Final answer:
To find cos θ for a point (12,5) on the terminal side of angle θ, divide the adjacent side (12) by the hypotenuse, which is calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.
Step-by-step explanation:
In mathematics, specifically in trigonometry, when you have a point on the terminal side of an angle θ, you can find the cosine of that angle by dividing the adjacent side of the corresponding right triangle by its hypotenuse. Considering the point (12,5) as coordinates on the Cartesian plane, 12 represents the length of the adjacent side to angle θ, while 5 represents the opposite side. To find the hypotenuse, we apply the Pythagorean theorem: √(12² + 5²).
After calculating the hypotenuse, the cosine of θ is the adjacent side (12) divided by the hypotenuse. Thus, cos θ = 12 / √(12² + 5²).