# Finding the radian value of this angle which passes through a point

1. Oct 29, 2013

### Ace.

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The terminal arm of an angle in standard position passes through (-7,8). Find the radian value of the angle in the interval [0,2∏], to the nearest hundredth.

2. Relevant equations
sinθ = $\frac{y}{r}$
cosθ = $\frac{x}{r}$
tanθ = $\frac{y}{x}$

3. The attempt at a solution
The terminal arm is in quadrant 2, and I found the side lengths to be -7,8, and $\sqrt{113}$ (hypotenuse). When I tried to find the value of θ I get different answers for different ratios.

θ = sin$^{-1}$$\frac{8}{\sqrt{113}}$
= 0.85​

θ = cos$^{-1}$$\frac{-7}{\sqrt{113}}$
= 2.29​

θ = tan$^{-1}$$\frac{8}{-7}$
= -0.85​

The correct one is θ=2.29. Why is this correct and not the others?

2. Oct 29, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

The point -7,8 is in the second quadrant. So θ is less than π and greater than π/2.

3. Oct 29, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

Because, as you pointed out, the angle is in the 2nd quadrant. This means that θ is between $\pi/2$ and $\pi$ (roughly, between 1.5 and 3).

The sin-1 function returns an angle between $-\pi/2$ and $\pi/2$, as does tan-1. The cos-1 function returns an angle between 0 $\pi$, which was the correct interval for your angle.