Trigonometry Final Exam Review

The Organic Chemistry Tutor41 minutes read

To solve trigonometry problems effectively, one should practice by attempting problems independently before reviewing the solutions, while understanding key conversions between degrees and radians, as well as using formulas such as sine, cosine, and secant in right triangles. Familiarity with special triangles and the Pythagorean identity is essential for quick calculations and determining relationships among trigonometric functions in various quadrants.

Insights

  • To effectively solve trigonometry problems, it is beneficial to pause instructional videos, attempt the problems independently, and then resume to verify the solutions and methods used, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.
  • Understanding the relationship between angles in different quadrants is crucial; for example, negative angles can be converted to positive angles, and recognizing that cosine values differ based on the quadrant can help eliminate incorrect answer choices, as demonstrated with the cosine of negative 150 degrees being equivalent to cosine 210 degrees in quadrant three, where cosine values are negative.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What is the Pythagorean theorem?

    The Pythagorean theorem is a fundamental principle in geometry that relates the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. It states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. This can be expressed with the formula \(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\), where \(c\) represents the length of the hypotenuse, and \(a\) and \(b\) are the lengths of the other two sides. This theorem is widely used in various fields, including architecture, engineering, and physics, to calculate distances and angles.

  • How do I find the sine of an angle?

    To find the sine of an angle in a right triangle, you can use the definition of sine, which is the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. Specifically, if you have a right triangle with an angle \(x\), the sine of \(x\) is calculated as \(\text{sine } x = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\). For example, if the length of the side opposite the angle is 4 units and the hypotenuse is 5 units, then \(\text{sine } x = \frac{4}{5}\). This ratio is crucial in trigonometry and is used to solve various problems involving angles and distances.

  • What is a coterminal angle?

    A coterminal angle is an angle that shares the same terminal side as another angle when measured in standard position, which means both angles end up at the same location on the coordinate plane. Coterminal angles can be found by adding or subtracting multiples of \(360^\circ\) (for angles measured in degrees) or \(2\pi\) (for angles measured in radians). For instance, if you have an angle of \(30^\circ\), you can find coterminal angles by adding \(360^\circ\) to get \(390^\circ\) or subtracting \(360^\circ\) to get \(-330^\circ\). This concept is useful in trigonometry, as it allows for the simplification of angle measures and helps in understanding periodic functions.

  • What is the arc length formula?

    The arc length formula is used to calculate the length of a segment of a circle, known as an arc. The formula is given by \(s = \theta \times r\), where \(s\) is the arc length, \(\theta\) is the angle in radians, and \(r\) is the radius of the circle. To use this formula, you first need to ensure that the angle is in radians. For example, if you have a circle with a radius of 9 inches and an angle of \(120^\circ\), you would first convert \(120^\circ\) to radians, which is \(\frac{2\pi}{3}\) radians. Then, you would calculate the arc length as \(s = \frac{2\pi}{3} \times 9\), resulting in an arc length of \(6\pi\) inches, or approximately 18.8 inches. This formula is essential in various applications, including engineering and physics, where circular motion is involved.

  • How do I convert degrees to radians?

    To convert degrees to radians, you can use the conversion factor \(\frac{\pi}{180}\). This means that to convert an angle measured in degrees to radians, you multiply the degree measure by \(\frac{\pi}{180}\). For example, to convert \(60^\circ\) to radians, you would calculate \(60 \times \frac{\pi}{180}\), which simplifies to \(\frac{60\pi}{180}\) or \(\frac{\pi}{3}\) radians. This conversion is important in trigonometry and calculus, as many mathematical functions and equations are expressed in radians rather than degrees. Understanding how to convert between these two units is essential for solving problems involving angles in various mathematical contexts.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Essential Trigonometry Problem Solving Techniques

