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kenkla
Sep 29, 2010, 08:53 PM
find the value of the trigonometric function of the angle (in standard position) whoes treminal side passes through the given point. (0.15,0.36). I started it with sqrt0.15^2+0.36^2. it doesn't seem to work.

ebaines
Sep 30, 2010, 09:37 AM
What a strangely worded question. "Find the vaue of the trigonometrc function.." what does that mean? I'm going to assume that this question is asking about the value of the angle. If you draw a line from the point that you've been given (0.15, 0.36) to the origin, that line forms an angle with the x-axis; call than angle Θ. Recall that the function \tan \theta is defined as the ratio of the lengths of "opposite over adjacent" sides of the resulting right triangle. So:


\tan(\theta) = \frac {0.36} {0.15}


Now, can you solve for Θ?

RPVega
Oct 18, 2010, 10:18 AM
Use arctan (0.36/0.15) on your calculator. Arctan may also look like tan raised to the -1 power on your calculator. I hope this is of some help to you.