Hello,
I'm stuck on how to solve/simplify a number multiplied by cosine of an angle.
Original problem: I'm given an angle (330 degrees) and an absolute value (4). And I need to find a and b, then express the answer in exact terms.
How far I got: Following SOH CAH TOA, I set up an equation for a, and one for b.
cos(330)=a/4 (multiplied 4 on both sides)
4cos(330)=a
sin(330)=b/4 (multiplied 4 on both sides)
4sin(330)=b
From here, I know the reference angle is 360-330=30 degrees and that cosine represents the x value. If there was no "4" in front of the problem, I know to use the reference angle of 30 degrees and find the x value, which would be the square root of 3 over 2. But how do I solve the problem when there is a number in front of cosine (or sine)? Please help and thanks so much for your time.
I'm stuck on how to solve/simplify a number multiplied by cosine of an angle.
Original problem: I'm given an angle (330 degrees) and an absolute value (4). And I need to find a and b, then express the answer in exact terms.
How far I got: Following SOH CAH TOA, I set up an equation for a, and one for b.
cos(330)=a/4 (multiplied 4 on both sides)
4cos(330)=a
sin(330)=b/4 (multiplied 4 on both sides)
4sin(330)=b
From here, I know the reference angle is 360-330=30 degrees and that cosine represents the x value. If there was no "4" in front of the problem, I know to use the reference angle of 30 degrees and find the x value, which would be the square root of 3 over 2. But how do I solve the problem when there is a number in front of cosine (or sine)? Please help and thanks so much for your time.