  • To solve basic trigonometry problems, pause the video, attempt the problem, then unpause to check the solution and methodology used.
  • To convert 60 degrees to radians, multiply by π/180, simplifying to 60π/180, which reduces to π/3.
  • For negative 5π/6, convert to degrees by multiplying by 180/π, resulting in -150 degrees, indicating a clockwise direction from 0 degrees.
  • A coterminal angle can be found by adding or subtracting 360 degrees; for 5π/8, adding 2π gives 21π/8, while subtracting gives -11π/8.
  • The arc length formula is s = θ (in radians) × radius; for a 120-degree angle and a 9-inch radius, convert to radians (2π/3) and calculate s = 6π, approximately 18.8 inches.
  • To find sine x in a right triangle with sides 3 and 4, use the Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse (5), yielding sine x = 4/5.
  • Secant x is the reciprocal of cosine; for a 5-12-13 triangle, cosine = 12/13, thus secant x = 13/12.
  • Given sine x = 7/25 in quadrant one, the opposite side is 7, hypotenuse 25, leading to the adjacent side of 24, resulting in tangent x = 7/24.
  • For tangent x = -8/15 in quadrant four, the opposite side is -8, adjacent side is 15, leading to cosecant x = -17/8 after determining sine x.
  • Familiarize with special triangles: 3-4-5, 5-12-13, 7-24-25, and their multiples for quick reference in trigonometric calculations.

18:25

Finding Cosine and Cotangent Values in Trigonometry

  • Given that sine x equals 5/7, use the Pythagorean identity: sine²x + cosine²x = 1 to find cosine x.
  • Replace sine with 5/7: (5/7)² + cosine²x = 1, leading to 25/49 + cosine²x = 1.
  • Convert 1 to a fraction: 1 = 49/49, so the equation becomes cosine²x = 49/49 - 25/49 = 24/49.
  • Take the square root: cosine x = ±√(24/49) = ±(2√6)/7, indicating two potential values.
  • Since x is between π/2 and π, cosine x must be negative, confirming the value as -2√6/7.
  • For right triangle trigonometry, draw a triangle in quadrant two with opposite side 5 and hypotenuse 7.
  • Use the Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c², where a = 5, c = 7, to find the adjacent side b.
  • Calculate: 7² - 5² = 49 - 25 = 24, thus b = -√24 = -2√6 (negative in quadrant two).
  • Cosine is adjacent/hypotenuse: cosine x = (-2√6)/7, confirming the earlier result.
  • For cotangent x with point (-40, -9), find tangent as opposite/adjacent: tangent x = 9/40, thus cotangent x = 40/9.

38:44

Cosine Values and Angle Properties Explained

  • Cosine of negative 150 degrees equals cosine of positive 150 degrees; thus, answer choice C is eliminated due to the negative sign in front of it.
  • Negative 150 degrees is in quadrant three, where cosine values are negative; therefore, we need a negative value for cosine in our answer.
  • Answer choice B (cosine 30 degrees) is in quadrant one, where cosine is positive, so it can be eliminated.
  • Answer choice D (sine 60 degrees) is also in quadrant one, where both sine and cosine are positive, leading to its elimination.
  • Answer choice A (cosine 210 degrees) is in quadrant three, where cosine is negative, making it the correct answer.
  • Using periodic properties, cosine of negative 150 degrees equals cosine of 210 degrees, confirming that answer A is correct.
  • For calculations, ensure the calculator is in degree mode; cosine of negative 150 degrees equals negative √3/2.
  • Cosine of 210 degrees also equals negative √3/2, confirming the equivalence of these angles.
  • To solve 1 + sine²(40°) + sine²(50°), use cofunction properties: sine(50°) = cosine(40°), allowing substitution.
  • The Pythagorean identity states sine² + cosine² = 1, leading to the conclusion that 1 + 1 = 2, making answer C correct.

56:35

Understanding 30-60-90 Triangles and Cosine

  • In a 30-60-90 triangle, the sides are 1 (across 30°), √3 (across 60°), and 2 (hypotenuse); for cosine 210°, use reference angle 30°: cosine 210° = -√3/2, as cosine is negative in quadrant three.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.