Trigonometry Question: Dealing with Negative and Positive Values for Theta

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of angles in trigonometry, specifically how to handle values of theta within different ranges, including both negative and positive values. Participants are exploring the implications of these ranges on the representation of angles like 90, 180, and 270 degrees.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning whether angles at the boundaries of defined ranges should be represented in both positive and negative forms. There is also discussion about how to handle negative values of theta when the range is restricted to positive values only.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing different interpretations of the angle ranges and their implications. Some guidance has been offered regarding the representation of angles, but there is no explicit consensus on the best approach to take.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the logical consistency of the angle ranges being discussed, particularly the range of -360 to 360 degrees versus -180 to 180 degrees. Participants are also considering how to represent angles that fall outside the specified ranges.

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In trigonometry equation (finding theta):
1) If the range of theta includes negative and positive part (such as -360<=theta<=360), and I got a value of 90,180,270 or 360.. Do I have to write the answer twice positive and negative?

2) if range of theta is positive only, and I got a negative value of theta, do I have to do 360 + (negative value of theta)? .. To make the answer positive
 
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1) no, all ##\theta## are in range (but see comment (*))
2. yes, repeatedly if necessary (you may find ##\theta## = -3000) -- the wording here is confusing: -120 would have to be reported as -120 + 360 = 240.

(*)
Make a drawing of the unit circle. ##-360 \le \theta\le +360## seems unlogical. Could it be ##-180 < \theta \le 180 ## ?
 
BvU said:
1) no, all ##\theta## are in range (but see comment (*))

(*)
Make a drawing of the unit circle. ##-360 \le \theta\le +360## seems unlogical. Could it be ##-180 < \theta \le 180 ## ?
But suppose the range is -180<=theta<=180
If i got a value of 90 or 180, would it be + and negative?

For the -360<=theta<=360 it's like two ranges : one is from 0 to 360, the other from 0 to -360, so two drawings.. Or maybe I have to write -360<=2theta<=360
 
But suppose the range is -180<=theta<=180
If i got a value of 90 or 180, would it be + and negative?
The 90 is positive and 90 - 360 is out of range. So +90 only.
The 180 is on the bound. Your bounds coincide, so both -180 and +180 are in range. But there is only one answer, so the overlapping bounds are not a good idea. That's why I used ##-180 < \theta \le 180##.
 
BvU said:
The 90 is positive and 90 - 360 is out of range. So +90 only.
The 180 is on the bound. Your bounds coincide, so both -180 and +180 are in range. But there is only one answer, so the overlapping bounds are not a good idea. That's why I used ##-180 < \theta \le 180##.
But consider this graph, isn't it possible to write -90?
1420728121951-1123532668.jpg
 
In your case 1) the 270 is in range.
In your case 2) the 90 is in range and remains 90. The 270 is over range and comes in range by subtracting 360. In that sense -90 is one of the answers.

If i got a value of 90 or 180, would it be + and negative?
Perhaps I read this question in your post #3 in a different way than you intended.

To summarize:
case 1) 0, 90, 180, 270
case 2) 0, 90, 180, -90​
 

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