Trigonometry
      Calculation of values of trigonometric functions
         Calculation of values of trigonometric functions of an arbitrary angle x, examples
Calculation of values of trigonometric functions of an arbitrary angle x examples
Example:   Calculate  sin 1110°.
Solution:  To use the expression x = a + k · 360° we should divide given angle by 360° to get an integer multiple k and remaining angle a, thus 
Example:   Calculate  cos (- 77p/4).
Solution:   Since cos (- x) = cos x  we can write  cos (- 77p/4) = cos 77p/4
then, divide given x by 2p,    x = 77p/4 = 19p + p/4 = 9 · 2p + 5p/4  
so that,    cos (- 77p/4) = cos 77p/4 = cos (9 · 2p + 5p/4) = cos 5p/4.
As the terminal side of the angle 5p/4 lies in the third quadrant we use   cos (p + a) = - cos a
therefore,     cos 5p/4 = cos (p + p/4) = - cos p/4 = - Ö2/2.
Example:   Calculate  tan 817° 35 42.
Solution:   According to  x = a + k · 180° we divide the given angle x by 180° to determine k and a, so
x = 817° 35 42 = 97° 35 42 + 4 · 180°
thus,  tan 817° 35 42 = tan (97° 35 42 + 4 · 180°) = tan 97° 35 42
        as it is second-quadrant angle we use  tan (180° - a) = - tan a
        that is,  180° - a = 179° 59 60 - 97° 35 42 = 82° 24 18 
therefore,    tan 97° 35 42 = tan (180° - 82° 24 18) = - tan 82° 24 18 = - 7.49964. 
When we use a scientific calculator to find values for trigonometric functions, a given angle should be entered as decimal degree in DEG mode, so input
82.2418   INV   ®DEG    =>    82.405°   TAN     =>    7.49964367.
Example:   Calculate  cot 27p/7.
Solution:   Decompose the angle to   x = a + k · p, that is,    x = 27p/7 = (3 + 6/7)p = 6p/7 + 3p
thus,   cot 27p/7 = cot (6p/7 + 3p) = cot 6p/7
since for a fourth-quadrant angle holds  cot (2p - a) = - cot a
then,     cot 6p/7 = cot (2p - p/7) = - cot p/7 = - 2.07652.
When we use calculator we set it in the RAD mode using DRG key, then enter,
INV  p   ¸  7  =  0.44879895    TAN   (0.481574618)     1 / x     =>    2.076521397.   
That is, the value of the function cotangent we calculate as the reciprocal value of the function tangent, as
cot x = 1/tan x.
Trigonometry contents A
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