Trig Function Help: Get Answers Now

In summary, the conversation involved finding the value of cos2t using the double angle formula. The problem provided a value for cot and asked to find the corresponding value for tan. The conversation also discussed using a calculator and finding the reference triangle to solve the problem. A helpful link was also provided for further understanding.
  • #1
Eric Manuel
7
0
thanks
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Can you give the entire problem?
 
  • #3
Jimmy Johnson said:
Can you give the entire problem?

all that's given is that
 
  • #4
What is the question? What are you asked to find?
 
  • #5
MostlyHarmless said:
What is the question? What are you asked to find?
what is =cos2x
 
  • #6
What is x supposed to be? Is the given problem in terms of t? Are you trying to solve for t and then plug that value in for x?
 
  • #7
oh my bad its cos2t

its basically asking you to use the double angle formula
but I am not sure how to find those values
 
  • #8
If you're simply trying to find t, then use cot = 1/tan... If you have a value for t why do you need to use the double angle identities?
 
  • #9
to find what cos2t is ...

you can find what tan is from cot
then i drew a triangle and got the hypot to be sqrt(41)

but how do i do that math

formula for cos2t = cos^2(t) - sin^2(t)
 
  • #10
Are you forbidden from using a calculator?
 
  • #11
Jimmy Johnson said:
Are you forbidden from using a calculator?

teacher said u can use it
but need to know how to do it without one for test
 
  • #12
Well that may have been useful information at the start...

you have cot = -5/4, find what tan is then recall tan = sin/cos ... or recall cot = cos/sin...
 
  • #13
well i worked it out and i believe i got the answer to be 9/41
 
  • #14
That's what I'm getting
 

1. What are trigonometric functions?

Trigonometric functions are mathematical functions that relate the angles of a triangle to the lengths of its sides. The most common trigonometric functions are sine, cosine, and tangent.

2. Why do we need trigonometric functions?

Trigonometric functions are used to solve problems involving angles and distances, such as in navigation, engineering, and physics. They also have applications in fields such as music and art.

3. What is the unit circle and how does it relate to trigonometric functions?

The unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1 unit, centered at the origin on a graph. It is used in trigonometry to understand the relationship between angles and trigonometric functions. The coordinates of a point on the unit circle correspond to the sine and cosine values of the angle formed by that point with the x-axis.

4. How do I find the values of trigonometric functions for a given angle?

You can use a calculator or a trigonometric table to find the values of trigonometric functions for a given angle. Alternatively, you can use the definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent to manually calculate the values.

5. Can trigonometric functions only be used with right triangles?

No, trigonometric functions can be used with any type of triangle, not just right triangles. However, they are most commonly used with right triangles because of the relationship between the angle and sides in a right triangle.

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