Angular speed and period

[curicuri]

I have another question, since I am new on this forum I am not quite sure if my question should be posted here.. Anyway, my question a very basic one, I want to calculate k in a sinus function sin(kx), and I found a formula saying: Period=2pi/k. So I tried this function for a problem where the period was 180. When calculating k I inserted 1/2Pi instead of degrees and it turns out that the I get 4 which is wrong. But when inserting degrees in the formula I get 2 which is right. Why is this?

Thank you four time!

 

[MarkFL]

Normally we use radians when graphing a sinusoidal function, and indeed if given:

[MATH]y=\sin(\omega x)[/MATH]
We find the period \(T\) is given by:

[MATH]T=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}[/MATH]
Now, if you are using degrees, then we have:

[MATH]T=\frac{360^{\circ}}{\omega}[/MATH]

 

[Dr.Peterson]

Please state the exact problem you are talking about, and show your actual work rather than a general description. That will make it a lot easier to be sure we are answering your question.

But when angles are measured in degrees, you need to use 360º (the period of the sine in degrees) in place of 2 pi (the period in radians).

 

[curicuri]

Thank you for the quick reply!
Oops I realized that I made a mistake so problem solved..
Thank you anyway for trying to help me!

 

[topsquark]

Thank you for the quick reply!
Oops I realized that I made a mistake so problem solved..
Thank you anyway for trying to help me!

Great! Would you care to show your solution? It may help someone else.

-Dan