What is Sine: Definition and 520 Discussions

In mathematics, the sine is a trigonometric function of an angle. The sine of an acute angle is defined in the context of a right triangle: for the specified angle, it is the ratio of the length of the side that is opposite that angle, to the length of the longest side of the triangle (the hypotenuse). For an angle



x


{\displaystyle x}
, the sine function is denoted simply as



sin

x


{\displaystyle \sin x}
.More generally, the definition of sine (and other trigonometric functions) can be extended to any real value in terms of the length of a certain line segment in a unit circle. More modern definitions express the sine as an infinite series, or as the solution of certain differential equations, allowing their extension to arbitrary positive and negative values and even to complex numbers.
The sine function is commonly used to model periodic phenomena such as sound and light waves, the position and velocity of harmonic oscillators, sunlight intensity and day length, and average temperature variations throughout the year.
The function sine can be traced to the jyā and koṭi-jyā functions used in Gupta period Indian astronomy (Aryabhatiya, Surya Siddhanta), via translation from Sanskrit to Arabic, and then from Arabic to Latin. The word "sine" (Latin "sinus") comes from a Latin mistranslation by Robert of Chester of the Arabic jiba, which is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word for half the chord, jya-ardha.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. D

    Challenging problem corrrection no sine and no cosine law

    sorry about the mistake in my last post. I miswrote the bottom vertex of the equilateral triangle. Let me re-state the problem correctly This is the 3rd and final question I post from the book, The Unsolvable and the Solvable. It is NOT a homework question. This is something for...
  2. E

    Synthesised Sine wave VS Modified Square Wave inverters

    I am to contrast the difference between modified square wave, and synthesized sine wave inverter outputs. Am I to understand, that a modified square wave output is like a square wave, but the transtion to current flow in the other direction is delayed some at the zero point. This is to give...
  3. D

    Another challenging question, no sine and no cosine law

    This is the 3rd problem from the book, The Unsolvable and the Solvable. This is the last one I post from this book. It is pretty challenging. Once again, it is NOT a homework problem. Consider an isoceles triangle ABC and an equilateral triangle BCD which share the side BC as shown...
  4. H

    Sine laws with Oblique Triangles: The Tower of Pisa

    Here's the question: The leaning Tower of Pisa leans toward the south at an angle of 5.5°. On one day, its shadow was 90m long, and the angle of elevation from the tip of the shadow to the top of the tower is 32°. Determine the slant height of the tower. How high is the tip of the tower...
  5. D

    Exploring the Origins of Sine and Cosine Formulas

    Hello. I know the definition of sine and cosine, but how were these formulas originally invented? I mean, how did people derive the power series for sine and cosine for the first time?
  6. Z

    Integral involving sine and root

    Homework Statement \int_0^{\infty} sin(ax) / sqrt(x) dx Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I thought of using integration by parts, but that gets me nowhere. I'm not sure how to go about this problem.
  7. D

    Laplace transform of Diff. Eq containing sine Function

    Homework Statement Find the Laplace transform of the pendulum equation. Homework Equations The pendulum equation: \frac{d^{2}\theta}{dt^{2}} + \alpha \frac{d \theta}{dt} + g \sin(\theta) = 0 s = \sigma + i \omega The Attempt at a Solution Taking the laplace transform I get...
  8. A

    Question about how to derive Sine

    So I know that sine of an angle is the side opposite of the angle in a right triangle divided by the hypotenuse. What i want to know is: if i have an angle in a right triangle how do i find the sides of the triangle so i can find Sine. I spent my study hall trying to figure it out and this is...
  9. L

    Integration of a Sine function and a fraction

    Homework Statement It is a really long word problem, but I only need help with integrating one part of the proble. Homework Equations I need to know how to integrate 2+5sin((4*pi*x)/(25)) The Attempt at a Solution I tried using the chain rule by first integrating the sin into...
  10. R

    Point of intersection for sine and cosine functions

    The problem is finding the points of intersection for two given functions. f1=sin(-\pi*x) f2=1+cos(-\pi*x) I've plotted the functions using Maple. http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/12485/plot.png And I'm quite certain that to find the points of intersection, I have to set f1=f2 which...
  11. K

