What is the largest angle for sin and tan to agree within 2 significant figures?

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SUMMARY

The largest angle for which the sine and tangent functions agree to within two significant figures is determined by analyzing small angles where sin(θ) is approximately equal to tan(θ). The discussion suggests using a right triangle with a long adjacent side to visualize this relationship. The key approximation is that for small angles, sin(θ) ≈ θ and tan(θ) ≈ θ in radians. The divergence between these functions occurs as the angle increases, necessitating careful calculation to find the maximum angle where they remain equivalent to two decimal places.

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  • Understanding of trigonometric functions: sine and tangent
  • Familiarity with small-angle approximations
  • Basic knowledge of right triangle properties
  • Ability to work with radians and degrees
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  • Research the small-angle approximation in trigonometry
  • Learn how to derive and apply the Taylor series for sine and tangent functions
  • Explore the concept of significant figures in mathematical calculations
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homeworkboy
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For small angles theta, the numerical value of sin theta is approximately the same as the

numerical value of tan theta.Find the largest angle for which sine and tangent agree to within

two significant figures.
 
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anyone??
 
I'm just learning this myself, but I would make a triangle, with an extremely long adjacent side and plug in values for theta (I think you'll have to find the opposite side for each angle). I'm not really too sure where that would lead, or if it's the right advice, but it's a place to start. Find an angle that is equal to just two (I think) significant figures and then add small increments to theta. Take this advice with a grain of salt though.
 
hmm well basically its saying find the highest value of Ø such as sin(Ø) = tan(Ø) up to the second decimal place. I am guessing a lot of guessing/checking?
 
homeworkboy said:
For small angles theta, the numerical value of sin theta is approximately the same as the

numerical value of tan theta.Find the largest angle for which sine and tangent agree to within

two significant figures.

What do you know about the approximations that might lead you to be able to calculate it without guessing about it?

What is the approximation of

Sin\theta \approx \Delta x

Tan\theta \approx \Delta x

based on?
 
im not sure what you mean
 
i need to submit my assignment by 7 in the morning, so if you could be more clear. Thank You
 
homeworkboy said:
im not sure what you mean

Sin x \approx x

Similarly

Tan x \approx \ x

Tan x = \frac{Sin x}{Cos x} \approx \frac{x}{1 - x}

So what is the difference between the 2? That is what you want to identify where the divergence occurs.
 
Im sorry i don't understand what you mean. I am only a freshman its my first assignment. I just don't get it. youve got to be more clear
 
  • #10
homeworkboy said:
Im sorry i don't understand what you mean. I am only a freshman its my first assignment. I just don't get it. youve got to be more clear

This might explain it better than I can.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small-angle_formula

I rewrote the previous equations all in x and maybe that will be less confusing.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
In particular this passage:

Wikipedia said:
When one angle of a right triangle is small, its hypotenuse is approximately equal in length to the leg adjacent to the small angle, so the cosine is approximately 1. The short leg is approximately equal to the arc from the long leg to the hypotenuse, so the sine and tangent are both approximated by the value of the angle in radians.
 
  • #12
how the letter(ex:a) will be converted into waves?
 
  • #13
actually u r correct , but when we come to tan values and sin values in degree
they are same in some region ,so we will consider as same
 
  • #14
yes you are correct but we will consider them as same values in rare cases and the consideration may nullify some errors.
 

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