1. ## COMPASS trigonometry question

Hi, I'm taking the a Math placement test this Saturday so I've been practicing for that, but here's another problem I just can't figure out:

if sinθ= 5/13 and tanθ < 0
then secθ=

I know that sin = opposite/hypotenuse
therefore the opposite side is 5 and the hypotenuse is 13

I also know that sec = hypotenuse/ adjacent

I don't know how to get the adjacent. I've tried law of sines a/sinalpha = b/sinbeta but I only have on angle (sinθ=5/13 = 22,62 degrees ?)

Then I tried law of cosines, but same problem here, I don't have the angle opposite the side I'm looking for.

The answer is supposed to be -13/12.
Could anyone please give me a hint on how to get there?

2. Originally Posted by tami-chan87
Hi, I'm taking the a Math placement test this Saturday so I've been practicing for that, but here's another problem I just can't figure out:

if sinθ= 5/13 and tanθ < 0
then secθ=

I know that sin = opposite/hypotenuse
therefore the opposite side is 5 and the hypotenuse is 13

I also know that sec = hypotenuse/ adjacent

I don't know how to get the adjacent. I've tried law of sines a/sinalpha = b/sinbeta but I only have on angle (sinθ=5/13 = 22,62 degrees ?)

Then I tried law of cosines, but same problem here, I don't have the angle opposite the side I'm looking for.

The answer is supposed to be -13/12.
Could anyone please give me a hint on how to get there?
Pythagoras will give you the value for the other side.

3. Hello, tami-chan87!

If $\sin\theta = \frac{5}{13}$ and $\tan\theta < 0$, find $\sec\theta.$

The sine is positive; $\theta$ is in Quadrant 1 or 2.
The tangent is negative; $\theta$ is in Quadrant 2 or 4.
. . Hence: $\theta$ is in Quadrant 2.

We have: . $\sin\theta \:=\:\frac{5}{13} \:=\:\frac{opp}{hyp} \quad\Rightarrow\quad opp = 5,\;\;hyp = 13$

Pythagorus says: . $opp^2 + adj^2 \:=\:hyp^2$

So we have: . $5^2 + adj^2 \:=\:13^2\quad\Rightarrow\quad adj^2 \:=\:144\quad\Rightarrow\quad adj \:=\:\pm12$

Since $\theta$ is in Quadrant 2, $a \:=\:-12$

Therefore: . $\sec\theta \;=\;\frac{hyp}{adj} \;=\;\frac{13}{\text{-}12} \;=\;\boxed{-\frac{13}{12}}$

4. ## thanks

Thank you so much!