How Can Trigonometry Help Find an Obtuse Angle in a Circle Sector?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding an obtuse angle in a circle sector using trigonometric principles, specifically focusing on the relationship between the area of a triangle formed by the sector and the angle subtended at the center. The problem involves applying sine functions to determine possible angle values.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a problem involving a sector of a circle and seeks help in finding an obtuse angle given the area of the triangle formed and the radius of the circle.
  • Another participant discusses the general approach to solving for angles using the sine function, providing examples of critical values for sine.
  • A later reply reiterates the original problem and clarifies that the sine function yields two solutions for the angle, one acute and one obtuse, emphasizing the need to identify the correct obtuse angle.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for the clarification on applying trigonometric knowledge to the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method of using the sine function to find angles, but there is no consensus on the final solution for the obtuse angle, as the initial poster remains uncertain about completing the problem.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the specific mathematical steps needed to find the obtuse angle, and assumptions regarding the area and radius are not fully explored.

Needhelp2
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A sector of a circle, let's say AOB with circle centre O and radius 5cm has a chord subtended from A to B. This chord forms a triangle with centre 0. Angle 0 isθradians, and the area of triangle A0B is 8cm2. Given that angle AOB is obtuse, findθ.

I worked out Sin-1(0.64)= 0.694, but this is not an obtuse angle and I don't know how to finish the problem (Sadface) any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
 

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You never learned how to solve for angles? (Wondering)

Let's say sin(x) = 0.5

Then, the critical value of x is $\dfrac{\pi}{6}$

The values of x will be = $\dfrac{\pi}{6}$, $\pi - \dfrac{\pi}{6}$, $\dfrac{\pi}{6} + 2\pi$, $3\pi - \dfrac{\pi}{6}$, etc

For sine, the values are in the 1st and 2nd quadrant, for tan, 1st and 3rd quadrant, and for cos, 1st and 4th quadrant.
 
Needhelp said:
A sector of a circle, let's say AOB with circle centre O and radius 5cm has a chord subtended from A to B. This chord forms a triangle with centre 0. Angle 0 isθradians, and the area of triangle A0B is 8cm2. Given that angle AOB is obtuse, findθ.

I worked out Sin-1(0.64)= 0.694, but this is not an obtuse angle and I don't know how to finish the problem (Sadface) any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

You are looking for the solutions of \(\sin(\theta))=0.64\). If you sketch the \(\sin\) curve you will see that for \(\theta\) in the range \(0\) to \(2\pi\) you have a solution at about \(\theta=0.694\), and another at \(\theta=\pi-0.694\). The first of these is an acute angle (about 36.6 degrees) and the other obtuse.

CB
 
Last edited:
thank you! I did know how to solve equations using sin and cos etc, but I didnt realize I could bring that knowledge to solve this problem!
 

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