    Adding/Subtracting DC Offset to Sine Wave: Circuit Needed

    Hello I have a question regarding DC offset addition. I have a sine wave of Peak amplitude 2V. Now i have a DC signal of 0.4v. How do i add this DC signal to my sine wave? Similarly I'm having another sine wave of 2Vpeak but phase shifted by 180 from the first one. Now again i have 0.4v DC...
  12. M

    Sine: Definition & Calculation

    What is Sine, and how do I calculate it?
  13. M

    Topologist's sine curve is not path connected

    This example is to show that a connected topological space need not be path-connected. S={ (t,sin(1/t)): 0 <t <= 1 } A={ (0,t): -1 <= t <= 1 } let T = S U A with the topology induced from R^2. I show T is not path-connected. Assume to the contrary that there exists a path p:[0,1]-->T with...
  14. shintashi

    Sine wave & reflection question?

    I seem to recall it is possible to change a wave's frequency, pattern, and amplitude by adding another wave to it. Is it possible to add a second wave to a Sine wave to turn it into a cosine wave of the same amplitude and how would you do this? I'm thinking if I had an amplitude 1 for the...
  15. S

    Need equation for modified sine curve for a cam.

    I am looking for the equation used to create the cam shape using a "modified sine curve". I am pretty sure the information is in the "Cam Design Handbook" by Harold A. Rothbart but I don't want to buy the book for just one equation. Any help would be appreciated.
  16. N

    What is the PDF of a Sine Wave Cycle?

    Does anybody know what the pdf of a sine wave cycle is? Or perhaps how to derive it? The problem can be done numerically, but surely there is an analytic expression for this function? There is a numerical solution available at...
  17. T

    Derivatives of Sine and Cosine Relationship

    I was wondering about this the other day, and it is something that was left over in my head from a thread on Euler's identity from a few weeks ago. It's a bit hard to state, but I'll try to be clear. How do you show the relationship between derivatives of sine and cosine? Now, obviously...
  18. T

    Bidirectional pure sine wave inverter

    Hello All: A project of mine requires a bi-directional inverter that will take a 12VDC (most likely) battery to single phase 120VAC pure sine wave for utility tie (mains power). I will also require the inverter to be able to rectify to utility's power to charge the battery as well. Since...
  19. R

    Paradox of Obtuse Angles in the Sine Rule

    I have read the sine rule: It states--> sin A/a=sin B/b=sin C/c = 1/2R where R is circumradius. Now, a=2Rsin A b=2Rsin B c=2Rsin C For a triangle R is fixed. In an obtuse angled triangle, the side opposite largest angle is the longest(geomtrically) But the sine of an obtuse angle...
  20. S

    What is the Sum of a Finite Sine Series?

    Can anyone tell me what is the sum of a finite series of Sines. \sum_{n=1}^N \sin^2 (n \phi) . I am going through a text and it gives it as (N+1)/2. I tried to derive it. The N comes out ok when you use the half angle identity but I can't figure out a general rule for the Cosines that appear
  21. J

    Rewritting sum as hyperbolic sine

    Hi all, I have to rewrite a serie into a fraction of hyperbolic sine but I am lost... My problem looks like this \Sigma_{n=0}^{\infty} exp(K*F)*exp(-F*B(n+0.5)) which can be rearranged into exp(K*F)/(sinh(FB/2) my problem is I cannot relate the serie...
  22. redtree

    Sine integral (sinc integral) question

    How might I find the integral solution for the following: (Sorry for the poor notation) \intsinc(4x*\sqrt{(1-2/x)}) dx from -\infty to \infty
  23. G

    Integral of full-wave rectified sinewave, find equivalent sine waveform

    Homework Statement I am given two waveforms (a square wave and DC) that define the maximum allowable operating parameters for an LED. I wish to derive the maximum allowable fully-rectified sine waveform (120hz). Square wave: 442mW peak, 0.1ms pulse width, 10% duty cycle DC: 87mW See...
  24. G

    How does pi relate to sine and consine?

