SUMMARY
The discussion focuses on calculating the cosine of a zenith angle of 73 degrees, 17 minutes, and 30 seconds using a TI-89 calculator and a regular scientific calculator. The calculation involves converting minutes and seconds into decimal degrees, where 17 minutes equals 17/60 degrees and 30 seconds equals 30/3600 degrees. The final computed value is 0.446 degrees. Users are advised to utilize the DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) function available on Casio and Sharp calculators for accurate input and output.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of trigonometric functions, specifically cosine.
- Familiarity with angle conversions from DMS to decimal degrees.
- Experience using TI-89 or similar scientific calculators.
- Knowledge of basic astronomy concepts related to zenith angles.
NEXT STEPS
- Learn how to perform angle conversions using the TI-89 calculator.
- Research the DMS function on Casio and Sharp calculators for trigonometric calculations.
- Explore the implications of zenith angles in astronomy and insolation calculations.
- Investigate advanced trigonometric functions and their applications in various scientific fields.
USEFUL FOR
Students and professionals in fields such as astronomy, physics, and engineering who require precise angle calculations and those using scientific calculators for trigonometric computations.