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Solve the equation if 0° < x < 360° cos x = - 1/2


User Skilleo
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1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

120° and 240°

Explanation:

The given info about the angle x is cos x = - 1/2.

By definition, cos x = - 1/2 = (adjacent side) / hypotenuse, so here we can assume the adjacent side is -1 and the hypotenuse is 2.

A negative cosine tells us that the angle is in Quadrant II or Quadrant III.

If x is in Quadrant II, then its value is 120°

If x is in Quadrant III, then its value is 120° + 120°, or 240°

Check:

User Birrel
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