Evaluate a Trigonometric Function

AI Thread Summary
To find sin(α + β) and cos(α + β) given the trigonometric values in specific quadrants, it's essential to visualize the angles by drawing right triangles in their respective quadrants. For sin(α + β), use the sine addition formula, which requires calculating the sine and cosine of both angles based on the provided values. Similarly, for cos(α + β), apply the cosine addition formula, ensuring to derive the necessary side lengths using the Pythagorean theorem. This method will clarify how to solve these problems effectively. Understanding the addition formulas and visualizing the angles will aid in mastering these concepts for the final exam.
HazelDryad
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Homework Statement


1. Given cos α = -24/25 in Quadrant II and sin β = -5/13 in Quadrant III, find sin (α + β).
2. Given sin α = 4/5 in Quadrant I and cos β = -12/13 in Quadrant II, find cos (α + β).


Homework Equations


I don't even know where to start! The textbook doesn't list any equations.


The Attempt at a Solution


I have none, other than guessing that you multiply the denominators in each problem... other than that, I don't even know how to solve these types of problems. I'm without a teacher, so I'd really like an explanation since I'm a little... really... lost about these problems. Thanks to anyone who can show me how I'd go about solving these! I need to know it for an upcoming final.
 
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Draw pictures of your given angles in the given quadrants with little triangles showing the sides -- you can get the third side by the pythagorean theorem, so you know all the sines and cosines of the given angles. Then use the addition formulas for cos (α + β) and sin (α + β).
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
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