Understanding Sin 5Pi/12 and Converting to Degrees: Tips and Tricks"

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the exact value of sin 5Pi/12, including methods for converting radians to degrees and using addition or subtraction formulas. Participants explore various mathematical identities and approaches to solve the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to find the exact value of sin 5Pi/12 and how to convert it to degrees.
  • Another participant provides a breakdown of sin(10pi/12) and suggests using the identity sin(10pi/12) = 2sin(5pi/12)cos(5pi/12) to derive sin(5pi/12).
  • A different participant states that 5pi/12 equals 75 degrees and discusses known exact values and identities that could be useful.
  • One participant proposes using the addition formula sin(pi/4 + pi/6) to find the exact value and claims the result is (SQRT(6) + SQRT(2)) / 4.
  • Another participant confirms the result of (SQRT(6) + SQRT(2)) / 4 as correct.
  • One participant expresses difficulty in determining which combinations of angles would sum to 5pi/12.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is some agreement on the use of the addition formula and the resulting value, but uncertainty remains regarding the best approach to find combinations of angles that sum to 5pi/12.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various mathematical identities and methods, but there are unresolved assumptions about the participants' prior knowledge and the specific techniques they are comfortable using.

powp
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Hello All

I have this question that I have to find the exact value of sin 5Pi/12. How do I figure out what this is in degrees? Or how do I break this down so I can use addition or subtraction foumulas?

Thanks
 
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How do I figure out what this is in degrees?
How to figure out what 5pi/12 is in degrees? Are you learning from a textbook or teacher, or are you learning on your own? I have to assume that you know how to answer this question. What do you know so far about radians?

sin(10pi/12) = 2sin(5pi/12)cos(5pi/12) = 2sin(5p/12)SQRT[1 - sin(5pi/12)]

sin(10pi/12)/2 = sin(5p/12)SQRT[1 - sin(5pi/12)]

0.5/2 = sin(5p/12)SQRT[1 - sin(5pi/12)]

You should know that sin(10pi/12) = sin(5pi/6) = sin(pi/6) = 0.5

1/16 = sin²(5p/12) - sin³(5pi/12)

16x³ - 16x² + 1 = 0, where x = sin(5pi/12)

There's a way to factor cubics, but I don't remember it. However, if you look it up on the internet, or even search these forums, you can easily find a method. Once you've factored it, the roots of the equation will naturally be your answer. Note that you might get up to 3 roots, but should only get one that is in [0, 0.5]. Can you tell why the root in that interval will be your answer?
 
powp said:
Hello All

I have this question that I have to find the exact value of sin 5Pi/12. How do I figure out what this is in degrees? Or how do I break this down so I can use addition or subtraction foumulas?

Thanks
5pi/12=75 degrees
pi=180 degrees
What exact values do you know? What identities do you know? The standard exact values to know are pi/10 and pi/12 if you knew them and multiples you would know 5pi/12. you could use the half angle identity to write sin(5pi/12) in terms of cos(5pi/6). You can learn the values for pi/6 and pi/3 by noting pi/3+pi/6=pi/2 and sin(pi/2)=1 cos(pi/2)=0. Also 5pi/6=pi-pi/6. Also don't try to factor a cubic, it would work, but it is difficult and unnecisary.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the responses

I am going to use pi/4 and pi/6 and plug it into SIN(pi/4 + pi/6). This should give me the exatct value. The answer I get is (SQRT(6) + SQRT(2)) /4

Is this correct?
 
powp said:
Thanks for the responses

I am going to use pi/4 and pi/6 and plug it into SIN(pi/4 + pi/6). This should give me the exatct value. The answer I get is (SQRT(6) + SQRT(2)) /4

Is this correct?
that is right
 
Thanks. My problem is thinking which combnations would add up to 5pi/12
 

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