The discussion revolves around the choice between radians and degrees in solving trigonometric equations, specifically in the context of the equation sin(x + 1) = 0.5. Participants explore the implications of context on this choice, considering educational settings and mathematical conventions.
Participants express differing views on whether radians or degrees should be used, with some advocating for radians in mathematical contexts and others suggesting degrees are more common in general use. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the definitive choice in the absence of explicit context.
Participants highlight the importance of context in determining the appropriate unit, indicating that assumptions about the problem's presentation can lead to different interpretations.
If the problem is given as shown, the answer must be in radians. If degrees were meant, the problem should have been statedjohann1301h said:Im teaching math and one of my students asked me something about trigonometry.
Say you are to generally solve:
sin(x + 1) = 0.5
And that's all the information you are given.
How would you know to solve for radians or degrees?
That's what I thought as well. "1" without degree sign means we are working with radians, otherwise adding 1 doesn't make sense. If the question is sin(2*x)=0.5 then we cannot tell.Svein said:If the problem is given as shown, the answer must be in radians. If degrees were meant, the problem should have been stated
sin(x + 1°) = 0.5
Then you indicate what type of answer you have given, such as x = 15° or x = π/12.mfb said:That's what I thought as well. "1" without degree sign means we are working with radians, otherwise adding 1 doesn't make sense. If the question is sin(2*x)=0.5 then we cannot tell.
Not if your degree is in mathematics.malemdk said:Generally it is degree.
malemdk said:Generally it is degree.
The use of radians is much more prevalent in mathematics, especially at the level of calculus and above. All of the differentiation and integration formulas for the trig functions use radians exclusively.jbriggs444 said:Not if your degree is in mathematics.