    I know pi/2 = 90 degrees and that it's related but how do I express this?
  25. N

    Why is a half-range sine expansion asked for a non-piecewise smooth function?

    Homework Statement Hi all. I have to find the half-range sine expansion of a function f(x) = 1 for 0<x<2. My question is: This function is not piecewise smooth, so why does the book ask me to do this?
  26. T

    Exploring Strange Functions: Deriving and Approximating Transcendental Functions

    I recently saw that the sine function could be approximated greatly by [1-(((2/pi)*x)-1)^2]^(pi/e) for the range (0,pi) does anyone have any other strange functions like this that may satisfy some of the other transcendentals? (It'd be nice to find out how to derive the above formula too)
  27. I

    Finding the constants in a Sine equation.

    Homework Statement I have been puzzling over this question for hours now. The centre of a wall clock is 180 cm above the floor. The hand of the clock that indicates the seconds is 20 cm long. The height, h cm above the floor, of the tip of the second hand, t seconds after midday, is...
  28. S

    How to derive sine series without Taylor's formula?

    1. The problem statement Derive the sine power series without using Taylor's formula.
  29. T

    Half-Wave Design: Find Sine Function y=asin(b(x-c))+d

    Homework Statement The half-wave design may be represented as a portion of a sine function. Determine a sine function that models the half wave design, assuming that the origin is at the point (0,0). Express in the form y=asin(b(x-c))+d http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/3549/archpc5.jpg...
  30. E

    Equation of a sine bike wheel

    A bike has wheels with diameter 0.6m. The bike moves along the road at 6m/s. Determine an equation for the height of the the speck on the tire above the road as a function of time in t seconds. I think that the amplitude is 0.3 and my period is 0.6pi (circumference). Would there be any phase...
  31. 9

    How to Find Minimum Value of Sine Curve Using Derivatives

    Homework Statement How do I calculate the min of a sine curve using derivatives? eg. y=sin(2pi/60) Homework Equations I know how to find the max - find the derivative of the sine equation and equal the derivative to zero. The Attempt at a Solution ^
  32. D

    Why Are Sine Waves a Function of (t-(x/v))?

    Hey friends and Sir's , I am trying to understand simple concept that why sine waves are function of (t-(x/v)) x= position in x direction v= velocity of wave t= is time at any instant although i have read many articles on it but still unable to understand , any help will be great and...
  33. R

    Solve for Theta in bsin30-85.7sin(theta)=0

    in bsin30-85.7sin(theta)=0 How can I make theta the subject?
  34. A

    Electronics converting sine waves to current

    How are sine waves converted to current?? Im doing avionics in physics at the moment and we are talking about receivers... i now that the resonate oscilates at certain frequency and the antenna picks up the sine waves that are at the frequency... but how are they then turned into current...
  35. E

    Complex Variables. Problem about complex sine.

    [SOLVED] Complex Variables. Problem about complex sine. Homework Statement Proof that the function \begin{displaymath} \begin{array}{cccc} f: &A=\left\{z\in\mathbb{C}\mid-\frac{\pi}{2}<\Re z<\frac{\pi}{2}\right\} &\longrightarrow &B=\mathbb{C}-\left\{z\in\mathbb{C}\mid...
  36. E

    If cosine is equal to -12/13 Find sine and tangent in Quadrant

    If cosine is equal to -12/13... Find sine and tangent in Quadrant If cosine is equal to -12/13... Find sine and tangent in Quadrant Two... What is the answer??
  37. P

    RMS of Fullwave rectified sine wave.

