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The terminal side of an angle θ in standard position intersects the unit circle at

36

85

,

77

85

. What is cos(θ)?

Write your answer in simplified, rationalized form.

User Reuven Lax
by
4.9k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

Cos θ = (36/85) in simplified rationalized form

Cos θ = 0.4235

Explanation:

The image of the description is attached to this solution.

The terminal side of an angle is the side that is directly opposite to the angle.

Let the point where the terminal side intersects the unit circle be (x, y)

The length of the radius of the circle = 1 unit

This setup of the terminal side meeting the radius gives a right angle triangle.

With hypotenuse = radius = 1.

It is evident that the length of the two other sides are (36/85) and (77/85) respectively.

To check, we use the Pythagoras theorem.

x² + y² = r²

(36/85)² + (77/85)² = r²

(36² + 77²)/85² = r²

(1296 + 5929)/7225 = r²

(7225/7225) = r²

r = 1 unit!! As predicted by the question.

So,

cos θ = (Adj/Hyp)

Adj = (36/85)

Hyp = 1

So,

Cos θ = (36/85) = 0.4235

Hope this Helps!!!

The terminal side of an angle θ in standard position intersects the unit circle at-example-1
User Pak
by
5.2k points