tree to be N300W.

What is the distance, in feet across the chasm (from her original position to the tree?

3. The point (15, 20) is on the terminal side of an angle drawn in standard position. Find the exact value of the cosine of the angle.

Thanks

I think I found number 3. Is it 3/5? Hope that one is at least ok.

Originally Posted by cuteisa89

Hi,
Can someone help me with this?

1. For the point sqrt(2)/2, sqrt(2)/2 on the terminal side of an angle, determine trigonometric functions.
I have for this one: sin = sqrt(2)/2 csc = sqrt(2)
cos = sqrt(2)/2 sec = sqrt(2)
tan = 1 cot = 1

okay, first of all, you can't have the trig functions floating by themselves like that, sin, cos, tan, etc means nothing by themselves. call the angle x, then write sin(x), cos(x), tan(x) etc.

now, you are correct with sin(x), cos(x) tan(x) and cot(x). but you are wrong for csc(x) and sec(x)

remember, sec(x) = 1/cos(x), so whatever cos(x) is, we just flip it
cos(x) = sqrt(2)/2
=> sec(x) = 2/sqrt(2)

csc(x) = 1/sin(x)

sin(x) = sqrt(2)/2
=> csc(x) = 2/sqrt(2)

Originally Posted by cuteisa89

I think I found number 3. Is it 3/5? Hope that one is at least ok.

you are correct

I still don't get how to get number 2 yet.