    Homework Statement Determine the RMS value of fullwave rectified sine wave.Homework Equations RMS = \sqrt{({1}/{b-a})\int^{b}_{a}[(fx)]^{2}dx} The Attempt at a Solution Notes: The Period of a full wave rectified sine wave is pi. a=0 b=pi Let's do square root at the end. =1/pi...
  38. S

    Limiting the Expression of Tangent and Sine

    Find \mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0} \frac{{\tan (nx) - n\tan (x)}} {{n\sin (x) - \sin (nx)}}
  39. S

    Square waves sine waves etc(signal propagation)

    err probably skin too many q's but anyway... what type of waves are made from naturall sources?eg then sun etc...are theren any square waves...im just wandering ifn there's any weirdness or differences when using square waves as a carrier wave in transmitting...if u know any good info sources...
  40. S

    Proving the Relationship between Inverse Sine and Cosine Functions

    To show that cos-1(-x)-cos-1(x)=2sin-1(x) I tried take x= sina taking cos of the whole equation cos(cos-1(-x))-cos(cos-1(x))=2cos(sin-1(x)) now we have to prove : -x-x=2cos(sin-1(x)) LHS: -2x=-2sina=2cos(a+pi/2) RHS: 2cosa Iam not sure how to proceed further..can anyone help me...
  41. R

    Finding sine and cosine formulas

    [SOLVED] Finding sine and cosine formulas Homework Statement If sinx/siny = 1/2 and cosx/cosy = 3 prove: sin (x + y) = 7/3 sinx cosx Homework Equations sin (x + y) = sinx cosy = cosx siny The Attempt at a Solution Can someone please give me a hint so that I can start? Thanks.
  42. E

    Why Do a and b Need to be Related to c When an Ellipse Rolls on a Sine Curve?

    Homework Statement an ellipse whose semi axes have lengths a and b rolls without slipping on the curve y =c sin (x/a), find the relationship between a, b, and c. Assume that the ellipse completes one revolution per period of the sine curve. The answer is b^2 = a^2 + c^2 and you find it by...
  43. P

    Can You Graph Cosine and Sine Functions? A Guide for Beginners

    I need help on graphing cosine and sine functions. i know how to read a graph and come up with the equation but i don't know how to do it the other way around. i want to be able to graph something like y=-2+2cos0.5x
  44. M

    Differentiate Fourier Sine Series

    The problem is that if f(x) is continuous function, except for a jump discontinuity at x = x_0, where f(x_0^-) = \alpha and f(x_0^+) = \beta, and df/dx is piecewise smooth, determine the Fourier cosine series of df/dx in terms of the Fourier sine series coefficients of f(x). Let me preface...
  45. F

    Calculators Not getting the right answers for sine, cosine and tangent with TI-89

    I'm not getting the right answers for sine, cosine and tangent functions. I have no idea why this is.
  46. I

    Sine, Cosine and Tangent Trig Help

    [SOLVED]Sine, Cosine and Tangent Trig Help I'm in 10th grade, I was just doing my homework when this dawned on me: How would one find Sine, Cosine and Tangent without a calculator. So if I am stuck in the desert with a stick I could find the Cosine of 73º by stick and sand method...
  47. T

    Trigonometry, different products of sine and cosine

    Homework Statement There is a right angled triangle, with the following angles, a, b, and 90deg. If a < b, how many different values are there among the following expressions? sin a sin b, sin a cos b, cos a sin b, cos a cos b Homework Equations The Attempt at a...
  48. D

    Solve 2sin(2x): Table of Values & Graph (-π to π)

    I have a question that says: prepare a table of values and plot the graph for the domain (-pie,pie) for the function f(x)=2sin(2x) I understand how to do that for y=sinx, but for this function the wave compresses horizontally and stretches vertically so isn't the domain now (-pie/2,pie/2) and...
  49. D

    Solving 2sin(2x): Table of Values & Graph

    I have a question that says: prepare a table of values and plot the graph for the domain (-pie,pie) for the function f(x)=2sin(2x) I understand how to do that for y=sinx, but for this function the wave compresses horizontally and stretches vertically so isn't the domain now (-pie/2,pie/2) and...
  50. B

    Understanding when to use sine and cosine to find x and y components

    I am having trouble understanding when to use sine and cosine to find x and y components. I know that its not always going to be the same (ex. you won't always use cosine to find x component.) Any input would be appreciated!
Back
Top