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When discussing trigonometric functions, which triangle best illustrates the concepts of cosecant, secant, and cotangent?

a) A right-angled triangle with side lengths 3, 4, and 5
b) A right-angled triangle with side lengths 1, 1, and √2
c) A right-angled triangle with side lengths 1, √3, and 2
d) A right-angled triangle with side lengths 1, 2, and √5

User Piku
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Final answer:

The right-angled triangle with side lengths 1, 1, and √2 best illustrates the concepts of cosecant, secant, and cotangent, as it simplifies the computation of these reciprocal trigonometric functions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When discussing the concepts of cosecant, secant, and cotangent, which are the reciprocal trigonometric functions of sine, cosine, and tangent respectively, it is ideal to illustrate these concepts using a right-angled triangle where all sides and angles are known or easily calculated. The triangle that best illustrates these concepts is:

  • b) A right-angled triangle with side lengths 1, 1, and √2

This is because the sides of this triangle allow for the easiest computation of trigonometric functions. For instance, in a right-angled triangle where the sides are 1, 1, and √2:

  • The sine of an angle would be 1/√2, and thus the cosecant (reciprocal of sine) would be √2.
  • The cosine of an angle would also be 1/√2, making the secant (reciprocal of cosine) also √2.
  • The tangent of an angle would be 1/1, so the cotangent (reciprocal of tangent) would also be 1.

This triangle simplifies the calculation and understanding of these trigonometric ratios due to its special 45°-45°-90° angles, where the ratios of the sides remain consistent.

User Dbburgess
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